Category: Essays/Articles
In conversation with BOTY winning editors Leah Jing McIntosh and Adolfo Aranjuez
Against Disappearance: Essays on Memory (Pantera Press) is exactly the kind of invigorating non-fiction that small, risk-taking publications like Liminal, excel at. It is a physically beautiful collection, presented with an understated sophistication that reflects those same qualities in the works. Edited by Leah Jing McIntosh and Adolofo Aranjuez, this collection brings together writers from across […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Nornie Bero
Mabu Mabu (Hardie Grant Books) is an intricately crafted cookbook that melds together a perfect balance of memoir and recipe. In between stunning graphics and mouth-watering recipes, Nornie Bero recounts how her upbringing fostered a love for food and explores the deep connection between culture, identity and food. —BOTY 2023 judging panel We were lucky enough […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Andrew Sutherland
Paradise (Point of Transmission) (Fremantle Press) is beautifully layered collection of poems that explores the realities of a HIV diagnosis on home, community and freedom. It complex but inviting, an act of generosity and transformation. In his first poetry collection Andrew Sutherland simultaneously captures the stigma of a HIV-positive identity and the deep love of Queer community. […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author George Haddad
For a novel about violence, Losing Face is surprisingly tender. George Haddad is a writer with a talent for voice and place, vividly capturing the intensity of Western Sydney. Haddad uses layered intergenerational storytelling to demonstrate the complexity with which lives intertwine and unravel around a violent crime. He avoids delivering neat and easy answers but instead […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Jo Riccioni
The Branded (Pantera Press) is an addictive YA novel from Jo Riccioni. With captivating protagonists and an immersive landscape, this story is entirely devourable. It includes all of the best parts of YA – a treacherous journey, a dystopian societal structure, tests of loyalty, and just the perfect amount of desire. —BOTY 2023 judging panel We […]
Frankfurt report from Pantera Press
Pantera Press has been attending the Frankfurt Book Fair since our earliest days, with our first visit back in 2010 with a limited list of books and an even more limited meeting schedule! Nowadays, it is considered an essential part of our Rights strategy, with a full schedule of meetings across four days and an […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Sam Wallman
Our Members Be Unlimited by Sam Wallman is an immense achievement. Both a history of the union moment and a personal memoir of Wallman’s own experience of working as a picker at an Amazon warehouse, the personal is political and the political is intensely felt and personal. The graphic medium allows for dense information to be […]
Introducing industry research: “A sacred duty” by Jodie Lea Martire Part 3
In her Masters research thesis, Jodie Lea Martire explores the strategies small presses have long been using to diversify the publishing industry, turning this into the basis of a roadmap for the broader Australian publishing industry to follow in their footsteps. The first instalment of this SPN publication collated the publishing strategies used by Spinifex […]
Introducing industry research: “A sacred duty” by Jodie Lea Martire Part 2
In her Masters research thesis, Jodie Lea Martire explores the strategies small presses have long been using to diversify the publishing industry, turning this into the basis of a roadmap for the broader Australian publishing industry to follow in their footsteps. The first instalment of this SPN publication collated the publishing strategies used by publishers […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Kavita Bedford
We had the most exciting opportunity to sit down with Kavita Bedford to ask about her debut novel, Friends & Dark Shapes, one of the shortlisted titles for the 2022 SPN Book of the Year Award.
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Anwen Crawford
No Document (Giramondo) is a grief-stricken book that tries to locate presence within the material layers of loss, finding hope in art, kinship and collective action. Anwen Crawford balances the emotional charge of the book with thoughtful experiments in how to use the field of the page to express and contain the way grief can […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Eleanor Jackson
Gravidity and Parity (Vagabond Press) is a poignant and intricate collection of poetry that guides the reader into the journey of motherhood, pulling no punches in how it addresses and details all that is often unsaid or unknown about pregnancy. The book is set during the COVID pandemic, and author Eleanor Jackson beautifully encapsulates this all-too-familiar […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Poppy Nwosu
‘Hometown Haunts (Wakefield Press) showcases some of the best voices Australian YA fiction has to offer in this sometimes strange, sometimes terrifying collection of short horror. This anthology acts as a reminder of how it feels to explore the unknown: unknown genre, unknown worlds, unknown lives. Editor Poppy Nwosu has compiled an anthology that celebrates and […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author SJ Norman
