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Canelo acquires Puckboys MM romance series

Wednesday, 14 January 2026
UK publisher Canelo has acquired world English print rights to the Puckboys series by Eden Finley and Saxon James, in a 10-book deal between Canelo editorial director Emily Bedford and...

JR Lonie on “The Woman in the Spotlight”

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Sydney-based author JR Lonie is best known for his debut novel, The Woman from Saint Germain (S&S), and for co-writing the feature film Kokoda. His latest novel, The Woman in...

JR Lonie recommends

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
There are too many novels to single out one, so let me tell you of my favourite Australian author, Patrick White, and which of his books is still my favourite....

Books from abroad: Overseas nonfiction titles, February to April 2026

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Food, personal growth and educational reads can all be found among the nonfiction titles arriving in Australia in 2026. Books+Publishing looks at some of the internationally authored titles on offer...

Books from abroad: Overseas fiction and poetry titles, February to April 2026

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Historical fiction, romance and fantasy: international fiction titles are foregrounding intriguing settings and worldbuilding. Books+Publishing (B+P) lists some of the international fiction titles – as well as one poetry collection...

Books from abroad: Overseas CYA titles, February to April 2026

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Some perennial favourite topics are set to arrive on our shores in the coming months: Books+Publishing shares new international CYA titles arriving in Australia in 2026, featuring plenty of fantasy...

Newcastle Short Story Award 2025 winners announced

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
The Hunter Writers’ Centre has announced the winners for this year’s Newcastle Short Story Award. First prize ($3000) “Solastalgia” by Liz Allan Second prize ($1500) “Migration” by Cassie Hamer Third...

Sharwood’s ‘Kosciuszko’ recognised in Polish awards

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Anthony Sharwood’s Kosciuszko: The Incredible Life of the Man Behind the Mountain (Hachette) has received 3rd prize in a competition launched by Poland’s foreign affairs minister to recognise history books...

A&U acquires Jackman’s “Detention”

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Allen & Unwin (A&U) has acquired world rights to Detention, a new nonfiction title by author and teacher Ralph Jackman. According to the publisher, Detention is Jackman’s “powerful and moving memoir...

Australian book market up 3.2% in 2025

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
The book market in Australia in 2025 was up by 3.2% in value and 1.4% in volume, according to figures from NielsenIQ BookData. Nielsen’s snapshot of the year from 29...

Sussex story awards shortlists released

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
The shortlisted writers in the 2 divisions of the 2025 Roly Sussex Short Story Competition, run by the Queensland Branch of the English-Speaking Union (ESU, have been announced. The $10,500...

Contestable Fund recipients announced

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
In New Zealand Aotearoa, the Publishers Association of New Zealand/Te Rau o Tākupu (PANZ) has announced the recipients of the Copyright Licensing New Zealand Contestable Fund Grants. Of the 59...

HarperCollins acquires Palaszczuk memoir

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
HarperCollins has acquired world rights to the former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s memoir, Annastacia Palaszczuk: The Politics of Being Me. “In Annastacia Palaszczuk: The Politics of Being Me, Annastacia shares her...

Adler resigns as Adelaide Writers’ Week director

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Louise Adler, director of Adelaide Writers’ Week (AWW) since 2023, has resigned in response to the Adelaide Festival board’s decision to withdraw Randa Abdel-Fattah’s invitation to attend this year’s festival....

HarperCollins drops David Walliams

Tuesday, 13 January 2026
British writer and actor David Walliams, author of The World’s Worst series of children’s books, has been dropped by HarperCollins after allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward women, reported the Guardian....

Goodreads hosting allegedly fraudulent reviews

Monday, 12 January 2026
Some books listed on review site Goodreads have been reviewed before advance copies were sent to readers, reported the Bookseller. Authors Jo Furniss, Milly Johnson, Kathryn Whitfield and Leonie Mack...

Peter Porter Poetry Prize 2026 shortlist

Monday, 12 January 2026
Australian Book Review (ABR) has announced the shortlist for the 2026 Peter Porter Poetry Prize. Chosen from a longlist announced in December 2025, the shortlisted poets are: J Andros (United States)...

Authors withdraw from Adelaide Writers’ Week in protest

Monday, 12 January 2026
Approximately 110 authors have now withdrawn from Adelaide Writers’ Week following the Adelaide Festival Board’s removal of scheduled author and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah (Discipline) from the 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week...

Creative Victoria funding decisions spark criticism

Monday, 12 January 2026
Creative Victoria’s latest Creative Enterprises Program grants, announced in late December, have drawn criticism from organisations including Writers Victoria, whose multi-year funding has been discontinued. Four literary organisations – Writers...

Ben Ball leaves Simon & Schuster Australia and New Zealand

Monday, 12 January 2026
Ben Ball announced his resignation as publishing director of Simon & Schuster (S&S) and Scribner at the end of 2025. After working for S&S earlier in his career, Ball rejoined...

Ward apppointed GM of Byron Writers Festival

Monday, 12 January 2026
Byron Writers Festival has named Molly Ward as its new general manager, commencing in mid-January. Ward has wide experience managing major festivals, large-scale cultural events, and placemaking initiatives. “Passionate about...