Brow Books acquires graphic novel ‘Stone Fruit’

Brow Books has acquired ANZ rights to debut graphic novel Stone Fruit by Montreal-based Australian comics artist Lee Lai.

Stone Fruit follows queer couple Bron and Ray who ‘enjoy their role as the weirdo aunties for Ray’s niece Nessie’. The publisher said: ‘Stone Fruit is a story about a very particular kind of heartbreak—and the openings that emerge as a result … As the intimacy between them breaks down, Ray and Bron are reminded of the family ties that have been left behind, and the painful self-growth of reconnection.’

Alessandra Sternfeld at comics literary agency Am-Book was responsible for the deal, with North American rights also selling to comics publisher Fantagraphics Books in what Publishers Marketplace called ‘one of the most competitive graphic novel auctions in recent times’. French-language rights have also been sold to Editions Sarbacane.

‘I’m stoked to be publishing with Brow Books,’ said Lai. ‘The Lifted Brow has been there for me for years now, publishing my most tentative early comics, as well as regularly introducing new, completely amazing artists and authors onto my radar. The Brow team consistently puts their artists to the front and I feel really lucky to have this project in their hands.’

Brow Books will publish Stone Fruit in early 2021.

(Pictured: Lee Lai. Credit: Leah Jing McIntosh)

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions