Port Macquarie-based author Hayley Lawrence is ecstatic her debut novel has been listed on the Children's Book Council of Australia's notable books for 2019.
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Inside the Tiger was released in late 2018.
Ms Lawrence said she is one of just two debut novelists on this year's list.
"The other authors are all critically acclaimed, award-winning authors," she said.
"It means a bigger market for my novel. It means librarians and school groups taking notice of what's on the list and perhaps ordering more copies of our books.
"The CBCA Notables list covers a wide range of contemporary topics that reflect current concerns in contemporary Australia.
"Being an Australian author we are not only geographically isolated from our biggest markets of the US, UK and Europe but by virtue of our tiny population, it is incredibly difficult for Australian authors to see the kinds of large scale success that US and UK/European authors can achieve.
"This is not because our stories mean any less, or are poorly written - to the contrary.
"In order to be published as a novelist in Australia, with Australian publishers taking on less than 1% of manuscripts received - in fact, up to 0.1% of manuscripts sent by authors - it means Australian novels are incredibly strong, but our voice is paradoxically also weak because selling books is a numbers game," she said.
Ms Lawrence said the Australian population cannot compete with overseas populations.
This also means that US and UK authors are often having their books made into films, it's a rarity in Australia.
She said being recognised by awards in Australia and having your novel judged by a panel of experts among all the novels published in that same year, really supports Australian authors.
It also helps us to stand out in an increasingly competitive local market.
- Hayley Lawrence
"It also helps us to stand out in an increasingly competitive local market," she added.
The Children's Book Council of Australia awards were instituted to help bring recognition to Australian writers based on quality content and stories, rather than numbers in the marketplace.
The CBCA judge children's books published in Australia across the board - from picture books to Young Adult - and they choose the best 20 books published in each category as a form of recognizing local stories that deal with important and contemporary issues.
Inside the Tiger looked at justice politics and human rights while other books on the list touched on LGBTQI issues, asylum seekers, mental health or women's rights.
"Having my book listed on the CBCA Notables list means more teens being able to read my novel.
"It also means a better representation of Australian books on Australian bookshelves instead of our voices being drowned out by larger international markets.
"Australian stories are unique to us, and they deserve to be celebrated.
"I feel incredibly honoured to have Inside the Tiger on that list with so many awe-inspiring Australian writers."
The short list for the CBCA Awards will be announced on March 26, 2019, with the winning titles announced during book week in August.
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