Sceptre to publish 'raw, uncompromising and intensely lyrical' Natasha Carthew’s new non-fiction ROUGH EDGES

Acclaimed writer, poet and activist Natasha Carthew’s fierce and powerful new non-fiction title, ROUGH EDGES: WHERE LAND MEETS WATER, THE UNTOLD STORIES OF COASTLINE COMMUNITIES has been acquired by Sceptre. Editorial Director at Sceptre, Charlotte Humphery will publish the book after Hannah Black acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (exc. Canada) from Juliet Pickering. ROUGH EDGES will be available in in hardback, export trade paperback, ebook and audio digital download on 4 June 2026.

Following on from Natasha’s Nero Prize shortlisted memoir, UNDERCURRENT, ROUGH EDGES is a rallying cry for the beauty and importance of our coast and its people. Beyond the picture postcards, Britain’s coastal communities are suffering. Crowds flood the beaches during summer heatwaves, but quickly vanish again, leaving behind litter and unstable seasonal jobs. Seaside property is in high demand but affordable only for landlords and gentrifiers. The cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing pains of austerity trap those at the vulnerable edges of our nation in poverty.

Having grown up in rural Cornwall, Natasha Carthew leaves the county in search of a new home. Travelling the country and exploring the villages, towns and cities of our coast, she meets the people fighting to keep these places alive. With fierce compassion, she shares their voices and their stories.

Charlotte Humphery says: ‘Natasha is a remarkable force on the page and in the world, and I’m proud to be working with her on this vital new book. Whether exploring coastal cities or walking country paths, she traces economic shifts, the cost of austerity and considers the past and the future of these places under threat by climate change, gentrification and political expediency. Journeying across the country, she gives voice to those often ignored and finds hope in the persistence of coastal communities and those who live on our nation’s edges.’

Natasha Carthew says: ‘I’m delighted to be able to call Sceptre the home for my new non-fiction ROUGH EDGES, and I couldn’t wish for anyone better to guide me along the urban edges of our coastline than Charlotte, an editor who is a compassionate, considerate and curious, ensuring that the voices of our nation, especially those of the working-class, are heard loud and clear.’

About Natasha Carthew

Natasha Carthew is a Cornish working-class writer, poet and activist. She is the author of ten books, most recently UNDERCURRENT: A CORNISH MEMOIR OF POVERTY, NATURE AND RESILIENCE (2023), which was shortlisted for the non-fiction prize at the inaugural Nero Book Awards. She has also contributed to HAG: FORGOTTEN TALES (2020) and WOMEN ON NATURE: 100+ VOICES ON PLACE, LANDSCAPE & THE NATURAL WORLD (2021) and BOG PEOPLE: A WORKING-CLASS ANTHOLOGY OF FOLK HORROR (2025).

Natasha has written extensively on nature and socio-economics, and frequently discusses how authentic rural working-class writing is represented, for several publications and programmes including BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, The Bookseller, Book Brunch, The Big Issue and The Economist.

Natasha is also the Founder and Director of The Working Class Writers Festival and Common Ground Nature Prize for Working Class Writers.

Praise for Natasha Carthew

‘Natasha writes with a vivid, imagistic language’ – The Financial Times

‘Carthew is an elegantly lyrical writer’ – The Independent

‘Gripping stuff, Carthew’s prose has a startling ferocity’ – The Telegraph

‘Carthew’s is a different voice: sinewy and inventive’ – Patrick Gale

‘The rhythm of the language is hypnotic, and the powerful imagery of Natasha’s prose takes over. The raw energy and beauty of the landscapes are particularly well-evoked’ – Daily Mail

‘A real thing of beauty. The innovative structure and striking illustrations combine to create a verbal and visual feast. The reader feels like they are down in the darkness of mine and eavesdropping on the past’ – Cathy Rentzenbrink

‘Carthew’s writing is raw, uncompromising and intensely lyrical’ – Bookanista

‘Rough and taciturn and frank and, at times, utterly shocking. But Natasha’s writing is also deeply, deeply intimate’ – The Bookbag

Follow Natasha on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram.

