UWA Publishing

25/05/2026

Very excited to announce that my next middle-grade novel Bandoola published by UWA Publishing will be launched by my lovely friend Dr Helen Edwards Writes at Burnside Library on 8th August 🐘🎉Books will by on sale by Shakespeare's Bookshop and there will be light refreshments and craft activities. Hope to see you there. Free to attend but please book through the below link ❤ https://burnside-events.bookable.net.au/ #!/event-detail/ev_7f84774e6cf8499da2e7a76bd8df434a

22/05/2026

Mohammed Massoud Morsi will be at the Big Day of Books festival this June!

Indestructible Love, Panel Event
20 June, 11:15am
ABC Perth Studios at 30 Fielder Street in Perth.

Three powerful writers invite readers into stories about deep and abiding love. In Rebirth: A Love Story from the Depths of War by Antoun Issa, Laila’s dreams of marrying her lover are dashed when the Lebanese Civil War breaks out. The Hair of the Pigeon by Mohammed Massoud Morsi takes us from the Syrian Civil War to suburbs of Copenhagen where Ghassan finds comfort and reunion with those he thought lost. In I remember everything by Fiona Wilkes, Billie finds her chosen family, only to lose them to a pandemic and find them again in her stories.

Tickets available to purchase here: https://www.abc.net.au/perth/perth-s-big-day-of-books/106638412

14/05/2026

Entries closing soon!

Submit your manuscript by 31 May 2026, 11.59pm AWST to be in the running for The Spiers Prize.

We are looking for unpublished middle grade fiction manuscripts. The winner of the prize will receive $5000 and a publishing contract with UWA Publishing.

Make sure you read the full terms and conditions on the UWA Publishing website before entering. Submit here: https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/pages/the-spiers-prize

If you have any questions please leave a comment below or email us at [email protected]

11/05/2026

11/05/2026

I’m so thrilled to be doing this online event. Thank you to everyone who is making this happen! 💙🧿💙

Here are the details:

Food For Thought Network in collaboration with the Greek Australian Cultural League proudly presents a special Q&A event featuring author, Emily Tsokos Purtill in conversation with Marilyn Tsolakis and moderated by Dr Konstandina Dounis on 31 May. At 7.00 PM AEST (UTC+10 ). Emily’s debut novel Matia (UWA Publishing, 2024) won the 2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Award for an Emerging Writer marking her as an exciting new voice in contemporary literature.

This rich discussion will explore the important role of Greek women writers in shaping and reimagining Hellenism across generations and the diaspora.

Through storytelling that interweaves migration, memory, identity, and belonging, these literary voices challenge, preserve, and transform cultural narratives. The conversation highlights a dynamic and evolving Hellenism, one that resonates globally and reflects the spirit of the Global Women and Hellenism Conference in Ioannina in 2024.

Join us for an inspiring conversation celebrating storytelling, heritage, and global connection.

This is a free event. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link: https://www.trybooking.com/DKVBJ

Sunday 31 May 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM AEST* (UTC+10)

*London: 10AM
*Athens: 12PM
*Perth: 5PM
*Adelaide/Darwin: 6:30PM
*Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Hobart: 7PM

09/05/2026

Rediscover Mohammed Massoud Morsi's brilliant and compelling novel The Palace of Angels.

First published by Wild Dingo Press in 2019The Palace of Angels is back in print in a new B-format. Out now from all good bookstores and direct from UWA Publishing.

Interwoven in the anguish and trauma of Palestine, is a cross-border romance of ineffable charm—served equally with the remorseless realism of war and the bare-skinned surrender of two young warriors who break the rules. He, a Palestinian and she, an Israeli soldier—confront the tyrannies of power—political, religious, and personal.

In a surge of almost giddying prose that pulls us page-by-page, that questions our values in a fever of anticipation, the reader is confronted by the dichotomy between love and the lifetime punishment of war. What do we ultimately become when we are bereft of hope? Are we really prepared to pay the price for what we believe? This trilogy of novels begins with the reckless urge of idealism. It traverses the personal narrative rarely heard and closes with a finale that any lover would applaud. It is irresistible reading.

https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/products/the-palace-of-angels

07/05/2026

🌟 ACQUISITION NEWS! 🌟

UWA Publishing has acquired world rights to a four book series by Nic Gill titled Sniff Squad through Sarah McKenzie Literary Management.

The series is inspired by real-life working dogs and each book will feature cover art by award-winning illustrator Jake A Minton with black and white internal illustrations. The first book in the series, Maya Follows Her Nose, features a timid border collie who’s been abandoned at an animal shelter, but is rescued by ecologist Dr Romane ‘Rom’ Cristescu to work in the field of koala conservation. The following books in the series will follow the stories of other working dogs from across Australia.

Nic Gill says: “Maya’s story is one that’s very close to my heart, as meeting this remarkable dog and her beloved humans literally changed my life — she inspired me to become the conservation dog handler and researcher I am today. For years, I searched for the perfect ‘forever home’ for Maya, and I’m so delighted to have found it with the wonderful team at UWA Publishing. And the best part is that this is just the beginning — I’m so pumped to share more stories of real conservation dogs lending a paw for wildlife across Australia — stay tuned for more Sniff Squad adventures!”

The first book in the Sniff Squad series 'Maya Follows Her Nose' will be published by UWA Publishing on 1 September 2026.

05/05/2026

BANDOOLA by Beverley McWilliams

OUT AUGUST 2026 and available to pre-order now!🐘

Deep in the forests of Burma, an elephant calf named Bandoola is in trouble – again.

Curious and headstrong, Bandoola can’t seem to avoid mischief. Po T**e, the man who raised him, believes he will become a great logging elephant one day. But Bandoola doesn’t want to spend his life hauling logs.

He dreams of freedom and adventure.

When war sweeps across Burma and the Japanese advance into the forests, Bandoola must become the elephant Po T**e always believed in. With hope almost gone, he leads a group of elephants and refugees on a treacherous journey across the mountains to safety.

Inspired by true events, Bandoola is a story of courage, friendship, and the extraordinary bond between people and animals.

Cover and internal illustrations by Kate Jones. Cover design by Jo Hunt.

Pre-order now: https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/products/bandoola


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