Maelstrom, the debut novel by the acclaimed singer and songwriter Hope Tala, was sold to Anna Kelly at Virago after a heated seven-way auction in the UK, in a significant six-figure two-books deal. North American rights were instead snapped by Talia Cieslinski at The Dial Press in a significant six-figure pre-empt. Virago will publish Maelstrom as their lead debut novel in Spring 2028. The deals were brokered by Olivia Maidment, at Madeleine Milburn Agency.
A polyphonic literary novel set over one London day, Maelstrom is about the mixed-race Richardson family, whose close-knit, harmonious dynamic was fractured by an act of racist and misogynistic violence three and a half years before. Weighed down by guilt for her role in what happened, Kinna – the second-eldest daughter – is dreading her younger sister’s birthday celebrations. Narrated by her three siblings, in an unruly and intimate chorus, the novel follows Kinna through the hours leading up to the family gathering, when she is forced to confront the impact of the event that changed them all for ever. For fans of NW by Zadie Smith, Assembly by Natasha Brown and George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo.
Anna Kelly says: ‘Gloriously original, funny, moving and thought-provoking, Maelstrom is the sort of novel that reminds you just how powerful fiction can be. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the redemptive powers of art, love and family, and sisters Sorrel, Kinna and Rose and their brother Midas are set to find a place in readers’ hearts that will rival Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, Franny and Zooey, and all the other best literary siblings out there. Talent like Hope’s comes along very rarely and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Virago list.’
Hope Tala says: ‘I admired Virago long before I knew anything about the publishing world and it’s such an honour to be joining their list, which includes so many of my favourite authors. To have found editors in Anna at Virago and Talia at Dial Press who immediately understood and believed in Maelstrom is the stuff of dreams; I’m so excited to work with them and I couldn’t be more grateful to my brilliant agent, Liv Maidment, who has guided me through this process with such passion and care. I can’t imagine a better team to help shepherd Kinna and her siblings into the world!’
