February 2015

Curtis Brown Australia February Newsletter

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Curtis Brown (Aust) Pty Ltd | Literary Agents PO Box 19 | Paddington NSW 2021 | Australia [61 2] 9361 6161 | F: [61 2] 9360 3935 E: laura@curtisbrown.com.au | W: www.curtisbrown.com.au 1 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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MEMOIR

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272 pp |

PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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BAD BEHAVIOUR Rebecca Starford A gripping, compulsively readable memoir of bullying at an elite country boarding school.

Published by: Allen & Unwin |Paperback Rights held: Film/TV, Audio, Translation, English Language excl. ANZ Agent: Pippa Masson (pippa@curtisbrown.com.au)

Description: It was supposed to be a place where teenagers would learn resilience, confidence and independence, where long hikes and runs in the bush would make their bodies strong and foster a connection with the natural world. Living in bare wooden huts, cut off from the outside world, the students would experience a very different kind of schooling, one intended to have a strong influence over the kind of adults they would eventually become.

Fourteen-year-old Rebecca Starford spent a year at this school in the bush. In her boarding house sixteen girls were left largely unsupervised, a combination of the worst behaved students and some of the most socially vulnerable. As everyone tried to fit in and cope with their feelings of isolation and homesickness, Rebecca found herself joining ranks with the powerful girls, becoming both a participant--and later a victim-- of various forms of bullying and aggression.

Bad Behaviour tells the story of that year, a time of friendship and joy, but also of shame and fear. It explores how those crucial experiences affected Rebecca as an adult and shaped her future relationships, and asks courageous questions about the nature of female friendship. Moving, wise and painfully honest, this extraordinary memoir shows how bad behaviour from childhood, in all its forms, can be so often and so easily repeated throughout our adult lives.

“Bad Behaviour is mostly a tale of poignant self-doubt, told with grace and dignity. It is a model of moving on not just from the bullies we meet but also from the ways in which we bully ourselves.” – Sydney Morning Herald Rebecca Starford is a Melbourne-based writer, editor and publisher. She has worked previously at Australian Book Review and Affirm Press, and she is currently an editor at Text Publishing. She writes regularly for The Age, The Australian and The Guardian Australia. In 2010, she co-founded Kill Your Darlings where she is now publishing director. Her debut memoir, Bad Behaviour, will be published by Allen & Unwin in 2015.

2 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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THRILLER

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400 pp |

PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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THE HUNTED James Phelan The second Jed Walker novel - a white-knuckled rollercoaster of action suspense.

Published by: Hachette | Paperback Rights held: Film/TV, Translation, English Language excl.

ANZ Agent: Pippa Masson (pippa@curtisbrown.com.au)

Description: 2011, Seal Team Six killed Osama Bin Laden. Now, four years later, someone is eliminating Team Six - one by one they are turning up dead.

Jed Walker, ex-CIA, is an outsider back in the game. He's been chasing down a sinister group code-named Zodiac that the big guns - MI5, CIA, the Pentagon have failed to eradicate. But as Walker follows the trail of bodies, uncovering secrets and making connections he's not supposed to make, he finds the answers are closer to home than he ever imagined. Revenge is the obvious motive, but nothing is ever that simple in love or in war. Can Walker find who's responsible before the body count grows higher? Can he stop another terror attack before more innocent bystanders suffer? When the line between the good and the bad become blurred, when the hunters become the hunted, only one man can save us all. “Phelan has mastered the art of action-packed international espionage fiction. Fans of Clancy, Ludlum, Deighton, etc will find themselves quickly sucked in.� The Age James Phelan is a Melbourne-based writer. He has studied and taught writing at a post graduate level, and has been a novelist since the age of 25. His first book was the author interview collection Literati: Australian Contemporary Literary Figures Discuss Fear, Frustrations and Fame (John Wiley & Sons, 2005). His Lachlan Fox thriller novels are Fox Hunt (Hachette, 2006), Patriot Act (2007), Blood Oil (2008), Liquid Gold (2009), and Red Ice (2010). His Alone trilogy of Young Adult post-apocalyptic novels are titled Chasers (Hachette, 2010), Survivor (2011) and Quarantine (2011).

