Introducing the Debut Crew 2024
Introducing the Debut Crew 2024
October 2024 Releases
I’m beginning this newsletter from the stunning Mitchell Library Reading Room, between sessions at BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival – talk about inspirational! Yesterday I spoke on a Fresh Talent panel alongside fellow Debut Crew authors Brooke Hardwick and Susannah Glenn, this morning I listened to a panel of debuts that featured our own Mitch Jennings, and tomorrow P.A. Thomas and Georgia Harper will take to the stage. The festival has also been a fantastic opportunity to connect with other authors, including many debuts. These last few days have prompted me to reflect on how much has changed for all of us this year, and the authors mentioned are only a small representation of the vast array of talent in this year’s crop of debut authors.
The good news is that although the year is coming to an end, there are still many wonderful debut books to come, more talented authors to introduce and exciting plans afoot to share the debut love with readers. October brings a gorgeous picture book that will make an excellent Christmas present as well as several enticing novels for adults. Books make excellent gifts, and there’s something for everyone on your list in the Debut Crew 2024 offerings.
LIKE A GANNET by Kirsten Ealand, illustrated by Deb Hudson
Out 1 October 2024 from Windy Hollow
Blurb: Little Francie feels capable and confident in the water, so when she watches her older cousins diving like gannets from the high diving board at the local pool, she wants to do it too. But can she be a gannet if she cannot even dive? Experience all the excitement and apprehension of that first time on the diving board in this joyous celebration of summer days at the pool and one little fledgling who wants to be a gannet.
Bio: Kirsten Ealand lives in a little patch of rainforest in northern NSW where she enjoys an alternative lifestyle with her family. She writes fresh, relatable books for kids that she hopes will leave the world a better place. When not writing she loves working in her regional library getting kids excited about books and reading, and deep water running at her local pool. As a child she spent long summer hours in the pool pretending to be a dolphin or a mermaid and has always wished she could dive like a gannet. Find out more at kirstenealand.com or follow Kirsten on Instagram or Facebook.
Upcoming Events:
Launch at Murwillumbah Library - October 26th at 10.15am, with illustrator Deb Hudson and in conversation with Zewlan Moor. Bookings essential.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
I was surprised by how much input I had into the publication process. Once I stopped feeling worried about asking questions and checking in with anything I didn’t understand, and I started advocating for what I thought were the best outcomes, I realised that I was a valuable part of the publication team. I definitely remained flexible and open to ideas, but I really think we ended up with a better book because I was an active part of the process.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
My launch is later in the month, so release day will be low-key. I should go jump off the high diving board at my local pool, but I will probably take some photos of my book on the shelf at my local indie bookstore, then go out for lunch with my family.
Preorder your copy of Like a Gannet.
ALL THE BEES IN THE HOLLOWS by Lauren Keegan
Out 8 October 2024 from Affirm Press
Blurb: All the Bees in the Hollows is an atmospheric feminist mystery set in a 16th C Lithuanian beekeeping community.
Marytè is a devoted beekeeper. She lives by the old rules: work with fellow beekeepers, be a good Christian and a good harvest will follow. There is little help to be had from her eldest daughter. Austėja is no worker bee. She takes risks, speaks her mind and dreams of escaping their isolated community. As her mother works, she finds refuge in the ancient forest and the old beliefs instilled in her by her defiant grandmother.
When Austėja discovers the mutilated body of the Hollow Watcher and uncovers a honeycomb of lies and betrayal, she is intent on finding the truth and protecting her family. Will mother and daughter overcome their differences, learn the truth behind the murder and complete the honey harvest?
Bio: Lauren Keegan is a perinatal psychologist, writer and mother who lives on Dharawal and Gundungarra country (Wollondilly, NSW). She has worked extensively in perinatal and infant mental health. She has two young girls and drinks more tea than is sensible. All the Bees in the Hollows is her debut novel. Find out more at laurenkeeganwriter.com or follow Lauren on Instagram or Facebook.
