Westerly Magazine

03/09/2026

Join the lovely folks at Artery Magazine for the launch of their fourth issue this Saturday, September 4th at at Goolugatup Heathcote!

ARTERY is a Perth/Boorloo-based ekphrastic magazine which publishes work by emerging Australian writers and artists. The magazine fuses visual art and literature: each issue features an artwork by an emerging Western Australian artist, which serves as a prompt for creative response from emerging Australian writers.

The launch will include readings from contributors Selina Al Ansari, Miguel Chu, Jake Dennis, Audrey Jozefa Pike, and Jordan Webber; an interview between Lucinda Tassone and our feature artist for issue three, Josef Quinn; and a musical performance by Perth cellist Ben Buchanan.

UWA Fine Arts student Lucinda Tassone’s oil-on-masonite collection, 'I live from this', from her series 'Reels (2025–)' features in ARTERY no. 4. Reels is as a visual amalgamation of the short-form content Tassone encounters as a student who, as Tassone describes herself, is chronically online. In response, the issue features fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction by numerous Western Australian writers. ARTERY is edited and produced by a team of young Western Australians, most of whom are UWA graduates.

The event will be in the main Goolugatup gallery in Applecross. Enjoy drinks for sale, complimentary refreshments, music until late, and an exhibition of Tassone’s and other artists.

Tickets are free! RSVP here: https://shorturl.at/IK79A

23/08/2026

Get yourself to Raine Square on Thursday, August 27th for an exciting new Night Parrot Press double novelette book launch!

Authors Rashida Murphy and Karleah Olson have written individually powerful stories, separated by time, location and culture, that share common themes of violence, silencing, resilience and strength. Celebrate the publication of these two novelette books by two authors, printed with a single binding.

Rashida and Karleah will speak about the inspiration behind their fictional stories and discuss what it means to have their books printed together, sharing a common spine.

Light refreshments and drinks will be served and books will be available for sale. Authors will be signing books.

Learn more and RSVP here: https://shorturl.at/uH6rZ

The Writers' Collective

Join us for the Book Launch of Old Ghosts by Rashida Murphy and Bloodwood by Karleah Olson, winners of the inaugural Night Parrot Press Double Novelette Award.

21/08/2026

A wonderful opportunity for Tassie writers from our friends over at Island magazine!

21/08/2026

13/08/2026

ICYMI: The newest review on our website is 'Wingbeat' by Tim Kinsella! (WA Poets Inc - Perth Poetry Festival)

'Tim Kinsella’s first poetry collection traverses multiple landscapes—natural/human-influenced spaces and different countries alike—with sensitivity and sharpness. There is no single poem titled "Wingbeat"; rather, each piece is a movement, a snapshot and point of engagement.'

Read it on the Editor's Desk here:

'Wingbeat' is Western Australian poet Tim Kinsella's first poetry collection. Read Siobhan Hodge's review on the Editor's Desk!

09/08/2026

Tim Kinsella's debut collection, 'Wingbeat' (WA Poets Inc) is the latest review for you to read on the Editor's Desk!

Reviewer Siobhan Hodge writes:

'Kinsella’s poetics of observation and question are frequently quiet, personal and episodic, but just as often recognise the blurred lines and boundaries of the world, and the broader politics of crossings.'

Find the review through our link in bio!

07/08/2026

31/07/2026

Our latest book review spans continents and generations! Read our review of the 2025 WA Premier's Book of the Year Award for an Emerging Writer, 'Matia' by Emily Tsokos Purtill - Author (UWA Publishing)!

Reviewer Patricia Frazis writes:

'Women carry the burden of cultural inheritance and the responsibility to maintain traditions in many diasporic communities and are also disproportionately burdened with the care of elderly family members as well as the physical and mental strain of bearing and raising children. 'Matia' is a love letter to these women and their relationships to one another, which can be messy and painful but also beautiful.'

Read it on the Editor's Desk here: https://shorturl.at/GMMLt

31/07/2026

Folks, please join us for this important panel conversation with David Blacker, David Price, Shey Marque, Lizzie Marrkilyi, Giles Ellis and Jan Turner (as we) come together to discuss balancing truth and historical accuracy, dealing with cultural narratives and telling untold stories. I'm thrilled to be on the panel and moderating.

Meet the shortlisted authors of the 2026 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards at a day of panel discussions and book signings.

Hear from some of the state’s most exciting voices as they explore identity, history, world-building and comedy. Each event offers fresh insight into how stories are shaped, moulded and brought to life. In between sessions, enjoy a drink at the bar and have your book signed at the Boundless Books pop-up bookshop. Cheer on illustrators and authors as they battle it out in Pictionary duels.

Whether you're a reader, writer, fan or simply curious about the stories being crafted across WA, join us at the State Library. Come for the whole day or choose your favourite event.

Panels and events.

Unlabelled and Unleashed: Stories bigger (or smaller) than the box
Bloodlines and Storylines: Writing what we carry
Dice, Drama and Dragons: World building on the fly, a live D&D experience
Place Steals the Scene Locations with main character energy
Stand Up to Sit Down: Comedy as craft
Picture This! Imagination on the clock

Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/stories-from-the-west-tickets-1993108649624?aff=oddtdtcreator

29/07/2026

ICYMI: There's a new joint subscription in litmag town!

Westerly and Voiceworks have teamed up to bring you three issues of Voiceworks and two issues of Westerly Magazine (in print and digital formats) for $106 per year!

Subscribe now on either the Voiceworks or Westerly Magazine website.

Voiceworks is a national literary journal that features exciting new fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and comics by people under the age of 25.

Westerly publishes short stories, micro-fiction, poetry, memoir and creative non-fiction, artwork, comics, essays and literary criticism.