UQP acquires new middle-grade from award-winning author Fiona Wood
UQP is delighted to announce the acquisition of the new middle-grade novel by three-time CBCA Award–winning author Fiona Wood, in a two-book deal brokered by Katelyn Detweiler of Jill Grinberg Literary Management. The Boy and the Dog Tree is a haunting, magical story about eleven-year-old Leo who, while struggling to fit in at his new school, summons an ancient wild dog from an oak tree. The dog, Argos, will be Leo’s best friend, for a time, until the boy seems ready to face the world without him. It is a deeply moving story about friendship, courage and belonging that has the feel of a modern-day classic.
UQP has acquired ANZ rights and will publish in March 2026.
Children’s Publisher Cathy Vallance says:
‘I have long been a fan of Fiona’s pitch-perfect writing and am beyond thrilled her books will now be a part of UQP’s award-winning children’s list. The Boy and the Dog Tree contains all my favourite story elements: it’s poignant and funny with dash of magic realism. I cannot wait for readers to meet Argos. Like all good boys, he’ll stay inside your heart forever.'
Fiona Wood says:
‘I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Children’s Publisher Cathy Vallance and the amazing team at UQP on The Boy and the Dog Tree. It’s also a thrill to be joining some of my favourite writers on UQP’s list.’
About Fiona Wood
Fiona Wood is the award-winning author of four YA novels, including Six Impossible Things, Wildlife, Cloudwish, and Take Three Girls, co-written with Simmone Howell and Cath Crowley. Her debut middle-grade novel, How to Spell Catastrophe, was published in 2022. She has received three Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards and has been published internationally. Before becoming an author, she was a television scriptwriter, worked in marketing and arts management, and was a freelance journalist. She lives with her husband in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.
For more information, contact Jean Smith on jean.smith@uqp.com.au
