UWA Publishing acquires Byrne debut ‘The Warrumbar’

UWA Publishing has acquired world rights to The Warrumbar, William J Byrne’s debut adult fiction novel.

The novel, which is inspired by Byrne’s family history, is set in a small NSW country town in 1969. ‘[The novel] follows 13-year-old Robbie Brennan, who meets Moses, an old man who grew up with his mother on the Aboriginal reserve that once existed on the outskirts of town. When Robbie witnesses a tragic event, he faces a choice: speak the truth and risk everything or stay silent and carry the burden forever,’ said the publisher.

Byrne grew up in regional towns of southern NSW, on Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal Country. Among his roles, he has worked as a government professional, a tour guide in India, a manager of a travel agency, a contact centre supervisor, an art consultant, a hotel and hospitality worker, a supermarket night stacker, a milk deliverer and a news carrier.

Acquiring publisher Kate Pickard said: ‘The Warrumbar was instantly captivating and tells a very important coming-of-age story about inequality, race and class in 1960s country NSW.’

Byrne said: ‘I was inspired to write The Warrumbar as I uncovered more about my own family’s past and the challenging, often underprivileged conditions they endured – not all that long ago. While the novel is fictional, I hope it adds to the broader understanding of Australia’s complex history, both good and bad.’

UWA Publishing plans to release The Warrumbar in October 2025.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions