Our June member spotlight is the legendary Mem Fox! Mem is Australia’s foremost writer of picture books for young children. A household name and a favourite author of anyone with little ones in their life, her books have entertained and comforted generations of Australians. Read more:

Search Australia’s most up-to-date dictionary and thesaurus with a subscription to Macquarie Dictionary Online. ASA members can redeem a 20% discount on the normal subscription price. For more information visit: asauthors.org.au

The Willoughby Literary Festival is hosting a free session that goes behind the scenes of the publishing world with leading industry voices, including ASA CEO Lucy Hayward, to discover what makes a story stand out. Register: libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/I...

The schedule of the attending publishers and agents for our July Virtual Literary Speed Dating event have been announced! ✨ Pitch Perfect priority bookings will open Monday 22 June, with general bookings opening on Tuesday 23 June. View the schedule: www.asauthors.org.au/pitching-eve...

The new minimum recommended rates of pay for royalties provides greater clarity for creators when time comes for publishing agreements. The rates address high-discounts, rising royalties, and net receipt royalties vs. RRP. Visit our website for more: www.asauthors.org.au/rates-of-pay/

Our May member spotlight is Angie Faye Martin, a writer, editor, and cultural consultant, of Kooma, Kamilaroi, and European heritage. Her debut novel, Melaleuca recently won the Australian Book Industry Awards Matt Richell Prize for New Writer of the Year. Read more:

Hear what the debut publishing experience entails with first-time authors Jumaana Abdu, Madeleine Cleary, and Angie Faye Martin, who will share what they’ve learned from the experience, and what they are doing to sustain a career as a writer. Bookings: www.asauthors.org.au/events/what-...

The ASA has updated our model publishing contracts for authors and illustrators, now with revised standard terms and comprehensive AI clauses, to help creators understand their agreements and negotiate with confidence. The AI clauses cover permitted uses of AI in publishing and licensing.

There is still time to book in for our event for National Reconciliation Week! Learn how to engage in respectful collaboration, consultation, and storytelling practices to elevate First Nations stories, with Darren Rix, and co-author, Craig Cormick. Bookings: www.asauthors.org.au/events/telli...

A reminder that entries for the 2026 Barbara Jefferis Award close tomorrow 27 May 4pm AEST. Find out more and apply: www.asauthors.org.au/award/barbar...

Authors and illustrators currently based in Tasmania are invited to apply, entry is free. Mentorship recipients will be given the opportunity to develop their work with an accomplished and experienced mentor. www.asauthors.org.au/award/tasman...

About to sign a publishing contract? This educational one-hour session will give you the knowledge to assess and negotiate a contract with confidence and secure a better deal for yourself. For more information and to book visit our website: www.asauthors.org.au/events/under...

The Office for the Arts has opened the consultation for the next National Cultural Policy. Amplify the author and illustrator voice and make a submission before 11.59pm AEST 24 May 2026. See what the ASA is calling for and get guidance on making a submission: www.asauthors.org.au/advocacy/nat...

The ASA is delighted to announce that the Barbara Jefferis Award is now accepting entries for novels that positively depict women and girls written by Australian authors. Applications close 27 May 4pm AEST. To find out more and apply: www.asauthors.org.au/award/barbar...

Would you’d like to amplify author and illustrator voice and help the ASA advocate for sustainable creative careers? Join ASA Chair, Jen Mills, and CEO, Lucy Hayward to learn more about our National Cultural Policy submission. Book a spot: www.asauthors.org.au/events/natio...

In our latest guest article, IPEd Distinguished Editor Renée Otmar talks to the benefits of manuscript assessments, and shares her advice on how they act as a critical stage in the development of your work, for writers at every stage in their career. Read more: www.asauthors.org.au/news/the-ben...

We're thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Tasmanian Writers and Illustrators Mentorship Program! Authors and illustrators currently based in Tasmania are invited to apply, entry is free. Applications close 5 June 2026, 4:00pm AEST. Find out more and apply:

The consultation for the next National Cultural Policy has opened, inviting submissions from creatives and cultural sector workers before 24 May 2026. For full article and relevant links visit our website: www.asauthors.org.au/news/consult...

The ASA has long advised that exclusivity agreements limit opportunities for creators to promote their work or generate additional income. If literary event organisers impose exclusivity in their event agreements, then the fee offered should compensate creators in full for the lost opportunities.

The ASA has published an update to our recommended minimum rates of pay for School Appearances. This includes increases to the rates and substantial revisions to the categorisation of visits to provide greater clarity to creators and schools. View our rates: www.asauthors.org.au/rates-of-pay/

Save the date for this year's Global Book Crawl! 📚🌏 Across April 20-26, over 140 bookshops in Australia are inviting readers to travel from bookshop to bookshop, to rediscover familiar places, and to experience books as something shared. Learn more and find your local participating stores:

The ASA is updating the listing of sensitivity readers in our member-only Book Industry Directory. If you offer sensitivity reading and would like to be listed so authors can find you, please send us an email introducing yourself, your experience, and your content focus 👉 [email protected]

In celebration of National Reconciliation Week, learn how to engage in respectful collaboration, consultation, and storytelling practices to elevate vital First Nations perspectives in your project with Gunditjmara-GunaiKurnai man and radio reporter, Darren Rix, and his co-author, Craig Cormick.

We’re thrilled to announce the winners and highly commended entries for the 2026 CA/ASA Developmental Leadership Program to help Australian creators develop their work to a publishable standard and build the skills to establish sustainable careers! Read more: www.asauthors.org.au/news/winners...

From 2026, the Queensland Literary Awards (QLAs) will be administered by the Brisbane Writers Festival. Entries are now open across eight published book awards and four development awards, and will close 5pm AEST Thursday 30 April 2026. bwf.org.au/queensland-l...

