BOOKS OF THE YEAR FICTION: DÉBUT
OVERVIEW The début shortlist is nothing if not varied. Themes cover identity, race, oppression, family dynamics. Complex topics are consistently wrapped in beautiful design and entertaining narratives. While darker stories often prevail across the market, this year also saw a number of more hopeful titles break through. Each had something in common: intricate and distinct design, from cover through to marketing.
FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE The first novel from the New York Times profile writer may be set in Manhattan, but this clever, original story about marriage and relationships resonated with readers everywhere. Taffy Brodesser- Akner’s writing style is funny and deeply human, drawing fans not just to the book but to her as an author, and Wildfire’s campaign capitalised on this.
THE CONFESSIONS OF FRANNIE LANGTON With a Jamaican former slave as the protagonist, Sara Collins’ début was positioned as a new, original take on life in Georgian London. A murder mystery of sorts, opening with a trial in London in 1826, the book tack- les themes of race, class and oppression. It garnered a good deal of press attention, and was the winner of the 2019 Costa First Novel Award.
QUEENIE Candice Carty-Williams wrote her début novel when she couldn’t find anything like it in the market, and Trapeze set out to make it a cultural event. Published with four differently coloured covers, the book asked “which Queenie are you?”, tapping into the book’s theme of identity. Targeted marketing ensured great word of mouth, and a fifth cover was released in the summer.
THE BINDING The first adult novel from Bridget Collins, a blend of historical fantasy and magic, was published in a strikingly beautiful hardback—as befits a book about books. After an award-winning marketing campaign, which was as imaginative as the writing and design, Collins’ book was a hit on the high street, and became one of the bestselling adult débuts of the year.
PUBLISHERS 1 WILDFIRE 2 TRAPEZE 3 THE BOROUGH PRESS 4 VIKING 5 ZAFFRE 6 BLUEMOOSE BOOKS
THE FAMILIARS Zaffre committed to a huge 18-month campaign for Stacey Halls’ historical début, set amid the real-life Pendle Hill witch trials in 17th-century Lancashire. There was strong support from independent bookshops across the country, who created beautiful window displays influenced by the eye-catching cover design. The Familiars was also a Richard & Judy Book Club pick.
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LEONARD AND HUNGRY PAUL Rónán Hession’s gentle tale about a friendship between two ordinary men was a big success for small Hebden Bridge-based indie Bluemoose. The story challenged readers to ponder whether kind people could change the world. Strong support from indie booksellers and big word-of-mouth helped make this Bluemoose’s bestselling title ever.
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