News
‘Recent developments of broad interest’.
– Contact NAC for more information on any item below -
Our Books on YouTube
- Anna Sarelas’ LightWorkers
- Sarah Bourne’s InVisible
- Lisa Darcy’s My Big Greek Holiday
- Sarah Hawthorn’s A Voice in the Night
- Sarah Bourne’s Ella’s War
- Lisa Darcy’s Lily’s Little Flower Shop
- Sarah Bourne’s The Train
Available for purchase at all the usual places.
Lisa Darcy’s “The Pact”
Lisa Darcy’s The Pact, was released on 1srt April 2024 and has already impressed reviewers.
“Sprightly…well crafted and lively…containing sharp insights…” – Sydney Morning Herald
“Enjoy this sharp, snappy lesson in survival and success.” – Woman’s Day
“This pacy and funny novel is plot driven… and genuinely witty.” – Sunday Age
‘Darcy does what she does best…intermingles romance and personal crisis.” – West Australian
Brightside Story Studio has a great interview with Lisa.
Published by Wings EPress, The Pact is on sale in good book shops and online.
NAC Rights Agency
NAC Rights Agency represents indie Publishers ANZ, UK and Canadian, as well as NAC LIterary Agency’s own titles to audiobooks, large print, performance and other rights publishers world wide. News of various deals will soon follow.
Changes in NAC Editorial
We have pleasure announcing these appointments: –
- Dr Bella Ellwood-Clayton – Editorial Head – Adult Fiction and Memoir
- Lisa Heidke – Editorial Head – Contemporary Fiction
After more than five years with NAC Editorial Sue Anderson formally stepped down as NAC Editorial Head on 31/3/2024 with our warmest thanks for her wonderful contribution – to NAC, her authors, reviewers and others on our journey. After a period of travel around Australia Sue will renew her involvement with NAC in a very different capacity – as occasional Review Panel member and beta reader.
Shane Joseph joining NAC
Shane Joseph, an immigrant from Sri Lanka living in Canada, also lived in the Middle East and Australia and travelled to 69 countries in the course of working in the financial services, IT, and travel industries. His second novel After the Flood won the Write Canada award for Best Novel in the Futuristic/Fantasy category, and his short stories have been shortlisted in several Canadian Authors Association contests.
Michel Vimal du Monteil’s Where There is a Will now available in large print and audio
Where There Is a Will is now available in large print from Ulverscroft, and in audiobook from Ulverscroft and Audible.
Shadley Fataar’s Trilogy Begins Publication
Some nine years after commencement of writing, July 7 2023 saw Shadley Fataar‘s In the Shadow of Table Mountain, Cape Town trilogy begin its roll out with launch of the first in the series, Fury and Revenge in Cape Town. A remarkable, authentic yet fictional snapshot of what it was to live in those times, Shadley’s Dr Stanley Gershon and close friends take you through those terrifying times in ways only a person living those days could recreate. Book 2 – Toyi-toyi – Cape Town’s War Dance is scheduled for release September 2023, and Book 3 – Cape Town’s Necklaces of Fire, second quarter 2024.
Timo Bozsolik-Torres’ The Scaevola Conspiracy published by i2i Publishing UK
In today’s cyber-connected world, data is power. The Cambridge Analytica scandal made author Timo Bozsolik-Torres realise the damage tech companies could do by abusing their market power. He wrote The Scaevola Conspiracy to take this issue to the extreme, while sharing his own sense of fun and scary experiences with Silicon Valley’s culture. Released July 7 2023.
Liam Murphy’s That is All to be published
Echo Publishing is delighted to announce the acquisition of Liam Murphy’s debut novel, That Is All from NAC Literary Agency. This beautifully written novel follows young Australian Mark Ward’s quest for redemption in a road trip across the United States, retracing the footsteps that Dylan – the father who abandoned him as a child – chronicled in letters hidden by Mark’s mother twenty years earlier. This is a novel of human fallibility, vulnerability and the power of forgiveness. Publishing in early 2024.
The Dilemma
Sarah Hawthorn’s latest novel, The Dilemma, has met with critical acclaim. Historical fiction, set on Guernsey between 1914 – 1958, the story spans two world wars and delves into the lives of two women bonded by a terrible family secret.
The Dilemma remained at the top of Amazon’s British, Irish and WW1 historical fiction categories for more than a month at launch and has enjoyed rave reviews:
“I could not put this book down and did not want it to end”thenerdandherbooks
“I was gripped from the start … heartwrenching moments … the twist at the end was great” fictionixen18“
An incredible tale … an amazing historical novel” Juliereadzintherockies“Fast paced, shocking and twisty” alibraryofbooksandcoffee
“Exquisitely written and unforgettable” historic_chronicles
Available in e-book and paperback, The Dilemma will be released as an audiobook December 13, 2022.
