Acquisition: Rachel King’s The Red Heads

Forest Avenue Press has acquired THE RED HEADS by Rachel King, a historical novel about an orphan recruited to a traveling women’s basketball team in the 1930s, for publication in spring 2027.

Rachel King, author of Bratwurst Haven and People Along the Sand.

Nora Becker has the opportunity of a lifetime: to play basketball for The Red Heads, a traveling women’s team, at the height of the Great Depression. She accepts the paid position, leaving her little sister behind to travel across the United States. Nora has never been outside of Oregon, and she soon learns that male opponents and spectators expect entertainment more than athleticism. As Nora finds joy in new friendships and travel, she bears witness to poverty and hopelessness in many communities. When her sister begs her to come home for good, Nora must reconcile her loyalty and love to her family and her teammates. A heartwarming historical tale brimming with engaging characters, THE RED HEADS will appeal to fans of Kathleen Rooney's From Dust to Stardust, Rita Bullwinkel's Headshot, and the movie A League of Their Own.

“This is an incredibly charming read,” said Publisher Laura Stanfill. “Our submissions committee responded with excitement and delight as we followed Nora’s adventures and rooted for her team. It’s a feel-good novel that will be an excellent addition to the Forest Ave catalog.”

Rachel King is the author of the novel People Along the Sand and the linked short-story collection Bratwurst Haven, winner of a 2023 Colorado Book Award and a finalist for a 2024 Oregon Book Award. Her short stories have appeared in One Story, North American Review, Northwest Review, and elsewhere. Rachel lives in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.