Category Archives: Young Adult

GUEST POST: Would you like a dash of sunshine with your noir? by Lisa Walker

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We’re celebrating the publication of Lisa Walker’s new young adult fiction novel this week, Trouble is my Business. This second Olivia Grace novel is another rip-roaring mystery, with nods to Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes, and a flavour of Veronica Mars. This Byron Bay set caper will definitely keep you warm this winter!

The release of Trouble is My Business coincides perfectly with an exciting announcement from Sisters in Crime. Lisa’s first Olivia Grace mystery, The Girl with the Gold Bikini, has been shortlisted for two awards in this year’s Davitt Awards! Lisa has been shortlisted in both the YA and debut crime category.

Both Olivia Grace mysteries are set on the Gold Coast and in Byron Bay, where sunny facades hide deeper, darker stories. Read on for Lisa Walker’s thoughts about ‘sunshine noir’, and setting her teen detective novel on the sun-drenched east coast of Australia.

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Wakefield acquires second YA novel in Olivia Grace mystery series by author Lisa Walker

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We’re delighted to officially announce the acquisition of world rights to Trouble is My Business, the second Olivia Grace mystery by author Lisa Walker, acquired from the Jane Novak agency. The young adult fiction novel will be published by Wakefield Press in September 2021.

Trouble is my Business follows Lisa’s previous instalment in her mystery series about Gold Coast teen PI Olivia Grace. The first book, The Girl with the Gold Bikini, was published by Wakefield Press in February 2019.

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Wakefield acquires YA novel from critically acclaimed Adelaide author Allayne Webster

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Wakefield Press acquires Allayne Webster's THAT THING I DID

We’re delighted to officially announce the acquisition of world rights to Allayne Webster’s young adult fiction novel, That Thing I Did, which Wakefield Press will publish in March 2022.

That Thing I Did is a rollicking road trip with a serious core, exploring issues like the dark side of social media use, teen sexuality and consent, superficiality and authenticity, mental health and friendship.

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Four contributors chosen from national competition to join all-star Australian YA horror anthology … just in time for Halloween!

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Four stories chosen from a competitive national open call-out will join some of Australia’s most celebrated YA authors for Hometown Haunts, a YA horror anthology published by Wakefield Press and funded by the Australia Council’s 2020 Resilience Fund – Create.

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CELEBRATE TEEN FICTION: Indigo Owl publication day

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Indigo Owl, Charlie Archbold

Today we are celebrating the publication of new teen novel Indigo Owl, the long-awaited second book from Charlie Archbold. Charlie’s debut Mallee Boys was awarded Honour Book in the Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Awards 2018.

Indigo Owl is smart, thoughtful YA fiction for modern teens. Equal parts thrilling entertainment and thought-provoking social commentary, Indigo Owl discusses the ‘what ifs’ around the future of the human race.

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DEBUT AUTHOR JOURNAL: Writing a follow up to my debut

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Poppy Nwosu, Debut Author Journal: Does a book contract change how you write?In 2020, Poppy Nwosu is the published author of two young adult contemporary novels, Making Friends with Alice Dyson and Taking Down Evelyn Tait. Yet back in 2018, she had just signed her first publication contract for her debut book, and she really had no idea what the future might bring.

This collection of blog posts (originally written by Poppy between March 2018 and March 2019) chronicles her experience during that strange year of limbo between signing a contract and seeing her first book released into the world by Wakefield Press.

In today’s post, Poppy speaks about her attempts to write a follow up novel before her debut had even been published.

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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES for Hometown Haunts: #LoveOzYA Horror Tales

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Hometown Haunts: Submissions

Wakefield Press is delighted to announce our October 2021 short story anthology Hometown Haunts: #LoveOzYA Horror Tales, showcasing established and new voices in YA.

Four YA horror stories will be selected from an open call-out across Australia.

Read on to find out how you can enter.

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DEBUT AUTHOR JOURNAL: Does a book contract change how you write?

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Poppy Nwosu, Debut Author Journal: Does a book contract change how you write?In 2020, Poppy Nwosu is the published author of two young adult contemporary novels, Making Friends with Alice Dyson and Taking Down Evelyn Tait. Yet back in 2018, she had just signed her first publication contract for her debut book, and she really had no idea what the future might bring.

This collection of blog posts (originally written by Poppy between March 2018 and March 2019) chronicles her experience during that strange year of limbo between signing a contract and seeing her first book released into the world by Wakefield Press.

In today’s post, Poppy speaks about how receiving a book contract can change the way you write new manuscripts.

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DEBUT AUTHOR JOURNAL: How I got a Literary Agent!

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Poppy Nwosu, Debut Author Journal: Finding an agentAs we launch this new blog series in 2020, Poppy Nwosu is the published author of two young adult contemporary novels, Making Friends with Alice Dyson and Taking Down Evelyn Tait. Yet back in 2018, she had just signed her first publication contract for her debut book, and she really had no idea what the future might bring.

This collection of blog posts (originally written by Poppy between March 2018 and March 2019) chronicles her experience during that strange year of limbo between signing a contract and seeing her first book released into the world by Wakefield Press.

For today’s post, Poppy speaks about how she found a literary agent.

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