BOUND BY FIRE by Elli J. Morrigan storms the Audible charts

BOUND BY FIRE, the first in Elli J. Morrigan’s Ashen Crown series, has performed tremendously well since its publication in August. First published by Audible in Germany it was No.1 in the German Fantasy as well as the Most Popular/Most Listened Audible charts. Its UK and US publication followed in October, and has already proved extremely popular with English listeners, with an average 4.5 star rating on Audible. It was also featured prominently at Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest trade fair for books.

BOUND BY FIRE is a romantasy novel. Burned out and desperate for change, Izzy has just quit her job and retreated to her late parents’ summer cabin, hoping to rediscover her former self. Instead, she tumbles unexpectedly into the mysterious realm of the Fae – straight into the path of the enigmatic Caleb – a hot, brooding stranger who refuses to let her out of his sight.

If Izzy ever hopes to return home, she has no choice but to follow him into Skarvindar, and the fortress of the ruthless Queen Kalia, who sees more in Izzy than just a lost mortal.

While frantically searching for a way back, Izzy becomes entangled in a deadly game of power where her life is at stake.

But within her, a fire stirs, poised to become an inferno – one that might save her, or reduce everything to ashes.

Meanwhile, a dangerous attraction ignites between her and Caleb, but their connection harbours secrets that could destroy them both.

Izzy faces a crucial decision: will she use her newly discovered strength to return to the person she once was – or to become the person she could be?

About Elli J. Morrigan

Elli J. Morrigan is the pen name of writing duo Alison Norrington and Jenny E. Kleine.

Jenny has a background in screenwriting and development, while Alison is a best-selling author, writer & producer. Her debut novel, CLASS ACT, was an Irish bestseller in 2004, with first week sales of over 10,000.

Praise for BOUND BY FIRE

‘Couldn’t stop listening! Loved every minute. From the very first scene, I was hooked… If you love slow-burn romantasy, strong heroines, and a touch of danger, this one’s for you.’ – reader review

‘Wonderful character development, a twisty, turny plot and a delicious ‘will they/won't they’ romance. Unexpected and utterly delightful. Definitely excited for the next instalment!’ – reader review

‘Oh. My. Goodness.... fabulous. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Now on tenterhooks for the next book...! Cannot wait!!’ – reader review

Follow Elli J. Morrigan on Instagram

Blake Friedmann Open Week returns!

Our Open Week is back! After an exciting and busy 2025, we’re pleased to be reopening our virtual doors next month with a week (Monday 10th – Friday 14th of November) dedicated to demystifying publishing and agenting, and supporting writers seeking representation. We will be sharing agent blogs on a variety of agenting and publishing topics, and running book giveaways across our social media accounts on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Bluesky.

As ever, our aim is to offer helpful information and insight into what an agent does, how to navigate the submission process in terms of finding an agent, how an author and agent work together, understanding the publication process, earning income as an author through the sale of rights (translation, film & TV, audio and book), and we’re also happy to answer any questions on how to get into the agenting or publishing industry. The whole team, including all of our book agents, the Film & TV department, and the Translation Rights team, will be involved throughout the week, and we hope to answer as many questions as possible from writers (published or querying).

Alongside this, we will be offering three writers a 20-minute feedback meeting (online or by phone) on their submission packages in December. More information on how to submit for this opportunity will be revealed during the week on our social media accounts and on our website.

Kate Burke said: ‘We’re delighted to be running our Open Week again! At Blake Friedmann, we are all about transparency and accessibility. We are committed to supporting writers and anyone who wants to get into the industry but one thing we notice, time and time again –  from social media and what our agents hear when they give talks at schools, writers’ groups, conferences and festivals – is that people still have questions about what agents actually do and how it all works in terms of money, deals and rights, so, hopefully, our Open Weeks help to clarify that!’

More about the Open Week and new, daily content will be shared on our website and on our social media channels, using the hashtag #BFLAOpenWeek, throughout the week of 10th of November. This author-focused endeavour follows our ongoing Carole Blake Open Doors Project launched in 2017.

