In a deal negotiated by Rhiza Press publisher Rochelle Stephens, Slovenian publisher Založba Skrivnost has acquired the Slovenian rights to five novellas produced by Rhiza Press in their reluctant readers range.
The Rhiza Shorts series was started in 2024 to provide quick reads for busy or reluctant teen readers. A new version of the series—Wombat Shorts—is also now being published for middle-grade readers. The length of each story makes them easier to access in a world where declining readership is an issue. Each story is carefully crafted with short chapters and a simplified sentence structure without compromising on story integrity and depth.
The five acquired stories cover vastly different experiences. Bring it Back is the first book in the Wombat Shorts series. It deals with issues such as friendship, morals and rebellion. When a new student arrives at school, Liam starts following his lead but soon finds himself in serious trouble. Just like a game of basketball that’s heading south, can he bring it back?
Skin handles self-esteem and self-image. When a freckle on her cheek turns out to be a rare form of melanoma, surgery leaves fourteen-year-old Lexie with a large scar. Her confidence vanishes, her friendships change and the very thing she’s always loved—public speaking—now strikes terror in her heart.
No Dress, No Idea has a light-hearted tone while also communicating an important message centred around a familiar topic—getting a dress for a formal or big dance event. Tarni is counting down the days for her Year 12 formal. But her perfect dress is $950 and buying it leads to one challenge after another.
Stray tackles academic pressure, anxiety and burnout in high-achieving students. When the pressure of exams pushes Charli to breaking point, she rebels—hard. Then she's handed one last chance to turn things around: two weeks of community service at Rosevale Animal Rescue Centre. Stray is an emotionally rewarding story about mistakes and second chances.
Oscar Was Here encourages young people to be empathetic and kind towards others. When 13-year-old Milo spends the summer holidays with his grandmother, he meets Oscar—a boy who has a serious heart condition, a dog-eared copy of Prince Caspian, and an imagination as vast as Narnia itself. When the summer holidays draw to a close, Milo faces the hardest battle of all: saying goodbye and believing that life—like the best stories—never truly ends.
There are now over a dozen books available in the Rhiza Shorts series, with new titles being released regularly in multiple genres. More Wombat Shorts will also be available soon, providing short, quick reads ideal for kids and teens everywhere.