News | Books+Publishing

Hachette UK launches 3 new children’s imprints

Monday, 9 February 2026
In the UK, Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has launched 3 imprints “as part of a branding refresh [...] under the new leadership of managing director Ruth Alltimes”, reported the Bookseller....

Simon & Schuster staff changes

Monday, 9 February 2026
Simon & Schuster Australia (S&S) has reorganised its Australia and New Zealand sales team, with Elissa Baillie moving into a wider role and Keiran Rogers departing the organisation. From today...

Lester’s “Magic Beach” named Australia’s best children’s picture book

Monday, 9 February 2026
The Guardian has announced the winner of its poll for Australia’s best children’s picture book as Magic Beach by Alison Lester (A&U Children’s). The Guardian said the book “follows the different adventures...

NSW legislation to protect diverse public library collections

Monday, 9 February 2026
Diverse public library collections in NSW will be protected under new legislation and “respond to challenges to materials from individuals or groups seeking to restrict their scope.” The Library Amendment...

Sorrento Writers Festival announces 2026 program

Monday, 9 February 2026
The Sorrento Writers Festival (SWF) has announced its 2026 festival program, running from 23 to 26 April 2026 in Sorrento, Victoria. This year's festival will feature over 180 speakers across...

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...

Australia Reads forms not-for-profit with new board

Thursday, 5 February 2026
Australia Reads has become an independent not-for-profit organisation with a new board. The move comes after Writing Australia named Australia Reads as a delivery partner and granted funding of $300,000...

S&S UK appoints publishing director of new digital-first imprint

Thursday, 5 February 2026
In the UK, Victoria Pepe has been appointed publishing director of a new Simon & Schuster UK (S&S) digital-first imprint to be launched later this year, reports the Bookseller. Pepe,...

Writers’ centres are “fundamental” to literary culture

Thursday, 5 February 2026
Following Creative Victoria’s decision not to fund Writers Victoria in its current round, Books+Publishing’s Angela Glindemann discussed the role of writing centres in this article for the Conversation. Writers Victoria,...

Latest UK book award announcements

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
In the UK, the winners of two major literary awards have been announced. Weatherglass Novella Prize winners The 2026 Weatherglass Novella Prize has been jointly awarded to Jupiter Jones’s The...

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...

Wheeler Centre turns 15

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
On The Wheeler Centre’s 15th birthday, chief executive Erin Vincent responds to questions from Books+Publishing. As The Wheeler Centre marks 15 years, how do you look back on its origins?...

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....

Writing Australia opens submissions for inaugural National Poet Laureate

Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Writing Australia has invited applications for the inaugural National Poet Laureate, an appointment created under the Australian Government’s Revive policy announced in January 2023 before Writing Australia was launched. The...

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...

Job cuts at S&S US

Tuesday, 3 February 2026
In the US, Simon & Schuster announced job cuts early last week followed by further unspecified cuts later in the week, reports Publishers Weekly (PW). In the first round 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...