More information about Open Week - including our archive of blog posts and articles from previous years - can be found on the BFLA Open Week page of our website.

Karen Campbell’s ‘beautiful, uplifting’ THIS BRIGHT LIFE shortlisted for Scotland’s National Book Awards

UPDATE: we are delighted to announce that Karen Campbell’s THIS BRIGHT LIFE has advanced to the shortlist for the Best Fiction prize at Scotland’s National Book Awards, presented by the Saltire Society.

Also nominated are Sean Lusk (A WOMAN OF OPINION), Chris McQueer (HERMIT), Michael Pederson (MUCKLE FLUGGA), Krystelle Bamford (IDLE GROUNDS) and Chris Kohler (PHANTOM LIMB).

‘These titles explore pressing issues and remake and challenge long traditions, with great characterisation, luscious language and a good dollop of straight-up craziness,’ wrote the judges on Instagram, announcing the shortlist. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 19th November at a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Central Hall, hosted by Coinneach Macleod. 

Congratulations again to Karen! For more information about THIS BRIGHT LIFE and the awards, please read on.

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THIS BRIGHT LIFE – the ninth novel by Karen Campbell – has been included on the longlist for this year’s Best Fiction prize at Scotland’s National Book Awards, presented by the Saltire Society. One of the world’s oldest running prizes for literature, first awarded in 1937, Scotland’s National Book Awards celebrate the very best of Scottish writing across five categories – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, First Book and Research – the winners of each competing for the overall Book of the Year prize.

‘Witty and incisive, this is a quirky and compassionate novel centred on a brilliantly realised child character,’ said the judges on THIS BRIGHT LIFE, calling it ‘a deft and empathetic exploration of lives fallen between the cracks.’

THIS BRIGHT LIFE tells the intertwined stories of twelve-year-old Gerard, widower Margaret, and social worker Claire as a terrible decision brings together their three messy lives in order to heal, mend, and build again. The novel was published by Canongate in March 2025, with an audiobook simultaneously published by Bolinda. It earned rave reviews from the likes of Janice Hallett  (‘Ultimately life-affirming, this gritty novel will take you to dark places, but it’s one beautiful, uplifting journey’) and Kirstin Innes (‘Karen Campbell finds lives that can fall between the cracks, and holds them up to the light of her clear, compassionate writing’), as well as The Scotsman and The Herald. A paperback will be published by Canongate in March 2026, and a Turkish translation by Nemesis is forthcoming.

Longlisted for Best Fiction alongside Karen are Sean Lusk (A WOMAN OF OPINION), Chris McQueer (HERMIT), Michael Pederson (MUCKLE FLUGGA), Angie Spoto (THE BONE DIVER), Richard Strachan (THE UNRECOVERED), James Yorkston (TOMMY THE BRUCE), Selali Fiamanya (BEFORE WE HIT THE GROUND), Krystelle Bamford (IDLE GROUNDS) and Chris Kohler (PHANTOM LIMB). The shortlists will be announced in October, ahead of the awards ceremony in late November.

Congratulations Karen!

About THIS BRIGHT LIFE

Margaret – an elderly widow who just wants to be left with her memories and her quiet, contained life.

Claire – newly divorced, downsizing into the neighbourhood and way too busy to mend a broken heart.

Gerard – a tearaway twelve-year-old who hates his name but loves his little brother and sister. Gerard is a bright kid, but trouble always follows him. No one really knows what it's like at home; he's used to carrying a lot on his small shoulders.

Gerard doesn't always make good decisions. One morning, he makes a very bad one, upending not just his world, but the lives of Margaret and Claire too. Both heart-breaking and life-affirming, THIS BRIGHT LIFE is a story of messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy.

