Wombat Books acquires Gemmill’s middle-grade

Wombat Books has acquired world rights to The Ghost Horse of Snowy River, a middle-grade novel by Stef Gemmill.

According to the publisher, The Ghost Horse of Snowy River follows 12-year-old Georgie Stone after she loses an eye and her horse Magic in a riding accident.

Returning to the cattle station, Georgie finds a herd of brumbies, led by a ghost horse, being hunted by horsewhipper Goldburn. She must prove the ghost horse is actually Magic and save the herd before Goldburn hunts them down.

Gemmil, who lives in the Victorian High Country in winter and on the Surf Coast in summer, has worked as a technical writer and music journalist. She is the author of A Home for Luna (illus by Mel Armstrong, New Frontier Publishing).

“Her work often reflects her quest to understand the true meaning of ‘home’ after spending a short period in a foster home in her teenage years,” said the publisher.

Gemmill said, “At the heart of The Ghost Horse of Snowy River is a girl’s love for a hunted wild horse, which reflects her own isolation. And it’s a nod to so many Australian horse book classics we all loved as children.”

Of the book, the publisher said, “it has a strong, relatable female protagonist who takes on a big challenge (saving the brumbies) and is ideal for any child who dreams of owning a horse or being a hero.”

Wombat Books plans to release The Ghost Horse of Snowy River in June 2026.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions