Resources
Professional Writing Associations
Jobs, News, Reviews & What’s on in the Arts and Creative Industry.
Provides free or low-cost advice to Australian artists and arts organisations, and fact sheets and articles about all things legal.
Australian Book Designers Association
Aims to promote and connect Australian book designers with the broader publishing community.
Information and advice about copyright and moral rights.
Australian Lending Right schemes
Information about the two national rights lending schemes available for published authors.
Australian Literary Agents Association
Members of the Association are obliged to adhere to the principles outlined in the Association's code of practice.
Professional association for authors who write for publication.
The professional association for performance Writers.
Children's Book Council of Australia
Established in 1945, the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians.
Information about the protection of your rights from creation to publication. Also offers mid-career grants and fellowships and distributes licence revenue and royalties to copyright owners.
Institute of Professional Editors
Listings of editors, proofreaders, web designers, etc.
Database containing title metadata to enable discovery, purchase and sales measurement of books.
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Connects children’s book writers and illustrators with each other and with industry professionals.
The Australian Writers Marketplace
Collection of resources and highly recommended guide to the Australian writing industry.
The representative body for small and independent publishers in Australia.
Products, services, and resources to assist self-publishing authors.
NSW Writing Associations
Literary journal, residencies and events.
Literary events, workshops.
Creative development, workshops, seminars, events. For more information, join the Facebook page or contact Margaret via email or by phone.
Newcastle Poetry Prize, workshops, special events.
Readings, forums and workshops.
Committee of respected Australian women writers helping fellow women writers based in Sydney.
Application-based programs & residencies for Writers’, writing development consultations, events (including Sydney Writers' Festival - Blue Mountains Program) & workshops.
Online directory of visual, literary and performing artists within the Kiama, Shellharbour, Wingecarribee – Southern Highlands and Wollongong regions of NSW; designed to showcase, promote and connect local artists with audiences and investors.
Writing courses, mentorships, festivals and special events.
Genre Based Writing Associations
Australasian Horror Writers Association (AHWA)
A non-profit community that provides mentor programs, competitions and horror- related resources.
Australian Crime Writers Association
The Australian Crime Writing Association is dedicated to promoting greater recognition for crime, thriller and mystery writing in Australia and to protect the general professional interests of all creators of crime and mystery works.
Australian Science Fiction Foundation
Established in 1976. Australian hub of Sci-Fi resources, competitions and writing groups.
Australian-based service that provides courses and coaching for comic and graphic novel writing.
Historical Novel Society Australasia
A society that focuses on the writing and reading of historical fiction in Australia and New Zealand.
International Thriller Writers
The International Thriller Writers is an honorary society of authors, both fiction and nonfiction, who write books broadly classified as “thrillers.” This would include (but is not limited to) such subjects as murder mystery, detective, suspense, horror, supernatural, action, espionage, true crime, war, adventure, and myriad similar subject area.
This group is both in person and online and offers writing critiques, contests, conferences and professional development. Their monthly magazine is full of skill improvement and industry know-how.
Australian organisation that recognises female writers of true crime, crime fiction, and mystery fiction.
Performance & Screen Writing
Merrigong Theatre Play Development Program
Merrigong Theatre Company is a not-for-profit company that operates Wollongong’s premier performing arts venue, Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) and the city’s key civic and community venue, Wollongong Town Hall. Merrigong is also a vibrant theatre company in its own right –producing, presenting and touring exciting contemporary theatre and supporting the development of a wide range of theatre makers.
Screen Australia aims to inspire, inform and engage screen audiences through compelling Australian storytelling.
Poetry
Showcasing Poetry by Australia's children poets. They do not offer anthology or editing services but their Poem of the Day accepts submissions by Australian poets.
A not-for-profit, incorporated association established to promote reading, writing and publishing activities associated with poetry.
Red Room Poetry's vision is to make poetry in meaningful ways. Their poetry projects are created in collaboration with a spectrum of poets, communities and partners for positive impact in core areas. They aim to make poetry highly visible and accessible.
Festivals
As Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas, Byron Writers Festival attracts thousands of audiences annually to experience shared moments of human connection. Though they have a year-long program, their annual Byron Writers Festival (run in August) is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas.
The Emerging Writers’ Festival (EWF) is one of Australia’s most established and well-respected literary festivals. They exist to develop, nurture and promote Australia’s new writing talent, creating platforms for connecting writing communities and their audiences. Their flagship festival in Melbourne in June provides opportunities for emerging writers to develop.
