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Hi, thanks for visiting.
I'm A.J. Betts, Australian author of young adult fiction. My books incude the duology Hive and Rogue (Pan Macmillan, 2018/2019), Zac & Mia (Text Publishing, 2013), Wavelength (Fremantle Press, 2010), and Shutterspeed (Fremantle Press, 2008). |
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Events coming up
Subiaco Library: 8th March, 6-7:30pm. This is an in-conversation event for readers of all ages. Pizza and soft-drinks will be available. It's a free event, but please book through Eventbrite.
What I'm working on
I'm busily working on a new manuscript, which is a return to realism after the sci-fi/dystopian novels Hive and Rogue. It's a fun story about a teenage rock band...and that's probably all I should say about it for now ;-) After a solid year of work in 2020 - thanks to the WA Premier's Fellowship - I'm almost finished a comprehensive second draft, and can't wait to get stuck into draft three, then four, then five...which is around the time the parts of the story begin to click into place and I can see what I'm working with.
In 2021, I'll be reaching out to young musos who are solo artists or in a band. After spending so much time in my fictional story, it'll be great to see how real people actually do it, and incorporate some of their experiences.
What I've been talking about
I've recently recorded some online writing workshops for the Young Writers' Online program, run by The Literature Centre.
In 2020, I chatted with the following people:
What else I'm doing
This year I'm back at work teaching part-time. I'll also be writing humorous columns for the AEU Magazine (Victoria), cycling, reading, and renovating.
Subiaco Library: 8th March, 6-7:30pm. This is an in-conversation event for readers of all ages. Pizza and soft-drinks will be available. It's a free event, but please book through Eventbrite.
What I'm working on
I'm busily working on a new manuscript, which is a return to realism after the sci-fi/dystopian novels Hive and Rogue. It's a fun story about a teenage rock band...and that's probably all I should say about it for now ;-) After a solid year of work in 2020 - thanks to the WA Premier's Fellowship - I'm almost finished a comprehensive second draft, and can't wait to get stuck into draft three, then four, then five...which is around the time the parts of the story begin to click into place and I can see what I'm working with.
In 2021, I'll be reaching out to young musos who are solo artists or in a band. After spending so much time in my fictional story, it'll be great to see how real people actually do it, and incorporate some of their experiences.
What I've been talking about
I've recently recorded some online writing workshops for the Young Writers' Online program, run by The Literature Centre.
In 2020, I chatted with the following people:
- Astrid Edwards for The Garret Podcast and Reading Australia (on Zac & Mia)
- Fred Mafrica on The Couch (streaming on Foxtel on October 25th, and can be found here; my interview is at 53:30)
- Lucy Marden, 13yo podcaster for the Red Loosey Podcast (on writing, and other cool things)
- Holden Sheppard for Love to Read Local Radio (on the creative process and industry)
- David Astle on ABC Radio Melbourne (on the topic of Wonder - my PhD focus).
What else I'm doing
This year I'm back at work teaching part-time. I'll also be writing humorous columns for the AEU Magazine (Victoria), cycling, reading, and renovating.
News!
Zac & Mia (the TV show made by Awesomeness in LA) has been picked up by Netflix! It will be released in the US on February 1st and I'm hoping it'll make its way to Netflix Australia soon too. More info about the series can be found on my Zac & Mia TV page. The Netflix announcement can be found here.
Also, Rogue has been shortlisted for the 2021 WAYRBA awards, in the Older Readers category. Hooray!
Zac & Mia (the TV show made by Awesomeness in LA) has been picked up by Netflix! It will be released in the US on February 1st and I'm hoping it'll make its way to Netflix Australia soon too. More info about the series can be found on my Zac & Mia TV page. The Netflix announcement can be found here.
Also, Rogue has been shortlisted for the 2021 WAYRBA awards, in the Older Readers category. Hooray!
Less new news
In 2019, the State Library of Western Australia awarded me the inaugural Western Australian Premier's Fellowship. 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. The fellowship was incredibly valuable in enabling me to take leave from teaching and presenting to focus on writing my new work.
Happy reading :-)
A.J.
A.J.