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Summit Books to publish memoir from ‘Alone Australia’ winner

Simon & Schuster Australia (S&S) has announced the first acquisition by Jane Palfreyman as Summit Books publishing director is We Are the Stars, a memoir by Gina Chick, winner of the inaugural season of Alone Australia.

Palfreyman acquired ANZ rights to the title, via Jeanne Ryckmans at Key People Literary Management.

Chick won the first season of Alone Australia after surviving in the Tasmanian wilderness for 67 days. In We Are the Stars, Chick ‘tells her remarkable story with that same authenticity, humour and emotional intelligence, sharing the formative moments of her life and the lessons that shaped her,’ the publisher said, adding that Chick is the granddaughter of writer Charmian Clift.

‘Gina’s grandmother’s brilliance is palpable in this extraordinary book,’ said Palfreyman. ‘We Are the Stars is a work of remarkable literary talent, as well as immense heart, creativity and wisdom. I’ve never read anything like it, and I feel so grateful to have been one of the first lucky readers of what I know will be legions to come in October.’

‘I am thrilled to join Simon & Schuster, and in particular to be the first book in their revived Summit imprint, which has published James Baldwin, Marilyn French and Oliver Sacks,’ Chick said. ‘I’m also super chuffed to be working with the wonderful Jane Palfreyman, who published my mother’s book thirty years ago. This feels like a homecoming indeed, and I can’t wait to share We Are the Stars with you.’

S&S announced in April plans to introduce Summit Books in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, following the news late last year of the revival of the imprint in the US. Summit plans to publish We Are the Stars on 2 October.

Photograph: Mark Rogers.

 

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions