Narrative non-fiction writer Ana Diamond, who wrote during the Spread the Word Early Career Bursary programme under the name A.D. Aaba Atach, has signed a major deal with Canongate for her book, Breaking Silence: The Daughters of Iran. Curtis Brown have acquired world rights, and Simon and Schuster, North American rights. Breaking Silence is told through the lens of Ana’s own experience as a teenager being imprisoned on death row in Iran’s “notorious” Evin Prison. Breaking Silence: The Daughters of Iran is scheduled for publication in spring 2027.
Ana Diamond (A. D. Aaba Atach) was a recipient of the 2024 Early Career Bursary. The bursaries provided three London writers on a low income with bursaries each worth £15,000; £10,000 cash and £5,000, to put towards development opportunities.
On receiving the bursary, Ana Diamond said: “In the pursuit of an inclusive publishing industry, few organisations actually champion writers on a low income by recognising our talent and contributions to the literary world. Being awarded the Early Career Bursary is not merely a privilege; it’s a sanctuary that nurtures the literary potential of those whose stories were often borrowed and written by others more fortunate. I am immensely grateful to have been given this opportunity to join a supportive community of writers in London and develop my craft to its fullest extent.”
Read more about Ana’s book deal in the Bookseller.
The Early Career Bursaries were made possible by a generous philanthropic gift from Sam and Rosie Berwick.