‘Permafrost (UQP) is a collection of stories that delve into uncomfortable spaces that lie beneath familiar experiences of travel, love and loss. SJ Norman’s work presents an exciting, unsettling and engaging new voice that explores the human diasporic experience, bringing a queer and unique take on the gothic romantic tradition.’ —BOTY 2022 judging panel We […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author Patrick Lenton
‘Sexy Tales of Paleontology (Subbed In) is a laugh-out-loud delight. This anthology is full of surprises: stories that demonstrate a wicked sense of humour and a keen eye towards contemporary celebrity culture, and the performances that play out in our daily lives. Patrick Lenton uses the short story to experiment with the absurd realities of […]
The Book of the Year Award 2021: Winner Announcement
We are excited to announce the winners of the 2021 SPN Book of the Year Award. That’s right, winners, the judges decided to award two BOTY winners this year! They are Echoes (2020) by Shu-Ling Chua and We are Speaking in Code (Brio Books 2020) by Tanya Vavilova. The judges said ‘both titles exhibit beautiful […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author: Kirsten Krauth
Holly from The Small Press Network recently chatted to Kirsten Krauth, author of the 2021 shortlisted BOTY title Almost a Mirror. Kirsten Krauth is a writer and podcaster based in Castlemaine. Almost a Mirror, published in 2020, was shortlisted for the Penguin Literary Prize and named by The Guardian in ’The Best 20 Australian Books […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author: Poppy Nwosu
We had a chat with Poppy about her book Taking Down Evelyn Tait, one of this year’s shortlisted titles for the Book of the Year Award. Cordelia: Where did you get your inspiration from, and what was the most important thing you wanted to say with this story? Poppy: It really came with the main […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted contributing author: Elizabeth Flux
In the lead-up to the 2021 Book of The Year winner announcement on Friday 26 November, conference co-ordinator Chloe Hogan-Weihmann sat down with Elizabeth Flux to discuss the shortlisting of Collisions: A Liminal Anthology (Pantera 2020). Collisions is a collection of stories from the inaugural Liminal Fiction Prize longlist. The book has been described as […]
In Conversation with BOTY shortlisted author: Tanya Vavilova
“I think what I struggle with most is this question of fitting in, of belonging. If you find yourself on the outskirts of society and then on the outskirts of an already marginalized group in that society, what do you do?” Tanya Vavilova, We are Speaking in Code Tanya Vavilova is an award-winning writer, having […]
Introducing industry research: “A sacred duty” by Jodie Lea Martire Part 1
In her Masters research thesis, Jodie Lea Martire explores the strategies small presses have long been using to diversify the publishing industry, turning this into the basis of a roadmap for the broader Australian publishing industry to follow in their footsteps. The following extract provides an insight into the research and results Martire has discovered […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author: Shu-Ling Chua
Shu-Ling Chua is a is Melbourne-based essayist, poet and critic whose work has appeared in Peril Magazine, Lindsay, Meanjin, Triangle House Review, and Asian American Writers’ Workshop, among others. Her debut essay collection, Echoes, was published in 2020. Echoes is a collection of personal essays that reference art and literature, pop culture and nostalgia. The book […]
In conversation with BOTY shortlisted author: Sreedhevi Iyer
In the lead up to the 2021 Book of The Year winner announcement on Friday 26 November, Associate Producer Emma Kellaway sat down with Sreedhevi Iyer to discuss the shortlisting of her novel The Tiniest House of Time (Wild Dingo Press 2020). Critically acclaimed for its brilliantly complex style, research and storytelling, The Tiniest House […]
The Small Press Network Interviews: Anita Heiss
As she finalises her keynote address for the 2021 SPN Independent Publishing Conference, Dr Anita Heiss talks to Emma Kellaway about learning language, challenges within the publishing industry and having confronting conversations. A multi award-winning author of nonfiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, children’s novels and poetry, Heiss is currently a Professor of Communications at the […]
Meet the sponsor: Copyright Agency Cultural Fund
Introducing Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, a major sponsor of the 2021 Independent Publishing Conference taking place from Thurs 25–Sat 27 November. Copyright Agency is a non-for-profit organisation that supports over 38,000 members to ensure fair payment to creators over the reuse of copyright-protected work. For over 40 years, the agency has served to connect their […]
Meet the sponsor: Ingram Content Group
Introducing Ingram Content Group, one of the sponsors of the 2021 Independent Publishing Conference taking place from Thurs 25–Sat 27 November. Ingram is a global service provider to the book publishing industry, with a catalogue of 19 million print and digital titles that are available worldwide. The company offers print-on-demand services, international distribution, and sales […]
The Small Press Network Interviews: Terri-ann White, Upswell publishing (part two!)
