UQP acquires K.A Ren Wyld's extraordinary novel 'Whichway Shimmering Dust'

UQP is delighted to announce that we’ve acquired K.A Ren Wyld’s novel Whichway Shimmering Dust.

Nestled in a multi-generational novel of family and community persistence is a tale of an Aboriginal girl and a sentient willy-willy who assist forcibly removed Aboriginal children to return home. Whichway Shimmering Dust is a work of truth-telling literary fiction that infuses factual history with speculative justice for members of the Stolen Generations.

Spanning from 1883 to 2027, it follows a sprawling family that is displaced for decades by colonial violence as its key protagonists, Pearl and Wil, find ways to reclaim their identity, culture heritage and Country.

K.A Ren Wyld says:

Being published by UQP was a goal I’d set myself a few years ago, so I’m thrilled they’re publishing my next novel. My motivation for writing 'Whichway Shimmering Dust' was to honour the Stolen Generations and raise awareness of the 1997 Bringing them Home report’s unfinished business, so I’m grateful that UQP recognised the significance of this novel.

UQP Director Madonna Duffy says:

'Whichway Shimmering Dust' pays homage to the incredible First Nations writers who have come before; writers such as Alexis Wright, Nugi Garimara (Doris Pilkington) and Melissa Lucashenko, but Ren Wyld has created something distinctive, powerful and magical with this special novel. It will sit proudly in UQP’s award-winning First Nations list. I can’t wait to share it with readers.

About K.A Ren Wyld

K.A Ren Wyld (pronouns: they/them) is a writer of Martu descent living on the coast south of Adelaide. In addition to two novels and a children’s non-fiction book, Ren has published short stories, poetry, narrative non-fiction, literature and art reviews, opinion pieces and more. Ren has received numerous literary awards and fellowships, such as the inaugural 2024 SA First Nations Literary Fellowship. Ren was conferred a Master of Arts (Research) for the thesis, In Search of Blak Magic: Magic Realism – Aboriginal Novels.

UQP has acquired world rights and will publish in March 2027.

For more information, contact UQP Marketing and Publicity Manager Jean Smith on jean.smith@uqp.com.au.