Photo: Kim Ayers

About Karen Campbell

Karen Campbell is originally from Glasgow but now lives in southwest Scotland. She graduated with distinction from Glasgow University’s Creative Writing Masters and won an SAC New Writers Award and a Creative Scotland Bursary. Before turning to writing, she was a police officer in Glasgow, then press officer with Glasgow City Council. She also tutors in creative writing and was Writer in Residence at Dumfries & Galloway Council during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her first four novels focus on life behind the police uniform. This disconnect between what we see on the surface and the reality underneath runs through much of her work, with Karen going on to write novels such as THIS IS WHERE I AM (Bloomsbury, 2013), which was a Radio 4 Book at Bedtime.  Her eighth novel PAPER CUP (Canongate, 2022) was a Waterstone’s Scottish Book of the Month and won the 2023 Blairgowrie Bookmark Prize. Karen’s appeared on Radio 4 Women’s Hour, Radio 3’s The Verb, Radio Scotland and BBC television’s Big Scottish Book Club.

Praise for THIS BRIGHT LIFE

‘THIS BRIGHT LIFE is a moving, haunting portrait of childhood and the jagged reflections of one tiny action in the kaleidoscope of humanity. Karen Campbell captures the voice of 12-year-old Gerard with poignant accuracy and her words paint pictures with the touch of an old master. Ultimately life-affirming, this gritty novel will take you to dark places, but it’s one beautiful, uplifting journey.’ – Janice Hallett 

‘I love this story so much. Karen writes with such a rare and deep understanding of people and every word of her stories earns its keep. THIS BRIGHT LIFE is dark, moving and compassionate… it makes you feel hopeful, like a handrail in the dark. I adore it’ – Joanna Cannon

‘Karen Campbell finds lives that can fall between the cracks, and holds them up to the light of her clear, compassionate writing. Wee Gerard is yet another one of her brilliant creations – so real you can hear him breathing, feel his hurt and frustration alongside him.’ – Kirstin Innes

‘A novel of great empathy and humanity, in which bleakness is offset by optimism, represented by the community that rallies around, the stranger who wants to help and the possibility of redemption.’ – Alastair Mabbot, The Herald

‘Few write with such compassion and understanding of human nature, which is just one of the reasons her books mean so much to her readers. THIS BRIGHT LIFE looks back to childhood and how decisions made, and resultant events, impact on individuals and those around them. Karen Campbell manages to convey the drama of people’s everyday lives in the most empathetic and beautiful way.’ – Alastair Braidwood, SNACK Magazine, ‘Ten Books for 2025’

Follow Karen on X (formerly Twitter)

Visit Karen’s website

Chloé Zhao's film of Maggie O'Farrell's HAMNET has its UK Premiere at BFI London Film Festival Mayor's Gala

After its world premiere at Telluride Film Festival last month, Hamnet the movie (based on Maggie O’Farrell’s multi award winning novel) had a European premiere at the London Film Festival this past Saturday, sparking renewed Oscar buzz. The film has already won the TIFF People’s Choice Best Film Award as well as the 48th Mill Valley ‘Overall Audience Favourite’ Award.

Directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao from a screenplay adaptation co-written by Maggie and Chloe, Hamnet received an emotional round of applause from a packed Royal Festival Hall audience. The film, a gut-wrenching drama exploring contrasting experiences of grief, stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in the lead roles, with Emily Watson and Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet.

The event was introduced  by Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, alongside producers Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris and Nick Gonda and key cast.

Blake Friedmann’s Head of Film and TV, Conrad Williams, negotiated the adaptation and screenwriting deals for Maggie. Victoria Hobbs at A.M.Heath reps Maggie’s publishing rights etc.

Critical Acclaim for Hamnet

‘This transcendent adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about the death of Shakespeare’s son will be an Oscar frontrunner’ – The Times

‘Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal excel in stately Shakespeare drama with overwhelming finale’ – The Guardian

 ‘Jessie Buckley delivers a devastating performance in Chloé Zhao’s radically feminine take on Shakespeare’s family life’ – Variety

 ‘Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and director Chloé Zhao turn Shakespeare’s real-life tragedy into a heartbreaking portrait of love, loss, and the healing power of art’ – Rolling Stone