Local news | Books+Publishing

‘Fireflies’ establishes book publisher

Tuesday, 8 December 2020
Film magazine Fireflies has announced the creation of independent publishing house Fireflies Press, which aims to 'champion under-represented and stylistically diverse films and film writing'. The inaugural project for the publisher...

Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2021 shortlists announced

Tuesday, 8 December 2020
The shortlists for the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards have been announced. The shortlisted and highly commended works in each category are: Fiction The Living Sea of Waking Dreams (Richard...

White to launch new imprint Upswell

Tuesday, 8 December 2020
Terri-ann White, former director and publisher at UWA Publishing (UWAP), has announced she will launch a new not-for-profit imprint, Upswell, 'to continue my adventures in publishing’. White has entered into...

Langshaw to join Pantera Press

Monday, 7 December 2020
Tom Langshaw, who has held roles as both audio producer and senior editor at Penguin Random House Australia, has been appointed commissioning editor at Pantera Press. Pantera publisher Lex Hirst...

SWF announces two-day January event

Monday, 7 December 2020
Sydney Writers' Festival (SWF) and Sydney Festival have announced Something to Talk About, a series of four events to take place at Carriageworks over the weekend of 16–17 January 2021....

Rannard, Burbidge named reps of the year

Friday, 4 December 2020
The Australian Booksellers Association has announced the NSW and Victorian reps of the year. The reps of the year are: NSW Sales Rep of the Year: Simon Rannard (Penguin Random...

Song wins inaugural Spark Prize

Friday, 4 December 2020
Youjia Song has won the inaugural Spark Prize for her book proposal, ‘The Pursuit of Impossible Dreams’. Song’s proposal was chosen from over 200 entries for the biennial developmental prize...

Booktopia completes ASX listing; closes at 17% above issue price

Friday, 4 December 2020
Online bookseller Booktopia completed its initial public offer (IPO) on 3 December, with the company’s shares trading on the Australian Securities Exchange from 11am. Booktopia (BKG) shares opened at $2.86...

First writers announced for Adelaide Writers’ Week 2021

Friday, 4 December 2020
The first writers have been announced for next year’s Adelaide Writers’ Week, which runs from 27 February to 4 March. Seventy-seven local and international guests have been confirmed for the...

Mukherjee wins Deborah Cass Prize 2020

Friday, 4 December 2020
Anith Mukherjee has won Writers Victoria's 2020 Deborah Cass prize for his story 'I Am Full of Love'. Chosen from a shortlist of nine, Mukherjee's story was described by the...

UQP acquires new Neave novel

Thursday, 3 December 2020
UQP has acquired ANZ rights to a ‘stunning’ second novel from Lucy Neave, via Gaby Naher at Left Bank Literary. Set between the US and Australia, Believe In Me focuses...

Ryan resigns from PRH

Thursday, 3 December 2020
Penguin Random House Australia (PRH) publishing manager Louise Ryan has resigned after 16 years with the company. Ryan joined Penguin/Pearson in early 2005 and has been in the role of...

Online SPN conference a ‘great success’

Wednesday, 2 December 2020
The Small Press Network’s (SPN) ninth Independent Publishing Conference was held online on 26–27 November, with organisers hailing the event a ‘great success’. SPN general manager Tim Coronel told Books+Publishing...

Walker acquires Uhlmann picture book

Wednesday, 2 December 2020
Walker Books Australia has acquired world rights to author and journalist Chris Uhlmann's debut picture book The Useless Tune, via Jeanne Ryckmans at the Cameron Creswell agency, Cameron’s Management. The Useless...

Red Ventures acquires Lonely Planet

Wednesday, 2 December 2020
Red Ventures has announced it has acquired Lonely Planet from NC2 Media for an undisclosed amount. Red Ventures, a platform of digital businesses including US-based travel website The Points Guy,...

Masson appointed SPN chair, Webster steps down

Tuesday, 1 December 2020
The Small Press Network (SPN) has appointed Christmas Press publisher Sophie Masson as president, replacing Michael Webster, who has stepped down after six years in the role. Webster, who was...

‘Honeybee’ named Dymocks Book of the Year 2020

Tuesday, 1 December 2020
Craig Silvey's novel Honeybee (A&U) has been named Dymocks Book of the Year for 2020. Chosen from a shortlist of six, Silvey's novel was voted for by Dymocks booksellers across the country,...

Australia Council announces $2m Re:imagine: Sector Recovery Initiatives fund

Tuesday, 1 December 2020
The Australia Council has announced $2 million in funding has been allocated to the new Re:imagine: Sector Recovery Initiatives fund. Offered in two streams—‘cultural and creative solutions’ and ‘industry collaborations'—the...