Ventura acquires Carrick debut fiction

Ventura Press has acquired world rights to Brigid Carrick’s debut commercial fiction, The Belfast Express.

Set in Dublin during the 1970s, The Belfast Express is described by the publisher as a ‘coming-of-age story of a young midwife’ that ‘offers a rarely seen view of 1970s Ireland’.

Carrick worked as a midwife in Dublin before emigrating to Australia. She has since married, raised two daughters and worked as a midwife, teacher and manager at hospitals in Melbourne. She is the author of multiple short stories. The Belfast Express is her first novel.

She said, ‘This story, set in my hometown of Dublin, has allowed me to describe the repressive conditions people were forced to endure. Supporting each other helped to bring us out of the dark ages.’

Publisher Jane Curry said, ‘After the success of Jennifer Worth’s Call the Midwife, I’ve always wanted to sign a midwife-turned-author at Ventura. I was delighted when Brigid submitted her manuscript.’

Ventura Press plans to release The Belfast Express in March 2026.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions