#debut-novels

#debut-novels

From brilliant new voices to seasoned icons, many of the past year's breakout works are by Black authors. In June, Great Black Hope, a coming-of-age story reckoning with privilege and belonging, made first-time author Rob Franklin a household name. And in July, Stephanie Wambugu's gorgeous debut novel Lonely Crowds, which explores the intimacy and frustration in the relationship between two lifelong friends, climbed bestseller lists.

As the the very proud sponsor of the Newcomer of the Year Book Award, we're always excited to see what new fiction is coming from Irish writers, so it's wonderful to report that there's much to look forward to in 2026.