James has written for a variety of newspapers and magazines, having worked at The Age from 20002006, and has contributed to short story anthologies and serialised novels, including: Picture This (Penguin, 2010), Watchlist (Audible/Vanguard, 2010), and the Get Reading! anthology (2011).

His latest novels are a thriller series introducing a new character, Jed Walker: The Spy and The Hunted (Hachette, 2013 and 2015), and a 13-book Young Adult series The Last Thirteen (Scholastic).

3 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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NON-FICTION

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288 pp |

PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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MAYDAY: HOW WARRING EGOS FORCED QANTAS OFF COURSE Matt O’Sullivan How did a national icon become a national liability?

Published by: Penguin | Paperback Rights held: Film/TV, Translation, English Language excl.

ANZ Agent: Fiona Inglis (fiona@curtisbrown.com.au)

Description: Founded in 1920 by two WWI pilots and a grazier, the 'Flying Kangaroo' is one of the oldest and most respected airlines in the world. Famous for never having lost a jet aircraft in flight, in late 2014 Qantas had a crash of a different kind, recording one of the largest losses in global aviation history. A sequence of crises on the ground and in the air have all taken their toll. At the centre of the decline has been Alan Joyce, controversially appointed CEO in 2008. His supporters applaud him for tackling problems ignored by his predecessors. His critics accuse him of unconscionable mismanagement and irreversible damage – from ongoing feuds with predecessor Geoff Dixon and Virgin boss John Borghetti (a one-time leadership rival), to a botched bid for government aid, Joyce has had the roughest of rides. Mayday takes us behind the headlines, to tell the full story of a company at war with itself, and the world. Senior journalist Matt O'Sullivan tells us what was happening on the Qantas executive floor as QF32 threatened to fall from the sky; documents the incredible story of the airline's numerous failed forays into Asia; and reveals the truth behind Joyce's infamous 2011 decision to ground Qantas' entire fleet.

Matt O'Sullivan is a senior journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and has been writing on the aviation industry for a decade or more. Born in New Zealand, he shifted to Australia in 2000. Prior to that he worked in the UK on The Times and The Independent.

4 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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CRIME

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200 pp |

PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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LETHAL METAL Harry Ledowsky Fast, racy thriller with insight into the secret world of nuclear Russia.

Published by: Momentum | Ebook Rights held: Translation, Film/TV, Audio and English Language excl. ANZ Agent: Tara Wynne (tara@curtisbrown.com.au)

Description: After three children stumble on dumped radioactive waste in a Murmansk forest, one of them dies from radiation poisoning.

Outraged by such a tragic waste of a child’s life, American doctor John Ross joins forces with a Typhoon class submarine captain (the father of one of the surviving children) and an undercover operative from the Russian Radiation Authority to hunt down those responsible.

This puts them on a collision course with a Russian Mafia boss and an Al-Qaeda agent determined to acquire nuclear material. They find themselves entangled in a web of brutality, bribery and blackmail, where no one is who they seem and everyone is expendable. “…a thrilling story with a great international setting that is a throw back to Clancy-era novels. The Clancy comparison doesn't stop there, though that's a good thing. The idea of a doctor investigating the death of a child quickly escalates into an adventure where he's facing off against many sinister figures. The tension keeps rising until the end. Pacing is great, and as other reviewers have said, it's hard to put down.” Amazon Harry Ledowsky is one of Australia’s most awarded Creative Directors and has been a judge on every major Advertising Award in Australia. Creator of “Oils Ain’t Oils” for Castrol, “Aussie Cossie” for Speedo, “Happy Joe Happy” for the NRMA and “The Bundy Bear” for Bundaberg Rum. He was National Creative Director and head of the Worldwide Creative Directors for Young & Rubicam and was named as “the second most outstanding individual in Advertising” by the Financial Review.

