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 important titles in fiction, poetry and Indigenous writing, as well as general non-fiction titles, that between them reach a much broader readership than open-access academic works ever will.

UWAP has also helped to position the University of Western Australia as an important incubator of literary talent and an essential contributor to the Australian cultural landscape.

The Small Press Network calls on the University to reverse this short-sighted decision and has written to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor directly to put our position.

Other publishing industry bodies share SPN’s concerns. Juliet Rogers, CEO of the Australian Society of Authors (ASA), says “The ASA is appalled by this move that will further narrow opportunities for authors around Australia. Please sign the petition to condemn this short-sighted and damaging decision: https://bit.ly/2qwPiIf.”

For more details contact Tim Coronel, SPN general manager, on 0418 696 786

For ASA queries: Emily Banyard, ASA Marketing, 0423 803 929