Hi, thanks for visiting. I'm A.J. Betts, Australian author of young adult fiction.
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The wait is over - ROGUE is out!
And on July 14th it was launched in stunning fashion by Julia Lawrinson at the Moore Gallery, Fremantle. Thanks to the 150 fine folk who came to celebrate. A special shout-out goes to helpers Frané Lessac, Mark Greenwood, Katy LeFroy, Meg McKinlay, Karen Blair, and Jen Banyard. Thanks also to the staff at Paper Bird Books for organising the venue and sales. And final thanks to my amazing publisher Pan Macmillan for making magic happen. I'm humbled by the love that keeps rolling in for the HIVE/ROGUE series. The early reviews have knocked me for six. I really hope you enjoy these two books. They're unlike anything I've written, and I couldn't be prouder. |
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HIVE/ROGUE
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HIVE and ROGUE comprise a two-book series published by Pan Macmillan Australia (2018, 2019). HIVE and ROGUE are available in all good bookstores and online at the usual places.
HIVE tells the story of Hayley, a 15-year-old beekeeper, who discovers more about her world than she was meant to. Set in an underwater society, it's rich with suspense, mystery and secrets. And bees too, of course. ROGUE picks up the story. Set in a future Australia, it's action-packed with lots of twists, turns and surprises - and answers to your many questions. HIVE has been shortlisted for the 2019 ABIA awards and the 2019 Indie Book Awards! Thank you to the amazing booksellers around Australia who've gotten behind it. HIVE has also been longlisted for the INKYs (voted for by teenagers) and named a notable book by the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia).
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EVENTS COMING UP
Between July and October I'll be taking time off from teaching and criss-crossing the country on a HIVE/ROGUE book tour. Please get in contact if you'd like to have me visit your library, school or bookstore.
Queensland
July 18: Voices on the Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
July 19: Remarkable Women Conference, St Rita's College, Brisbane
July 20: In-conversation with Mia Macrossan, State Library of Queensland. Entry by donation. Details and RSVP here.
July 22-24: School visit, bookstores and media
Perth/Freo
July 25: School visit
July 27: Bookstore signings
Sydney
August 3: Dymocks George St, YA book club, 2:30-3:30. Please contact Emily Booth if interested.
August 4: Better Read Than Dead, 3pm, Newtown. In-conversation with Olivia O'Flynn. Free event but please book online.
August 5-7: School visit, bookstores.
Bundaberg
August 9: Shalom College, First Draft Literature Festival
Regional Western Australia
August 11-17: Albany, Geraldton; school workshops organised by The Literature Centre
Perth/Fremantle
August 19-31: school talks/workshops
Brisbane
September 3-7: Brisbane Writers Festival
Regional east coast tour
September 8 to October 6: I'll be hitting the road! Details to be announced. If are interested in me visiting your bookstore, library or school, please send an email.
Queensland
July 18: Voices on the Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
July 19: Remarkable Women Conference, St Rita's College, Brisbane
July 20: In-conversation with Mia Macrossan, State Library of Queensland. Entry by donation. Details and RSVP here.
July 22-24: School visit, bookstores and media
Perth/Freo
July 25: School visit
July 27: Bookstore signings
Sydney
August 3: Dymocks George St, YA book club, 2:30-3:30. Please contact Emily Booth if interested.
August 4: Better Read Than Dead, 3pm, Newtown. In-conversation with Olivia O'Flynn. Free event but please book online.
August 5-7: School visit, bookstores.
Bundaberg
August 9: Shalom College, First Draft Literature Festival
Regional Western Australia
August 11-17: Albany, Geraldton; school workshops organised by The Literature Centre
Perth/Fremantle
August 19-31: school talks/workshops
Brisbane
September 3-7: Brisbane Writers Festival
Regional east coast tour
September 8 to October 6: I'll be hitting the road! Details to be announced. If are interested in me visiting your bookstore, library or school, please send an email.
Other News
I'm thrilled to learn I've been shortlisted for the inaugural Western Australian Premier's Fellowship. Congratulations to the other shortlisted fellowship authors: Amanda Curtin, Craig Silvey, Madelaine Dickie and Kylie Howarth. And congrats too to the shortlisted creators in the other categories. The winners will be announced July 26th.
ZAC & MIA TV News
Seasons 1 and 2 of the ZAC & MIA TV series are now airing on Hulu in the U.S. They've also found their way to France and Germany. Created by L.A. production company AwesomenessTV, ZAC & MIA is being distributed by Viacom International Studios - which means it should soon be coming to Australia too.
I'm thrilled to learn I've been shortlisted for the inaugural Western Australian Premier's Fellowship. Congratulations to the other shortlisted fellowship authors: Amanda Curtin, Craig Silvey, Madelaine Dickie and Kylie Howarth. And congrats too to the shortlisted creators in the other categories. The winners will be announced July 26th.
ZAC & MIA TV News
Seasons 1 and 2 of the ZAC & MIA TV series are now airing on Hulu in the U.S. They've also found their way to France and Germany. Created by L.A. production company AwesomenessTV, ZAC & MIA is being distributed by Viacom International Studios - which means it should soon be coming to Australia too.
Books that Changed Me
The Sydney Morning Herald featured me in their 'Books that Changed Me' section. You can check it out online here.
Happy reading :-)
A.J.
A.J.