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Sibylline Press releases Claire R. McDougall’s Song of the Selkie

9 hours ago
By AI, Created 23:25 UTC, Sep 17, 2026, AGP -

Sibylline Press has released Song of the Selkie, the latest novel from Scottish-born author Claire R. McDougall, on Sept. 15, 2026. The book follows three sisters in Scotland as buried family truths and a selkie myth force each woman to confront identity, desire and the life she wants next.

Why it matters: - Song of the Selkie ties Scottish mythology to a modern story about ambition, family strain and the pull of home. - The novel centers on women at different life stages, giving the release broad appeal for readers of literary fiction, women’s fiction and mythology-rooted stories. - Sibylline Press is positioning the book as part of its focus on publishing women over 50.

What happened: - Sibylline Press released Song of the Selkie by Scottish-born author Claire R. McDougall. - The trade paperback was published Sept. 15, 2026. - The novel is set around three sisters and their return to Scotland. - The story draws on the old selkie legend, in which a seal woman sheds her skin, comes ashore and is trapped when a man steals it.

The details: - Frances, the youngest McFarland sister, is pursuing tenure at an Ivy League university in America and returns to Scotland near a career breakthrough. - Lala, the middle sister, moves between lovers while chasing passion and a creative life she feels remains out of reach. - Eddie, the eldest sister, pours pints for fishermen in a seaside pub and stays tied to Roansay, the island their late mother once called home. - The sisters reunite at their childhood home on Hogmanay, Scotland’s ancient New Year. - The reunion brings old wounds back to the surface and exposes long-hidden truths. - The novel explores identity, destiny, family and the feeling that a built life can become a form of captivity. - Sibylline Press lists the book as fiction. - The ISBN is 9798897400263. - The trade paperback price is $20.00.

Between the lines: - The release leans on myth as metaphor, using the selkie story to frame personal transformation and the cost of staying in a life that no longer fits. - Publisher Vicki DeArmon said the novel asks what it means to find your way back to yourself. - Kirkus Reviews called the book “evocative and deeply atmospheric” and highlighted the way McDougall uses selkie mythology as a metaphor for personal destiny and transformation. - The advance praise suggests the book is being marketed to readers who want literary atmosphere and emotional tension, not just folklore.

What’s next: - Sibylline Press is inviting requests for review copies and interviews with the author. - The book will likely continue its rollout through reviews, reader outreach and author promotion. - Sibylline Press says it publishes nearly 50 titles a year and includes fiction and memoir in its lineup.

The bottom line: - Song of the Selkie is being launched as a myth-rich family novel about sisters who must decide whether to keep living the life they chose or return to the selves they left behind.

Disclaimer: This article was produced by AGP Wire with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on original source content and has been refined to improve clarity, structure, and readability. This content is provided on an “as is” basis. While care has been taken in its preparation, it may contain inaccuracies or omissions, and readers should consult the original source and independently verify key information where appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.

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