Holly Hendry-Saunders recently interviewed Terri-ann White on launching Upswell Publishing during a pandemic. They continued their conversation and discussed topics such as acquiring authors; navigating the world of marketing; publishing titles that have substance; the importance of community within independent publishing; and how independent publishing can survive these turbulent times. Terri-ann’s process of acquiring an […]
The Small Press Network Interviews: Terri-ann White, Upswell Publishing
As she prepares for her keynote speech for this year’s 2021 SPN Independent Publishing Conference workshop day, Terri-ann White speaks to Holly Hendry-Saunders on launching Perth-based publishing house Upswell Publishing during a pandemic. Her life before Upswell’s inception White, a veteran in the book industry, began her career as a bookseller at eighteen, and at […]
The Small Press Network Interviews: Laura Jean McKay
As she works on her keynote address for the 2021 SPN Independent Publishing Conference, award-winning author Laura Jean McKay talks to Emma Kellaway on animal superpowers, humans’ relationship with them, and why now is a better time than ever to address publishing and the environment. McKay’s debut novel The Animals in That Country (Scribe 2020), […]
2020 SPN Christmas catalogue
We are proud to present the 2020 Small Press Network Christmas catalogue. This year’s catalogue features over 100 titles from more than 30 publishers. The books in the catalogue cover all genres from adult fiction to all manner of nonfiction, and children’s titles from picture books to YA. The catalogue has again been distributed nationally […]
MEET ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Sophia Benjamin
Hello! My name is Sophia, and I’m honoured to be the Operations Associate Producer for the Independent Publishing Conference for 2020. I’ll be helping to oversee the production of this year’s online conference, and working on the delivery of SPN’s 2020 Book of the Year Award. I grew up in Sydney and moved to Melbourne […]
Meet Associate Producer Gladys Serugga
Hi! I am Gladys, and I’m one of the Associate Producers at the Independent Publishing Conference 2020. I was born and raised in Perth and moved to Melbourne to fulfil a childhood dream of mine, that is to write (and explore of course, but to write nonetheless). Growing up, I would religiously borrow books from my […]
Wild Dingo Press title shortlisted for Booker International
The Enlightenment of the Greengage tree by Iranian-Australian author Shokoofeh Azah, first published by SPN member Wild Dingo Press, has been shortlisted for the £50,000 Booker International Prize 2020. Shokoofeh Azah is the first Australian author to be shortlisted for the International Booker for a work in translation. Her novel was originally written in Farsi. […]
Susan Hawthorne on the effects of COVID-19 on small publishers
Spinifex Press co-founder Susan Hawthorne has written an article for Artshub discussing some of the effects the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak are causing small and independent publishers. ‘The independent book publishing sector will suffer if more isn’t done to support it during the COVID-19 crisis,’ she writes. The full article can be found […]
MUBA 2019: and the winner is …
The winner of this year’s MUBA was announced as part of the 2019 Independent Publishing Conference. We are very pleased to say that the winner is … Songwoman by Ilka Tampke, published by Text Publishing. Find out more about Songwoman here.
MUBA 19 Spotlight: ‘Brontide’ by Sue McPherson
Brontide by Sue McPherson is the final book to feature in our shortlist for the 2019 Most Underrated Book Award. Brontide is a coming-of-age story set in the coastal town of Taralune in Queensland. Exploring themes of racism, familial dynamics and modern masculinity, this story unfolds through a series of fictional interviews between McPherson and the […]
Statement on the proposed closure of UWA Publishing
The Small Press Network is dismayed at the decision by the University of Western Australia to close down UWA Publishing (UWAP) after 85 years. UWAP has played a crucial role in Australian publishing for decades, and publishes a wide range of award-winning titles across many genres. Under the leadership of Terri-Ann White UWAP has published […]
MUBA 19 Spotlight: ‘Antidote to a Curse’ by James Cristina
The Small Press Network is pleased to introduce Antidote to a Curse by debut author James Cristina: one of the shortlisted books for the 2019 Most Underrated Book Award. Antidote to a Curse follows Silvio Portelli, a writer and teacher who has returned from his travels in Europe. The novel straddles two worlds: On the […]
Most Underrated Book Award 2019: Shortlist Announcement
The Small Press Network is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2019 Most Underrated Book Award. The Most Underrated Book Award is sponsored by the Australian Booksellers Association and aims to uncover and celebrate the hidden gems of Australian publishing. The 2019 shortlisted titles are: Brontide by Sue McPherson (Magabala Books) Antidote to a Curse by James Cristina […]
Starting Small
You there! Want to crack the oldest game in town? The Book Trade, I say! Step right up! Publishing is not an easy industry to get a start in. Sometimes it seems like there’s either a feast or famine in the job market, and for entry level positions it’s a particularly ravenous existence. This is where internships help. […]
Marketing Whatever You Have to Market: Product | Linda Carlson
In partnership with the US Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), SPN is proud to present a series of articles on the ‘four Ps’ of marketing and how you can apply them as independent book publishers. This, the first article in the series, is about ‘product’ and uses children’s publishing as a case study. The references are American, […]
On being underrated (the MUBA) | Pepi Ronalds
For Christmas last year Wayne Macauley’s partner gave him a t-shirt printed with the words Most Underrated 2012. ‘I don’t wear it out that often but it’s a beautiful thing,’ Macauley quips. The t-shirt is a reference to last year’s inaugural Most Underrated Book Award (MUBA) which Macauley won for his novel The Cook. ‘[The […]