‘Ghost Bird’ sells to UK

UK independent publisher Old Barn Books has bought UK and Commonwealth (ex Canada and ANZ) rights to Lisa Fuller’s YA novel Ghost Bird from University of Queensland Press (UQP). The deal was handled by UQP rights manager Kate McCormack in negotiation with Old Barn Books publisher Ruth Huddleston.

Ghost Bird won the David Unaipon Award for an Unpublished Indigenous Writer in 2017, going on to win multiple awards, including the Queensland Literary Award for a Young Adult Book and the ACT Book of the Year, and be named a 2020 CBCA Honour Book.

‘I knew Ghost Bird had attracted prizes and praise from people I respected in Australia, but it was only when I received the manuscript that I realised how strongly Lisa’s powerful writing was rooted in her community,’ said Huddleston. ‘This novel had me gripped … the voice of a First Nations Australian author has been missing from the Old Barn Books growing list of Australian fiction and I’m so excited to be able to bring Lisa’s writing to a UK audience.’

Fuller, a Wuilli Wuilli woman from Queensland who is also descended from Gooreng Gooreng and Wakka Wakka peoples, said: ‘I am beyond thrilled that my debut novel, Ghost Bird, will be published in the UK by Old Barn Books.

‘Based in my hometown of Eidsvold, Ghost Bird is centred around my community, our culture, and our spiritual beliefs. The events and (most) of the characters are fictional, and yet writing this story has been a very personal journey. I hope readers see not just the hardships, the painful history and the hidden truths, but also the connection and joy to be found in culture, Country, community, and family. Our beliefs are not myths, we are not history, we are real people with the strength to survive anything, together.’

‘I’m so pleased to see Lisa’s incredible work further recognised with overseas rights sales,’ said UQP Publisher Clair Hume. ‘After being so well-received in Australia, we can’t wait to see Ghost Bird published in other territories where more readers can enjoy this important, edge-of-your-seat novel.’

Fuller joins several other Australian resident authors published by Old Barn Books, including Paul Jennings, Glenda Millard and Bren MacDibble.

Ghost Bird will publish in paperback in the UK on 21 October 2021.

Category: Junior Local news Rights and acquisitions