5 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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NON-FICTION

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120 pp |

PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF RESILIENCE Matthew Johnstone How to bounce back from adversity and lead a fulfilling life.

Published by: Pan Macmillan | Paperback Rights held: Film/TV, Translation, Audio, North America Agent: Pippa Masson (pippa@curtisbrown.com.au)

Description: Most of us set out quietly hoping for, and secretly expecting, to live a happy, successful and healthy life. But life doesn't always go to plan.

The Big Little Book of Resilience is about developing flexibility, acceptance and selfcompassion when those plans go awry.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Matthew Johnstone guides the reader to an understanding of how resilience plays a key role in wellbeing. He offers an accessible roadmap to developing and maintaining resilience and how it can help you overcome and learn from difficult life events.

Matthew’s video, I HAD A BLACK DOG, HIS NAME WAS DEPRESSION, made for the World Health Organization has had over 5 million hits on YouTube. He’s now established himself as a health and wellness expert – his talks at major corporations attract huge audiences!

Matthew Johnstone worked for 13 years as an art and creative director in advertising where he created award winning work in Sydney, San Francisco and New York. I Had a Black Dog, his illustrated book on what it is to suffer depression, was published by Pan Macmillan in 2005 and has since become a commercial success in Australia and internationally. Pan Macmillan published the follow up, Living with a Black Dog, in 2008, Constable & Robinson then published in January 2009 after which the book went to #9 on the Sunday Times Bestseller List. Since then, The Alphabet of the Human Heart (co-written with life-long friend James Kerr), Quiet the Mind and Capturing Mindfulness have been published in Australia and internationally, with The Alphabet of the Human Heart debuting at #5 on the UK’s Sunday Times bestseller list, and his first children’s book, Harvey: the Boy Who Couldn’t Fart being published by Walker Books. His forthcoming book, The Big Little Book of Resilience, has been published by Pan Macmillan in 2015, and Constable & Robinson in the UK.

6 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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YOUNG ADULT

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188 pp

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PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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THE IMPOSSIBLE QUEST #3: THE BEAST OF BLACKMOOR BOG Kate Forsyth The third in a five-part series, the journey continues in the darkness of the Witchwood

Published by: Scholastic Australia | Paperback Rights held: Film/TV Agent: Tara Wynne (tara@curtisbrown.com.au) Description: The dragons are long gone ... this beast is something else. Something huge and black and hairy. After escaping the bog-men in the wilds of the Witchwood, Sebastian, Quinn, Elanor and Tom journey south on their impossible quest. Sebastian and Elanor seek help from Crowthorne Castle, but both allies and enemies will reveal themselves. Tom and Quinn venture into the mysterious moors ... where a hideous beast lies in waiting.

Also available in the series: THE IMPOSSIBLE QUEST #1: ESCAPE FROM WOLFHAVEN CASTLE THE IMPOSSIBLE QUEST #2: THE WOLVES OF WITCHWOOD Published by: Scholastic Australia | Paperback Rights held: Film/TV Agent: Tara Wynne (tara@curtisbrown.com.au)

Kate Forsyth is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than twenty books, ranging from picture books to poetry to novels for both children and adults. Kate's books have been published in 14 countries around the world, including the UK, the US, Russia, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Poland and Slovenia. She is currently undertaking a doctorate in fairytale retellings at the University of Technology, having already completed a BA in Literature and a MA in Creative Writing. She lives by the sea in Sydney, Australia, with her husband, three children, a rambunctious Rhodesian Ridgeback, a bad-tempered black cat, and many thousands of books.

7 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

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JUNIOR FICTION

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288 pp

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PUBLISHED FEB 2015

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THE SEQUIN STAR Belinda Murrell The latest timeslip from best-selling author Belinda Murrell – over 200,000 copies sold, and counting, across the series!

