Simon & Schuster acquires Cottle YA series

Simon & Schuster Australia (S&S) has acquired world rights to two books in a new YA series by debut author Ruby Jean Cottle, via agents Lou Johnson and Belinda Bolliger at Key People Literary Management.

The first book, Black River, will be published in 2025, to be followed by White Mountain, said the publisher. The ‘mystical new duology’ is described as ‘a blend of fantasy, sci-fi and romance, and a cross between the Vampire Diaries and Shatter Me’.

Black River follows 17-year-old Dusty, who only wants to escape into books and the wilderness that surrounds her mountain home in upstate New York. ‘But she doesn’t know that there’s something waiting for her in the shadows of the forest,’ and strange happenings begin affecting Dusty. ‘But Dusty isn’t the only person experiencing strange events in Black River. Darker forces are at play, and Dusty must uncover the mystery—or risk losing everything and everyone she loves.’

The series was acquired by associate publisher for fiction and audio Anthea Bariamis, who said: ‘Ruby’s writing is beautiful and tender, and this story is totally delicious. I’m so excited for readers to meet these gorgeous characters and delve into this thoroughly romantic mystery.’

‘To find a home at Simon & Schuster was beyond my wildest dreams,’ said Cottle. ‘Now it’s a reality, it couldn’t feel more right. To be in the thoughtful, intelligent hands of Anthea and the team means the world to me, and I’m so excited to bring the world of Black River into the light together.’

Cottle was born and raised in Sydney, but grew up travelling to New York, her mother’s original home, where she later lived for a number of years. After a career path that focused on creative direction in digital media, content creation and branding, Cottle ‘finally came back to her first love: writing’.

S&S plans to publish Black River in September 2025.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions