S&S acquires Archie Roach memoir

Friday, 2 November 2018 Books+Publishing

Simon & Schuster (S&S) has acquired world rights to a yet-to-be-titled memoir by singer-songwriter Archie Roach.

Roach, who is part of the Stolen Generations, is also known as a campaigner for the rights of First Nations people. He was forcibly removed from his family and made a ward of the state at age four.

‘I feel that it’s a good time to tell my story now so people may understand the journey that I have taken in life, not necessarily as a First Nations person, nor a member of the Stolen Generations, but as an Australian,’ said Roach. ‘And in doing so I hope that it would be seen as a testament to overcoming enormous odds and to the enduring strength of the human spirit.’

S&S said in a statement that it plans to ‘leave a lasting legacy for generations of future readers’ through publishing the memoir.

Publisher Roberta Ivers said: ‘The story of his extraordinary life and music is one of breathtaking resilience and strength, of his urgent quest for identity, home and community, but it’s also a moving love story, a journey of pain and heartbreak, and one of shining hope and regeneration, too. He truly is the beating heart of our country.’

World rights were acquired via Clare Forster at Curtis Brown Australia. The memoir will be published on 1 November 2019.

(Photo credit: Wayne Quilliam)

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions