SIMON & SCHUSTER ACQUIRES NEW YA SERIES BY RUBY JEAN COTTLE
Simon & Schuster Australia is excited to have acquired world rights to two books in a new YA series by Ruby Jean Cottle, from agents Lou Johnson and Belinda Bolliger at Key People Literary Management.
The series will debut in 2025 with Black River to be followed by White Mountain.
This mystical new duology has been described as a blend of fantasy, sci-fi and romance and a cross between The Vampire Diaries and Shatter Me.
All seventeen‑year‑old Dusty wants is to escape into books and the wilderness that surrounds her mountain home in upstate New York. But she doesn’t know that there’s something waiting for her in the shadows of the forest.
One morning, Dusty wakes up with dirt and leaves on her feet. How did this happen if she never left her bed? Over the coming days, she realises that her body, her senses, and her urges are changing. And after a chance encounter with quiet and mysterious Will, she feels an attraction unlike anything she’s experienced before: it isn’t only an emotional connection making her heart beat faster – it’s a thirst.
But Dusty isn’t the only person experiencing strange events in Black River. Darker forces are at play, and Dusty must uncover the mystery – or risk losing everything and everyone she loves …
The series was acquired by Anthea Bariamis, Associate Publisher Fiction & Audio, who said: ‘Ruby’s writing is beautiful and tender, and this story is totally delicious. I’m so excited for readers to meet these gorgeous characters and delve into this thoroughly romantic mystery.’
Ruby Jean Cottle commented: ‘To find a home at Simon & Schuster was beyond my wildest dreams. Now it’s a reality, it couldn't feel more right. To be in the thoughtful, intelligent hands of Anthea and the team means the world to me, and I’m so excited to bring the world of Black River into the light together.’
Cottle was born and raised in Sydney, but grew up travelling to New York, her mother’s original home, where she later lived for a number of years. She studied art history before beginning her career in magazines and fashion. After a winding career path that focused on creative direction in digital media, content creation and branding, Ruby finally came back to her first love: writing. Black River is her debut.
Black River will be published by Simon & Schuster Australia in September 2025.