Former UCD student’s debut novel lands six-figure publishing deal
31-year old Disha Bose now lives in Cork, and her novel details the dark side of suburbia
A former UCD student has secured a six-figure publishing deal for her debut novel.
Disha Bose, who is represented by Marianne Gunn O’Connor — the literary super-agent behind the likes of Cecilia Ahern — has sold the rights to the novel Dirty Laundry to Viking for an undisclosed sum.
The novel details the dark side of suburbia, and tells the story of three women whose secrets and lies lead to one of their murders.
It also tackles the age-old ideas of the face we present to the world, the impossibility of who we fall in love with, and the urge to create better versions of ourselves in our children.
The 31-year-old Bose now lives in Cork, but was born and raised in India. She has lived in Kolkata, London and Dublin and has for several years worked in the tech industry. She has also completed a masters degree in creative writing at University College Dublin, where she was mentored by award-winning writer Anne Enright.
After acquiring the rights to the book, Viking publisher Katy Loftus, who published 2020’s runaway bestseller The Thursday Murder Club, was exuberant.
“Disha’s novel blew me away with its confidence and the sheer pleasure of reading it.
"It brings to mind the best of the novels about the dark side of suburban life and parenthood — from Little Fires Everywhere to Big Little Lies — but with a take that is completely now.
"Her three women are not the women you expect to see, and neither are the secrets they keep. I could not put it down, nor could anyone at Penguin. I am overjoyed that Viking will be launching what is sure to be a brilliant literary career.”
Explaining her novel, Disha said: “In Dirty Laundry I explore the complicated roles of couples today, the sometimes uncomfortable dynamics of female friendship, and our ideas of happiness.
"Through one of my characters in particular, I wanted to examine the immigrant experience of parenthood, and what it means to raise your children in a country that isn’t your own.”
US rights to the novel have been bought by Andra Miller at Ballantine, publisher of The Beekeeper of Aleppo.
Most Watched
Play
Play
Play
Play
Play
Latest Irish News
- Leaving the Gardaí was like ‘walking away from an abusive relationship’ - what resigning members are saying in exit interviews
- Charlie Bird asks followers to honour ‘remarkable’ Vicky Phelan in sweet tribute
- Man who killed Kildare shop owner fails in parole bid
- Weather Ireland: Frost and ice to return as temperatures will fall below freezing tonight
- Colin Murphy Opinion It’s like Anglo and 2008 all over again
Most Read
- Inside DJ Carey’s €10,000 US golfing trip to The Masters: ‘He didn’t seem like a man under financial stress’
- Man appears in court charged with murdering his sister and attempted murder of his niece (12)
- Kerry Babies: ‘All gardaí wanted was an admission of murder’ – solicitor for couple arrested over 1984 death of Baby John
- Taxi driver raped woman after picking her up outside nightclub
- Kerry Babies: Solicitor of couple questioned over death of Baby John says they are ‘totally innocent”
Latest
- GAA approves Croke Park and Casement Park inclusion in Euro 2028 bid
- ‘It's torture!’ – Wicklow manager Oisín McConville admits it’s a tough watch as his side earns promotion
- Down turn the screw in second half to end Offaly’s promotion bid
- Laois nail six goals past London but fail to secure promotion
- Kildare leapfrog Meath in Division 2 table, leaving Royals facing possibility of Tailteann Cup