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9 July 2025

A new trilogy by a graduate of UCD's Creative Writing Masters has been snatched up by science fiction and fantasy publisher Hodderscape.

Due for release next year, this series by Dave Rudden, his first intended for an adult audience, will see its first book ‘Sister Wake’ published in hardback, e-book and audio formats January 2026.

Best known for his Knights of the Borrowed Dark trilogy, the Cavan author wrote the first chapter of the acclaimed series while undertaking the Masters' Degree in Creative Writing at UCD in 2013, and is one of had several notable graduates to come to national and international attention in recent years, including 2024 Booker Prize nominee Colin Barrett.

Publishing director Molly Powell acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to his newest series from Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson & Associates.

My first novel for adults - SISTER WAKE - is coming in January!

The beginning of an epic fantasy trilogy published by the stellar .bsky.social, SISTER WAKE is about colonialism, vengeance and giant fuck-off monsters.

(1/3)

— Dave Rudden (@d_ruddenwrites)

Sister Wake is an epic fantasy set on the wild island of Croí, which has been subject to the Empire of the Answering for 300 years. 

Its description reads: “Clans have been subjugated, their language outlawed, their religion reduced to the whisper of fugitive priests. But then Croi’s prayers are answered, and the gods return, feral and majestic. As the empire and island alike grapple with the ensuing chaos, one woman will decide the fate of them all: Sister Wake, unwilling saint of the Goddess of Death.”

“The history of Ireland is a history of invasions,” said Dave. “From mythic gods to the church to the empire, our culture and our narrative is one of navigating vast monsters, and I could think of no better way to explore those themes than through the behemoths of Sister Wake.”

“It’s such a privilege to work with the most exciting editor and publishing house in fantasy, and I am very grateful to Molly, Hodderscape and my agent Clare for setting this trilogy loose.”

Last year, Venetia Gosling, children’s publisher at Gill Books, acquired the English-language rights, outside of North America, to the UCD graduate’s ‘Tales of Darkisle’ series, a “spooky” new line of books aimed at nine to twelve-year-olds.

Following creatures from Irish folklore in a modern setting, the first book ‘Conn of the Dead’ features the accidentally release of the monster believed to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula from the UCD’s National Folklore Collection. 

“Darkisle… [is] my love letter to the short, snappy, accessible horror I devoured as a kid, but with cool Irish locations and the weirdest Irish folklore at its heart,” said Dave at the time of the signing.

A Creative Fellow at ���տ���, he has written for stage, screen and role-playing games, and his first horror feature script, Help, is in development with Wild Atlantic Pictures.

By:  , Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations

To contact the News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie