Fiction is flourishing at Union Square & Co!

Thanks in large part to the hard work and talent of Union Square editor-at-large Claire Wachtel and Union Square executive editor Laura Schreiber, the publisher boasts a diverse list of novels that are sure to please readers of every stripe.

Among the highlights from Wachtel and Schreiber’s lists are The Dance of the Dolls by Lucy Ashe; The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar; Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee; and the third installment in Melissa Blair’s The Halfling Saga.

One the of keys to the publisher’s success, according to Schrieber, is supporting authors with kindness and tenacity. “We are lucky to work with a combination of new talent and established authors—or in some cases, published authors who are breaking into a new category,” she tells PW. “We do our best to tailor our approach to the unique gifts each creator brings to the table.”

And for Wachtel and Schrieber, the mission at Union Square is, naturally, all about the books.

“I hope that at least some of the books that I edited have longevity,” Wachtel says. “And that the novels resonate long after the last page has been turned and the book closed.”

This newsletter was produced in partnership with Union Square & Co.

Turn the Page: PW Talks with Claire Wachtel

Publishing veteran Claire Wachtel has had the pleasure of supporting a great many authors and introducing a library of memorable works of fiction and nonfiction into the literary world.

Beginning in 2022, Wachtel has served as editor-at-large at Union Square, which has allowed her to continue her mission of investing in the careers of diverse authors and publishing books that broadly resonate with readers.

PW spoke with Wachtel about working at Union Square, what she looks for in a book, reading for pleasure, and a whole lot more.

Before joining Union Square in 2022, you’d already had such a storied career within the publishing world. As you look at your tenure in publishing, what have been some of your guiding principles and goals?

From the very beginning of my career, I focused on acquiring books that were well written but also accessible. In my initial reading of a fiction manuscript, I worried less about plot and characters and more about the quality of the writing itself. I came to learn that if the language resonated, most issues could be resolved. And for the most part, it worked out that way.

I have been fortunate to work with many talented fiction writers in genres such as literary fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. These include Jo Nesbo, Anita Shreve, SJ Watson, and Dennis Lehane. My goal was to ensure that there was a strong narrative pull, suspense when necessary, and surprise at the end of the read –“Wow, I didn’t see that coming.” And to help develop careers to the next level.

The Dance of the Dolls by Lucy Ashe

London, 1933. Identical twin sisters Olivia and Clara Marionetta rehearse with Ninette de Valois for the ballet Coppélia at the recently opened Sadler’s Wells. But as they rehearse, danger lurks. Two men, a pianist and a pointe shoemaker, intrude on their lives with their obsessions and desires. The story of Coppélia and the dancing doll threatens to become a dark and sinister reality.

The Daughters of Madurai by Rajasree Variyar

Madurai, 1992. Janani, a young mother in a poor family, is told she is useless if she can’t produce a son—or worse, if she bears daughters. They let her keep her first baby girl, but the rest are taken away and murdered. But Janani can’t forget the daughters she was never allowed to love.

Sydney, 2019. Nila has a secret. Before she can share it, her grandfather falls ill, and she joins her parents on a trip to Madurai knowing little about where her family came from. What she learns changes her life forever. This book explores the issue of female infanticide, but it’s also a story about the bond between mothers and daughters, the strength of women, and the power of love.

Hotel 21 by Senta Rich

Noelle is a hotel cleaner and a model employee. But she can’t help but take “souvenirs” from the guest rooms: lipstick, a hair clip, some tweezers. By the time the guest has noticed, Noelle is long gone. As Noelle begins work at her 21st hotel, she’s determined to last longer than her record of one month. But then she meets her new colleagues. They make her wonder what it might be like to have true friends and someone to love.... Will they give her the courage to claim the life she deserves, or will old habits come back to haunt her?

Life-Changing Books: PW Talks with Laura Schreiber

For Laura Schreiber, an editor with a long-established career, there’s nothing quite like fostering the growth of a book from editing stages to publication.

Since 2021, Schreiber has served as executive editor at Union Square & Co., where she has continued to nurture the work of debut and seasoned authors alike. And with a luminous list of upcoming titles, there’s a potentially life-changing book for every reader.

