Introducing the Debut Crew 2024
September 2024 Releases
It’s been a wonderful, whirlwind release month for me so far (more on that in an upcoming post). One thing that’s kept me grounded over the last few weeks is the Debut Crew, and as you can see, there’s no sign of the debut releases slowing down just yet! I’m more than happy to take a break from book promotion to showcase these fantastic September releases as well as Brooke Scobie’s exciting set of middle-grade fiction books that came out recently. Please preorder, book in for an event or put in a library request – your support is welcome.
THE GROWN-UP’S GUIDE TO PICTURE BOOKS by Lara Cain Gray, illustrated by Timothy Ide & Lorena Carrington
Out 1 September 2024 from MidnightSun Publishing
Blurb: A picture book is a book with pictures, but it’s so much more than that! This A to Z guide helps you level up your picture book reading experiences, empowering yourself and the young readers in your world to dive deeper into what makes a great picture book great. With histories, insights and handy talking points for shared reading, come and explore the complexities of modern picture books. Discover the science of page layouts, the purpose of rhyme, and why our favourites linger in our hearts and minds for life. Let’s read!
Bio: Dr Lara Cain Gray is a writer, librarian and storytelling advocate from Meanjin/Brisbane. She is the children’s book specialist at nonprofit publisher Library For All. This follows a PhD in cross-cultural communication and a multi-discipline career including roles at the British Library, QUT and Queensland Museum. She has held board and committee positions across the arts sector, and has served as a children’s book awards judge. She reads every day and will NEVER be too old for picture books. Find out more at laracaingray.com or follow Lara on Instagram, Facebook or Threads.
Upcoming Events:
4th September, 7.30pm AEST: The Power of Picture Books for Readers of All Ages, Online launch and public lecture with National Centre for Australian Children's Literature.
7th September, 6pm: Sydney launch party, Gleebooks. RSVP to rachel@gleebooks.com.au.
11th September, 6.30pm: Brisbane launch party, Avid Reader.
21 September, 4pm: Melbourne launch party, The Moat.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
The patience it requires! You have to realise that your precious book baby is just one tiny part of a big whirring machine of an industry. I've learned so much about asking the right questions; when to be pushy and when to sit back and wait. Holding it in your hand is worth the learning journey though.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
It'll be a Sunday, so I hope to do very little actually! All the launch events and press stuff will be scheduled in and I can hopefully take a big deep breath and appreciate the moment.
Preorder your copy of The Grown-up’s Guide to Picture Books.
THE FOG by Brooke Hardwick
Out 4 September 2024 from Simon and Schuster Australia
Blurb: In this spine-chilling gothic thriller, a woman on the brink travels to a remote writers’ retreat to uncover the secrets of her past and lands herself in a deadly situation that could destroy her future.
Bio: Born in tropical North Queensland, Brooke Hardwick graduated with a teaching degree and left to see the world. Since then, she’s lived and worked in England, Scotland and Hong Kong and is currently based in an ancient fort town shaped like a snowflake in the Netherlands. She is fascinated with the psychology of psychological thrillers and thinks there’s nothing more terrifying than human nature. When she isn’t writing, Brooke combs fields for shards of Delft pottery and reads thrillers until she’s too scared to sleep. The Fog is her debut novel. Find out more at brookehardwick.com or follow Brooke on Instagram, LinkedIn or X.
Upcoming Events:
Sept 12th: Bad Sydney Crime Writers Festival.
Sept 19th: Brisbane Book Launch Avid Reader, West End.
Sept 24th: Melbourne In-conversation with Natalie Conyer, Sandringham Library.
Sept 25th: Melbourne Book Launch, Wheeler’s Hill Library.
What has surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
I'm surprised by the warmth and acceptance of the Australian writing community.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
I haven’t even thought of this yet! Yikes!
Preorder your copy of The Fog.
ANOMALY by Emma Lord
Out 27 August 2024 from Affirm Press
Blurb: Piper Manning survived the apocalypse. Barely. She recovered from the virus that killed millions, but it left behind a new, uncontrollable power that’s forced her to isolate herself from others – for their sake. Then an injured boy shows up at her mountain hideaway. And what hurt Seth is out to get her, too. Now she’s on the run, risking everything for a shot at an actual future. But to get there, she’ll have to trust a stranger, control her abilities…and face her ghosts. Because the end of the world was just the beginning.
