Local news | Books+Publishing

ABR announces new editorial cadetship

Wednesday, 30 April 2025
The Australian Book Review (ABR) has announced the Peter Rose Editorial Cadetship to honour outgoing CEO and editor Peter Rose's ‘extraordinary contribution to the training of publishing professionals’. In its...

Mrozinski wins 2025 Calibre Essay Prize

Wednesday, 30 April 2025
The Australian Book Review (ABR) has named Jeanette Mrozinski as the 2025 winner of the $5000 Calibre Essay Prize for her essay 'Eucharist'. 'Eucharist' was chosen from a shortlist of...

Transit Lounge acquires new novel from Carmel Bird

Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Transit Lounge has acquired world rights to Crimson Velvet Heart, a new novel by Carmel Bird (Love Letter to Lola, Family Skeleton). ‘This sumptuous historical novel centres on Marie Adelaide...

Pitt to star in Winton’s ‘The Riders’ film adaptation

Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Scott Free Productions will begin production of the film adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel The Riders (Penguin), with Brad Pitt set to star as protagonist Fred Scully. Edward Berger (Conclave)...

NSW Literary Awards 2025 shortlists announced

Wednesday, 30 April 2025
The shortlists for the 2025 New South Wales Literary Awards have been announced. Shortlisted titles in each category are: Christina Stead Prize for Fiction ($40,000) One Another (Gail Jones, Text) Heartsease (Kate...

Cultivate 2025 winners announced

Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Writing NSW has announced the winners of the 2025 Cultivate Mentorship Program for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Emerging Writers. The annual program was developed by Writing NSW to 'help build equity and diversity...

Sheppard wins 2025 McCraith House Residency

Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Blak & Bright Festival has announced performing artist and creator Jackie Sheppard as the recipient of its 2025 McCraith House Residency. The festival said in its announcement: ‘Based in Naarm,...

Meet the ABDA Emerging Designer of the Year shortlistees: Katherine Zhang

Tuesday, 29 April 2025
In the lead-up to the 73rd Australian Book Designers Association (ABDA) Awards, Books+Publishing is speaking to the three shortlistees for the Deb Brash Emerging Designer of the Year Award. In this second instalment,...

Wright to leave Puncher & Wattmann

Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Ed Wright has resigned as publishing director of Puncher & Wattmann, after seven years in the role. Joining Puncher & Wattmann in 2015 as fiction editor, Wright became a co-owner...

Meet the ABDA Emerging Designer of the Year shortlistees: Hana Kinoshita Thomson

Monday, 28 April 2025
In the lead-up to the 73rd Australian Book Designers Association (ABDA) Awards, Books+Publishing is speaking to the three shortlistees for the Deb Brash Emerging Designer of the Year Award. In this...

Open Book 2025 interns announced

Monday, 28 April 2025
The successful interns for the 2025 Open Book: Australian Publishing Internship have been announced. Chosen from over 450 applications, the 2025 interns and their placements are: Olivia De La Mare...

New residency launched for Aotearoa writers

Monday, 28 April 2025
Volunteer-run regional storytelling organisation In Other Words, Ōtaki (IOWŌ) / Kia rerekē te hua is launching a five-place residency pilot program. Based in Ōtaki, on the Kāpiti Coast in regional Aotearoa New Zealand,...

Sir Julius Vogel Award 2025 winners announced

Monday, 28 April 2025
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand Inc. (SFFANZ) has announced the winners of the 2025 Sir Julius Vogel Awards. This year's winners include: Best novel Echoes of...

Magi Pictures acquires Judy Nunn’s ‘Khaki Town’

Monday, 28 April 2025
Magi Pictures has acquired the rights to Khaki Town by Judy Nunn (Penguin) via Karen Reid of Reid Books. 'Set in 1942 Townsville, North Queensland, this murder mystery unveils a...

Perentie Press launches graphic novel prize

Monday, 28 April 2025
New Australian publisher Perentie Press has announced the Perentie Prize for a graphic novel manuscript. Calling for text-only manuscripts for graphic novels, Perentie Press has opened the prize to junior...

Aotearoa New Zealand reading rates ‘increasing’: new research

Thursday, 24 April 2025
The National Reading Survey, commissioned by Read NZ Te Pou Muramura, has revealed Aotearoa New Zealand reading rates are 'remaining steady – and even increasing in some areas'. The 2025...

2025 Storylines Awards announced

Thursday, 24 April 2025
The Storylines Trust has announced the 2025 winners of the Storyline Awards in Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2025 winners are: Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal and Lecture Award (NZ$2000) Paula Green...

New Voices of Aotearoa competition launched

Thursday, 24 April 2025
The Coalition for Books has launched the inaugural New Voices of Aotearoa competition. This promotional program will 'highlight up and coming New Zealand authors' and 'is aimed at identifying, nurturing...

Gender Queer remains unrestricted after review

Thursday, 24 April 2025
Maia Kobabe's graphic novel/memoir Gender Queer will remain unrestricted with the consumer advice ‘M – not recommended for readers under 15 years’, following a review. In a media release, the Australian Classification...

Affirm acquires Croydon debut

Thursday, 24 April 2025
Affirm Press has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Turing Protocol by Nick Croydon in a two-book deal, via The Story Factory’s founder, Shane Salerno. 'In the midst of...

Blue on Jhalak Prize shortlist

Thursday, 24 April 2025
Melbourne-based author Maame Blue has been shortlisted for the 2025 Jhalak Prize. The shortlisted titles are: Everest (Ashani Lewis, Dialogue) Manny and the Baby (Varaidzo, Scribe) My Friends (Hisham Matar, Penguin)...

Russell Prize for Humour Writing 2025 shortlists announced

Wednesday, 23 April 2025
The State Library of NSW has announced the shortlists for the 2025 Russell Prize for Humour Writing and the Humour Writing for Young People Award. The books shortlisted for the...

Australian rights managers positive, ‘cautiously optimistic’ after Bologna

Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Australian rights managers have returned from the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in a buoyant yet cautiously optimistic mood, following packed schedules filled with strong international interest, positive industry conversations, and...