Schreiber spoke with PW about a few upcoming highlights—ranging from fantasy epics to laugh-out-loud romantic comedies—and shared some valuable advice for writers everywhere.

In the past, you’ve edited numerous award-winning and bestselling titles. What’s it like to be instrumental in bringing a deeply impactful new book into the world?

It’s an honor! In my past roles, I have worked with tremendously talented authors of books for young people. A couple of recent titles that come to mind are Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson, winner of this year’s Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award, and Alexandra Bracken’s YA bestseller Lore. The experience of engaging with these works at their earliest stages, before they had a cover, a campaign, a readership—when they simply existed as transporting words on the page—is extraordinary to look back on after the books have gained a wide audience.

There are so many writers creating content, it can be very difficult for a debut author to break through. Do you have any words of guidance for aspiring authors?

It sounds cheesy, but my best advice is to trust in the unique qualities of your own work and not try to “game out” what will break through in a noisy market. And patience (I struggle with this one myself as an editor and passionate advocate!). Sometimes it’s an author’s third, fourth, fifth book that finally strikes just the right chord in the market and allows them to find the audience their work warranted all along.

About Union Square & Co.

At Union Square & Co. our mission is to publish books and products with a point of view. We promote excellence in contemporary book publishing and honor the visions of our creators by providing best-in-class editorial and design paired with the highest-quality production, sales, and marketing.

Established in 2022, our inaugural list highlighted our dedication to talent-driven publishing for adults and children. That same year we welcomed two new businesses to the family: Knock Knock and Em & Friends, known for their innovative gift and stationery products, and Boxer Books, known for its commitment to picture books for young children.

The creation of Union Square & Co. was influenced by New York City’s Union Square Park, where we are located. Singular in its design, its location, and its energy, this park is like so many community gathering places around the world—people shop, dine, experience art and music, voice their perspectives on social issues, burn off youthful energy in the playground, play board games, or find a moment of peace on a park bench. Our focus on quality, curation, entertainment, distinction, and change is directly inspired by the characteristics of this park.

Just as a park unites a community, we believe that words unite us all. And it is with this spirit that we invite you to explore Union Square & Co. and be nourished, entertained, and inspired.

Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy

In this glittering mystery set in 1930, two people collide while undercover at a California mansion inspired by Hearst Castle. An aspiring PI is posing as a maid at a Hollywood mogul’s estate when an ex-con walks through the door with a new name. The two have a dark shared past, and each could easily “make” the other. They strike a tentative alliance in this romantic novel filled with intrigue and Old Hollywood glamour.

The Halfling Saga Series by Melissa Blair

This tour-de-force romantic fantasy series from an Indigenous perspective follows an assassin-turned-rebel as she leads her people in overthrowing a brutal regime. A Broken Blade, Blair’s debut, was originally self-published anonymously with a splashy BookTok reveal. The series continues with A Shadow Crown and a to-be-announced third installment that turns the story on its head with a major twist. Blair draws on her Anishinaabe ancestry to portray an Indigenous experience in the fantasy space.

Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee

A new mom repairs her broken dreams in this hilarious rom-com that sparkles with wit and compassion. When the father of her new baby dumps her, Hannah moves in with her mama and stepdaddy in the mountains of Blue Ridge, Ga. There she turns a decrepit cabin into vacation property gold with the help of a sizzling-hot carpenter. Snappy dialogue and a smart take on modern motherhood make this debut romance a standout.

Not So Perfect Strangers by L.S. Stratton

There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women… kill their husbands. In this tense domestic thriller, a modern spin on Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, a chance encounter upends the lives of a Black woman and white woman who want to help each other escape nightmare marriages. They have very different ideas of how, and are on a collision course that ends in the case files of the D.C. homicide unit.

Win Two Great Novels from Union Square & Co.

Enter for your chance to win a copy of both Hannah Tate, Beyond Repair by Laura Piper Lee and The Dance of the Dolls by Lucy Ashe, courtesy of Union Square & Co.

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