News

In Peter Burke’s historical novel, The Silk Merchant’s Son, it’s 1845 and linguistics professor Fabrice Cleriquot is despatched from Lyon to the Swan River Colony in the company of twenty-eight mismatched and misguided Catholic missionaries. In this blog post Peter grapples with how to portray the real people who came before us. Good and bad. […]

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 The Fogarty Literary Award is a biennial prize for an unpublished manuscript by a Western Australian author aged between 18 and […]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 […]

A celebration of baby achievements, Say Hooray is the perfect book to engage the whole family in those special moments of a baby’s early days.

Activity Sheet
'Say Hooray Activity Sheets'

Download activity sheet

London Book Fair 2023 Highlights Fremantle Press is proud to present its newest titles from award-winning Western Australian writers – thrilling crime reads, contemporary women’s fiction, literary works from diverse voices, and cracking coming of age and YA stories. New Crime Reads Summer of Blood is the latest page-turning, suspense-filled crime novel from multi-award-winning author, […]

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 […]

The Last Light Horse by Dianne Wolfer and Backyard Beasties by Helen Milroy have been recognised as Notable Books in their respective categories in the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year Awards. Backyard Beasties is a Notable book in the Early Childhood category. Both written and illustrated by Professor Helen Milroy – […]

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 […]

The memoir of Binjarib Nyoongar woman Louise K. Hansen, Smashing Serendipity: The Story of One Mooorditj Yorga was published by Fremantle Press in February 2023. Louise never got to see the publication of her book, passing away just after the final manuscript got sent to the printer, but her daughter, Alice Kearing, helped to make […]

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 […]

Two Fremantle Press books and five Fremantle Press writers are in the running to win the award for fan favourite! Stellarphant by James Foley and Mel and Shell by Julia Lawrinson both made the shortlist, alongside books by fellow Fremantle Press writers Cristy Burne, Sean E. Avery and HM Waugh. To find out more or […]

Cristy Burne knows how to write action-packed outdoor adventures – while also throwing in a science fact or two! Her trio of survivor stories, Beneath the Trees, Off the Track and To the Lighthouse, will transport kids into the wilderness, inspiring them to get outside and connect with the natural world around them. Cristy has […]

Activity Sheet
'Design Your Own Holiday Adventure'

Download activity sheet

Get ready to discover the birds living in the Australian bush with Palyku author and illustrator Helen Milroy in her vibrant picture book, Bush Birds.

Activity Sheet
'Bush BIrds'

Download activity sheet

Timeless by Kelly Canby is a vibrant picture book about one boy who discovers the secret of time.

Activity Sheet
'Timeless Activity Sheets'

Download activity sheet

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 […]