Danielle Binks has signed emerging young adult romance author, Aurelne Thian to the agency.
Based in Perth, Danielle was lucky enough to meet Aurelne in a ‘pitch session’ at the 2024 inaugural Festival of Fiction (founded by JdM’s very own Tess Woods!)
Blending love stories with a touch of magic from her Asian heritage, Aurelne is a lifelong reader of fantasy and romance, and found herself craving stories with protagonists who felt like home — balancing the worlds of Asian and Western cultures. Now, she’s on a mission to bring these voices to life; “Giddy excitement is probably the best way to describe how I’m feeling — honoured and over the moon to join Jacinta di Mase’s agency alongside authors I’ve long admired,” Aurelne says. “I’m a bit of a romantic who likes to entertain the idea of fate, and meeting the talented Danielle Binks at the five-minute pitch during the 2024 Festival of Fiction felt like one of those moments. Five minutes felt far too short to share my whole vision, but it was enough to feel the magic of her understanding. I cannot wait to work with Danielle to bring these stories to life.”
The first (of many) YA stories that Danielle will be pitching on behalf of Aurelne will be Dear Campus Cupid – which is Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before with all the misunderstandings and miscommunications of a modern day Pride and Prejudice. And when she’s not crafting characters or dreaming up new tales, Aurelne can be found in scrubs at the hospital, sweating it out at the fencing centre, or sipping coffee with a book in hand.
For her part, Danielle credits the Festival of Fiction and Tess Woods’ commendable talent, leadership, and vision in bringing this vital new cultural event to Joondalup, WA: “The whole Festival was an incredible experience to be part of, but the pitching sessions really did impress me and hit home just how many talented creators are out there, waiting to be discovered! I tip my hat to Tess and the team, for blazing their own trail and working to connect WA creatives with the wider publishing landscape, particularly in the commercial realms. Aurelne was just one of the many brilliant artists I met while over there, and I really do encourage other agents and publishers to take advantage of this electrifying new Festival, if they are lucky enough to be invited to attend!”
Congratulations to all, and best of luck to Aurelne and Danielle