Fremantle Press and the Fogarty Foundation are delighted to announce the six outstanding authors whose manuscripts are in the running to receive a cash prize of $20,000 and a publishing contract with Fremantle Press. The Fogarty Literary Award is a biennial prize for an unpublished manuscript by a Western Australian author aged between 18 and […]

The Reading Pavilion ’Tis the judging season at Fremantle Press. It is also Djeran – the Noongar season when the long hot days give way to moody clouds and rain blowing in from the west. On Saturday and Sunday, as I enter the final stretch of the Fogarty Award judging campaign, I set up a […]

Fremantle Press extends its sympathies to wife Lyn and the family and friends of Richard Woldendorp whose funeral was on Saturday 22 April 2023. Richard was 96 years old when he died. Made an Order of Australia (AM) in 2012, Richard was a much-admired collaborator with Fremantle Press for 26 years, known for his determination […]

As I look around the room at AH Bracks Library, watching booklovers assemble, I’m struck by how wonderful this event is. Debut writers are assuaging each other’s fears while old hats are catching up. We’re brought together by stories; authors sharing their upcoming releases, teachers and other programmers seeking to help share those stories and […]

What does it take to command a submarine? That’s the subject of Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life.  What’s one thing you’d like Australians to understand about the Submarine Arm of the Royal Australian Navy?  The tremendous value of our submarines as a deterrent, combatant or both, and the resultant positive impact they have on […]

On a morning exploding with pigeons, I fall into a phone conversation with my old friend Kiera as I walk to work. ‘Can we talk about historical fiction?’ I ask. ‘I don’t write historical fiction,’ she says. ‘I write speculative biography.’ Isn’t that the way of writerly research, I think with a sigh: you push […]

More than 4,500 Western Australian children across 102 playgroups, kindergartens and early education centres received a mini library of three picture books to take home this week.The gift includes Colour Me by Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Moira Court, Rodney by Kelly Canby and More and More and More by Ian Mutch. Kelly Canby, who launched the […]

The Fogarty Foundation and Fremantle Press are pleased to announce that the third round of one of Australia’s most significant literary prizes for young writers is almost over. Entries close at midnight on Tuesday 18 April 2023! The Fogarty Literary Award is a biennial prize awarded to an unpublished manuscript by a Western Australian author […]

During my thirty-five years as a published writer and thirty years as a teacher of creative writing at various universities, I’ve read several articles by creative writers, writing teachers or editors who say that starting to write a new story is the hardest part. But for me, beginning a story comes relatively easily. Almost always, […]

As mums ourselves, we wanted to create a book our babies would have loved – something fun that also fed their growing brains! Say Hooray engages babies on multiple levels by stimulating their senses and helping them build an understanding of language, the world around them and themselves. Say Hooray also has the potential to […]

Two new employees have joined the Fremantle Press team. Siana Liffers has been appointed Office and Customer Service Coordinator and Lisa Fehnle is the new Sales and Marketing Assistant. CEO Alex Allan said the move was precipitated by the retirement of long-standing, and much valued, Office Manager Cathy Szabo who will step down from her […]

Fremantle Press writer Sharron Booth is one of five authors shortlisted for the 2023 MUD Literary Prize. The prize is for the best debut literary novel by an Australian writer and is offered by Adelaide philanthropic group the MUD Literary Club as part of Adelaide Writers’ Week. Now in its sixth year, the winning writer […]

Bologna 2023 Children’s Highlights Whether it’s first books for babies and toddlers, stunningly original picture books and graphic novels, or challenging and thought-provoking stories for young adults, Fremantle Press works with a rich and diverse range of authors to bring important stories to life for readers of all ages. Stellarphant, our multi-award-winning White Ravens book […]

Stars in Their Eyes creators Aśka and Jessica Walton, and Stellarphant creator James Foley are over the moon about their latest news. All three celebrated their books making it onto the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book list. Plus, all three are thrilled to announce American publications. Stellarphant will be published in the USA […]

Based on the award-winning book by novelist Holden Sheppard, Stan and Screenwest have announced that the television series Invisible Boys is the successful recipient of their joint development initiative. Sheppard said it was a dream come true to hear the project now had the financial backing of both organisations, and he was heartened by their […]

Two gripping new productions will provide theatre audiences with a powerful fusion of great Fremantle Press books, live theatre and cinema. Based on Dianne Wolfer’s award-winning quartet of picture books for older readers, The Lighthouse Girl Saga will open at Albany’s Princess Royal Theatre (Albany Entertainment Centre) on 23 February before playing in Busselton on […]

Bella and the Voyaging House by Meg Mckinlay is the second installment in the Bella series. In this novel, Bella and the house go in search for her grandfather’s figurine but things don’t quite go to plan. The Search with Bella activity sheet develops word recognition skills, visual cues, spelling and improves concentration. For more […]

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'Bella and the Voyaging House Activity'

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The Wreckers’ Revenge is the second book following on from Norman Jorgensen’s The Smuggler’s Curse. This children’s fiction adventure series follows Red Read who is sold to an infamous smuggler plying his trade off the north-west coast of Australia in the closing days of the 19th century. The Shipwreck Survival activity sheet was designed to […]

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'The Wreckers' Revenge Activity'

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The role of Office and Customer Service Coordinator (part-time, 9 am to 2.30 pm) would suit someone who is highly organised and capable of multi-tasking in a busy environment. Working in a small independent publishing house, the successful applicant will coordinate the management of the office, facilities and IT and provide central administrative support to […]

Mel and Shell is about two best friends living in 1979. Swedish pop group ABBA rules the airwaves and roller skating is cool. Confiding in her pen pal from 1829, Shell discovers she has a lot to learn about loyalty and honesty. The Dear Pen Pal activity sheet encourages research into history and fosters imagination. […]

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'Mel and Shell Activity'

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Stellarphant tells the story of Stella, who wants to become an astronaut. There’s only one problem: Stella is an elephant. James Foley’s picture book was created to teach children about equity, diversity, feminism, equality and discrimination. This activity encourages children to use fine motors skills and express ideas using visual literacy. For more teaching activities, […]

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'Stellarphant Activity'

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I first met Wendy Jenkins sometime in the late 90s. I had submitted a manuscript to Fremantle Press, and Wendy called me in for a chat. She said my writing was lovely but there were a couple of problems: my novel had no plot, and as for the parts that tried to tell the history […]

To the Lighthouse is a children’s adventure novel about two children exploring Rottnest Island. Cristy Burne wrote this novel to inspire creativity, daring and resilience in her readers. The Design Your Own Holiday Adventure activity sheet encourages creative thinking, geography skills and visual learning. For more teaching activities, download the free teaching notes here.

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'To the Lighthouse Activity'

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At the Dog Park by Moira Court is a children’s picture book which incorporates lively prose and different art mediums to teach children about opposites. The Opposites activity sheet is designed to teach children about antonyms and opposites, developing their visual and written literacy, fine motor skills and identification skills. For more teaching activities, download […]

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'At the Dog Park Opposites Activity'

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