Hachette Australia and Letter-winged Kite Project

Hachette Australia's Letterwing Imprint Announces Partnership with the Letter-winged Kite Project

Hachette Australia is proud to announce a new conservation partnership between Letterwing, its Australian publishing imprint, and the Letter-winged Kite Project (LWKP), the leading research initiative dedicated to understanding and protecting one of Australia's most elusive birds.

Inspired by the rare and remarkable Letter-winged Kite, Hachette's Letterwing imprint takes its name from one of Australia's least understood birds of prey. Native to the country's arid interior, the species is rarely encountered and remains the subject of ongoing scientific research, with much of its behaviour and ecology still a mystery.

Led by researchers Lisa and Peter Nunn, the LWKP is working to deepen understanding of the bird and support its conservation. Hachette Australia's funding will help support ongoing research and fieldwork, including the deployment of tracking technology and expeditions across some of Australia's most remote regions. As part of the project, funding will also support Lisa's higher-degree-by-research work at The University of Queensland.

"The Letter-winged Kite is a uniquely central Australian bird and a powerful symbol of discovery, curiosity and resilience," said Louise Stark, CEO of Hachette Australia & New Zealand. "When we chose the Letter-winged Kite as the inspiration for our imprint, we were inspired not only by the beautiful 'M' or 'W shape on the underside of its wings, but by its beautiful name. As we've learned more about this amazing bird, we've celebrated just how perfect Letterwing is as the home for our Australian stories. We are delighted to support the important work of the Letter-winged Kite Project and help raise awareness of this extraordinary species."

"The Letter-winged Kite Project was born from a desire to uncover the mysteries of one of Australia's most elusive and extraordinary birds," said Lisa Nunn. "The Letter-winged Kite's rarity, conservation concerns and its uniqueness as a nocturnal, social hawk make it a species crying out for research. We are elated that Letterwing has been named for this special bird and so excited about where this partnership can take us. Seeing that familiar silhouette brought to life in print and placed in the hands of Australians is truly thrilling. We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create to shine a light on this remarkable species and deepen our understanding of it."

The collaboration reflects Letterwing's commitment to making the invisible visible " championing Australian stories while supporting greater understanding of one of Australia's most fascinating and little known native species.