Helen Edwards' latest novel for middle-grade readers, A Light on the Rocks, was published in January 2026. Helen has won a number of awards for her mid-grade fiction. Legend of the Lighthouse Moon won Category two of the Forevability awards in 2025. On Gallant Wings was longlisted in the ARA Historical Novel Prize in 2025. For the development of A Light on the Rocks, Helen was a mid-career Fellow of State Library of South Australia and supported by Writers’ SA.
Congratulations to Jayne McIntyre on the publication, with Riveted Press in March, of her debut work of mid-grade fiction, The Feathers of Farwood: The Gripps Curse.
Watch out for media and reviews of Samantha Ross's debut work of fiction with Penguin Random House in June 2026. Possible Springs will make a big splash. Jeff Lindsay, bestselling author of DEXTER says: ‘Ross’s debut blends small-town mystery, romance and magical realism into an intoxicating, spell-binding mix. Jimny is an unforgettable character. I loved it.’
Kevin Nemeth's charming and fun picture book Back in My Day will be published on 28 July by Affirm Press/Simon & Schuster.
Maura Pierlot's My Family Zoo will be published by Scholastic in 2026.