Debut novel by Krystle Zara Appiah, ROOTLESS, to be published in the UK and US
Carla Josephson, Editorial Director at The Borough Press has won the auction for ROOTLESS, the debut novel by Krystle Zara Appiah, in a six-figure, two-book deal for UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Juliet Mushens, Mushens Entertainment.
North American rights were pre-empted by Chelcee Johns at Ballantine in a six-figure deal via Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency on behalf of Juliet Mushens, with Signatuur in Holland snapping up Dutch rights.
ROOTLESS is a tightly woven and powerful portrayal of a relationship in crisis. Best friends Efe and Sam meet as teenagers in 1990s London. Over the years that follow the best friends become lovers, then marry. But an unplanned pregnancy forces them to confront just how radically different they want their lives to be. Soon Efe is swallowed up by the demands of motherhood, the dreams for her life dangling from a thread. And when she disappears one morning, leaving both Sam and their daughter behind, Sam’s illusion of their perfect marriage crumbles. He’s about to discover exactly who he’s married to and the lengths he’ll go to win her back…
Carla Josephson said: ‘I fell in love with Efe and Sam from the very first pages – line by line, their relationship and the conflicts within are so beautifully observed and extraordinarily poignant. Krystle has painted an intimate and compelling portrait of a British-Ghanaian marriage in crisis, exploring themes of motherhood, family and the meaning of home. This is such an accomplished debut and I am absolutely delighted that Krystle has joined us at Borough!’
Krystle Zara Appiah said: “I am delighted to be working with Carla and The Borough Press team on Rootless, my debut novel. The enthusiasm in the UK and abroad has been better than anything I dared to imagine. I can’t wait for readers to encounter Sam and Efe and see their story unfold.”
Juliet Mushens said: “Krystle’s writing is gorgeous, and I found the exploration of love and motherhood very moving – I’m so excited to see The Borough Press launch what I’m sure will be a long and successful writing career.”
About the author: Krystle Zara Appiah is a Ghanaian writer and screenwriter, born and raised in London. She has a degree in literature and creative writing from the University of Kent. In 2020, she was one of forty writers selected for the London Library's Emerging Writers Programme. She also works as a children's books editor. ROOTLESS is her debut novel.
ROOTLESS will be published in hardback, eBook and audio in April 2023.