The Kids and YA Festival examines emerging trends, engages with celebrated authors and offers informative sessions on writing for children. It is generally run in June each year and focuses on writing for youth.
Striving to be Australia’s boldest literary festival, Melbourne Writers Festival brings people together to celebrate words and stories, and share the human experience. Run in August and a fantastic community event.
National Young Writers Festival
The National Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF) occurs annually in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, over the New South Wales’ Labour Day Holiday Weekend in late September / early October. NYWF is the country’s largest gathering of young and innovative writers working in both new and traditional forms including zines, comics, blogging, screenwriting, poetry, spoken word, hip hop music, journalism, autobiography, comedy, songwriting and prose. The festival presents ‘writing’ in its broadest sense through panels, discussions, workshops, launches, performances, readings, installations, and more.
A writers festival in Newcastle was founded after the realisation that there was little, to no community of writers in Newcastle. The festival has become larger and larger each year and looks forward to a growing community.
Writers Week Perth Festival has seeded and cultivated decades of cultural growth as the oldest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere. It is Australia’s premier curated multi-arts festival and one of the greatest in the world, known for commissioning major new works, celebrating the unique qualities of Perth and engaging diverse audiences. It runs within February and March each year.
Sydney Writers’ Festival is one of the world’s leading and most beloved literary institutions. It is a place for readers, writers and thinkers to share ideas, tell stories and celebrate literature, usually held in April to May each year.
Publishers
Before contacting or sending a manuscript, it is recommended that writers read the submission guidelines and requirements on the publisher’s website.
Affirm Press accepts submissions on the first Monday of each month. It is open to all literary and genre fiction as well as non-fiction, but not unsolicited short stories, poetry and/or novellas. It is currently closed for kids’ submissions.
Based in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, the Animal Dreaming Publishing publishes work that “favours the mind-body-spirit, family, fiction and general non-fiction.” They offer editing services and can assist with self-publishing, though their traditional publishing service is by invite only. Contact via website.
Australian Scholarly Publishing
Produces academic works, as well as general non-fiction and fiction through their Arcadia imprint. They are represented nationally and overseas by their sales and distribution arm, Australian Book Marketing. They accept proposals, synopses, samples or entire manuscripts. Contact via website or at enquiry@scholarly.info
Located in Broome, their objective is to help educate the community through books with subject matter or themes drawn from the Kimberley region. Email: inquiries@backroompress.com.au
Specialises in non-fiction narrative with an emphasis on memoir, as well as health, fitness, psychology, lifestyle and self-help. They offer custom publishing and distribution services. For general enquiries email inquire@badapplepress.com.au, for submissions email samantha@badapplepress.com.au
Black Inc is accepting submissions in the first week of every month but note they are not currently accepting unsolicited fiction submissions, poetry, plays/scripts, YA, middle grade or picture books. Usually they accept proposals for general, literary and commercial non-fiction – including history, current affairs, memoir and biography. They also look at proposals from corporate organisations for custom publishing projects.
Publishes works primarily of history, military, biographies and children’s books with an Australian theme. They offer printing and binding services as well as editing, proofreading, typesetting and cover design. Email: publish@boolarongpress.com.au
Publishing arm of the Anglican Church. “We aim to publish for a church embedded in worship and prayer.” Submit a one-page proposal outlining the potential market, and a brief synopsis + manuscript/work. Contact via website.
Newcastle-based publisher that produces children’s books, romance novels and books that inspire and educate people of all ages. They offer multiple packages in publishing as well as coaching/mentoring that vary in features and price. Contact via website or email Jennifer at hello@daisylanepublishing.com
Works with those who feel called to share their experience in a way that brings about growth, healing and transformation in their own life and the lives of others. These ‘messengers’ are mostly Women of Wisdom who want to write and publish their stories. Disruptive offers self-publishing services and resources including editing, design, and formatting. Contact via website.
Echo Publishing is open for submissions one week every month. The next dates are: 28 August to 3 September 2023, 25 September to 1 October 2023 and 23 October to 29 October 2023. They will reopen for submissions on 5 February – 11 February 2024 and will update further in the New Year. They are looking for adult fiction, other than science fiction and fantasy and narrative non-fiction. They do not publish books for children, short stories, poetry or play scripts.
Creates travel and lifestyle guides written by those with home-grown, expert advice. Contact via website.
Fremantle Press welcomes unsolicited manuscripts from authors of Western Australian origin or whose main place of residence is Western Australia. Work by non-Western Australian authors will be considered when the subject matter has a strong Western Australian focus. This applies to all genres it publishes.
