Hi, thanks for visiting. I'm A.J. Betts, Australian author of young adult fiction.
Breaking news: HIVE is one of five novels shortlisted for the Gold Inky Awards (yay!), and the winner will be judged by national votes. If you're 12-19 years of age, you can vote for HIVE on the Inside a Dog website. Entries close August 18th, and there are heaps of books to be won.
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I'm thrilled to learn I've been awarded the inaugural Western Australian Premier's Fellowship. Serious! On July 26th, the State Library of Western Australia surprised me with this wonderful gift. Thank you to head judge Delys Bird, CEO Margaret Allen, Premier Mark McGowan, Minister for the Arts David Templeman, and all the judges and organisers of these awards.
Congratulations to the other shortlisted fellowship authors Amanda Curtin, Craig Silvey, Madelaine Dickie and Kylie Howarth. And congrats to the winning creators in the other categories - Kelly Canby (children's), Renee Pettitt-Schipp (emerging), and Kirli Saunders (indigenous YA/junior). |
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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 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 continues the story. Set in a future Australia, it's action-packed with lots of twists, turns and surprises - and answers to your questions. HIVE has been shortlisted for the 2019 Gold Inky Awards, the 2019 ABIA awards and the 2019 Indie Book Awards! Thank you to all the judges and booksellers around Australia who've gotten behind it. HIVE was also named a notable book by the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia). Below is a recent review of ROGUE by writingWA. Check out the HIVE/ROGUE page for more info. |
EVENTS
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- 27: Bookstore visits
Sydney
August 3: Dymocks George St, YA book club, 2:30-3:30. Free event for teens, but please email eventscoordinator@dymocks.com.au
August 4: Better Read Than Dead, 3pm, Newtown. In-conversation with Olivia O'Flynn. Free event but please book online
August 6: 2-hour writing masterclass for HSC students and adults hosted by WestWords; 6:30-8:30pm at Denis Johnson Library, Stanhope Gardens. Details and booking information here
August 6-7: School visits in Sydney's west
Bundaberg
August 9: Shalom College, First Draft Literature Festival
Regional Western Australia
August 11-13: Albany (school workshops organised by The Literature Centre)
August 14-16: Geraldton (school workshops organised by The Literature Centre)
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- 27: Bookstore visits
Sydney
August 3: Dymocks George St, YA book club, 2:30-3:30. Free event for teens, but please email eventscoordinator@dymocks.com.au
August 4: Better Read Than Dead, 3pm, Newtown. In-conversation with Olivia O'Flynn. Free event but please book online
August 6: 2-hour writing masterclass for HSC students and adults hosted by WestWords; 6:30-8:30pm at Denis Johnson Library, Stanhope Gardens. Details and booking information here
August 6-7: School visits in Sydney's west
Bundaberg
August 9: Shalom College, First Draft Literature Festival
Regional Western Australia
August 11-13: Albany (school workshops organised by The Literature Centre)
August 14-16: Geraldton (school workshops organised by The Literature Centre)
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Perth/Fremantle
August 20-21: School talks/workshops August 22: Morley Library workshop for 11-17yo. Free event from 4:30 to 5:30, and stay for free pizza at 5:30! Register on eventbrite.com.au August 23: Stirling Libraries and school talks August 24: Melville Library event for adults and teens. Free for all, and includes morning tea! From 10:30-12. Bookings essential: www.melvillecity.com.au/libraryevents August 27-29: School workshops Brisbane September 3-6: Brisbane Writers Festival, Word Play schools' program, state library September 7: Brisbane Writers Festival, YA program, End of Days panel, 10-11am, Brisbane Square Library. Regional east coast tour September 9 to October 6: I'll be driving south from Brisbane, stopping at regional NSW towns, Sydney, Canberra, then Hobart and regional Victoria. The tour is being put together now, so if you are interested in me visiting your bookstore, library or school, please send me an email. Alternatively, you can contact panpublicity@macmillan.com.au. |
 Morley Library event, 22/8: workshop for teens
Melville Library event, 24/8: talk for all ages
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ZAC & MIA TV News
ZAC & MIA the TV show is now available in Australia!! You can find seasons 1 and 2 on iTunes, where each season can be bought for $9.99. In America, the series is airing on Hulu. It's also found its way to France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Go to the Zac & Mia TV page for more info.
ZAC & MIA the TV show is now available in Australia!! You can find seasons 1 and 2 on iTunes, where each season can be bought for $9.99. In America, the series is airing on Hulu. It's also found its way to France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Go to the Zac & Mia TV page for more info.
Happy reading :-)
A.J.
A.J.