Latest acquisitions: Nonfiction

Moving memoir, politics, cooking, sport and true crime – read all about Australian publishers’ recent nonfiction acquisitions.

Memoir 

Kicking off memoir acquisitions is Allen & Unwin (A&U), which has shared news recently of two new memoirs acquired for upcoming publication. First is How Will I Ever Get Through This? by Lucy Hone, acquired in a deal brokered by Catherine Drayton at InkWell Management. ‘Grief is not confined to bereavement, yet society rarely recognises these non-death losses, leaving many feeling isolated and unseen,’ said the publisher. ‘In this deeply compassionate book, Hone draws on her own experience of multiple losses, decades of resilience research, and the voices of others navigating profound change, to offer a unique lifeline to readers.’

Second, A&U has also acquired world rights to Ride On by Michelle Payne with Angus Fontaine, in a deal brokered by Michael Rivette and Nanette Moulton at Rivette Moulton Broadbent. Publisher Sally Heath said, ‘Michelle is a deeply thoughtful person who has confronted and overcome more setbacks than seems fair. She has been generationally significant in her achievements. It is her resilience and courage that have seen her navigate these wild rides. And her belief in the healing power of love. The stories and insights Michelle shares in Ride On are unexpected, humbling and inspiring.’ A&U plans to publish Ride On in October.

PRH has acquired ANZ rights for a work of collected nonfiction by Monica McInerney, titled Girl on a Roof, via Fiona Inglis at Curtis Brown. According to the publisher, Girl on a Roof is ‘a collection of essays that takes readers into the heart of a writer’s mind and explores the unexpected joys and sorrows of life’. PRH plans to release the title in 2027.

Hachette Australia has announced a full-colour collector’s edition of John Farnham’s memoir, The Voice Inside, co-authored with Poppy Stockell. Originally published in 2024, The Voice Inside follows Farnham ‘from childhood in London and Melbourne to global stardom – detailing the blockbuster success of Whispering Jack, a decades-long touring career, 21 ARIA Awards, being honoured as Australian of the Year, and his devastating 2022 mouth cancer diagnosis and recovery,’ said the publisher. The memoir was number three in the 2024 Australian bestsellers for nonfiction, behind Nagi Maehashi’s RecipeTin Eats cookbooks, and won three awards at the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards, including Book of the Year. The Voice Inside: Illustrated Edition by John Farnham with Poppy Stockell is scheduled for publication on 28 October.

The publisher has also announced two new memoirs: Duty to Warn is a memoir by Charlotte Grieve, who was a named defendant in the Al Muderis v Nine Network defamation trial, via a deal brokered by Rach Crawford. ‘Duty to Warn offers a rare window into the intersecting ethical and legal challenges in journalism and medicine in Australia – and the catastrophic consequences when oversight and a duty to warn are ignored,’ said the publisher. Hachette plans to release Duty to Warn on 27 January 2026.

Meanwhile, Always You is a memoir from Chloe Fisher with Alley Pascoe. Always You follows Fisher’s life story as she meets and marries pro-surfer Paul Fisher, said the publisher. ‘As Paul’s success as DJ Fisher exploded, life looked golden. However, behind the scenes, Chloe carried a quiet ache: all she ever wanted was to be a mum. But her journey to motherhood was anything but smooth – it was a rollercoaster of juggling life on tour with fertility struggles and heartbreak.’ Hachette is set to release Always You on 28 October.

Pantera Press has acquired world rights for the memoir Juicy: How to Live a Life in the Wreckage of Expectations by Lebanese-Australian debut author Sheree Joseph, in a two-book deal facilitated by Sweatshop Literacy Movement founding director Michael Mohammed Ahmad. Joseph’s memoir will be ‘a rallying cry and a love letter to women who have had to start all over again’, said the publisher. ‘At 33 years old, Sheree Joseph found herself standing in the ruins of a future she thought she’d have: no partner, no children, no neat timeline. Instead, a pandemic, profound grief and the unsettling realisation that everything she’d been told to want – marriage, motherhood, security – might not arrive. Or, if it did, that it wouldn’t look like anything she’d imagined.’ Pantera publishing director Lex Hirst said, ‘Sheree Joseph is one of those once-in-a-lifetime voices to encounter; she somehow manages to clarify the complexity of this moment while also being gloriously true to her own singular experience. Juicy is a tender, personal work of art that makes you want to laugh-cry and live with wild abandon, and I can’t wait to share it.’ Pantera plans to release Juicy in late 2026.

