SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA RELEASES COVER OF ANITA HEISS’ NEW BOOK TO CELEBRATE NAIDOC WEEK

Simon & Schuster Australia has released the cover of Anita Heiss’ new book Bila Yarrudhang-galang-dhuray (River of Dreams) featuring the title in Wiradjuri on the front. The cover, which was created in collaboration with Heiss, features original artwork by Wiradjuri artist Luke Penrith.

Set on timeless Wiradjuri country where the life-giving waters of the rivers can make or break dreams, and based on devastating true events, Anita’s new book is a story of love, loss and belonging.

Heiss said: “Using Wiradjuri language on the cover of my novel makes a strong statement – from me as an author and from Simon & Schuster as a publisher – regarding the reclamation and maintenance of the traditional language of my family.”

“I believe it is the first time that the title of any commercial Australian novel has appeared solely in an Aboriginal language, without the English translation on the front. One friend calls it the Cathy Freeman moment of Australian publishing.”

Cassandra Di Bello, Commercial Fiction Publisher at Simon and Schuster said: “We are so proud to be publishing Anita’s upcoming novel with a cover that pays homage to the wonderful themes of the book. From celebrating the Wiradjuri language to showcasing the gorgeous Murrumbidgee River where the novel is set, we hope the treatment of this cover is another step forward in changing the landscape of how First Nation stories are published.”

Bila Yarrudhang-galang-dhuray (River of Dreams) will be published in trade paperback, ebook and audio in May 2021. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anabel Pandiella
Tel: 0412 699 556
E: anabel.pandiella@simonandschuster.com.au