Introducing the Debut Crew 2024

December 2024 Releases

We’ve somehow made it to the final month of upcoming Debut Crew 2024 releases! This crop of books includes the second crime novel in the Jade Riley series by Andrea Barton, a gripping near-future mystery novel by Andrew Swales with proceeds going to an excellent cause and a delightful romcom by Leesa Ronald to kick start your Summer reading. Please support these wonderful authors. And keep an eye on the #debutcrew2024 social media accounts in coming weeks to enter our bumper giveaway – you won’t want to miss out.

A KILLER AMONG FRIENDS by Andrea Barton

Out 1 December 2024 from Wings ePress

Blurb: Soon after journalist Jade returns from abroad to her hometown, Melbourne, her friend Nick is found dead in a dumpster. She turns to their tight-knit circle for answers, only to uncover a web of lies.

Mounting evidence suggests her best friend Elena’s suicide three years earlier is connected. Was she, too, murdered?

As Jade closes in on the killer, she realizes the suspects are all people she loves. Her life depends on knowing which of them to trust.

Bio: Award-winning author Andrea Barton runs the book editing company Brightside Story Studio. An electrical engineer turned career consultant, Andrea spent 12 years enjoying the exhilaration and dislocation of life as an expat in Nigeria, USA, and Qatar with her husband and two children. Her writing credits include The Winding Narrative blog, several short stories, two picture books and nine stage productions about contemporary social issues. She has also co-authored/edited two anthologies about expatriate life. A Killer Among Friends is the second in the Jade Riley Mystery Series. Find out more at andreabartonauthor.com, check out her blog, or follow Andrea on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Upcoming Events:

Christmas Book Signing, Dec 14, 1-4pm at Canon Dance House, Gardenvale, VIC

Mansfield Book Launch, Jan 18, 6pm at Ink Bookshop, Mansfield, VIC.

What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?

I’m with a small, agile publisher, Wings ePress, and they work quickly. I never dreamed I’d have a second book published within 12 months.

How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?

By coincidence, we have a lunch for the #debutcrew2024 authors that day, so I’m going to that, then rushing off to attend a book club as a guest author to talk about the first Jade Riley Mystery, The Godfather of Dance.

SPECIAL DELIVERY by Leesa Ronald

Out 3 December 2024 from Allen & Unwin

Blurb: Moving back to her hometown in country NSW, single, jobless and pregnant was never Poppy's plan. With her best friend living hundreds of kilometres away and an ex who refuses to pick up the phone, she doesn't know who to turn to for help. 

There's definitely no point asking her midwife, James, because he's the worst. Sure, he held her hand through the birth, but that's only because it was his job. 

However, as Poppy and James keep crossing paths in the small country town, Poppy begins to realise she may have misjudged her midwife. And that complicates things. 

As Poppy stumbles from crisis to crisis in a town that feels unrecognisable, she learns that to build a future, sometimes you need to let go of the past. And often, the strongest relationships are those you forge when you're at rock bottom.

Bio: Leesa Ronald is a mum of three kids aged under seven who writes as therapy whenever she gets the chance. Prior to getting absorbed into corporate/mum life, Leesa's writing won awards through the Poetry Institute of Australia, the Banjo Paterson Poetry Festival and ABC's Heywire writing competition. Her work has been published in Style, Mamamia, HealthSmart, Women's Health and all international editions of Reader's Digest. Find out more at leesaronald.com.au or follow Leesa on Instagram.

What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author?

The editing process is so slow! But so necessary! My manuscript is in much better shape thanks to my lovely editors.

How are you planning to celebrate on publication day?

I was thinking about this today actually. I like the idea of a fancy dinner but I can’t be bothered to be honest so I think I’ll book a babysitter and force my husband to play tennis with me (I am terrible) and then maybe we’ll get a cheeky vino at a wine bar downtown, sweaty faces and all! Glorious.

Preorder your copy of Special Delivery.

THE SKELETON CREW by Andrew Swales

Out now from Black Cockie Press

Blurb: In a near-future Australia, the crew of a deep-sea oil and gas platform find themselves marooned and fighting for survival in a world racked by climate crisis and conflict.

Bio: I'm a Brit who moved to Australia 13 years ago, and a journalist of more than 20 years across the UK and Australian press. I live in Melbourne with my wife, young kid and cat. Follow Andrew on Instagram.

What has most surprised you about the publication process as a debut author? 

Probably the realisation that the manuscript I'd been fiddling with for about eight years would actually need to be 'finished'. I feel weirdly bereft, but that probably means it's time to start work on something new.

How did you celebrate on publication day?

I had a glass of bubbles and a wee panic attack.

Order your copy of The Skeleton Crew*.

*Andrew is donating all royalties to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund

Next month’s final Debut Crew 2024 newsletter will be a change of pace. Rather than showcasing individual authors, I plan to share some of the results of a #debutcrew2024 survey conducted earlier this year. Providing interesting insights into the many pathways to publication and how our debut experiences have differed, this will be of particular interest to aspiring authors.

Also, don’t forget to follow the crew on social media if you want to participate in our bumper end-of-year giveaway!