SIMON & SCHUSTER AUSTRALIA ACQUIRES A ROMANCE NOVEL BY JESS KITCHING

Simon & Schuster Australia is excited to announce the acquisition of The Life Experiment, a high-concept, emotional romance novel from Melbourne-based author Jess Kitching. Associate Publisher Anthea Bariamis acquired world rights in a deal negotiated by Daniel Pilkington.

The Life Experiment follows two people who agree to participate in a study that claims it can predict when a person will die. Layla, a corporate lawyer, has forgone all relationships for her career and is stuck in an endless cycle of late nights; Angus, grieving the death of his beloved brother, is struggling with the expectations of his privileged family after a failed startup. Both are searching for meaning and hope the experiment will give them clarity.

Unaware that they are participating in the same experiment, Layla and Angus meet by chance in a café the same day they get their results – and each is dealt a striking blow. With the conversation raw and the attraction instant, they seem destined for more. But between the experiment results and their personal circumstances, can they open themselves up to a shot at happiness – however fleeting it may be?

Anthea Bariamis said, ‘The Life Experiment tore my heart open and stitched it back together in one go. Jess has created a powerful, moving story that I know will stick with readers for a very long time.’

Jess Kitching added, ‘Signing with Simon & Schuster is quite literally a dream come true. The Life Experiment is such an important novel for me, so the fact that Anthea and the team connected to it means the world. I think ten-year-old me, with all her authorial aspirations, would be pinching herself to know that this day was part of her future! There is so much I am looking forward to with this publication journey, but step one is to soak in every moment of celebrating this achievement.’

The Life Experiment will be published in February 2026.

Photo credit: Jess Howell.