Upcoming Events:
Friday 18 October 2024, 6:30pm to 8:00pm, Sydney book launch at Better Read Than Dead, Newtown. Lauren will be in conversation with Michelle Barraclough. Bookings essential.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
Just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make a book out of a manuscript.
I signed a contract 12 months ago and it feels like it has gone by quickly. I was submitting manuscripts for 15 years (a long time!) but after signing a contract 12 months ago, it has gone by so fast!
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
Publication day is right in the middle of school holidays! I plan to have a nice lunch with my husband and two girls, and a glass of wine to celebrate. I also have my first radio interview that afternoon, so that will be a great way to kick off the publicity period.
Preorder your copy of All the Bees in the Hollows.
DOUBLE HAPPINESS by Rochelle Siemienowicz
Out 1 October 2024 from MidnightSun
Blurb: One woman, two men. What if she doesn’t have to choose? Overcome with guilt about a love affair she can’t give up, Anna confesses to her husband, Brendan. He is shocked and devastated but makes the unusual decision to try to accept the lover, Jeremy, as part of their family. Told from three perspectives, Double Happiness is a story about sex, honesty and jealousy – and the challenges of forging a new kind of romance. Set in Melbourne over seven years, this lyrical contemporary love story explores the complexities of non-monogamy with humour and heart, asking what it’s like to love two, or more, people equally but differently. What is the effect of time on erotic love? And what happens when your new lover wants someone else too?
Bio: Rochelle Siemienowicz is a writer, editor and arts journalist. Her first book was Fallen (Affirm Press, 2015), a memoir about sex, religion and marrying too young. Her work has been published widely, including in The Age, SBS, Kill Your Darlings, The Big Issue, Metro and ArtsHub. She has a PhD in Australian cinema and was for many years a film and TV critic and columnist. She lives in Melbourne with her two partners, her son and a beloved but incontinent rescue dog. Double Happiness (MidnightSun Oct 2024) is her first novel. Find out more at rochellesiemienowicz.com or follow Rochelle on Instagram or Twitter/X.
Upcoming Events:
MELBOURNE
First look at Double Happiness and Westside celebrations
When: Thursday 3 October, from 6.30pm
Where: Littlefoot Bar and Kitchen, 223 Barkly St, Footscray, Vic
What: Launched by author Lee Kofman and MidnightSun publisher, Anna Solding. Books will be on sale thanks to The Sun Bookshop. Stay around for dinner and drinks afterwards as Littlefoot has an excellent chef.
Readings Book Launch for Double Happiness
When: Thursday 24 October, 6pm
Where: Readings Emporium, Shop 1-016/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
What: Rochelle Siemienowicz in conversation with author Paul Dalgarno (Prudish Nation, A Country of Eternal Light). Please join us for celebrations and book signing.
Bookings: All welcome and this event is free but please book here.
ADELAIDE
Adelaide launch of Double Happiness
When: Saturday 19 October, 7pm
Where: Base64, 64 North Terrace, Kent Town, Adelaide
What: Launch party hosted by Anna Solding of South Australian publisher MidnightSun, and Rochelle Siemienowicz in conversation with author, editor and critic, Jo Case. There will be dancing afterwards.
BRISBANE
Brisbane launch of Double Happiness
When: Thursday 10 October, 6.30pm
Where: Books@Stones, 360 Logan Rd, Stones Corner, QLD.
What: Brisbane launch of Double Happiness. Rochelle Siemienowicz in conversation with author Susan Johnston.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
I’ve been surprised at how much dread and self-loathing I feel about promoting myself and my book when usually I’m happy to speak in public and be seen. It’s been a long road to publication for this novel and I really didn’t expect it to be quite so difficult.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
That’s a really good question because my launch is two days later and I currently have nothing planned for the actual day. So thank you for asking… I do believe in celebrating the wins because they can be few and far between in the writing life, so I think I will sleep in, go out for brunch with some dear ones, and then probably visit a few bookstores to see that it’s real!
