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Junior Book Club – this month’s reads

Friday, 6 February 2026
Searching for your next great read to share with kids? Our Junior Book Club highlights new titles each month that are perfect for classrooms, libraries and family reading time. From...

Newcastle Poetry Prize shortlist announced

Thursday, 5 February 2026
The Hunter Writers’ Centre has announced the 2025 shortlist for the $15,000 Newcastle Poetry Prize. Shortlisted poets are: Ann-Marie Blanchard for “Medea with the Graceful Feet” Owen Bullock for “Systolic”...

Woollett and Twyford-Moore announced as KYD critics

Thursday, 5 February 2026
Kill Your Darlings (KYD) has announced Laura Elizabeth Woollett and Sam Twyford-Moore as two regular critics for the magazine. During 2026, Woollett and Twyford-Moore will each write and publish long-form...

National Poet Laureate; TitlePage engagement; Wheeler Centre turns 15

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Local news This week, Writing Australia invited applications for the inaugural National Poet Laureate, an appointment created under the Australian Government’s Revive policy; TitlePage’s subscriber engagement figures for December 2025 reflected...

Clunes Booktown Festival announces 20th anniversary program

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Clunes Booktown Festival has released program details for its 2026 festival, to be held in the main street of the Victorian town of Clunes from 21 to 22 March. Festival...

Hardie Grant acquires Galea book on dreams

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Hardie Grant has acquired world rights to A–Zzz of Dreams: Decoding Your Dreams and Deciphering Your Future, in a two-book deal with Matt Galea. A–Zzz of Dreams is a guide...

MidnightSun acquires McDermott’s debut YA

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
MidnightSun Publishing has acquired The Big Things, a YA novel from debut author Meg McDermott. According to the publisher, The Big Things is story about the unbreakable bond between teen...

FALS announces Rowland Manuscript Development Grant winner

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
The Foundation for Australian Literary Studies (FALS) has named Terri-ann White as recipient of the $5000 PF Rowland Manuscript Development Grant, which is offered annually to support a book project....

Wilkinson Publishing

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Featuring top selling books by Michael Yardney, Australia’s leading voice on property and wealth creation

NewSouth acquires Tiffany novella

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
NewSouth has acquired Australian publishing rights to The Lady with the Dog, a new novella by Carrie Tiffany, with illustrations by Noel McKenna, in a deal with Curtis Brown literary agent...

Affirm acquires Katherine debut novel

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Affirm Press has acquired world rights to Judith Katherine’s debut novel, Simply Beside Herself, described as “a warm, charming novel about reclaiming independence at every stage of life.” “When Elizabeth...

A&U acquires Spratt debut novel

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Allen & Unwin has acquired world rights to The Followers, a debut novel by Maree Spratt. A&U described The Followers as “a keenly observed and darkly funny exploration of coming of...

TitlePage: recommendations, favourites drive seasonal sales

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
TitlePage’s subscriber engagement figures for December 2025 reflected the importance of word-of-mouth, seasonal habits and the continuing appeal of established favourites, reports the Australian Publishers Association (APA). The APA-run TitlePage...

Aurealis Awards 2025 shortlists announced

Monday, 2 February 2026
The 2025 finalists in the Aurealis Awards, which recognise “the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror writers”, have been announced. Awards are presented across 15 categories: Best Children’s...

Fremantle Press – Be a part of the stories that move us

Friday, 30 January 2026
Celebrating 35 years of the Hungerford Award for Best Manuscript for an Unpublished author, we are proud to introduce Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes and his groundbreaking new book Trials of Hope...

Roly Sussex short story winners announced

Friday, 30 January 2026
The Queensland Branch of the English-Speaking Union (ESU) has named the 7 writers recognised in the 14th Roly Sussex Short Story Competition. The stories and their authors are: Open Division...

Ockham 2026 longlists announced

Thursday, 29 January 2026
The longlists for this year’s Ockham New Zealand Book Awards have been announced. The titles in each category are: Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction 1985 (Dominic Hoey, Penguin) All...

Australians shortlisted in 2026 Edgar Awards

Thursday, 29 January 2026
Australian authors are among the finalists in this year’s Edgar Allan Poe Awards, presented by Mystery Writers of America. Charlotte McConaghy’s Wild Dark Shore (Penguin) was shortlisted for Best Novel,...

Writing Australia announces new funding programs, partnerships

Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Writing Australia has announced 3 new investment programs, 4 new partnerships and 2 new publishing industry strategic grants. Opening soon, the new investment opportunities fall into 3 categories: The Australian...

Authors recognised in Australian of the Year awards

Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann and tour guide Sita Sargeant, both published authors, have been named in this year’s Australian of the Year awards. Brockmann is the recipient of the Young...

Literary figures among Australians of the Year, Australia Day Honours; Writing Australia announces investments, partnerships, 2026 VIPs

Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Headlining this week's news, several authors, publishers and literary workers were named in the 2026 Australia Day Honours and the Australian of the Year awards; while Writing Australia announced a...