A fourteen-year-old author is making his literary debut with a middle-grade fantasy adventure that publishers say offers a rare authentic voice for young readers. David Sonkita Conteh’s novel, Outback, will be released by Heritage Book Publishing, introducing readers to a hidden realm where walking mushrooms, flying deer, and giant gummy bears coexist with ancient guardian spirits.
The book follows Mateo Brown, a middle schooler whose first day of school goes catastrophically wrong when he accidentally insults the school bully’s breath. But that’s just the beginning. When a mysterious bird with green eyes and a lightning bolt symbol appears in his bedroom, Mateo is thrust into a world he never knew existed—a world that will test everything he thought he knew about courage, friendship, and his own potential.
In a literary landscape often dominated by adult authors writing for young audiences, Outback offers something rare: an authentic middle-grade voice telling a story for their peers. The novel tackles universal experiences such as bullying, first crushes, and family expectations through a fantastical lens that makes difficult topics approachable.
The story also features strong female characters like Andrea, who punches the school bully so hard she breaks his nose, and Arial, a young scientist-in-training who develops weapons to help the team. These characters aren’t sidekicks; they’re essential to the story’s success.
David Sonkita Conteh is a fourteen-year-old author and student who began writing Outback after becoming fascinated with fantasy worlds. He lives with his family, where he continues to work on his future adventures. When not writing, he enjoys playing basketball, riding his bicycle and scooter, and imagining new worlds.
Outback will be available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook through all major online retailers, including Amazon, and via the Heritage Book Publishing website. The publisher is proud to announce the upcoming release of this thrilling new middle-grade fantasy adventure.
For review copies, interview requests, or additional information, please contact Heritage Book Publishing at 307-285-0316 or socials@heritagebookpublishing.com.
