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Books+Publishing magazine Issue 4 2015

Books+Publishing magazine’s fourth issue for 2015 is out now! Inside you’ll find 18 reviews of adult and children’s books publishing in November 2015 to February 2016.

The highest-rated adult books reviewed are Ben Sanders’ American Blood (A&U), Cameron Raynes’ First Person Shooter (MidnightSun) and the audiobook edition of Tim Winton’s Island Home (Bolinda), which were all awarded four stars. 

Reviewer Deborah Crabtree says of Sanders’ noir-crime novel: ‘From the opening lines of American Blood you know you’re in the hands of a master storyteller … The language is suitably slick, the dialogue is smart and the pace is cracking.’ She interviews the author here. Reviewer Heath Graham describs Raynes’ novel as a ‘slice of Australian gothic’ which ‘shares similarities with the works of Craig Silvey and Tim Winton but with the darker edge of John Marsden’.

Among the features in this issue, Jackie Tang previews publishers’ top titles for 2016; Simon Collinson explores the ‘dark art’ of digital production; and two booksellers share their leasing experiences.

Also in this issue, Rhonda Black reflects on the development of Aboriginal Studies Press’ Guidelines for Ethical Publishing; Caitlin Neville looks back on her publicity career upon the launch of her new freelance business; SA’s Matilda Bookshop owner Gavin Williams shares his bookseller’s diary; and we ask three publishers whether ebook conversion is better handled in-house or externally

bpluspjunior2015e4cover_w400bJunior Term 4 

Christopher Currie’s YA novel Clancy of the Undertow (Text) was the highest-rated title among the children’s and YA books reviewed, scoring four-and-a-half stars. Reviewer Dani Solomon said Currie’s ‘beautiful’ story of small-town life is ‘about the importance of fitting in or, failing that, finding someone to not fit in with’.

Another seven titles scored four stars, including the picture books Arthur and the Curiosity (Lucinda Gifford, Five Mile) and New Year Surprise! (Christopher Cheng, illus by Di Wu, NLA); books for younger readers, Australia to Z (Armin Greder, A&U) and Iris and the Tiger (Leanne Hall, Text); and YA books Ask Me Anything (Rebecca Sparrow, UQP), Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club: Book One (Alison Goodman, HarperCollins) and Summer Skin (Kirsty Eager, A&U).

This issue contains a preview of children’s publishers’ highlights for 2016 and features on the #LoveOzYA campaign; translated YA fiction; and how to get books on school curricula. We also interview local author Leanne Hall and international touring author Sarah J Maas

All these reviews, interviews and stories, and many more, can be found at our website: www.booksandpublishing.com.au

 

Category: In the magazine