Dollhouse Pictures options Bri Lee's novel 'The Work' for television

Hannah Lehmann has created the series adaptation of the Allen & Unwin novel, with Lee on board as an executive producer.

Author: Bri LeeAgent: Grace Heifetz (a4 Literary); United Talent AgencyAnnounced 5 Nov

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Also this week

Deal Easy Tiger wins TV rights to Dervla McTiernan's 'Three Reasons for Revenge' Shaun Grant will adapt the Perth author's 2026 thriller after a contested auction. Funding Creative Australia pushes first National Poet Laureate announcement to early 2027 The appointment, first flagged for November, carries an $80,000 annual honorarium over a three-year term. People Fergus Barrowman to step back as Te Herenga Waka University Press publisher The Wellington press's publisher of more than 40 years moves to a part-time publisher-at-large role from 1 February 2027.

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The Book Source5 November 2026Screen optionThe WorkBri LeeA long-distance love affair between a New York gallerist and a Sydney antiques appraiser, each trying to get ahead in the art world.Optioned by Dollhouse PicturesAgent: Grace Heifetz, a4 LiteraryThe Book Source5 November 2026TV rightsThree Reasons for RevengeDervla McTiernanThree mysterious gifts arrive at three Melbourne houses, each chosen to wreck the life of the person who receives it.Optioned by Easy Tiger ProductionsAgent: Dan Conaway, Writers HouseThe Book Source28 October 2026World rightsCheatercockSuri MatondkarMemoir and critique on English, power and identity, from a writer who grew up in Goa speaking her native language.Acquired by University of Queensland PressMentorship Prize winner · July 2027The Book Source26 October 2026ANZ rightsExchangeMegan CheongAutofiction about a young woman who moves to Berlin with little German, searching for the person she hopes to become.Sold to UWA PublishingAgent: Bella Suckling, Annabel Barker AgencyThe Book Source20 October 2026Fiction Prize contractSoftPenny RichardsA debut novel set in Christchurch as the city rebuilds after the earthquakes, and winner of the publisher's 2026 Fiction Prize.Acquired by Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand$10,000 advance · Mid-2027The Book Source24 September 2026UK & Commonwealth rightsSon of EmberFireforged trilogy, book oneLuke BatemanA 14-year-old loner trains for an elite force that hunts users of banned magic, then begins to suspect his mother was one of them.Acquired by Gallery YAThree books · Mid-2027The Book Source19 September 2026AFL season bookThe Season with Snaps TrulySnaps TrulyA comic, openly one-eyed account of the Fremantle Dockers' 2026 season by a columnist whose identity is still secret.Acquired by Fremantle PressThe Book Source17 September 2026ANZ rightsFlat SpellJake DeanStories about hapless characters close to the edge and looking for meaning, some tipping into the surreal and absurd.Sold to Wakefield PressAgent: Martin Shaw, Shaw LiteraryThe Book Source10 September 2026Second novelThe HerdGeorge KempGeorge Kemp's second novel, which uses an outbreak of bird flu as its lens.Acquired by University of Queensland PressSoft Serve NA rights to EuropaThe Book Source2 September 2026World rightsLaughing RiverN. J. MaddenIn Victoria's goldrush era, a boy grows up to become a feared bushranger, then faces a moral and spiritual crisis.Acquired by UWA PublishingDebut novel · April 2027

People Fergus Barrowman to step back as Te Herenga Waka University Press publisher New Zealand · 5 Nov James Norcliffe named NZSA President of Honour for 2027 New Zealand · 1 Nov Alice Miller appointed 2027 IIML Writer in Residence New Zealand · 28 Oct

Prizes Woollahra Digital Literary Award shortlists 15 online works for 2026 Australia · 4 Nov NSW Literary Awards 2027 entries close on 26 November Australia · 4 Nov Aurealis Awards entries for 2026 speculative fiction close 30 November Australia · 4 Nov

Funding Creative Australia pushes first National Poet Laureate announcement to early 2027 Australia · 5 Nov Japan Foundation translation support for 2027–28 closes 1 December Asia-Pacific · 4 Nov Varuna opens Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship and Shanghai exchange for 2027 Australia · 3 Nov

Jobs Post a job

Role	Employer	Location	Closes
Melbourne Writers Festival seeks ticketing manager for 2027 festival	Melbourne Writers Festival	Melbourne	23 Nov
Sydney Writers' Festival opens 2027 internship program	Sydney Writers' Festival	Sydney (The Rocks)	15 Nov
Murdoch Books seeks marketing and publicity coordinator in Sydney	Murdoch Books (Allen & Unwin)	Sydney	Open
Wakefield Press is hiring a South Australian sales representative	Wakefield Press	Mile End, SA	13 Nov
Debris Magazine advertises remote publication coordinator role	Debris Magazine	Remote, Australia (Melbourne preferred)	22 Nov
NT Writers Centre seeks part-time program officer in Darwin	NT Writers Centre	Darwin, NT	12 Nov

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