Prototype to publish photographer Scheynius’ debut

Prototype is to publish photographer Lina Scheynius’ debut, Diary of an Ending, translated from Swedish by Saskia Vogel. 

Jess Chandler acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Seren Adams at United Agents, and the book, which follows the aftermath of a break-up, will be published in summer 2024. 

The publisher said: “Originally recorded in diary form over six months, the book blurs the lines between genres, exploring the emotions of grief, anxiety, love and anger that accompany the end of a relationship, and grappling with questions and doubts about motherhood and how to learn to trust again.” 

Scheynius said: “After nearly 20 years of publishing my photographs online and in photo books, I’m excited to be expanding into text-based work, and I’m thrilled that Diary of an Ending will be published by Jess Chandler at Prototype and translated by Saskia Vogel. I hope supporters of my art will find the same intimacy and raw honesty resonating in this book.” 

Chandler added: “I first came to Lina Scheynius’ work through her stunning photographs, and was struck by the immediacy and honesty of her prose, which creates its own visual language. Her writing has a lyrical simplicity to it that refuses abstraction in favour of a raw directness that is so open and generous in inviting its readers to share in intimate personal experiences. Moving between text and imagery, Diary of an Ending is a daring work of autofiction which will appeal both to Lina’s established fanbase and establish her importance as an artist working across genres.”