Seeks to build a common ground between the academy and the marketplace, to encourage innovative and adventurous work that might not otherwise find publication because of its subtle commercial appeal. Giramondo expects writers to familiarise themselves with the books the company publish before submitting and must demonstrate this knowledge when submitting. Accepts submissions of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Email: books@giramondopublishing.com
Adelaide-based publisher with a special interest in publishing short stories, novellas and fiction that bends the rules of genre. Contact via website.
An imprint of the teaching press housed in the Master of Publishing and Communications program at the University of Melbourne, with “the freedom to consider work that falls outside the strictly commercial.” Contact via website.
Publishes children’s books, literary fiction, historical fiction, poetry, and occasionally non-fiction. Their publishing services include research and archive work, editing, design, printing, digital publishing, grant writing, marketing. Contact via website or email caroline.webber@greenolivepress.com
Hachette are not accepting fiction submissions at the moment, but welcome submissions from non-fiction and children’s book writers. Please note they do not publish science fiction/fantasy, horror, illustrated books, cookbooks, poetry, screenplays or academic works, and will not consider any submissions within these genres.
Publishes in “a range of areas – children’s books, food, wine, fashion, lifestyle, living and travel. Additionally, we have successful ranges of stationery, maps, craft, sport, humour and fiction.” Email: hellomelbourne@hardiegrantmedia.com.au
Please note a division of Harper Collins, HQ (Harlequin Australia) is accepting manuscripts but HarperCollins itself is not accepting manuscripts. HQ is looking for fiction, from psychological thrillers, family sagas and crime to layered historical novels, romance and contemporary book-club fiction. They are not currently accepting high fantasy, science fiction, erotica, horror, children’s or young adult fiction.
Publishes “books and stories with relevance and/or connection to the Newcastle and Hunter Region.” Email: publisher@hunterpress.com.au
Publishes business and legal texts, personal development and health, history, memoirs, Judaica, stories of Indigenous Australia and a small amount of fiction and poetry. They do not publish YA/children’s, science fiction or fantasy. Email: hybridpublishers@optusnet.com.au
Specialises in producing high quality, inexpensive books and chapbooks in short runs. ICOE publishes “whatever we like. It has to be (sort of) literary. We see our role as being a springboard publisher for new writers and worthy content.”
Only hold small quantities of stock and print on demand, and unfortunately do not offer editing or design services. They accept submissions in March and October each year. Contact via website.
Self-publishing facilitator that provides editing, proofreading and publishing services, as well as print-on-demand. Contact via website.
Aims to publish books which support socialist ideas, labour history, struggles against all forms of oppression and for social justice. They are not for profit, thus accepts books proposals unlikely to be accepted by commercial publishers (for political or financial reasons). Interventions do not accept fiction. Contact via website.
Publishes works relating to outdoor activities such as bushwalking, rock climbing and photography. Email: john@john.chapman.name
Focuses on mature-age writers producing works of memoir, narrative non-fiction and fiction. JTW has strict submission requirements that should be viewed before contacting.
Accepts submissions of up to1000 words. Submissions must already be edited. Exposure is free but vetted by professional writers and is selective. Contact via website.
Publishes fiction, non-fiction and poetry that challenges the status-quo, introduces new ideas, shares untold stories or presents a fresh perspective. They aim to fill the gap for authors whose work is too challenging for mainstream commercial publishing and too important to risk in self-publishing. Lacuna publishes up to four titles per year and particularly invite proposals for well-researched books on science, philosophy, politics or society written for a general audience. Contact via website.
Larrikin House publishes picture books, junior fiction, middle grade fiction and graphic novels. Its submissions are open twice yearly: 1 March and 1 September.
Produces titles in several genres with a focus on travel and history. They offer everything from ‘research to publication, all under one roof’ as well as same-day editing. As well as publishing books and e-books, they can assist with tasks such as wiring proposals, composing speeches, proofreading dissertations, building strategic plans, polishing CVs, drafting cover letters. They produce commercial, academic and literary projects. Email: inbox@litera.com.au
Publishes literary novels and anthologies from emerging and established writers and poets. They periodically publish lifestyle titles and may consider select commissioned works. MRP works both local and global in origin and scope. Email: info@margaretriverpress.com.au
Melbourne University Publishing
“The home of agenda-setting political, history and current affairs titles; landmark illustrated art and lifestyle books and the best in Australian academic research and writing.” They publish non-fiction, educational, essays, reference, and scholarly/academic works – unfortunately they do not accept fiction or poetry. MUP also provides advice for recent graduates on how to rewrite a thesis into a book. Email: mup-contact@unimelb.edu.au
Publishes primarily literary fiction, as well as a particular interest in children’s stories with diverse content, funny stories for younger readers and edgy YA fiction. They are unlikely to take on poetry, romance, speculative fiction or self-help. Contact via website.