Bio: Emma Lord’s writing career began when her mum discovered only a notepad and pen could keep her from escaping her pram and running off (it was the ’80s…they make better prams now). Thankfully, she found a better means of escape: reading and writing stories. A copywriter by trade, she’s written everything from TV commercials to articles for The Sydney Morning Herald, HuffPost, and The Chaser. She has also tutored courses in creative writing. Emma loves all things sci-fi, fantasy and horror, but has a particular soft spot for reading and writing YA. Her debut novel Anomaly — a work of YA speculative fiction — was selected for the Varuna and Affirm Press Mentorship Award in 2020. Emma lives in Sydney’s inner west with her husband, daughter, and Lieutenant Aubrey (an extremely affectionate Bordoodle). Find out more at emmalord.com.au or follow Emma on Instagram or TikTok.
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday 11th September, 6.30pm: Sydney Anomaly Book Launch at Read Than Dead, Newtown. Emma Lord will be in conversation with Lauren Keegan.
What has surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
My emotional reactions along the way. Some of the moments I expected to be big ‘landmark’ moments didn’t evoke the reaction I thought they would, while conversely, there have been moments I didn’t place any expectations on that ended up being unexpectedly moving. My bookworm niece reading Anomaly for the first time was one of them – she cried at the ending … which made me cry!
How are you planning to celebrate on publication?
I’ll head into my local bookshop and try not to look like a giant nerd while taking a photo of my book on the shelf. After that, my family and I are planning to celebrate with dinner at our favourite Italian. They make a killer margarita, so there might be one of those involved.
Preorder your copy of Anomaly.
THE HITWOMAN’S GUIDE TO REDUCING HOUSEHOLD DEBT by Mark Mupotsa-Russell
Out 27 August 2024 from Affirm Press
Blurb: The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt is about an ex-contract killer, named Olivia, who fled that dangerous life years ago and retired to the suburbs. Her peace is destroyed when a getaway car from a robbery crashes, bringing tragedy on her family. Olivia is superstitious and becomes convinced this is God, or the universe, punishing her for her murderous past. She wants revenge, but is afraid any harm she does to the robbers, will bring divine retribution on the rest of her family. So she manipulates the men into getting themselves killed through their anger, ego and greed.
Bio: Mark Mupotsa-Russell is a writer living on Wurundjeri Country in the Yarra Ranges. His debut novel, The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt, won the 2023 Affirm Press Mentorship Award. Before writing novels he was a screenwriter, film reviewer, cocktail columnist, PR consultant and communications adviser in the suicide prevention sector. He lives among the trees with his art therapist superstar wife, hilarious son and a moodle majestically named ‘Mufasa’. Find out more at markmupotsarussell.com or follow Mark on Instagram.
Upcoming Events:
September 12, 6:30pm: Melbourne Launch at Readings, Carlton, in conversation with Katherine Collette.
September 8, 1:30pm: ‘Booktown on Sunday’ Event, Clunes Railway Station, 70 Service Street, Clunes.
September 19, 7:00pm: Verso Books, Healesville in conversation with Kate Mildenhall.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
I feel like it’s a common answer, but the depth of support from the writing community is so heart-warming and impressive. People I’ve admired for years, whose first contact with me was an Instagram DM, have gone so far out of their way to help me.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
I’m not totally sure yet but I’ll aim to eat something nice and maybe pop some champagne, though the day will be organised around a trip to my local bookshop in Healesville, Verso Books, to buy a copy fresh off the shelf.
Preorder your copy of The Hitwoman’s Guide to Reducing Household Debt.
YARN QUEST SERIES by Brooke Scobie, illustrated by Jade Goodwin
Out 30 July 2024 from Penguin Random House Australia
Blurb: A breathtaking fantasy-adventure trilogy. Do you dare step into the Realm? A magical journey awaits . . .
Book 1: The first in a magical new adventure series for kids aged eight-and-up, join Sibyl and Tane on the quest of a lifetime uncovering a powerful storytelling force along the way.
Book 2: In the second instalment of the magical adventure series, P is going to have to be the bravest they’ve ever been. Join P, Sibyl and Tane as they cross the bridge into the Story Realm, and into the wildest adventure of their lives!
Book 3: In the third instalment of the magical adventure series, join Sibyl, Tane and P in the ultimate battle to save the Story Realm.
