‘Almost Then’ to be published in early 2021.

I’m delighted to announce that Linen Press has signed my second novel, Almost Then, and will publish it in early 2021.

Almost Then belongs to twin sister and brother Rathlin and Breacàn Doherty. Despite their closeness, the twins have carved out lives in isolation of one other, having reacted differently to the same childhood tragedy.  They are brought together when Ballynoe, the house and land their parents raised them in, comes under threat. Against the backdrop of childhood memories, the twins unpick their family secrets, leading to heartbreak and a hidden heritage neither expected.  This is a story embedded in the landscape, of a love and legacy destroyed by family inheritance and the enduring grief of parental loss.

Here’s what Lynn Michell, the owner of Linen has to say about it.

We are excited to have signed Margot McCuaig’s second novel ‘Almost Then’ which I hesitate to reduce to a few words except to say that at the heart of the story is a powerful bond between twins, Rathlin and Breacàn Doherty, and the secrets and dangers surrounding their attempts to keep their beloved family home. I was pulled into the powerful narrative and couldn’t put it down.

Isn’t that wonderful! I’m heartened by these comments and I can’t wait to share the story with you, readers.

Here’s a little more about Linen Press.

Linen Press is a small, independent publisher run by women, for women. We are now the only indie women’s press in the UK. Our policy is to encourage and promote women writers and to give voice to a wide range of perspectives and themes that are relevant to women. We display and rejoice in the differences in female creative voices. We publish books that are diverse, challenging, and surprising.

As we edge closer to the publication date I’ll update on news on the launch!

My debut novel, The Birds That Never Flew, was shortlisted for the Dundee International Book Prize and longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. You can purchase a copy here.