In this week’s Endnotes we take a look at Rumaan Alam’s Claim (Riverhead, Sept.), the Publisher: called “a disturbing novel about a middle-class black New Yorker in her thirties who is thrown off course by the wealth and power of her billionaire boss.”
This is how the book came about.
Mr. author
“This book began with an idea that came up in conversation: a woman marrying an apartment.
The finished book is, of course, far from it, but it remains, I think, clearly recognizable – the idea that redemption or salvation is not to be achieved through romance, but through transaction. The process of writing and revising is always the same: slow, deliberate work, the greatest challenge of which is maintaining one’s stamina.”
Sarah McGrath, SVP and Editor-in-Chief, Riverhead
“Rumaan knew exactly what he wanted to achieve with this novel from the beginning and it was a privilege to watch him perfect his work.
I found that, as an editor, conversations with Rumaan actually reflected the experience of reading his novels: each exchange was fast-paced, insightful, intense and profound, but also satisfying and entertaining.”
Julie Barer, Founding Partner and Agent, the Book Group
“I was immediately captivated by this sharply observed and insightful, yet thrilling and chilling story about New York City, money, race, identity – all the things that Rumaan masterfully analyzes and explores. The entire team at Riverhead has supported this new book with tremendous energy and enthusiasm, and it has been wonderful to walk this path to publication with them.”
Grace Han, Deputy Director of Art and Design, Riverhead
“As I read the manuscript, I imagined the work of visual artist Tishk Barzanji. I’m so glad we were able to collaborate with him on the cover artwork. We wanted to create a menacing mood while also emphasizing richness through composition and color. Tishk is a master at all of these things.”
A version of this article appeared in the December 8, 2024 issue of Publisher: under the heading: Endnotes
