SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA SIGNS AN AGREEMENT WITH ANITA HEISS FOR TWO NEW BOOKS

Simon & Schuster Australia has acquired the rights to two new books from Anita Heiss, First Nations Australian writer, cultural activist and social commentator. Anita is already the bestselling author of several novels, kids’ books, and works of non-fiction. Her latest historical novel Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray is already her bestselling work of fiction, which in addition to being highly acclaimed has also been extremely well received by booksellers and readers across the country. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray has also made Australian publishing history by being the first commercial work of fiction published with the front cover presenting a title in an Indigenous language.

The incredible reception of this novel and encouragement from locals back on Wiradyuri country has inspired Anita to write the story of the Great Flood of Gundagai in the form of a picture book for young readers. Anita said: ‘It was the reaction to Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray that really impressed upon me the need to get the story of the Great Flood out to as wide an audience as possible, and I’m glad Simon & Schuster also feel the importance of sharing the heroic story of Yarri and Jacky Jacky with Australian children and all lovers of picture books with cultural value.’ The picture book will be published in 2023.

Fresh from the success of her adult novel and keeping in mind the interest that readers expressed in hearing our stories through the eyes of First Nations peoples of Australia, Anita will also write a new historical novel about the 1824 Battle of Bathurst, to be titled Dirrayawadha. She said: ‘I have long known the story of Windradyne and the Battle of Bathurst, but in a country that still denies the frontier wars, it’s clear that many still need to learn, and historical fiction is one way to engage the nation in our shared history.

‘Dirrayawadha is a Wiradyuri command meaning ‘to rise up’, and it speaks to the strength and depth of resistance, resilience and the sovereignty of Wiradyuri peoples across central NSW. I am grateful that I can be part of the process of truth-telling in Australia, by writing history through a Wiradyuri lens and publishing through Simon & Schuster who continue to break new ground in Australian publishing.’

Simon & Schuster’s Commercial Fiction Publisher Cassandra Di Bello said: ‘Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray was a very special publication for all of us at S&S and the positive response has been overwhelming. The opportunity to adapt it for younger readers and broaden its reach is one we could not pass up. Anita keeps going from strength to strength and we’re thrilled to have another adult novel in the pipeline and have ambitious plans to grow her success even further.’

The publication of Dirrayawadha is scheduled for 2024.

Simon & Schuster acquired world rights to both titles from Tara Wynne at Curtis Brown Literary Agency.