Hi, thanks for visiting. I'm A. J. Betts, Australian author of young adult fiction.
​My fourth novel, HIVE, is now available. And it's the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on!

HIVE is the first of a two-book series published by Pan Macmillan Australia. The sequel, ROGUE, will come out in July, 2019.

HIVE can be found in all good bookstores and online at the usual places. 

The launch of HIVE was heaps of fun! Over one hundred and fifty people helped me celebrate in Fremantle. Thanks to launchers Meg McKinlay and Lesley Reece, and worker bees Marilyn Betts, Bill Betts, Frané Lessac, Julia Lawrinson, Brooke Davis, Brendan Ritchie, Henry Jackson, and all the staff at The Literature Centre.

JUST IN...

HIVE has been shortlisted for the 2019 Indie Book Awards! I'm thrilled that Australian booksellers are getting behind Hive - thanks so much for the support. And congratulations to the other shortlisted novelists.
AND ALSO...
​Season 2 of the ZAC & MIA TV series begins airing on Hulu on Valentines Day, 2019.

​Though the series can't yet be watched outside of America, you can have a sneak peak of the Season 2 trailer - but make sure you watch the Season 1 trailer first!

EVENTS COMING UP

2019
February 19-24: Perth Writers Week events 
  • ​Feb 19, in conversation with Meg McKinlay; 6 for 6:30pm, The Literature Centre. Free event, but please register here.
  • Feb 22, schools day, Perth Cultural Centre
  • Feb 23, speculative fiction panel, UWA. Free event, details here.
  • Feb 24, interviewing debut author, Brendan Lawley. Bookings and details here.
February 27: Launching Meg McKinlay's new book, Catch a Falling Star, The Literature Centre, 6pm; register here.

March 8: A Night With Our Stars (Perth)

March 28-29: Between the Lines festival (Busselton)

April 7: Storytelling Festival, The Literature Centre (Fremantle)
​
May 8-12: Scribblers Festival (Perth)

BOOKS THAT CHANGED ME

The Sydney Morning Herald featured me in their 'Books that Changed Me' section. You can check it out online here. 

ZAC & MIA WINS DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS


​In March 2018, I returned to LA  to attend the Daytime Emmy Awards. ZAC & MIA, the digital TV series, was nominated for six awards and won two: screenwriting (Allen Clary) and lead actress (Anne Winters).

Congratulations to the whole cast and crew!

​More info can be found on my ZAC & MIA TV page or search #ZacAndMiaShow for updates on social media. ​​
Picture
That's me on the left beside Anne Winters (Mia), Kian Lawley (Zac) and Allen Clary (screenwriter) at the Daytime Emmy Awards, 2018
Happy reading :-)
A. J.