Preorder your copy of Double Happiness.
MATIA by Emily Tsokos Purtill
Out 8 October 2024 from UWA Publishing
Blurb: Sia is a young Greek woman who has emigrated from Greece to Perth, Western Australia in 1945 for a better life. She carries with her four prophecies and four pieces of protective jewellery, matia, one for herself, her daughter, her granddaughter, and great-granddaughter. With a dooming prophecy hanging over each woman’s head will their lives unfold as they want or are they chained to the fate that’s been destined for them? Over four generations and three continents, linking back and forth over 125 years from Greece to Perth to New York and back to Greece, Emily Tsokos Purtill has weaved a story that is utterly captivating and deeply moving.
Bio: Emily Tsokos Purtill is a Western Australian writer of Greek heritage living in Perth/Boorloo on the lands of the Whadjuk Nyoongar people. She has also lived in the UK, Vancouver, Paris and New York. Emily has worked as a lawyer in Perth and in Paris. She returned to creative writing when she lived in New York in 2014. Emily has had fiction published in Westerly and Griffith Review. She was recently announced as a winner of the 2024 Griffith Review Emerging Voices competition. Matia is Emily’s debut novel. Find out more at emilytsokospurtill.com or follow Emily on Instagram or Facebook.
Upcoming Events:
Perth launch - Thursday 10 October, WA Art Collective
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
I can’t believe how different the manuscript read once the typesetter had done the first proofs. It felt so different to be reading it as a ‘book’ and not as a Pages document on my computer. That really surprised me!
It’s also been wonderful being part of such a supportive debut author community.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
I haven’t thought that far ahead, but once the children are at school I’m hoping to visit some bookshops! Then I will probably go to the library. I’m there a lot.
SKYSONG by C.A. Wright
Out 1 October 2024 from Pantera Press
Blurb: Oriane is the skylark, and the sun only rises if she wills it. Every morning, she transforms from woman to bird, calling the dawn with her song. Seclusion has kept her safe her whole life – but it has also left her lonely, and craving freedom. When Oriane finally succumbs to the lure of the wild unknown, she is discovered in the gardens of the royal palace, where she is taken in by the king and treated like a goddess – and a prisoner.
Embroiled in a battle of faith and politics, Oriane yearns to return to her safe, simple life. A growing danger surrounds the palace, and the skylark and her gift are at its centre. But within the whispers, Oriane learns something she never expected: she may not be as alone as she thought. There may be another like her. The nightingale.
Bio: C. A. (Claire) Wright is a fantasy author from Newcastle, New South Wales. When she’s not writing, reading or working as a freelance editor, she can be found spending time with her husband, baking, birdwatching and eating/drinking delicious things. Find out more at cawrightbooks.com or follow Claire on Instagram.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday 8th October, from 6pm: Books at the Bowlo, Club Lambton
Wednesday 9th October, 6:30pm: Sydney launch at Harry Hartog Bondi Junction
Saturday 12th October, from 4pm: Hunter launch at Harry Hartog Green Hills
Thursday 17th October, 6pm: Newcastle launch at MacLean's Booksellers Hamilton. RSVP to sales@macleansbooks.com.au
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
Probably how excited about/dedicated to this book everyone on my publishing team has been. It's such a lovely (and surreal) feeling to have a whole team of people championing something that has spent so long living solely inside your own head!
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
Likely by treating myself to coffee and cake, or pasta and wine, or (let's be real) all of the above.
Preorder your copy of Skysong.
As the end of the year approaches, fewer debut books are released. I will continue to highlight upcoming releases from the Debut Crew in my newsletters, but I also urge you to look over the previous months’ releases and continue to support new authors in any way you can – reviews, library requests and recommendations to friends are all greatly appreciated. Until next month, happy reading!