An Isle of Wight ferry crossing where time stops for 4 strangers provides the unusual setting for a new novel being published this month, with author Emily Bullock meeting readers at a Newport book signing just 2 days after its release.
Almost a Ghost Story will be published on 17th September, ahead of Emily’s visit to Waterstones on the Isle of Wight on 19th September, where she will be signing copies and chatting with readers at the Newport bookshop from 11:00-13:00.
The 304-page novel takes place on an Isle of Wight ferry crossing the Solent, where time stops for 4 strangers – Marin, Ronan, Hollis and Jay.
Each is dealing with grief, guilt or unfinished love and, as they meet onboard, they are faced with the question of what they would do if given one final moment to live.
The story follows a rule governing their unusual passage – there are no new tickets, only exchanges.
Marin and Ronan must journey through love and loss as they attempt to rewrite fate, while Hollis and Jay make what is described as a desperate trade.
Secrets and tragic connections are subsequently revealed, with the story moving between the ferry and life on the Isle of Wight.
Island resident Emily is a previous winner of the Bristol Short Story Prize and has had short stories included in numerous anthologies.
Her debut novel, The Longest Fight, was published by Myriad and shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book Awards, as well as being listed in The Independent’s Paperbacks of the Year.
Her second novel, Inside the Beautiful Inside, was published in 2020 by Everything with Words and reviewed in both The Times and The Observer.
A collection of short stories, Human Terrain, followed in 2021 and was longlisted for the Edge Hill Prize 2022.
Author Amanda Craig has described Emily as:
“A writer of dazzling talent.”
Almost a Ghost Story is being published by Everything with Words as a paperback, priced at £10.99.
More information about the Waterstones book signing.
