Upswell acquires Anatolitis’s “Who’s Afraid of Australian Artists?”

Upswell Publishing has acquired world rights for Who’s Afraid of Australian Artists? by Esther Anatolitis.

Anatolitis will examine artistic practice, arts policy and political sentiment, framed by the voices of Australian artists and politicians captured in interviews.

Anatolitis said, “I’ve long been concerned – and frankly, mystified – by the gulf between our phenomenal artistic talent and its relentless undermining: what I call Australia’s magnificent mediocrity. Against the historic impact of written and unwritten arts policies, lazy culture wars, predatory tech platforms and increasing attacks on artists, it’s clear that the leadership it takes to stand up for Australia’s artists is up to all of us.”

Anatolitis, a former editor of Meanjin and longtime champion of creative work, is the author of When Australia Became a Republic (Monash University Publishing). In March this year, she was appointed to the National Museum of Australia Council for a three-year term.

Upswell publisher Terri-ann White said, “I was taken with the description of this project and the way that Esther described how it could … really animate the voices and opinions of artists, arts workers, politicians, and others. People with a stake in and the influence to steer a new path in the rather depleted state we are currently mired in. Esther has a tremendously broad and impressive set of correspondents that she’ll interview and provoke, to present a cogent plan of action back to us.”

Upswell plans to release Who’s Afraid of Australian Artists? in late 2027.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions