Local novel snags US publisher

Whisky Charlie Foxtrot by Western Australian author Annabel Smith will be published in North America early next year.

Fremantle Press sales, rights and distribution manager Clive Newman said an introduction to the editorial manager during the Frankfurt Book Fair last year resulted in the independent publishing house Sourcebooks contracting the novel.

‘The 2013 Frankfurt Fair has proved one of our most successful with the international publication of Alan Carter’s crime fiction titles set for the end of this month and several more contracts in negotiation,’ said Newman.

Shana Drehs of Sourcebooks’ Landmark imprint said she was delighted to send the offer for Whisky Charlie Foxtrot.

‘I thoroughly adored the book and read it to the end immediately. I think it is perfect for our list,’ said Drehs.

Author Annabel Smith said she was absolutely thrilled that Whisky Charlie Foxtrot would find a new and bigger audience in North America.

‘I can’t wait to see how American readers respond to Australianisms like ‘boardies’ and ‘sunnies’,’ said Smith.

Whisky Charlie Foxtrot, which was shortlisted for Australia’s Most Underrated Book Award in 2013, tells the story of twins Charlie and Whisky Ferns – identical looking but with personalities that are poles apart. When a freak accident puts Whisky in a coma, Charlie must re-evaluate everything he thought he knew about his brother.

Whisky Charlie Foxtrot is available in all good bookstores and online.

Annabel Smith is a guest of the 2014 Perth Writers Festival, 20-23 February. More information at the Perth Writers Festival website.