Daffodils and snowdrops are in full bloom, evenings are starting to get lighter and we’re feeling that Spring is (finally) in the air. Saraband Towers has been quiet of late due to a succession of viruses laying us low. But we’re back – and we have had an exciting start to our 2024!
In January, The Observer ran its annual feature on the best debuts to look forward to in the coming year. Among the ones to watch is Andrés N. Ordorica, and we can’t wait to bring you more about his novel, How We Named the Stars! It’s a devastating, passionate and beautiful queer love story, a coming-of-age tale and a profound account of grieving all rolled into one unputdownable novel. But for now, we are just rejoicing for Andrés being included in this exclusive list of just ten authors, and the only one from a small independent publishing house. Proofs will be available soon!
In February we received news that we’ve been selected by The British Book Awards 2024 as a Regional & Country Finalist for Small Press of the Year in North England. We’re thrilled! The winner will be announced on the 11th March.
We also have some very exciting news to share about Graeme Macrae Burnet – keep reading to find out more!
Newsletter exclusive
To celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (8th March), we’re giving away a copy of What Doesn’t Kill Us by Ajay Close. To be in with a chance of winning, fill in this form and submit by midday on the 27th March, when we’ll be choosing the winner.
Critical acclaim for Donald S Murray
The Salt and the Flame, Donald S Murray’s latest Hebridean masterpiece, was published in January and flew out of stock and was reprinted straight away! It was a Times book of the month for January, with Antonia Senior describing it as ‘tender, wise and beautiful.’ The book is loosely related to Donald’s bestseller As the Women Lay Dreaming, and is the third in his Lewis collection, which also includes In A Veil of Mist. The story follows two hopeful young emigrants who leave Lewis in the wake of the Iolaire tragedy to pursue their hopes and dreams in the New World. You can read more about the background in our blog post here.
Find out why Allan Massie deemed this Donald’s best novel yet, in his glowing Scotsman review.
Watching Wildlife with Spiracle
Earlier this year we teamed up with the brilliant Spiracle, a distinctive audiobook platform that offers the best of independent publishing. We are delighted to confirm that Jim Crumley’s beautiful book sharing intimate secrets on his practice observing animals and birds in the field – Watching Wildlife – is now available as a Spiracle edition. It is compellingly narrated by Norman Bowman. We are so pleased they picked this book for our first co-production. Read more here and listen to a sample here.
New releases
What Doesn’t Kill Us by Ajay Close
“This book is a must read … a uniquely raw and authentic voice.” –Maxine Peake
A killer stalks the streets of Leeds. Every man is a suspect. Every woman is at risk. But in a house on Cleopatra Street, women are fighting back.
Permaculture by Maya Blackwell
Permaculture is a way of farming, gardening, or managing land that emphasises a reciprocal relationship with nature. Whether you’re completely new to permaculture or someone with years of experience wanting to reconnect with its history and core values, this book contains tools for growth that bring rewards far beyond the garden.
Atoms of Delight by Kenneth Steven
Poet and essayist Kenneth Steven takes us on a series of meditative quests in search of his “atoms of delight”—treasures, both natural and spiritual—through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes.
Audiobook of the Month
In honour of the 20th anniversary of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking disaster, we have released our audiobook of The Bay, by Julia Rampen. Use code L7S3EP for 50% off your purchase (valid on our website, Glassboxx free app required). To inspire you, here’s AnYi narrating in the role of Suling.
Events
Ajay Close @ Book Nook, Stirling, 8th March at 7pm
Maya Blackwell @ Gasworks Bristol, 8th March at 6pm
Jim Crumley @ Further From festival, Linlithgow, 9th March at 10am
Ajay Close @ Leeds Central Library, 13th March at 6.30pm
Ajay Close @ Portico Library, 14th March at 6pm
In case you missed it… Granite Noir
There were several Saraband authors at this year’s Granite Noir. Olga Wojtas caught Ajay Close’s event, Mysteries In Time Gone By.
Graeme Macrae Burnet news
As promised, our exciting Graeme Macrae Burnet news! We’re delighted to announce we’ll be publishing Graeme’s latest book, A Case of Matricide, in October 2024, which sees the return of Georges Gorski.
In the unremarkable French town of Saint-Louis, a mysterious stranger stalks the streets; an elderly woman believes her son is planning to do away with her; a prominent manufacturer drops dead. Between visits to the town’s hostelries, Chief Inspector Georges Gorski ponders the connections, if any, between these events, while all the time grappling with his own domestic and existential demons.
Read the full announcement here.