Latest acquisitions: Fiction and poetry

Among the new Australian fiction signed this year are books from familiar names, debut works, manuscript prize winners, titles signed at competitive auctions, and a good dose of romantasy.

Fiction

Familiar names

Ultimo has acquired the political thriller Unfinished Business by Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Shankari Chandran. Set in Sri Lanka in 2009, the novel features CIA agent Ellie Harper, sent to the capital, Colombo, to seek justice for the murdered journalist Ameena Fernando. ‘It’s her first time returning to the island after her last mission went tragically awry four years prior, and Ellie has more than one ghost to lay to rest. Amidst the international scheming and jostling for stakes in post-war Sri Lanka, Ellie follows the trail of secrets on a mission to uncover a truth worth killing for,’ said Ultimo, which plans to publish the novel in January 2025. Ultimo has also acquired Hannah Tunnicliffe’s domestic noir novel The Pool, ‘a compelling and thought-provoking read that will leave you questioning every character and their motives,’ according to publisher Brigid Mullane. Ultimo plans to publish The Pool in January 2025.

Atlantic Books Australia, a division of Allen & Unwin, has acquired ANZ rights to the novel Better Days by Claire Zorn, in a deal brokered by Grace Heifetz at Left Bank Literary, for publication in March 2025. Publisher Cate Paterson said of Better Days: ‘Isn’t there a small part of us all that yearns for that exhilarating intensity of first love, where everything seemed possible? Claire Zorn so perfectly encapsulates the pitfalls of fledgling adulthood and the what-ifs of later life, and she accomplishes it with writing that is compassionate, creative, funny and thought-provoking. This novel is a delight.’ A&U has also acquired ANZ rights to Lyrebird, the second adult novel by Jane Caro, in a deal brokered by Jacinta di Mase Management, for publication in April 2025. Said publisher Cate Paterson: ‘What I love about Jane Caro’s writing is that overlaying the thrilling story that keeps you turning the pages is an intelligent examination of feminist issues. You are thoroughly entertained by a gripping plot while delving deeply into social issues that concern us all. The perfect combination.’ (more…)

Originally published by Books and Publishing (Read More)