Re-Publish Your Backlist?
If your work was at least moderately successful back in the day, all rights have been (or soon will be) returned, and you’d like the work re-published, even re-published worldwide, NAC Rights Agency (NACRA) may be able to help. Just register the title, publisher, year, ISBN and your contact details here and we will contact you. N.B. It’s not necessary for NAC to represent your current or future works.
When Lives Collide
Sarah Bourne’s When Lives Collide is due for release on 27thn September 2022.
A hit-and-run puts two women on a collision course with fate, in this mind-blowing psychological thriller from the author of Exile.
It only takes one second to change a life. Loretta Davidson learns this the hard way when, on a rainy afternoon, her car crashes into another vehicle at an intersection. Loretta survives with only a few stitches. Her four-year-old son is not so lucky. Falling into a coma, he soon succumbs to his injuries, leaving Loretta and her husband devastated.
Emma Elliot’s four-wheel drive glanced off the car she hit, and she left the scene of the accident convinced no one was hurt. She could not be late running errands for her partner—or there would be hell to pay. He had hit her before, and he would do it again.
In the months following the accident, Loretta struggles to survive her grief as her marriage crumbles. Emma gets engaged—and then pregnant. But the twists and turns life throws at the two women have a way of balancing things out, sending them straight into one another’s paths one more time.
“The novel does what fiction does best: exploring the small moments that can change lives for good.” —The Bookbag
Favorite Son and Patriots
Following NAC’s representation of Steve’s early best-selling political thrillers Favorite Son and Patriots being awarded to NAC deals for re-publication of the works were recently concluded, and will see both works re-published later in 2022. Favorite Son spent many weeks on The New York Times best-seller list, was a Main Selection of The Literary Guild, and has since been published in fifteen languages. In time it became a top-rated NBC Network miniseries. Steve’s Patriots was a Times of London best-seller, and sold 160,000 copies in the UK, and many thousands elsewhere.
Should You Keep A Secret?
Lisa Darcy’s Should You Keep a Secret was published by Bloodhound Books on 1st April 2022.
Two women have learned something shocking about their friend’s husband—and revealing it could either save her or destroy her . . .
During a night out at the pub, Stella and Carly accept an invitation to a local party, but the scene they find there is not what they expected. It’s a swingers’ event—and their friend Jesse’s husband is there among the swingers.
Now the two women aren’t sure what to do. Stella, is inclined to keep quiet. Carly, on the other hand, thinks telling the truth is the right thing to do. As the two deal with their own personal lives they find themselves blurting out the shocking news. And even as dark secrets about Jesse’s situation are revealed, Stella and Carly will make some discoveries of their own.
“A tale of love, loss and friendship, Should You Keep a Secret is a very thought provoking read. I loved the plot of this book and was immediately invested in it from the opening chapter.” – Marnie
“You will feel the characters despair, happiness and strength. With moments of laugh, and cry this is a book that will leave you thinking about it long after finishing the last page.” – Vivian
Exile
Sarah Bourne’s Exile was published by Bloodhound Books on 23rd March 2022.
On a remote Shetland island, a mother and daughter’s strained relationship is tested as dark and long-hidden secrets are revealed . . .
Kirstie exiles herself to the small Shetland island of Yell after yet another torrid affair. She knows she went too far this time—her desperate behaviour caused the breakdown of her lover’s marriage. Taking up residence in her grandparents’ croft, which has lain empty since their deaths, and wanting time to reflect on her life and disastrous relationships, Kirstie begins to write about her obsessive ways.
Some recent reviews:
“This book will stay with you long after you’ve finished – highly recommended” – Jenny Boss
“The novel raises the importance of community and an appreciation for the simple things in life. Definitely a good read!” – RHL
Karenlee Thompson Joins NAC
We are delighted to welcome Karenlee Thompson to the NAC family. Karenlee is a writer of fiction and non-fiction, who is passionate about reading and writing the Australian voice. She has been published by The Weekend Australian, Antipodes, Woman’s Day, The Big Issue and Writing Queensland amongst others She was a finalist in the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize in 2015 and, again, in 2016 and shortlisted for the 2016 Hal Porter Short Story Competition. Her bushfire themed short story collection Flame Tip was published in March 2017 by Hybrid Publishers.
NAC Rights Agency
Established initially to promote authors’ backlisted works to re-publishers, NAC Rights Agency will work with publishers offshore with the twin purposes of (i) reselling previously published works, whose rights have been returned to the author, and (ii) helping publishers dispose of rights and subsidiary (or sub-lease) rights, in recently published books, offshore.
