10 Debut Books Releasing in the 1st Half of 2021 That We’re Excited For!

2020 was a little bit underwhelming for me, I’m not going to lie, both bookwise and lifewise. But 2021 looks ripe with new opportunities and new books. Here are a few debut books by new authors that we just can’t wait for! We also have our Amazon and Bookshop Affiliates links. Finally, for easy access to buy any of these books, check out our Bookshop list!

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour

We love a good satire, and we especially love a corporate takedown satire, and we especially love a corporate takedown satire by a Black man. Enter Black Buck, a debut novel that takes on startup culture and the rampant racism within. We’re certain it will be a great start to 2021 with this release from Brooklyn-based Mateo Askaripour!

Expected Publication: January 5, 2021

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Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Torrey Peters, a trans woman, is releasing a debut novel of her own that takes on gender, parenthood and relationships. We are amped for it. The title comes from one of the main characters who detransitions to live as a man, which leads to a breakup from Reese, his girlfriend. Peters challenges cultural taboos in her novel, whilst giving a voice to many who don’t see themselves in the fiction world all too often, and we’re looking forward to checking it out!

Expected Publication: January 12, 2021

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Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

There are so many first novels that we have to be excited for! Angeline Boulley is an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians who is dedicated to writing books about her own community. Firekeeper’s Daughter delivers just that, telling the story of Daunis Fontaine, a biracial, unenrolled tribal member who is charmed by a hockey player named Jamie while taking care of her sick mother. She witnesses a murder that sparks this mystery thriller that we are thrilled to read!

Expected Publication: March 2, 2021

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Of Women and Salt by Gabriela Garcia

This one is by Gabriela Garcia, the daughter of Cuban and Mexican immigrant. Spanning five generations of women in one story, this one touches on immigration, womanhood and heritage. As fans of other intergenerational novels like Homegoing, we’re really looking forward to this first novel by Garcia.

Expected Publication: March 30, 2021

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Bride of the Sea by Eman Quotah

Arab-American Eman Quotah may be a new novelist, but she’s not new to writing and writes for a think tank in her day job. Bride of the Sea tells a story of a family torn apart literally and metaphorically by secrets. A collision of culture, religion and loss, this one’s sure to be a fantastic read.

Expected Publication: January 26, 2021

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Dial A for Aunties by Jessie Q. Sutanto

Sutanto is a new author with several books already lined up for the next couple years, and she’s sure to have a huge fanbase once the books start releasing. This one is about Chinese-Indonesian aunties and their meddling in an accidental murder. This is probably a good one for fans of Jane the Virgin who like a dash of comedy with their drama.

Expected Publication: April 27, 2021

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Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield

Asha Bromfield is best known for her role as Melody Jones, a member of Josie and the Pussycats in CW’s Riverdale. She’s also releasing her first book in 2021, a novel about a girl who visits her father’s homeland of Jamaica. An impending hurricane sets the backdrop of this story that touches on colorism, classism and family, with a romance to boot.

Expected Publication: May 4, 2021

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Brother, Sister, Mother, Explorer by Jamie Figueroa

Figueroa identifies as Afro-Taíno and Boricua. In this debut, she writes about two siblings coping with the death of their mother. One sibling struggles with grief and trauma and the other attempts to help them escape their current state of poverty. Touching on ancestral trauma with a bit of fable thrown in, this is sure to be a riveting read.

Expected Publication: March 2, 2021

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Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

We adore a good young adult rom-com and Elise Bryant, a Black SoCal native, is giving us just what we need. Happily Ever Afters features Tessa, a Black girl looking for a love story of her own to give her writing inspiration. Touted as Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, we are eager to read this one!

Expected Publication: January 5, 2021

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The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez

Last, but certainly not least, The (Un)Popular Vote is a queer romance with a political campaign backdrop and featuring a transmasculine teenager as the main character. Fans of The West Wing and Red, White & Royal Blue will appreciate this debut by Sanchez, a queer transmasculine author who already has a second book planned for 2022.

Expected Publication: June 1, 2021

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