Mirari Press Acquires BLOODBIRD by Erica Livingston

A haunting tale of grief, transformation, and the poetry of survival

We’re thrilled to announce that Mirari Press has acquired Bloodbird, the lyrical and visceral debut novel by South African author and poet Erica Livingston. The novel is set for release in 2026.

Bloodbird tells the story of Naomi Sutton, whose ordinary life in the coastal town of Gordon’s Bay is shattered by a sudden breakup and a mysterious illness. In a moment of overwhelming grief, Naomi writes a haiku—unaware that she is a witch and that her words have the power to curse. As her body begins to fail, an ominous Pied Crow returns to haunt her, biting and burning its way into her reality.

When Naomi meets Ava Louw, a tattooed wild child with a fatal heart condition, an unlikely friendship forms. Together, they begin to heal, until Naomi discovers that Ava is hiding a dangerous secret. The Bloodbird is watching, and fate does not take kindly to betrayal.

Infused with razor-sharp symbolism, dark humour, and aching beauty, Bloodbird is a poetic exploration of trauma, desire, and transformation.

“Livingston’s voice is one-of-a-kind—mythic, earthy, and intimate,” says Marius du Plessis, CEO and Publisher. “Bloodbird reads like a fever dream, with teeth.”

About the Author

Erica Livingston is the author of Bloodbird (Mirari Press, 2026), a novel of magical realism that follows a poet who unknowingly curses herself by writing a haiku in a moment of unbearable grief. Her writing delves into heartbreak, unlikely friendship, and the traumatic consequences of delayed trauma. Readers describe her work as lyrical, visceral, and rich with symbolism.

Erica is passionate about poetry and was shortlisted for the 2023 New Contrast Poetry Prize. Her poems have appeared in several journals, including Ons Klyntji Zine, Stanzas Poetry Magazine, New Contrast Literary Journal, and New Coin Poetry. Her flash autofiction was also featured in In Other Stories, an anthology published by Karavan Press and edited by Kerry Hammerton (2024).

When not holding a pen, Erica keeps house and homeschools her young wild child. She lives in Cape Town with her husband, daughter, and their pet rabbit, Stormy.