Calling all WA poets! Submissions are open for children’s poetry anthology

Fremantle Press and Alphabet Soup Books are excited to announce that submissions are open for a poetry anthology for children, the companion to Right Way Down and Other Poems.

The anthology, to be published in 2026, will be co-edited by Rebecca M. Newman and Dr Sally Murphy.

Rebecca said, ‘We are thrilled to be collaborating with Fremantle Press on a new poetry anthology, following the success of Right Way Down. Western Australia is home to an exceptional community of poets writing for 21st century children and we look forward to showcasing more of their work in this second anthology.’

CEO of Fremantle Press Alex Allan said Right Way Down was praised for being touching, engaging, witty and inspiring. ‘We are excited to collaborate on a second book of poetry with the team at Alphabet Soup Books and we can’t wait to introduce more Western Australian poetry to young readers everywhere.’

The editors say they are looking for poems for today’s children – poems that are clever, thoughtful silly, fun, scary, loud, quiet … and everything in between. Western Australian poets can submit up to three poems of 45 lines or fewer, with shorter poems preferred.

Submissions are open to Western Australian writers (Australian residents), 18 years and older. Contributors published in the anthology will receive a payment of $50 per poem plus a free copy of the anthology.

All submissions are to be made via Fremantle Press’ online portal on Submittable with submissions closing at 11.59 AWST, 21 February 2025.

Alphabet Soup Books is an independent publisher in Perth, Western Australia, established in 2023 to publish books for children. 

Right Way Down and Other Poems was funded by the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and published by Fremantle Press and Alphabet Soup Books.