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...
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...
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...
Frankfurt Book Fair names new CEO
Thursday, 29 January 2026
Joachim Kaufmann has been named the next president and CEO of the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse), effective September 2026, reported Publishers Weekly (PW). Kaufmann will take over after this...
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...
Read the latest Publishers Weekly
Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Books+Publishing partners with US trade news magazine Publishers Weekly to provide our subscribers with exclusive access to the weekly digital edition of PW magazine. View the current edition.
My Super Uncle (Dannika Patterson, illus Seantelle Walsh, Ford St)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
My Super Uncle is a charming picture book about a child and their “everyday superhero” uncle. Written by Dannika Patterson (Zoom) and illustrated by contemporary Noongar artist Seantelle Walsh, each...
Bring Back Yesterday (Bob Carr, A&U)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
In Bring Back Yesterday, journalist and former politician Bob Carr reflects on the sudden death of his wife, Helena, and the life they shared over 5 decades. The memoir records...
The Ascension of Souls (Broken Cycle #1) (Bronte-Marie Wesson, Penguin)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
A recurring prophecy falters as the fate of two countries hangs in the balance in Bronte-Marie Wesson’s fantasy epic, The Ascension of Souls, the first book in the Broken Cycle...
Forever & Ever (Allanah Hunt, Text)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Forever & Ever is Barkindji and Malyangapa author Allanah Hunt’s debut novel and a devastating exploration of first love, loss and the perilous work of growing up. Set in the...
A Concise Compendium of Wonder (Ceridwen Dovey, Ursula Dubosarsky & Jennifer Mills, Pink Shorts Press)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Developed in collaboration with South Australian theatre company Slingsby, A Concise Compendium of Wonder is a triptych of fairy tales by Ceridwen Dovey, Ursula Dubosarsky and Jennifer Mills, adapted to...
She Who Tastes, Knows: A Memoir of Food, Exile and Awakening (Durkhanai Ayubi, Murdoch)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Just pages into She Who Tastes, Knows: A Memoir of Food, Exile and Awakening my taste buds were tingling at the tantalising descriptions of Durkhanai Ayubi’s family making traditional Afghan mantu...
The Lonely Lunch Club (Your Next Read Silver) (Maddy Mara, illus Laura Stitzel, Affirm)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
The Lonely Lunch Club, written by Maddy Mara and illustrated by Laura Stitzel, is the first title in the Your Next Read Silver series. Benji and Alice both drift to...
Good Young Men (Gary Lonesborough, A&U Children’s)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Good Young Men is the 4th novel from award-winning Yuin author Gary Lonesborough (I’m Not Really Here), told from the perspective of 3 First Nations boys in Year 12 who...
Finding the Bones (Natalie Conyer, Echo)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Finding the Bones by Ned Kelly Award–winning author Natalie Conyer is a gritty, slow-burn Australian crime thriller that exposes the fine line between belief and obsession – and the lengths...
Genie Snail (Bethany Loveridge, illus Chris Kennett, Little Book Press)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
In Genie Snail, author Bethany Loveridge (Renegade Timeline Officer) and illustrator Chris Kennett combine forces to deliver a bright, engaging and hilarious story about a young child who meets a...
The Last Poem (Courtney Peppernell, Atria)
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Courtney Peppernell’s The Last Poem is a tender, modern work of fiction infused with poetic sensibility, echoing the emotional gentleness of writers such as Robyn Carr. With a slow, deliberate...
IPA launches Freedom of Expression Defenders Award
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
The International Publishers Association (IPA) has launched the inaugural Freedom of Expression Defenders Award, which “aims to recognise people, companies, organisations or coalitions who are promoting the freedom of expression,...
Publishers, writers among Australia Day Honours
Tuesday, 27 January 2026
A number of authors, publishers and literary workers have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours. Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division...
Hazel Rowley Fellowship shortlist announced
Thursday, 22 January 2026
Nine Australian writers have been shortlisted for this year’s $20,000 Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship. Della Rowley, sister of the late biographer Hazel Rowley, said, “We had a record number of...
Local authors feature in UK and US shortlists
Thursday, 22 January 2026
Clark recognised on Duff Cooper shortlist In the UK, Oxford-based Australian historian Christopher Clark is among the finalists in the 2025 Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize. The prize recognises the...
Creative Australia announces funded projects; Writers Victoria petition launches; APA releases ABIA guide
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Among these week's headlines, literature organisations and individuals around Australia received a total of $10.6 million for 212 projects in Creative Australia’s latest funding round; Writers Victoria launched a petition...
Vale Robert Macklin
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Writer and director Robert Macklin died on 16 January, aged 84. Macklin was the author of more than 30 books, including Dark Paradise (Hachette), Hamilton Hume (Hachette) and 4 works...
Rights round-up
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Sales Nonfiction Black Inc. has sold Danish rights to The Shortest History of the United States of America (Don Watson) to Svane og Bilgrav. Major Street Press has sold simplified...
Read the latest Publishers Weekly
Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Books+Publishing partners with US trade news magazine Publishers Weekly to provide our subscribers with exclusive access to the weekly digital edition of PW magazine. View the current edition.
