Remembering Laura Fish

Laura's voice was one of great literary quality, integrity, and generosity.

Dear Scribblers,

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our esteemed author, Laura Fish. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura's partner, Michael, and her family during this difficult time.

The news of Laura's death has come as a terrible shock to all of us at Fly on the Wall Press. We had been working closely with Laura over the past year in preparation for the release of her third novel, "Lying Perfectly Still." It is profoundly sad to know that she will not see this important project come to completion.

A Cherished Member of Our Literary Family

Fly on the Wall authors are like family to us, and losing Laura is truly devastating. We know her passing will be felt deeply by the book community in the North and beyond, as well as by her colleagues and friends at Northumbria University where she worked.

Honouring Laura's Legacy

The best way we can honour Laura is to ensure that her work continues to be heard. Laura's voice was one of great literary quality, integrity, and generosity. Her writing consistently lifted underrepresented and marginalized voices, approaching their stories with empathy and respect. Laura had immensely important things to say, and we are committed to making sure her voice remains present in the literary world.

"Lying Perfectly Still": A Powerful Final Work

"Lying Perfectly Still" will be published as planned on October 24, 2024. Fittingly, the theme of this year's Black History Month is 'Reclaiming Narratives'. This important and beautifully written novel does exactly that, giving voice to the women of Eswatini in southern Africa, who have been ravaged by the AIDS epidemic of the late twentieth century.

In a previous letter to booksellers, Laura said…

“The novel's narrative is deeply informed by the voices of those most affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. During a research trip years after my initial work in the region, I asked young women to share the stories they wanted this book to tell. As a result, "Lying Perfectly Still" is partly life writing, with these women's experiences and perspectives woven into the fabric of the narrative.”

The story is told through the eyes of Koliwe, a troubled young woman of mixed-race heritage, searching for her African roots while grappling with the devastation she encounters and the inadequacy and corruption at the heart of the aid community for which she works.

Remembering Laura Fish: A Literary Force

Laura Fish was a remarkable talent whose work garnered significant recognition:

- Longlisted for the Women's Prize for her novel "Strange Music"

- Winner of the SI Leeds Reader's Choice Award 2022

- Third place in the SI Leeds Literary Prize 2022

- International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award nominated for "Strange Music" in 2009

- Her work has been featured in Pearson Edexcel's Black British Writing A-level reading guide and is taught in university courses internationally

- Her work, 'The Other side of Me' with Liz Pavey at Northumbria & Larrakia choreographer Gary Lang moved beyond borders of nations, to what families mean. (The Other Side of Me tells the true and tragic story of a young Aboriginal man who was taken from his mother and brought up in the Southwest of England.

It brought together an Indigenous Australian choreographer, a Black British writer, and an academic in dance, with an inclusive and diverse creative team, to devise a dance duet that explored the young man’s extraordinary journey and his process of rediscovery – a search for self. You can find out more about the 2023 project here.)

Laura's writing has been praised for its authenticity, provocative themes, and beautiful prose. Her loss will be deeply felt in the literary community, but her powerful voice and important messages will live on through her work.

As we mourn Laura's passing, we also celebrate her life and the incredible literary legacy she leaves behind. We invite you to join us in honouring her memory by reading and sharing her work, ensuring that her voice continues to resonate and inspire. We hope to organise a mini memorial event, discussing her writing and Lying Perfectly Still at Newcastle Central Library on Sat 26th of October, with Opt Indie. I will keep you up to date, and hope you can join us. A larger memorial celebrating the full breadth of her life’s work will likely be scheduled for the start of 2025.

With deep sadness and love,

Isabelle

Fly on the Wall Press