Prizewinning author Snaith's debut snapped up by Transworld

Transworld has acquired a debut novel by Mahsuda Snaith, winner of the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2014 and Bristol Short Story Prize 2014, in a two-book deal.

Transworld assistant editor Lizzy Goudsmit bought world rights to The Constellation of Ravine and a second novel from James Wills at Watson, Little.

The novel tells the story of Ravine Roy, who is stuck in a bed in a council flat in Leicester. She suffers from chronic pain syndrome and hasn’t been outside in a decade. Now 18-years-old, she must find a way to confront "the Big World Outside" but first, she must revisit the cause of her pain and come to terms with what happened 10 years ago. 

Goudsmit said: “This is an outstanding novel; it is moving, mysterious and at the same time so rich and warm. The writing is brilliantly clear and incredibly nuanced. Everyone here at Transworld was hooked from the very first page.” 

Wills said: “Mahsuda is a superbly talented author with such an original and refreshing voice. Lizzy and the Transworld team immediately saw Mahsuda’s huge potential and I just can’t wait for the world to meet her brilliant, beautifully drawn character, Ravine.”

Doubleday will publish The Constellation of Ravine in hardback in May 2017.