7 Highly Anticipated Debut Novels In 2021

Last year, the massive disruptions to the publishing world meant that many book releases were delayed. Fortunately, 2021 is shaping up to be a great year for new writing. Bookshops will soon be opening their doors again in the UK, and book lovers will be pleased to know that there are plenty of great new stories to absorb in the coming months.

We can’t wait to discover the new writers among this year’s releases. No matter what the global situation, there are always stories to be told, statements to be made, and perspectives to be voiced. It is without doubt an important time for audiences to engage, to learn, and to be entertained, and these are just a few of the debut novels to make that happen this year.

I Don’t Forgive You by Aggie Blum Thompson

Washington DC-based writer, Aggie Blum Thompson has recently fought hard to help out fellow authors who, like herself, had their debut novels delayed in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Her website, 2021Debuts showcases some very interesting titles from debut novelists whose work will finally reach readers in 2021. Anyone looking for new talent in the publishing world is strongly advised to check it out.

2021 is therefore turning out to be a busy year for Thompson, as this coming June also sees the release of her own debut novel, I Don’t Forgive You. It has already received positive reviews from reputable names, including New York Times, best-selling author, Sarah Pekkanen, and international best-seller, Liv Constantine.

I Don’t Forgive You tells the story of young mother and photographer Allie, who becomes the unwitting victim of a deadly game of murder and mistruth. It seems that someone is out to ruin her entire life, forcing Allie to confront her past and face the unknown dangers ahead. Mystery and suspense are served up in what promises to be a thrilling page-turner for the summer and beyond.

Moth by Melody Razak 

Having received an MA in creative writing in Birkbeck, as well as having works published in the Bath Short Story Anthology and the Brick Lane Short Story Prize, Melody Razak has elevated her work to exemplary standard with her debut novel Moth.

Moth is set in Dehli 1946, and centres around a group of female characters, whose lives are torn apart during the violent Partition of India. Told primarily through the eyes of the 14 year old daughter of a liberal Brahmin household, the story provides a potent and unflinching account of a tumultuous historical period, where passion, love and heartbreak leave a lasting impression. While the time and setting are brought to life in masterful fashion, the devout charisma of the main characters are said to be the heart-and-soul driving force of the story.

The novel has already received high praise among critics, and has also earned Melody Razak a place in The Observer’s Ten Debut Novelists of 2021.These early accolades have made the anticipation for Moth’s release extremely lively.

Nightbitch by Rachael Yoder

Rachel Yoder has received numerous awards for her previous published short stories, and has a notable passion for helping other writers with their creative processes, as seen in her website Draft: the journal of process.

Her debut novel is set to exemplify her love of the writing craft. Nightbitch tells the surreal tale of a mother whose plans to put her career on hiatus in order to care for her young son goes strangely array.

Following the appearance of an unorthodox patch of hair on the back of her neck, and an increase in the sharpness of her teeth, the mother gradually exhibits dog-like behaviour, which she is forced to keep secret alongside the normality of her everyday life. Investigation into this strange phenomenon, and her discovery of a group of ambitious mothers leads her to discover that she may not be the only one of her kind. 

A movie adaptation of Nightbitch is already in the works, which will star Amy Adams, and will be produced by Annapurna Pictures.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris 

Zakiya Dalila Harris’ debut thriller has already made a strong impression, so much so that a TV adaptation of the novel has already been confirmed, which will be created for the streaming service, Hulu.

The Other Black Girl tells the story of Nella Rogers, an editorial assistant working at a New York publishing house, who finds some pleasant common ground with Hazel, the only other black girl working in the company. However, a series of events renders Hazel top of the company ladder, and Nella at ground level. 

Things go from bad to worse when Nella begins to receive sinister prompts to leave the company, supposedly by her former colleague. So begins an intriguing tale of obsession and suspense.

The Other Black Girl promises to be a pacy thriller with a distinct edge of social commentary, and is said to draw influence from the likes of Get Out, and The Devil Wears Prada. The book’s release has been greatly anticipated by numerous critics in reputable media outlets, including Time, The Washington Post, and the BBC.

Dead Souls by Sam Riviere

Sam Riviere is no stranger to publishing, and has an expanse of published poetry books dating all the way back to 2010 and before. He is a writer who has kept consistently busy and imaginative throughout his career. His first full-length novel is set to finally land on readers’ laps this year. 

Dead Souls is an intriguing tale which combines the events of a single night in London, with a sprawling retrospect of a character who has more than a few stories to tell. Set primarily in a Travelodge bar, the unnamed narrator of the story meets Solomon Wiese, a man who has been banished from his own community after failing an authenticity test. It is in this setting that Solomon recaps the tales of his life and the many strange events that occurred within it. As the stories grow increasingly intense, and Somolon reveals his intentions to aggressively return to former glories, it appears that the narrator may be more involved in the stranger’s antics than he originally thought.

Dead Souls had been praised by numerous authors including Luke Kennard and Megan Nolan.

Learwife by J R Thorp 

Under the name of Jennifer Thorp, this accomplished writer has received high acclaim as a librettist, and has created operatic texts for high-accolade composers such as Toby Young and Alex Mills. She continues to offer her writing services to operas, choirs and orchestras, and has had works published in BBC Music and the Oxford University Press..

As J R Thorp, she brings her writing skills to the world of reading with her debut novel, Learwife.

The book serves as an honorary continuation of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, set after the king’s death, and this time following the turbulent exile of Lear’s wife. With this now central character forced into isolation and driven towards revenge, the story breathes life into the redundant aftermath of a classic literary tale, and is also said to draw some stark parallels with the world we inhabit today.

Learwife is an intriguing and greatly sought-after piece of fiction, inspired by Margaret Atwood and Alison Weir. J R Thorp is now among The Observer’s Best Debut Novelists of 2021.

Mona at Sea by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

Elizabeth Gonzalez James is a writer and blogger who, over the years, has received prizes and numerous nominations for her short stories. She was a finalist in Glimmer Train’s Short Story Award for New Writers back in 2016.

Mona at Sea is her debut novel, and is set in the backdrop of the 2008 economic crisis. Mona is a young millennial, who despite her high prospects, finds herself living at home with her parents and with no job. Mona’s constant battle to attain the right kind of life is juxtaposed with the outside world’s continuous lack of opportunity, and she is therefore forced to reevaluate how she sees the world, as well as her own life inside of it.

The novel promises to be a sharp and witty coming-of-age drama, and has been greatly anticipated by several writing journals. It was also the finalist in the 2019 Santa Fe Writers Project Literary Awards. Readers will finally have the pleasure of discovering Mona at Sea this coming summer.