A new literary novella by Scottish writer and academic Christiana Spens has been bought by Salt Publishing.
This is a satirical exploration of the wellness industry, the human desire for escapism, and the ways in which we are all contagious, in the end.
After a painful breakup, Lena escapes to an artists’ colony on a remote Scottish island, but as the idyllic retreat unravels into paranoia and decay – with dead birds washing ashore and tensions rising – she discovers that the quest for wellness may be more toxic than healing. In an age obsessed with wellness, escapism, and curated perfection, The Colony offers a chilling, thought-provoking reflection on how easily utopias can become dystopias.
Publisher Christopher Hamilton-Emery says: “This sinister tale of control and submission, set on a remote Scottish island, is haunting, eerie, and touched by fears of contagion and self-delusion – it’s perfect novel for Salt – and we’re delighted to welcome Christiana to our list.”
Christiana Spens says: “I’m thrilled that Salt will publish The Colony, my first foray into folk horror, and the culmination of many years of work and reflection. They have long supported authors writing about coastal life, islands and the strange relationships we often form with our environments, so I know it has found a perfect home with them.”
Christiana Spens is a critic and essayist. The author of four books, her most recent was The Fear (2023) published by Repeater Books, which The Spectator described as “A powerfully affecting tale of devastation and survival.”
She also writes regularly for publications2 such as The New Statesman, The Irish Times, Glamour, Stylist, Literary Hub, The London Magazine, Prospect and Studio International on culture, psychology and politics, and sometimes works as an illustrator for books by Granta, NYRB, and other publishers.
The book will publish on May 6, 2026 and is available for pre-order now.
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