Hachette to publish new books by Maxine Beneba Clarke, Jessica Watson

Two new books from Maxine Beneba Clarke and a YA novel by Jessica Watson are among Hachette Australia’s recent acquisitions.

Hachette publishing director Fiona Hazard told Books+Publishing the publisher is ‘thrilled’ to be publishing a new short-story collection and picture book from Clarke. ‘Her new short-story collection will see her return to the worlds of the award-winning Foreign Soil and her new picture book will be a joyous text that celebrates diversity,’ said Hazard.

Watson’s YA novel is about ‘a sixteen-year-old girl, a little yacht, and the adventures they share’. ‘Jessica Watson continues to inspire young Australian women and we’re thrilled that she’s turning many of the topics she talks about—sailing, fitting in, achieving your dreams—into an inspiring adventure story that has a splash of romance, a touch of fantasy, and a strong female protagonist that her fans can identify with,’ said Hazard.

Hachette published Watson’s nonfiction account of her solo circumnavigation of the southern hemisphere, True Spirit, in 2010.

No publication dates for the books have yet been announced.

Category: Junior Local news