Somesuch Editions acquires Cenac Rollins' 'entrancing' debut

Somesuch Editions has acquired Now Burns Blue, the debut novel by Cenac Rollins.

Suze Olbrich, editor at the imprint, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Liv Maidment at Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency. The novel will be published in paperback and e-book on 13th July 2026.

The synopsis says: "This debut follows young, Black, (ex-)lovers, Afia and Frank, as they reckon with the fallout from their shared past and try to redirect their lives in a problematic city that ever shines with promise. For artist Afia, this means wrestling with the compromises that creative dreams demand. While Frank agitates to serve his community from within a corrupted system.

"As Carnival weekend nears during a simmering London summer, fate tempts them close once again. But it’s not just Frank and Afia who are enmeshed in this potent social mix. And the unwitting consequences of their reunion threaten to change their and their loved ones’ lives forever."

Rollins said: "My first novel Now Burns Blue is an ode to London, a city continually (re-)crafted by exploitation and devastation, that brims with community, passion and possibility. The prospect of my words reaching readers is very gratifying, and I’m looking forward to the book setting minds alight. I’m ecstatic that it’s found a home with Somesuch.

"I’m thankful to my agent Liv Maidment, whose guidance brought the best out of me, and my editor Suze Olbrich, whose instinct for narrative is phenomenal."

Olbrich added: "An extraordinarily accomplished and entrancing debut, Now Burns Blue hooks readers with a relatable tale of romance gone awry, before revealing itself as a propulsive portrait of London today, and a vital portrayal of the tensions triggered by trying to live conscientiously, let alone artistically, in this city.

"Repeatedly, during the acquisition and editorial process, I was floored by Cenac’s talent for meaningful, pacy dialogue, scene-conjuring and emotional intelligence in crafting complex characters that stay with you, even return to you, long after the book’s finale. All of us at Somesuch are overjoyed at the prospect of introducing this special title to readers this summer."

Now Burns Blue is the second novel published by Somesuch Editions, following Kimberly Campanello’s Use the Words You Have. The imprint also publishes the annual journal Somesuch Stories and has released three photography titles this year.