I’m so excited to finally share the cover reveal for my debut middle-grade fantasy, The Feathers of Farwood – & The Gripps Curse!
This beautiful cover was illustrated by the incredibly talented Tamlyn Teow, and it perfectly captures the heart of the story — lush Australian forests and landscapes, a hint of magic, and one very curious owl at the centre of it all. Isn’t it stunning?
Coming February 2026 with Riveted Press, this is the first book in my Feathers of Farwood trilogy. Seeing the story come to life with this cover is truly a dream come true.
About this magical Aussie story for kids – with owls!
When Eva Feather’s (very human) father gets turned into an owl by the dreaded Gripps, her mother whisks Eva and her sisters away to the mysterious Australian town of Farwood—a place where legends, tales, and whispers come to life.
With the help of her newfound friend, Harvey, Eva races against the clock to find a cure for their feathery, family curse, before she loses her dad to his owlish form forever. Not to mention her own feathers are starting to show…
But Harvey has a secret of his own, and Eva faces the impossible task of evading the Hunters, protecting her sisters, and breaking into Farwood’s underground archives to locate a magical book she isn’t even sure exists.
The Feathers of Farwood is a middle grade mystery packed with adventure, magical realism, surprising animal facts, and sprinkles of folklore. The first in an exciting new trilogy, this enthralling tale will captivate even the most reluctant readers.
It’s a story full of Australian wildlife, mystery, adventure, and a touch of magic. Perfect for readers who love Guardians of Ga’Hoole, A Wolf Called Wander, or Round the Twist.
It incorporates different perspectives (owl-eyed view), small heroes taking on complex problems, and plenty of page-turning twists and turns for readers aged 8-12 years.
Where to pre-order and how to support new authors
Pre-orders are now open for my debut The Feathers of Farwood, available through the Riveted Press website.
The book will be released and dispatched in early February 2026 — and I can’t wait for readers to discover the magic of Farwood!
There are so many wonderful ways to support a new author:
- Follow along on social media for behind-the-scenes peeks into my writing process and the world of Farwood.
- Borrow the book from your local library once it’s out next year. Libraries are magical places that help stories reach more readers.
- Tell your friends, teachers, and family if you enjoyed the story. Word of mouth is invaluable, and truly appreciated by writers and creatives.
- And most importantly, keep reading for the joy of it — because every page turned keeps stories (and authors!) flying.
How do I balance owl facts with storybook fiction?
One of my goals while writing The Feathers of Farwood was to make the owls feel as real as possible — true to their habits, movements, beak clicks, and quirks — while still keeping a sense of wonder.
I wanted readers to recognise Australian species, like the Eastern Barn Owl, and learn a few fascinating (sometimes a little gross – kids love gross!) details along the way, without it ever feeling like a lesson.
If you’re curious about how I researched these incredible birds, you can read more about my real-life ‘Owl Encounter’ in Queensland’s Glasshouse Mountains in this blog post.
Jayne McIntyre Author 