Simon & Schuster Australia (S&S) has acquired memoir Unapologetically Ita by Ita Buttrose. The book ‘reflects on [Buttrose’s] time as the chair of the ABC, the changes in the workplace during in her lifetime, and her years of advocacy work for causes she strongly believes in, such as HIV/AIDS, dementia, macular disease and cancer,’ said the publisher. ‘In her frank and fearless style, with trademark wit and positivity, Ita tackles diverse subjects such as leadership, menopause, sex and the older person, planning for life changes and the importance of looking after your brain.’ S&S plans to release Unapologetically Ita on 28 October.

S&S Australia has also acquired Average at Best, a memoir by Pub Choir founder and director Astrid Jorgensen, via Alex Adsett Literary Agency. Acquiring publisher Emma Nolan said, ‘Average at Best is the book we didn’t know we desperately needed – sharp, funny, and wildly relatable. Astrid’s voice leaps off the page with the same warmth and wit that made Pub Choir a global sensation. In a world obsessed with perfection, this memoir is a refreshing celebration of showing up, sometimes messing up, and still making something beautiful.’ S&S plans to release Average at Best on 30 September.

Murdoch Books has acquired world rights to Guts by Melissa Leong, a ‘gripping, incisive, and darkly funny memoir’. ‘Guts is a powerful exploration of identity, resilience and finding the courage to forge your own path,’ said the publisher. ‘In these pages, Melissa confronts the highs and lows of her remarkable journey – [from] navigating racism, life in the public eye, and mental health challenges to finding her voice and recognising the power of vulnerability – all while celebrating the food that [has] fed her soul and ultimately has shaped her life.’ Murdoch plans to publish Guts in October.

Powerhouse has acquired ANZ rights for Gather Up Your World in One Long Breath, the debut memoir by S Shakthidharan, via Anthony Blair at Cameron’s Management. The book is described as ‘a fierce, tender memoir’ by the publisher. ‘This book takes readers on an intimate journey shaped by Sri Lankan heritage, the experience of migration and the complexities of fatherhood and family.’ Gather Up Your World in One Long Breath is planned for release in September.

Upswell Publishing has acquired world rights to Fourteen Ways of Looking, a ‘hybrid memoir/prose poem/history’ by Erin Vincent, with US rights sold to Deep Vellum and UK rights to CB editions. ‘When Erin Vincent was 14 years old, both of her parents were killed in a road accident in Western Sydney,’ said the publisher. ‘Almost 40 years later, the number 14 began haunting Erin, appearing everywhere – in the books she was reading, in films, TV shows, in the news … Fourteen. 14. This felt like a sign, so Erin embarked on a quest to seek out instances of fourteen throughout history.’ Upswell is planning to release Fourteen Ways of Looking in March 2026 in the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand markets, with US and UK releases planned for March/April 2026.

Penguin Random House Australia (PRH) has acquired world rights to an as-yet-unnamed debut by Kelly Hellmrich, via Sarah McKenzie Literary Management. ‘Traversing a broad range of topics including creative processes and starting out, sexual harassment and gender inequality, and motherhood, body image and representation, this book is about the artists who have lifted each other up, held the door open for the next person, and built something better than what was there before,’ said the publisher. PRH plans to release the title mid-2026.

Politics and culture

PRH has acquired ANZ rights for The Right Hand, the debut political handbook from Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks, in a deal brokered by Kelly Fagan. The publisher said, ‘The Right Hand is peppered with never-before-told stories and insights into some of the world’s most loved leaders, giving readers new perspectives [on] significant sociocultural and political events they felt they already knew, offering a glimpse behind the curtain that so often conceals the machinations of power, as well as presenting a vibrant narrative of the real-world West Wing and profound insight into this oft-mentioned but little-explained role.’ PRH plans to publish The Right Hand on 4 November.

Scribe Publications has acquired world rights to Earthquake: Signposts to the Election that Shook Australia by Niki Savva. Earthquake is a combination of selections from Savva’s columns from the Age and the Sydney Morning Herald and new analysis to tell the complete story of an epoch-making period in Australian politics, said the publisher. Scribe plans to publish Earthquake on 24 November.

The University of Queensland Press (UQP) has acquired ANZ rights to Not Quite White in the Head, a collection of essays and journalism by Melissa Lucashenko, via Alex Adsett of Alex Adsett Literary. According to the publisher, the collection includes work from over two decades of Lucashenko’s career as she ‘reflects on being caught in a siege, on the marginalised lives of prisoners and the urban poor, on Blak identity, Australian literature and on meeting her writing idol’. UQP publishing director Madonna Duffy said, ‘Like her novels, Melissa’s nonfiction is deeply engaged with politics, activism, culture and social (in)justice. Reading this book is the most marvellous companion to her fiction. For new readers, it is also the perfect introduction to the work of one of Australia’s greatest writers.’ UQP plans to release Not Quite White in the Head in November.

