Introducing the Debut Crew 2024
June 2024 Releases
This month I’m thrilled to bring you a selection of books for children, all scheduled for June release dates and all bound to excite the young readers in your life. As mentioned in a previous post, some months are stacked with debuts while others, like June, are much quieter for the Debut Crew. This list is small but mighty, featuring two of our double-debut overachievers and a Paralympian! Bec Nanayakkara has had not one but two picture books published this year, and Karen Wasson, whose Ampersand-shortlisted graphic novel, Inked, was also originally slated for a 2024 release date but will now be published in early 2025, makes her debut. Congratulations to these exciting new authors. Please look out for their books in your bookstore, sign up for an event (aspiring picture book writers will be particularly interested in Bec’s workshop), or request a copy of their books at your library.
THE BOOK STAR by Bec Nanayakkara, illustrated by Joanna Bartel
Out 25 June 2024 from Affirm Press
Blurb: Grace owns thirty-seven books about space, and she has read them all. So when Grace's teacher announces the class Book Party, Grace has lots of space-themed costume ideas! Perhaps she could be the Moon, the Solar System or the Milky Way?
But Grace's friends say that space is ugly and boring and weird, and suddenly, Grace doesn't know what to do.
Luckily, Grace's family are here to help. With some gentle encouragement, Grace decides to stay true to herself and, on the morning of the Book Party, she holds her head high. She is not ugly, or boring, or weird, in fact, (spoiler alert) Grace is a star.
Bio: Bec is a children's author and, having spent ten years supporting student learning and wellbeing, she is certain that the best way to teach anything is with a good story. Bec lives in the New England region of New South Wales with her husband and five children. She spends her days being inspired by ordinary, everyday pieces of life and her nights trying to weave that inspiration into picture book manuscripts. Follow Bec on Instagram.
Upcoming Events: 14 September – Bec will be presenting a workshop on writing and submitting children’s picture books in Armidale.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
I was very new to the game when I secured this contract with Affirm Press and I hadn't heard that publication delays were quite a normal thing. So, my biggest surprise was that the timeframe for The Book Star was extended by twelve months. My next surprise was that, in the meantime, I signed with Hardie Grant and it was that book, Grow Big, Little Seed, that became my debut picture book.
Title changes were also an unexpected twist. The story began as 'When Grace was Space', then the Affirm Press Sales team requested a change to 'The Book Week Star'. Then, when the book was pitched to Kmart (who will be stocking it, hooray!) they requested a change which resulted in a last minute re-naming to The Book Star.
In the world of publishing, you just never know what's going to happen next!
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
I really need to get on to this. I'd love to host some kind of Book Week event, although most schools organise their own internally. So, still brainstorming. If anyone out there has ideas, please get in touch!
Preorder your copy of The Book Star here.
ABC DISABILITY by Sarah Rose with Alley Pascoe, illustrated by Beck Feiner
Out 26 June 2024 from Hachette
Blurb: In the lead-up to the 2024 Paralympics, kids aged 5+ will want to get their hands on this big-hearted guide to disability, full of words to know and questions to ask about life with disability.
From three-time Paralympian swimmer, medal-winner and disability advocate Sarah Rose, comes a big-hearted guide to disability, full of letters, learnings and laughs from a disabled person to you. ABC Disability is an A to Z of celebrating what makes each of us unique, featuring bold, brightly coloured artwork by award-winning illustrator Beck Feiner – including the Auslan sign for each letter of the alphabet.
Bio: Sarah Rose is a three-time Paralympic swimmer and medal-winner. She’s also a mother of two young children, public speaker, writer and a prominent spokesperson on disability, diversity, women’s issues and inclusion.
Sarah is short statured but with a mighty big heart and spirit. Sarah wants her daughter Willow and son Freddie to grow up in a world where people with a disability like their mum are seen in the media and part of the broader conversation around Australian life.
ABC Disability is written by Sarah with bestselling and award-winning writer Alley Pascoe, who is co-author of number one bestselling book Heartstrong with Ellidy Pullin. Follow Sarah on Instagram.
Upcoming Events: Book Launch at Bookoccino in Avalon, Sydney, details TBC.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
What's involved and the length of time it has taken since the first pitch, manuscript and editing. Also the detail in getting every detail correct in the illustrations to ensure all the different disabilities are illustrated correctly. The details are so important for people with a disability. Have loved working with the team to ensure we absolutely nail it.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
Family, wine and celebration.
Preorder your copy of ABC Disability here.
DROP INTO THE OCEAN by Karen Wasson, illustrated by Marta Tesoro
Out 5 June 2024 from Hardie Grant Explore
Blurb: Drop into the Ocean is a beautifully illustrated children's science book for kids aged 6 and up. Welcome to the ocean! It covers over 70 per cent of our planet and is home to literally trillions of animals and creatures. Dive in and join Neptune the jellyfish on an immersive journey of oceanic discovery.
Bio: Karen Wasson is the author of Inked, a graphic novel for children, and Drop into the Ocean, a non-fiction picture book. Inked was the first ever graphic novel shortlisted for Hardie Grant's Ampersand Prize for unpublished manuscripts and will be published in early 2025. Karen lives in Melbourne with her family of humans, and one dog who thinks he’s a human. Find out more at karenwasson.com or follow Karen on Instagram or Facebook.
Upcoming Events: Saturday 8 June Book Launch on World Oceans Day at Readings Kids, Carlton at 2:00pm. Free but bookings are essential.
What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?
The amount of support that’s out there if you’re willing to ask for it. None of us know what we’re doing the first time we do something and sending a book out into the world is no different.
How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?
I’m planning to pop into my local bookshop and see the book in the wild, do a little happy dance, probably take a photo then leave with a big smile on my face!
Preorder your copy of Drop into the Ocean here.
I’m sure you’ll agree that all of these books sound wonderful and vital, and I urge you to support these debut authors.
It’s now less than three months until All You Took From Me hits the shelves, and I can’t wait to share it with readers. Tickets are now available for my Sydney launch on 1 August (release day) at Better Read Than Dead, an in-conversation event with superstar Ashley Kalagian Blunt, and I would love to see you there. And if you can’t make that date, other exciting events are also in the works – details in an upcoming newsletter, or check my website. Until then, happy reading!
