Simon & Schuster acquires new graphic novel from New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lemire
New York, NY, Toronto, OntarioOctober 10, 2013Jeff Lemire, the award-winning, New York Timesbestselling author of Essex County and The Underwater Welder, will publish Roughneck, a new graphic novel, with Simon & Schuster and Simon & Schuster Canada, it was announced today. This literary graphic novel follows the story of a former hockey player forced to face his demons and reconnect with his Cree heritage when his troubled sister comes running home to the remote northern town where he now lives. Roughneck will be published in 2015.
Derek is a former hockey tough guy whose quick rise to the NHL was cut short when a brutal on-ice incident left him banned from professional hockey for life. Now, four years later, Derek has returned to Black River, his hometown in Northern Ontario, not far from the Moose Cree First Nation, where his mother grew up. Dereks slide into alcoholism and depression is interrupted when his long-lost sister, Annie, returns home trailing a violent ex-boyfriend. Together, the two escape to the woods, where they struggle to reconnect with the traditions of their Cree ancestors in order to escape their past and gain redemption.
Brit Hvide of Simon & Schuster acquired world English rights from Charlie Olsen of Inkwell Management.
Ms. Hvide commented, Were absolutely honoured to be publishing Roughneck. Its a story about cyclesthe way patterns, memories, and people return to us, again and again, whether we want them to or not. Jeff is one of those unique storytellers whose books speak to readers across all genres, and we think that Roughneck will be his finest work yet.
Kevin Hanson, Publisher of Simon & Schuster Canada, commented, We are thrilled to add Jeff to our emerging list. His graphic novels are inspiringly original and explore ideas that are deeply Canadian.
Jeff Lemire is the New York Times-bestselling creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, and The Underwater Welder and the sci-fi love story Trillium. Jeff is also a prominent writer for DC Comics, where he currently writes the monthly adventures of Green Arrow and Justice League of America. He has also written the monthly adventures of Superboy, Animal Man, and The Atom, among many others. In 2008 and 2013, Jeff won the Shuster Award for Best Canadian Cartoonist. He has also received The Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent and the American Library Associations prestigious Alex Award, recognizing books for adults with specific teen appeal. He has also been nominated for 7 Eisner awards, 7 Harvey Awards, and 8 Shuster Awards. In 2010, Essex County was named as one of the five Essential Canadian Novels of the Decade by the CBC. He currently lives and works in Toronto with his wife and son.
