Viking pre-empts Somin’s 'irresistible' novel

Viking has pre-empted Korean author Yeon Somin’s The Healing Season of Pottery, the first of her books to be published in the UK, with translation by Clare Richards.

Editorial director Rosa Schierenberg acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Lisette Verhagen at PFD, on behalf of Mojosa, a publisher in South Korea. In just two weeks, rights sold in 14 languages, mostly in pre-empts, with many more deals under way. Global publication is scheduled for autumn 2024.

“The Healing Season of Pottery was first published by Mojosa in Korea earlier this year,” the blurb reads. “It follows 30-year-old Jungmin who, burnt out from an all-consuming screenwriting career, finds solace in the art of pottery. Across four seasons – summer, autumn, winter and spring – Jungmin’s wounds slowly heal: pot by pot, plate by plate, she discovers that, as her hands become busier, her mind becomes calmer and her heart opens up.”

Schierenberg said: “This uplifting novel is a complete delight and the perfect tonic for these busy times. With wry observation and warm humour, Yeon Somin takes the reader on an all-too-relatable journey from exhausted burn out to peaceful resolution, where community among new friends and old practices provides much-needed solace.

"Everyone needs a bit of the Soyo workshop in their life and I’m pleased that, come next year, we’ll be bringing them just that.”

Somin said: “Pottery can be difficult and slow but, if you put your heart into it, you will always move forwards in a better direction. Taking care of yourself can be just the same and I hope that all the Jungmins of the world can lean a little more on the power of kindness.”

Verhagen commented: “It’s been exciting to see how quickly publishers worldwide responded to Somin’s writing. It’s not only an irresistible story – the prose is beautiful and the characters are depicted with insight and sensitivity."

She added: "I’m absolutely overjoyed that Rosa and the Viking team will be publishing in the UK and together with Clare Richards translating, the novel will be in the best possible hands.”

Somin is known for both her literary and television writing, winning the Korea New Writer’s Award. The Healing Season of Pottery is her first novel to be published in the UK. Clare Richards’ translations have been published by Pushkin Press.