Bio: Brooke Scobie is a queer, auDHD, Goorie poet, kidlit author and multi-disciplinary creative living on Darkinjung land. Their work is a love letter to Country and to those marginalised by society, previously featured in publications like Overland Journal, Running Dog, Red Room Poetry, and SBS. They were a finalist for the 2023 David Unaipon award, achieved 2nd in the 2020 Judith Wright Poetry Prize and have performed at the Sydney Biennale, Melbourne Writers Festival, and Queer Stories to name a few. Their debut middle-grade adventure series, Yarn Quest, was published by Penguin Books Australia in July 2024. Follow Brooke on Instagram or TikTok.
What has surprised you most about the publication process as a debut author?
I think I was most surprised by how quickly everything moves once the books are done with the writing and editing process. After 2 long years of prepping and contracting, then cranking out three books in 9 months - the speed with which everything was printed and sent out was astounding!
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
I plan to sit with Country and be thankful for everything she's given me. Country is a character in and of itself in my series, and taking time out to be still and listen to the messages there for me, feels right.
Order your copy of Yarn Quest 1: The Search for the Story Realm, Yarn Quest 2: The Great River Rescue or Yarn Quest 3: The Power of the Heart.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MY DAUGHTER by Jo Skinner
Out 2 October 2024 from Hawkeye Publishing (NB launch date 14 September)
Blurb: Sisters, Fin and George navigate a love/hate relationship growing up in a highly dysfunctional family.
Their father, Victor Steinbauer, moves them to an isolated property where his dreams to create an idyllic retreat crumble while his family tiptoe around his unpredictable moods.
Fin leaves the moment she can and becomes a palliative care nurse, helping people to leave this world but unable to bring her own child into in. George has the opposite problem and turns to Fin whenever she runs into difficulties. When Fin falls in love with Anthony, complications abound.
Steinbauer family history is rewritten even while it is happening until it becomes difficult to recall which bits are fabricated or embellished.
Bio: Jo is a Brisbane based GP who writes contemporary women’s fiction as well as freelance non-fiction articles about women’s issues and mental health. She also has a distance running habit. When she is not working or writing, you will find her accruing kilometres while plotting her next story. She lives with her husband, three children, elderly Pomeranian cross Pippa and sprightly rescue cat Jiji. Find out more at johannaskinner.com, subscribe to her newsletter or follow Jo on Instagram or Facebook.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday 14 September, 2:30pm for a 3:00pm start: Brisbane launch at Avid Reader. Waitlist only.
Thursday 3 October, 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start: Books@Stones, Brisbane. Free event, but bookings are essential.
What most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
The length of time from getting the phone call, ‘I’d like to offer you a contract,’ to having an actual book in your hand.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
A lovely dinner out with hubby who has been beyond patient and incredibly supportive through the whole process.
Preorder your copy of The Truth about my Daughter.
WILD GROUND by Emily Usher
Out 27 August 2024 from Serpent’s Tail and Penguin Random House
Blurb: A story of first love that will break your heart, this bittersweet debut novel follows two teenagers whose all-consuming relationship is tested by the forces of class, prejudice and addiction.
Bio: Emily Usher grew up in West Yorkshire, and lived in Salford, Sheffield, and London before relocating to Australia. She is an author, an award-winning short story writer, and a freelance writer specialising in the not-for-profit sector. Emily has also taught creative writing in prisons both in Australia and in the UK. Wild Ground is her first novel and was published in both the UK and the US earlier this year. Find out more at emilyusher.com or follow Emily on Instagram or X.
What most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
From a positive perspective, I've definitely been surprised and delighted by the support and genuine enthusiasm that booksellers have shown, both for Wild Ground itself and to me as a debut author. It's heartwarming to see and certainly spurs me on to keep going.
I suppose I've also been surprised and a little overwhelmed by the realisation of just how many books are being published, literally on a daily basis. I'm a big reader myself, but I don't think it really crossed my mind prior to going through this process about how difficult it is to get cut through, and how much 'competition' there is out there for authors at every stage of their career.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
In amongst the school run and trying to cram in a bit of writing for Book Two, I'll be raising a glass to Wild Ground and hopefully prepping for some bookstore visits to sign copies!
Preorder your copy of Wild Ground.
That’s it for another bumper month of releases. I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of Wild Ground in the UK soon after its release, and I can confirm that it is wonderful. I have no doubt that all the other books listed above are equally fabulous.
This weekend I’ll be appearing at Mudgee Readers’ Festival, and I can’t wait. After that, once my own launch festivities have died down, I’ll try to make sense of this chaotic, joyous period here on Substack. Until then, happy reading.
Thanks Lisa for another great roundup of releases and congratulations one and all!