National Library of Australia Publishing
“Publications produced by the Library contribute to the organisation’s aims of nourishing the nation’s memory, of supporting the vitality of Australian culture and heritage, and of demonstrating a strong national focus in our services, products and programs. Publications also affirm the Library’s role in supporting scholarship and other creative and intellectual pursuits.” Contact at pubadmin@nla.com.au
Works with a team of editors and writers to offer appraisal and editing services at reasonable prices. They can help with self-publishing, cover design, formatting, book launch, merchandise and marketing for both print and e-books. Contact at ouroborusbooks@hotmail.com
Publishes and distributes quality Australian early childhood teacher resource and reference books to assist teachers and carers. Email: enquiry@pademelonpress.com.au
Pan Macmillan Australia accepts fiction, non-fiction and children’s/YA pitches. They do not generally look for poetry, plays, picture books or textbooks.
Pantera is looking for fiction and non-fiction, but not picture or illustrated books, young adult fiction, chapter books or children’s books (for ages 12 and under), fantasy series, sci-fi, cookbooks, self-help books, health or well-being books, travel books, poetry, playscripts, short stories or compilations.
Publishes books and zines on art, sports and literature. They provide editing and copyediting, research and Indonesian translation services. They are “Interested in manuscripts that relate to an unexplored area in the arts, sports or literature” and “value works which are specifically related to the intersection of the many-nations of Australia with those of Southeast Asia… works written in Indonesian to be published in either Indonesian or English… works by First Nations authors: inclusive of fiction and non-fiction.” Contact via website.
Based in Perth, RPK produces children’s picture books that can be coloured in by the reader. Contact via website.
Scribe accepts submissions twice a year, in April and September. Its next open window is three weeks between 1 and 21 September. It is interested in literary fiction and “serious non-fiction”. It doesn’t accept accept poetry, plays, young adult fiction, individual short stories or children’s picture books.
Specialises in “stories by Australian women, children and First Australians” in all genres and forms. The press “especially seeks submissions from authors from a diverse range of backgrounds and welcomes books that feature characters with a diverse range of abilities, backgrounds, orientations and heritages.” Submission times and requirements vary – see website.
Focuses on research-based scholarly works in the fields of Australian literature, archaeology and Aboriginal prehistory, and human-animal studies. Other fields of interest include Australian history, education, public health and social issues. The press publishes around 20 books per year. They offer comprehensive editorial support throughout the peer review and manuscript development process as well as copyediting, proofreading and indexing, targeted marketing support, national and global distribution. They have strict submission requirements – see website. Contact: sup.info@sydney.edu.au
A small publisher with the objective of publishing two or three books a year. They publish interesting stories regardless of genre, author or style. Tale pays commission, does not provide an advance.
Text Publishing publishes fiction and non-fiction, including middle grade and young adult. It only accepts one manuscript per person at a time and won’t accept poetry, playscripts, screenplays, picture books, activity or poster books, individual short stories, technical manuals, cookbooks, how-to guides, travel guides or educational textbooks.
Publishes literary fiction and narrative non-fiction with a global feel. They have a “Strong interest in writing about other cultures and our titles often reflect the true diversity of Australian writers and writing.” Contact via website.
Takes a holistic approach in ensuring that the church is equipped with resources that will help stretch and grow readers in their spiritual development. Some titles will be written for a popular level, others will be academic. They provide an end-to-end partnership with the author, including editing, designing and marketing. Contact via website.
Utimo Press is seeking general and literary fiction and non-fiction. It does not accept children’s, young adult or picture books.
University of Queensland Press
UQP publishes across the following categories: literary fiction, including short stories, non-fiction (history, politics, current affairs, biography and memoir, environmental issues), children’s and YA (fiction and non-fiction) and poetry. It does not accept genre fiction (including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and erotica), travel guides, cookbooks, self-help books, plays/scripts/music scores, textbooks, unrevised theses or conference proceedings
It is currently accepting unsolicited submissions for its literary fiction and non-fiction lists, as well as its Stories for the Future initiative, but its poetry, children’s and YA lists are closed for the time being.
