Ockham-shortlisted HOODS LANDING heads overseas

Āporo Press is thrilled to announce the sale of World All Language (ex. NZ) rights of Laura Vincent's debut novel, Hoods Landing, to editor Juliet Garcia at London-based publisher Pushkin Press, in a deal brokered by Damien Levi.

A critical and commercial success in Aotearoa New Zealand, Hoods Landing was shortlisted for the 2026 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, alongside Catherine Chidgey, Sam Mahon and winner Ingrid Horrocks.

Following a family gathering in Auckland for matriarch Bufty’s birthday, the novel unfolds as a Southern Gothic-inflected anti-tragedy, featuring elderly lesbians, a 102-year-old tarot reader, people dropping like flies from cancer, several dogs named Roger and a sexy baptism. With the support of dedicated indie booksellers and word-of-mouth popularity, the book has built a devoted following.

Garcia says, 'I fell headfirst for Laura’s novel and greatly admire the originality, warmth and humour of her storytelling. It made me weep and laugh in equal measure, and is exactly the kind of life-affirming literary fiction that I know will resonate with readers internationally.'

Pushkin Press plans to publish the book in both the UK and the USA, and pursue further translation opportunities across other territories.

Vincent says, 'I’m overjoyed for Hoods Landing to find a home away from home with Pushkin Press, and I hope the Spice Girls and Nigella Lawson read it. I can’t wait to introduce new audiences to the Gordon whānau and all their proclivities.'

The rights sale excludes Aotearoa New Zealand rights, in English and te reo Māori, which will stay with Āporo Press.

Hoods Landing by Laura Vincent publishes in the UK this November, and the US in 2027.