In her debut novel Maya & Natasha, Elyse Durham follows the titular characters as they navigate the politics of Soviet era ballet while balancing their complicated relationship. The twins compete to make each other better while also wanting to outshine the other throughout their lives. When their Soviet ballet company goes on tour in America during the Cold War, their relationship is tested more than ever before as they must grapple with loyalty to their country, dreams of freedom, and their bond with each other.
An alum of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, Durham has published work in Cimarron Review, Image Journal, and the Cincinnati Review. Durhan has also held residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, the Glen Arbor Arts Center, and The Mount. Her debut novel is available for pre-order and will be published on February 18, 2025, from Mariner Books.
Debutiful is proud to give readers a first look at Maya & Natasha‘s beautiful cover, designed by the brilliant Mumtaz Mustafa. See the cover below and get a behind-the-scenes look at how the cover came to be with a short Q&A with author Elysa Durham.
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