Sarah’s Company
Selected, with Liane Moriarty’s Apples Never Fall for their November-December reads, our congratulations to Sarah Bourne for her thought-provoking The Train, voted the North Curl Curl Book Club Joint Book of the Year, along with Campbell Mattinson’s We were not Men – the first time two books were jointly voted their ‘Best book’.
The Train, widely critically well-received in Australia and the UK, joins Sarah’s Ella’s War and InVisible in increasingly attracting followers in the USA, Canada and elsewhere.
Where There is a Will
Michel Vimal du Monteil’s Where There is a Will was published on 17th September 2021 by Hawkeye Publishing.
- V gripping stuff. You feel you are out there surfing with him. Highly recommended page turner. (Goodreads)
- I read it in one sitting – I had to know what happened next. Can’t wait for his next one! (Goodreads)
- Michel Vimal du Monteil’s debut novel, Where There Is A Will, is a definite a page turner. (Goodreads)
- The writing is excellent and the settings real and vivid. Compelling. (Goodreads)
Available for purchase at all the usual places.
My Big Greek Holiday
Lisa Darcy’s My Big Greek Holiday, was released in late July 2021 and has already impressed reviewers.
- “A fun, summer, romantic read set on the beautiful island of Santorini, an ideal beach read.” (Goodreads)
- “A fast paced, fun read, told with humor and heart. Highly recommended.” (Goodreads)
- “Another light, easy, well-paced read from consummate storyteller, Lisa Darcy.” (Goodreads)
- A real page turner, I read it in two days – I just couldn’t put it down. (Amazon)
Published by Bloodhound Books UK, My Big Greek Holiday is on sale in good book shops and online. Available in paperbook and ebook formats.
Here, Brightside Story Studio Principal, Andrea Barton interviews Lisa Darcy about her journey to publication.
Should You Keep a Secret?
A deal for Lisa Darcy’s third book Should you Keep a Secret? is now signed by leading UK indie publisher, Bloodhound Books UK, and scheduled for April 2022 publication. Should you Keep a Secret? seems destined to continue Lisa’s terrific success in the women’s commercial fiction/romcom space in Australia and, now, the UK, where she enjoys a strong following. You can ‘meet’ Lisa, and read about her recently published My Big Greek Holiday.
Definitely NOT ‘InVisible’!
NAC author Sarah Bourne’s third deal with Bloodhound UK will see her East meets West novel spanning the UK & Afghanistan in the early violent years of Britain’s involvement there. Tackling themes such as power, visibility, trust, belonging & politicisation, and resilience, love & betrayal InVisible challenges categorisation – women’s commercial fiction’ is far too narrow, though InVisible certainly fits that category as well. Thriller, suspense, mystery, gonzo journalism, travelogue, women’s studies, commentary – all fit. Discerning readers will love the thrilling story.
A Voice in the Night
Sarah Hawthorn’s debut psychological thriller, A Voice In The Night, hit book stores in early July 2021 and has already garnered a slew of great reviews:
- “A sexy, seductive slow burn of psychological suspense” (Readings Monthly)
- “Brilliant one-two punch at the end” (Sydney Morning Herald)
- “Hard-hitting and thought-provoking” (Book Lover Book Reviews)
- “Fast paced writing … descriptively written and emotion driven” (Readplus).
Published by Transit Lounge, A Voice In The Night is on sale in good book shops and online. Available in paperbook, ebook and audiobook formats.
Here, Brightside Story Studio Principal, Andrea Barton interviews Sarah Hawthorn about her journey to publication.
Meet Susannah Hardy
Published by Pan Macmillan Australia July 1st 2021, author Susannah Hardy was recently interviewed by Brightside Story Studio Principal, Andrea Barton, in time for the planned GleeBooks launch of Loving Lizzie March.
As it happened, the formal launch had to be postponed for a month or so due to COVID, but Andrea’s interview offers a perfect snapshot of exciting debut author Susannah Hardy, and her Loving Lizzie March. Take a look!!
Sarah Bourne’s Ella’s War
Following the runaway success of ‘The Train’, Sarah’s new historical novel ‘Ella’s War’ seems destined to be just as popular. Here are just some of the many great reviews.
- “Hooked from the first page”. (Jeremy Boss – Amazon)
- “Just finished Ella’s War. Feel sad and empty that it’s over . Congratulations Sarah Bourne”. (Karen – Amazon)
- ”This ended up being a compelling novel that I couldn’t put down”. (Jill Zelin – Amazon)
Published by Bloodhound Books, ‘Ella’s War’ tells the story of a young woman waking up in hospital after an accident, with no memory of her past. Haunted by nightmares, she begins to gradually piece together the story of her life during wartime; and who is the young man who haunts her dreams?
Earlier News Items may be found at: – News Archive