The Figment
What happens when an imaginary friend awakens in reality? Stripy was never meant to be real — only imagined. As April grows older, the bond that once held them together begins to shift. Focus drifts, childhood loosens, and something once harmless starts to change.
A novel by Kate Duff
AUTHORS
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What's this novel about?
Stripy was never supposed to be real.
But she was always supposed to matter, at least to April.
April and Stripy have been best friends forever. They have shared childhood and the confidence they will always belong to one another. But as April grows older, their bond begins to fray. School, other friendships and the wider world start to demand April's attention, and the glowing screen in her hand becomes harder to put down. Slowly, their once-unbreakable friendship begins to falter.
For Stripy, an imaginary friend, attention is everything. It is her tether to life. Each moment of distraction, each glance April diverts to a device, weakens her hold on the world. To be forgotten is dangerous. It is a fate akin to death.
As April drifts further away, Stripy begins to change. What starts as a subtle unravelling soon draws the girls into events beyond their wildest dreams, where imagination carries real consequences and forgotten magic refuses to stay buried.
Set among the quiet suburban streets of Brisbane and travelling deep into the heart of the ancient Australian outback, The Figment is a coming-of-age story about friendship, loyalty, identity, and the power of imagination when it becomes a force for transformation.
A fast-paced adventure with a generous dollop of humour, this book will appeal to young readers who enjoy supernatural themes, magic, and dropping into another world.
Where can I buy The Figment?
18 December, 2025 Availability | The book is now available on Amazon (Kindle) Apple iBooks and many other stores (see universal book link below), including BorrowBooks (request from your local library). Work is progressing on the hard-copy edition, which will be available to buy at festivals and on the Ground Water Publishing website next year.
AUTHORS
Never downloaded an Ebook before? Instructions at the bottom of this page
Who is this for?
The Figment is for young readers 12+ who love supernatural themes and original, fast-paced adventure stories. With sharp twists, quirky characters and a generous dose of Australian wit and humour, this book is bound to become a cherished favourite.
This book is written from a female perspective and centres on the inner world of girls as they navigate friendship, identity, and growing up. While it speaks particularly strongly to girls, some boys — and adults — have also connected deeply with the story.
Help! I want to buy this book, but I've never downloaded a digital book before
It's easy, but beware: for avid readers, digital bookstores are addictive. You don't need anything special, just a smartphone or ipad will do. All the instructions are on the form below.
About the Author
Kate grew up in the Australian bush and has been writing for many years. When creating her first novel, she chose to write for young people because of the powerful influence her beloved books had on her in those formative years.
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