Recent Australian CYA acquisitions
Recent Australian acquisitions, as reported by Think Australian’s sister publication Books+Publishing, include:
The Everywhere Train by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell, world rights acquired by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing (HGCP)
Frenkel said the story was one “about love, about memory and imagination and the things that endure forever, everywhere”. Snell said, “Deb has written another touching story, and I’m excited at what we’ve been working on.” Publisher Chren Byng said, “In The Everywhere Train, Deb and Danny have created something that sits so beautifully alongside The Truck Cat. Once again, we have characters who are whole and real and whom you’ll fall in love with.” HGCP plans to release The Everywhere Train on 1 September 2026.
The Misspelled Sky by Lucy Dangerfield, world rights acquired by Wombat Books, following a pitch at Australia’s CYA Conference 2025
Dangerfield said, “Megana comes from a proud upper class. That makes her a challenging character to write. But I love the way she follows her curiosity and is willing to grow. When she humbles herself to learn, she discovers the world is both more complicated and more beautiful than she realised.” The publisher said, “Lucy Dangerfield loves stories and language and is thrilled to be chasing her childhood dream of writing magical adventures for the young and young at heart.” The Misspelled Sky has an estimated release date of April 2027.
Five Voices, a YA murder mystery by Tamara Moss, ANZ rights acquired by Allen & Unwin in a deal negotiated at auction by Jill Grinberg and Sam Farkas at Jill Grinberg Literary Management
Moss said, “While containing the intrigue and tension of a murder mystery, at its core Five Voices is a story about the difficulty of accepting that nothing in life is black and white. A piece of my heart is embedded in this book, and I hope readers will fall in love with the characters as deeply as I have.” Publisher Jodie Webster said, “Five Voices had me hooked from the first page. Such assured writing, a brilliant premise, provocative themes, appealingly flawed characters carrying so many secrets, white-hot intrigue and beautifully paced. I inhaled it and can’t wait to get it into the hands of readers!”
The Secret of Panther Valley, a mystery/adventure novel for middle-grade readers by Brenton Cullen, world rights acquired by Christmas Press via Debbie Golvan of Golvan Arts Management
Brenton Cullen said, “The Secret of Panther Valley is an ode to the excitement of a country childhood and the secrets the Australian bush can hold. I grew up on farms that stretched for hundreds of acres, where I was always exploring the bush and creeks beyond our house and imagining adventures. I was fascinated by mysteries – especially the legend of the black panther said to roam the Blue Mountains.” The Secret of Panther Valley is scheduled for April/May 2027 release under the Eagle Books imprint.
The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell by Jess Galatola and illustrated by Lu Baker, world rights acquired by Larrikan
Galatola said, “Our language is full of peculiar rules, and spelling can be tricky. It’s no wonder we get mixed up sometimes! I was inspired by the idea of a little witch who tangles her spells the way we sometimes tangle our words and homophones. The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell reminds us that learning, kindness and acceptance are always worth practising!” Publisher Dani Vee said, “We’re so excited for this beautifully illustrated book that is not only fun, but gives young readers confidence about letting them know that it’s okay to make mistakes.” Larrikan has scheduled The Witch Who Couldn’t Spell for July 2026.
The Big Things, a YA novel from debut author Meg McDermott, acquired by MidnightSun Publishing
McDermott said, “I wanted to write the kind of book I would have enjoyed as a teenager. I wanted it to be a quintessential Aussie road trip story that’s a little bit deep with a side of young love.” MidnightSun publishing director Anna Solding said, “It’s a playful and fun story, but it doesn’t shy away from some of the bigger concerns confronting Billie and Oz around independence and growing up.” The Big Things is scheduled for release in early 2027.
Category: Think Australian rights
