Penguin Michael Joseph triumphs in seven-way auction for Robinson’s ‘love letter to Jamaica’

Penguin Michael Joseph has triumphed in a seven-publisher auction for Sweetness in the Skin by Ishi Robinson, “a coming-of-age story about family, food and finding your voice”.

Jessica Leeke, publisher, bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Jenny Hewson at Lutyens and Rubinstein in a six-figure deal. Rights have also been pre-empted in Italy and Canada and sold at auction in the US. Sweetness in the Skin will be published in spring 2024.

The story follows 14-year-old Pumkin Patterson, who lives in a two-room house in Kingston, Jamaica, with her devoted grandmother, her beloved Aunt Sophie, and a mother who could not care less about her. 

“When her estranged father shows up, as lazy and conniving as ever, Pumkin’s only real escape is food – while baking, she can forget the fighting at home,” the synopsis continues.

"When she is offered the chance for a new life in France, Pumkin must somehow find a way to raise the money herself. But with her mother determined to make it ever more difficult for Pumkin to leave, will her friends, her neighbours and her talent for baking help her escape? And will leaving home find her the freedom to be herself?"

Robinson said: “This novel is my love letter to Jamaica and I am beyond thrilled that Jess and the Penguin Michael Joseph team will be the ones to introduce Pumkin to the world.

“They saw straight to the heart of the story of how hard it can be – at any age – to find your place in the world and how the family you build for yourself can be the thing that saves you. My hope is that readers take their own journeys, not just of self, but through the food and people and beauty that make Jamaica the special place that it is.”

Leeke added: “The team at Penguin Michael Joseph fell heart and soul for Pumkin Patterson. Her funny, heart-breaking voice is so alive and compelling, her courage and determination so inspiring and timely, it will resonate far and wide. 

“Ishi Robinson writes movingly about class and colourism, about home, rootedness and the importance of discovering what we are capable of, and her bold and evocative writing is set to win the hearts of readers everywhere. We are extremely proud to welcome her to our list and launch her as a major new voice in 2024, with a campaign that celebrates the Jamaican food at the novel’s heart."

Hewson said she knew this was an “incredibly special book” from the very first page, adding that Robinson “writes with such warmth and wit, and such deep understanding of family and class and how they shape our lives.”

“Wise and uplifting, this is the kind of book that you want to press into everyone’s hands. I’m absolutely delighted that she will be published by Jess and the team at Penguin Michael Joseph,” she said.