Gillian Green, Publishing Director for fiction at Pan Macmillan, has acquired World rights to Sarah Lee’s debut novel, AN OCEAN APART, from Senior Agent Kate Burke.
Set in the 1950s, AN OCEAN APART follows the lives of three young Caribbean women who come to England and train to be nurses in the then fledging NHS. The book is partly inspired by the author’s mother who originally came to the UK in the Sixties to become a nurse and the stories she has told the author about her training and experiences as a Windrush nurse.
Gillian Green says: ‘Sarah Lee’s debut – as well as being a wonderful story – is a complete love letter to the NHS and the Windrush Generation of nurses who came from the Caribbean to work for it. We’re so proud to be publishing this lovely slice of important historical fiction at Pan.’
Sarah Lee says: ‘I felt compelled to tell this story as many of the experiences of the characters in AN OCEAN APART resemble those of the proud, strong, caring women I grew up around, including my own mother. These pioneering young people left their homes, families and all that they knew to come to the ‘Mother Country’ and help lay the foundations of the NHS, with many giving over their entire working lives to the service. It is a privilege to be able to bring these little known stories to light.’
Kate Burke says ‘Gillian’s vision and passion for this novel has been evident from the start, and I’m delighted to be working with Sarah and the Pan team on this historical gem.’
Pan Macmillan will publish AN OCEAN APART in a library hardback in August, with the paperback to come in September 2022.
About Sarah Lee
Sarah Lee is a journalist and editor of 25 years, across news and features, and has written for regional and national newspapers as well as commissioned for women’s true life magazines. More recently, she has focused her attention on the world of travel, creating luxury blog, LiveShareTravel.com. She also works with destinations and brands worldwide on storytelling marketing campaigns and conferences through her company, Captivate.