Melbourne Books acquires Holdsworth memoir “Smack Talk”

Melbourne Books has acquired world rights to memoir Smack Talk: Turning Grief into a Movement by Australian father Wayne Holdsworth.

According to the publisher, the book is a “deeply personal memoir” about the death of Holdsworth’s son Mac in October 2023. The memoir covers “what led to his son’s death, how the family grieved Mac’s passing and how Wayne’s own mental health struggled in the months after”.

Holdsworth has honoured his son with the initiative SmackTalk, which aims to “spread awareness of the insidious side of social media and prevent youth suicide. Wayne has now delivered over 300 presentations at schools, conferences and even in front of the prime minister, sharing Mac’s story and saving other families from suffering what his own has”.

Melbourne Books editor Hannah Bates Schilling said, “Powerful and personal, this memoir is driven by a father’s love for his son and a deep desire for change for the better. Wayne was instrumental in the campaign resulting in the social media ban for children under 16 and is behind the initiative Unplug24, which asks people to refrain from any social media use for 24 hours in order to spread awareness of its dangers.”

Melbourne Books plans to publish Smack Talk in October 2026.

If you or someone you know needs support, Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling and suicide prevention services on 13 11 14, via text on 0477 13 11 14 or through online chat. Suicide Call Back Service provides 24-hour support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal on 1300 659 467.

Category: Local news