University of Western Australia Publishing
UWAP accepts scholarly works and children’s manuscripts by First Nations authors and/or illustrators all year round. Non-fiction is only accepted in August, and YA and children’s manuscripts in September. (Submissions for fiction and poetry were opened in July, so hence are closed for the year).
Wakefield’s main areas of interest are true stories, literature, gastronomy, culture and young adult fiction. At present they do not accept submissions of poetry or children’s picture books.
Produces children’s books and merchandising. They look for work that “embraces future-focused global thinking” and “showcases diverse multicultural and though-provoking characters”, providing a hybrid of education and entertainment. Contact via website.
Publishes children’s picture books and early readers. Email: info@yellowbrickbooks.com.au
Literary Publications
Australia and New Zealand’s most popular Sci-Fi and Fantasy magazine.
An education and information resource on Australian literature. Authoritative information on hundreds of thousands of creative and critical Australian literature works.
Cultural Magazine with diverse forms of art and literature accepted from essays and fiction to comics and reviews.
Baby Teeth Journal is an online indie publisher and small press - a queer, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation with a focus on local queer and emerging creators. Journal submissions are open on a rolling monthly basis.
News from the Australian and New Zealand book industry, including a wide range of newsletters that contain author interviews, articles and reviews of forthcoming titles.
A fortnightly e-zine for writers and illustrators of children's and YA books, that also caters to librarians, editors, and publicists.
Australian branch of Cordite Publishing that prints a quarterly poetry journal.
Journal that accepts essays, memoirs and insights into current issues and events.
Online literature and arts magazine, with workshops, competitions and a podcast.
Bi-annual literary journal that focuses on avant-garde works from contemporary migrant, Asian-Australian and Aboriginal Writers.
Australian quarterly journal for literature, culture and arts, is still running 80 years on.
The State Library of NSW's award-winning quarterly magazine: Expect a mix of feature articles, news, commentary, photo-essays, interviews, fiction, poetry, reviews, recipes and trivia.
A quarterly journal that publishes essays, stories and poetry. Also runs writing competitions.
Monthly publication interested in critical essays and insights of political, historical and cultural debates.
Journal first launched in 1939, based in Sydney. Accepts fiction, non-fiction, poetry and reviews all year round.
Quarterly print magazine dedicated to recognising Australia’s marginal works of art and literature.
Based in Victoria, coaches new writers in editing and publishing in addition to their free online zine.
Primarily focuses on literary and artistic works from Young Australians under 25, based in Melbourne.
NSW Writing Associations/Literary Publications
Wollongong Writers Block (Facebook Group)
A rogue writing club created by UOW writing students, for students. Organises readings, fundraisers, workshops, and has an ongoing zine for writers and artists of Wollongong and the South Coast.
Website, Facebook page, and monthly live book club create forums for participants to discuss, review and recommend books old and new.
Performer and Artist Insurance
Duck for Cover Entertainers Group Inc.
A not-for-profit association set up to provide Public Liability and other insurance policies for performer and artist members.
Awards & Competitions
Unpublished works of middle-grade to young adult fiction given the chance to be published.
Established to recognise and celebrate Australian works of horror, fantasy, speculative fiction and science fiction.
Annual award that celebrates excellence Australasian Horror Fiction.
An offer of two writing fellowships for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers with unpublished manuscripts.
Boasts one of the world’s leading essay competitions. Also known as the Calibre Prize for an Outstanding Essay, now worth $7500.
Run by Sisters in Crime, an award to recognise the Australian women who write pieces about crime and mystery.
Recognises the achievement in works of science fiction and other similar genres, as voted by members of Natcon.
Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Honouring Australian writer Elizabeth Jolley, the most popular short story contest in Australian, run by ABR.
A biennial prize that puts international attention on Australasian literary works.
National prize for published works of Australian crime fiction and true crime.
Awarded to achievement in the exploration of tough themes in speculative fiction.
One of Australia’s most prestigious poetry prizes to enter. Welcomes all poems written in English.
National short story competition for woman writers of crime and mystery.
An award for works in the Children’s and Young Adults category of any genre. Eligible to writers of all ages, published or unpublished.
Annual award for science fiction in Western Australia, voted and present at Swancon.
Romance Writers Australia (RWA) Competitions
Multiple competitions and awards available for RWA members, some for unpublished and emerging writers with helpful feedback given.
Contest showcasing a 1500 word scene of romantic tension.
Romantic Book of the Year, awarded to an Australian/New Zealand work of romance.
Contest for the first 1500 words of an unpublished novel or novella in the Aspiring and Emerging category.