Published by: Random House | Paperback Rights held: Film/TV, Audio Agent: Pippa Masson (pippa@curtisbrown.com.au)

Description: Claire finds a sequin star among her grandmother's treasures. Why does she own such a cheap piece? The mystery deepens when the brooch hurtles Claire back in time to 1932. Claire finds herself stranded in a circus camp. The Great Depression has made life difficult, but Claire befriends performers Rosina and Jem, and a boy called Kit who watches the show every night. When Kit is kidnapped, it's up to Claire, Rosina and Jem to save him. But Claire wonders who Kit and Rosina really are. One is escaping poverty and the other is escaping wealth – can the two find happiness together?

Also in the series: more details on request

Belinda Murrell has worked as a travel journalist, technical writer, editor and public relations consultant.

Her overseas adventures inspired her work as a travel writer for the West Australian newspaper and Out & About With Kids travel magazine. Her work has also appeared in the Sun Herald, Sunday Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald. While Belinda studied Children's Literature at Macquarie University, her passion for children's books was reignited when she had her own three children and began telling and writing stories for Nick, Emily and Lachlan. Belinda's books include the Sun Sword fantasy trilogy, Scottish timeslip tale The Locket of Dreams, French Revolution timeslip tale The Ruby Talisman, Australian timeslip tales The Ivory Rose and The Sequin Star, and Australian historical tales The Forgotten Pearl and The River Charm. Belinda also writes the Lulu Bell series for younger readers, about friends, family, animals, and growing up in a vet hospital. Belinda is also an author ambassador for Room to Read and Books in Homes.

8 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

Recently Delivered FICTION RUSH OH! Shirley Barrett Genre: Historical fiction Description: Set in 1908 near the township of Eden on the South Coast of New South Wales RUSH OH! is a story about family, fish and animals; and about trying to come to terms with life’s disappointments. It is also a celebration of an extraordinary episode in Australian history, when a pod of Killer whales and a family of whalers formed a fond, unique allegiance.

Due to be published by: Pan Macmillan Australia |Virago UK |Little, Brown USA | October 2015 Rights Held: Film/TV, Audio Agent: Grace Heifetz (grace@curtisbrown.com.au)

GOOD MONEY J.M. Green Genre: Crime fiction/comedy Description: A stylish and fast-paced crime debut, somewhere between Shane Maloney and Janet Evanovich, featuring a hard-drinking Melbourne social worker Stella who sees more than she should: and has her own secrets to hide...

Due to be published by: Scribe | December 2015 Rights Held: Film/TV, Audio Agent: Clare Forster (claref@curtisbrown.com.au)

THE HOMESTEAD GIRLS Fiona McArthur Genre: Commercial women’s fiction Description: Three independent women move in together on a run-down sheep station and forge enduring friendships that provide support and sometimes tough love.

Due to be published by: Penguin | July 2015 Rights Held: Film/TV Agent: Clare Forster (claref@curtisbrown.com.au)

9 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au

THE CHOCOLATE PROMISE Josephine Moon Genre: Commercial women’s fiction Description: A self-taught chocolatier from Tasmania is on a mission to improve people's lives through chocolate.

Due to be published by: Allen & Unwin | April 2015 Rights Held: Film/TV, Audio, US, Translation Agent: Fiona Inglis (fiona@curtisbrown.com.au)

NON-FICTION THE SHEARERS Evan McHugh Genre: Non-fiction Description: A narrative non-fiction book celebrating the history and achievements of shearing and shearers in Australia, from early times to their current-day lifestyles, including changes in technology.

Due to be published by: Penguin | August 2015 Rights Held: Film/TV Agent: Clare Forster (claref@curtisbrown.com.au)

THE OUTBACK MIDWIFE Beth McRae and Charlotte Ward Genre: Memoir Description: Beth McRae has been a midwife since 1973 - she has worked in regional and urban Victoria and seen the changing times and practices - but nothing has been quite like quite like her move to a remote Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land. This is a wonderful celebration of her life 'catching babies'.

Due to be published by: Random House | May 2015 Rights Held: Film/TV, Audio Agent: Pippa Masson (pippa@curtisbrown.com.au)

10 Curtis Brown Australia / Rights Newsletter / www.curtisbrown.com.au