Along with discounts on ASA services, events, and resources, did you know that members can also access discounts to industry subscriptions and services like Macquarie Dictionary online, Nielsen BookScan data reports, AustLit and more? Find out more via your member dashboard 👉 asauthors.org

🚨Illustrators: The Australian Booksellers Association are looking to commission an illustrator for the 2026 Love Your Bookshop Day campaign! Fill out an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by 5:00 pm AEST, Monday 6 April 2026: forms.gle/jKJ6A6EmVobBK3CF6

What does it take to succeed as a self-published author in Australia? Learn from graphic novelist Mike Barry, who’ll share what he's gleaned from almost a decade of creating, crowdfunding, and self-publishing Action Tank, his award-winning graphic novel trilogy for kids. Book now:

School visits are a productive way to promote your books, supplement your income, and connect with young readers. Learn how you can sustainably structure, price, promote, and manage school visits with author-illustrator and primary school art teacher Sean E Avery. Book now:

Writers - have you registered your publication? If you haven't previously received a payment from Copyright Agency's Annual Writers Distribution, members may be eligible by registering a publication in the Member Portal by 31 March. Find out more here: buff.ly/aKE7vzB

Need advice on a publishing or literary agent contract? Authors Legal is the ASA's unique, non-profit subsidiary law firm, providing specialised and low-cost legal advice to Australian authors and illustrators on their agreements. Find out more at authorslegal.org

The ASA is urging creators to remain diligent in light of the significant uptick in realistic AI powered email scams, impersonating book clubs, podcasts, literary magazines, book strategists and platforms that promise to promote your work. Read more and take steps to protect yourself:

For writers pursuing traditional publication, the path forward is full of possibility — and has also never been more confusing. Join leading industry expert and US author @janefriedman.com to gain the clarity and trends-oriented information about the international traditional publishing landscape.

The ASA Style File is a one-stop shop for anyone searching for the very best Australian illustrators! A curated portfolio site, Style File showcases the work of a wide range of illustrators available to take on your next commission. Browse the Style File:

A reminder your 2026-27 PLR/ELR claims are due by 31 March! The Public and Educational Lending Right Schemes give eligible authors and illustrators an annual payment for the free public use of their works in lending libraries. 📚 Find our more: www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-...

Thousands of authors including Kazuo Ishiguro, Philippa Gregory and Richard Osman have published an “empty” book to protest against AI firms using their work without permission. Read the full article in The Guardian:

Obtaining a publishing offer can be an incredibly exciting moment for any author. However, before you sign, it is imperative that you take the time to understand the offer – the terms you agree to will have an impact on your rights and future income for years after you’ve signed. Read more:

This months member spotlight is Jane Messer, a fiction, nonfiction, and mixed-media author, creative writing teacher, and mentor. Jane’s book Raven Mother, will be published this month after successfully pitching it to NewSouth Books at an ASA Virtual Literary Speed Dating event in 2024. Read more:

Do you want to nail your pitch to publishers and literary agents? Our four-week Pitch Perfect course is designed to teach you how. You’ll discover how the submission process works, how to craft your pitch, and how to find the best publication outcome for your book. Book your spot:

Ahead of his speech at the National Press Club today, Professor Toby Walsh, chief scientist at the UNSW AI Institute, penned an op-ed for the Australian Financial Review calling for government action on AI regulation, and fair and ethical AI training through licensing.

Applications are now open for Writing Australia's inaugural National Poet Laureate. The Laureate will be appointed for a three-year term and act as a champion for Australian poetry. creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/national-poet-laureate

The schedule of the attending publishers and agents for our Picture Book Matchmaker event has been announced! ✨ Applications will open 9 February and will close on 19 February. View the schedule: www.asauthors.org.au/picture-book...

Writing Australia has announced new investments, partnerships, and opportunities for 2026! Read more: creative.gov.au/news-events/...

A reminder to book into our Pitch Perfect: Picture Books event next week! With over four decades of experience, Erica Wagner will teach you how the submission process works, how you can craft your pitch, and how to find the best publication outcome for your picture book or illustrations.

There is still time to apply for the CA/ASA Developmental Leadership Program! Submissions close on 6 February. Find out more and apply: www.asauthors.org.au/news/2026-ca-asa-developmental-leadership-program-entries-now-open/ @copyright.com.au

The CA/ASA Developmental Leadership Program is now open for applications from Australian writers and illustrators! Thanks to the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund, this program builds on the successes of the ASA’s long-running Award Mentorship Program. Apply now: www.asauthors.org.au/award/award-...

We are pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2026 ASA/HQ Fiction Prize, offering one winner a publishing contract with HQ and a $10,000 advance against royalties. Entries close on 30 January 2026! Find out more: www.asauthors.org.au/news/2026-as...

Contribute to our review of the ASA’s School Appearances Rates of Pay by sharing your experiences and the rates you’ve been paid in 2024-25. Your feedback is crucial to help us advocate for fair pay and set minimum recommended rates for creators.

Save the date: We are pleased to announce that entries are opening soon for the 2026 ASA/HQ Fiction Prize, offering one winner a publishing contract with HQ and a $10,000 advance against royalties. Entries open on 26 November! www.asauthors.org.au/award/asa-hq-commercial-fiction-prize/

We are delighted to announce that Jennifer Mills has been appointed Chair of the ASA Board of Directors. Outgoing Chair, Sophie Cunningham, will remain on the Board as Deputy Chair, continuing her valued contribution to the ASA. www.asauthors.org.au/news/asa-welcomes-new-chair-jennifer-mills/