True crime

Several books have been announced on the trial of Erin Patterson, who was convicted of the murder of three relatives and attempting to kill another using death cap mushrooms. A&U has acquired world rights for nonfiction title The Mushroom Murders by Greg Haddrick. The book will follow the trial, where Patterson was convicted after serving a lunch of ‘homemade beef Wellingtons laced with toxic death cap mushrooms’. A&U plans to release The Mushroom Murders on 11 November.

Text Publishing has acquired The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein. The authors ‘joined the media scrum at the Latrobe Valley Law Courts, slept over in Morwell and spent countless hours in fervent discussion of the case and the themes it raises: love, hate, jealousy, revenge, marriage, money, mycology and murder,’ said the publisher. Text is set to release The Mushroom Tapes on 4 November.

Hachette Australia has acquired world rights to Recipe for Murder by Duncan McNab, in a deal brokered by Lyn Tranter at Australian Literary Management. ‘McNab offers an unparalleled examination of the Erin Patterson case,’ said the publisher. ‘Drawing on his extensive investigative experience, he provides readers with an in-depth look into the nine-week trial, offering unmatched insight into the key evidence, the legal strategy, and the emotional toll of a case that gripped the nation and captured global attention.’ Hachette plans to publish Recipe for Murder on 14 October. 

Sport

S&S has acquired world rights for the memoir On My Own Terms by NRL footballer Adam Reynolds, via agent Steve Gillis. According to the publisher, the memoir tracks Reynolds’ life from the streets of Redfern through his time with the South Sydney Rabbitohs to captaining the Brisbane Broncos. S&S plans to release On My Own Terms on 28 October.

Melbourne Books has acquired world rights to Full Corset and Stockings: A History of Women’s Cricket by historian and musician Craig Horne. ‘Full Corset and Stockings details the history of women’s cricket in England and the game’s evolution as it moved to Australia, sharing the unknown stories of professional English and Australian players such as Emily Whatman (mother and childhood trainer of men’s cricket legend Don Bradman), left-arm bowler Peggy Antonio, and the author’s own mother, Nesta Williams,’ said the publisher. ‘Horne shines a light on the influential women of a historic Australian sport.’ Melbourne Books plans to release Full Corset and Stockings in November.

A&U has acquired world rights to The Grade Cricketer: Alphas, Champs and Chop Kings, a new nonfiction title from Sam Perry and Ian Higgins. Since debuting on Twitter in 2012, Perry and Higgins have built the Grade Cricketer brand with a podcast, live events, TV and radio shows, and over one million followers on social media, where they share commentary on cricket and modern life. A&U commissioning editor Tom Bailey-Smith said, ‘Sam and Ian have a rare ability to blend sport, comedy and cutting social observation. Alphas, Champs and Chop Kings captures everything fans love about the Grade Cricketer: it’s funny, self-aware, and surprisingly profound. We’re delighted to bring their next book to life.’ A&U plans to release The Grade Cricketer in November.

Cooking

Melbourne Books has acquired world rights to Entrecôte by restaurant owner Jason M Jones. Jones is the owner of the titular Melbourne restaurant, which describes itself as ‘a renaissance of Classique French dining’. According to the publisher, Entrecôte will commemorate the history of the restaurant while providing French recipes to readers. Melbourne Books plans to release Entrecôte in April 2026 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the restaurant.

Murdoch Books has acquired world rights to Eat!, a debut cookbook by the comedy trio known as Sooshi Mango – Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre. Sooshi Mango has a large social media following, with the team known for content that is full of ‘cheeky humour and heartfelt tributes to multicultural Australian families’, said the publisher. Eat! is set to document family dishes that the trio collated after sitting down with their mammas – from Carmela’s cotoletta to Giuseppina’s chicken broth, Angela’s pasta al forno to Carlo’s cherished Sicilian doughnuts; the title is planned for release in November.

Self-help and personal development

A&U has acquired world rights to a new nonfiction title, Just Saying, from author and social psychologist Hugh Mackay. According to the publisher, the forthcoming title is ‘a collection of his reflections on quotations, ancient and modern, from Socrates to Sontag, Einstein to Steinem, examining 25 pearls of wisdom passed on to us by some of our greatest thinkers and wordsmiths.’ A&U plans to publish Just Saying in November 2025.

Wiley Australia has acquired world rights to Clear in Tension, a nonfiction title by Tim Duggan, in a deal between Wiley publisher Lucy Raymond and Lou Johnson at Key People Literary Management. According to the publisher, Clear in Tension outlines pathways to grow individually, in family settings and within professional workplaces. Duggan platforms interviews with experts and suggests frameworks for readers to implement when up against conflict. Wiley plans to release Clear in Tension in September 2026.

Pictured (left–right): Melissa Lucashenko (credit: Glenn Hunt), Jason M Jones (credit: Lillie Thompson), Sheree Joseph, John Farnham.

Category: Think Australian rights