Downingfield Press

Downingfield Press Melbourne • Montréal and London

Publishing books for the enquiring mind since 2017. Specialising in non-fiction and poetry. We accept submissions year round.

Emerging writers welcome. We are an independent publisher with a global reach, committed to amplifying diverse voices and narratives. Our collaboration extends to both seasoned and emerging writers, with a particular emphasis on narrative non-fiction genres such as memoirs, biographies, histories, politics, and current affairs. We are also dedicated to exploring the multifaceted landscape of liter

ary, contemporary, and avant-garde poetry through our critically-acclaimed poetry list. Publishing many perspectives and voices
In our pursuit of enriching the literary conversation, we actively seek submissions that elevate perspectives from traditionally unheard communities. We believe in providing a platform for stories that reflect the lived experiences of individuals from a spectrum of backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ people, new Australians, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Our commitment to inclusivity extends beyond geographical boundaries, as we aim to weave a tapestry of narratives that resonates globally while celebrating the unique contributions of various cultures. We encourage writers from traditionally underrepresented communities to share their stories, ensuring that our publishing catalogue reflects the rich diversity of human experiences. For narrative non-fiction, we are particularly interested in memoirs that offer poignant insights into the lives of individuals from these communities, biographies that shed light on remarkable figures, and histories that explore events through diverse perspectives. Similarly, in the realm of poetry, we welcome expressions that delve into the nuances of identity, belonging, and the human condition from voices that may have been marginalized in traditional literary spaces. By fostering a space where a myriad of voices can be heard, we strive to contribute to a more inclusive literary landscape, one that embraces and celebrates the richness of human diversity. Established and emerging writers from all walks of life are encouraged to contribute to the collective narrative that shapes our evolving understanding of the world. A new approach to an old craft
We do things differently than other publishers. We are a Millennial-owned company and we take environmental sustainability seriously. We are paperless (except for final galley proofs) and use large e-ink screens to proof our books throughout the publishing process. We use wholesale print-on-demand to avoid wasteful excess book making and do not participate in industry returns (a practice that encourages over ordering by retailers that results in large numbers of unsold books being destroyed or sent to landfill). Our wholesale print-on-demand system still allows retailers to order and stock our books whilst minimising the number of unsold books being wasted. We manufacture all our books for the Australian and New Zealand market in Melbourne. Publishing today, protecting tomorrow
We also believe in giving back to the environment, so we plant a tree for every new title we publish. We focus on publishing works that are of cultural and historical value, rather than purely for commercial viability. We are not a big-name publisher, but we aspire to be an example of how the book business can operate in a sustainable manner without compromising on quality or sales potential. Our story
Our story began in 2013 in the Canadian city of Sydney, Nova Scotia, when our publisher purchased a second-hand offset press with a dream to bring his own works to market. That dream became reality in 2017 with the publication of our first commercially distributed book, The Local Electric Light Utility and the founding of the press. Since then, we have published both fiction and non-fiction works. We now specialise in non-fiction and poetry. We combine the best parts of traditional and modern publishing to ensure a smooth and successful journey for all our authors. We believe that all our authors deserve a fair share of royalties from their work. While we may not always be able to pay an advance, we can get your work into print and into bookstores if we think it has merit. Our network of trusted independent creatives assists us in the various parts of the publishing process, helping bring out the best in each of our authors’ work. We invite published and aspiring authors to submit their manuscript or book proposal for consideration.

📘 Want to get your hands on Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution?You’ve got options!🛍️ Buy in-store: As...
06/11/2025

📘 Want to get your hands on Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution?
You’ve got options!

🛍️ Buy in-store: Ask your local bookshop to order it in for you. Just give them this info:
• ISBN: 9781923513013
• Title: Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution
• Author: Olga Woronoff, Alex de Fircks, Helen Azar

🌐 Find a retailer: Visit www.downingfield.com/upheaval to see listings of local stockists in major English-speaking markets.

📱 Prefer digital? The e-book is available from all major e-book retailers (Kindle, Kobo, Apple, Google, etc.). Search by:
• ISBN: 9781923513037
• Title & Author: Upheaval Olga Woronoff

NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga ...
20/10/2025

NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution turned everything upside down. In UPHEAVAL, she recounts her journey from opulent palaces to the chaos of civil war, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into a vanished world.

With vivid chapters on family, staff, and the places she called home, this memoir is a deeply personal account of resilience, memory, and survival.

‘The calm tone of Woronoff's narrative help to bring out the drama and sad impressiveness of her truthful story.’ – The New York Times

Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval

COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Ko...
08/10/2025

COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution turned everything upside down. In UPHEAVAL, she recounts her journey from opulent palaces to the chaos of civil war, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into a vanished world.

With vivid chapters on family, staff, and the places she called home, this memoir is a deeply personal account of resilience, memory, and survival.

‘The calm tone of Woronoff's narrative help to bring out the drama and sad impressiveness of her truthful story.’ – The New York Times

Available 13 October 2025 (pre-order available at select retailers)

Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval

AVAILABLE 13 OCTOBER - The revised, updated, and expanded second edition of Olga Woronoff's UPHEAVAL
01/10/2025

AVAILABLE 13 OCTOBER - The revised, updated, and expanded second edition of Olga Woronoff's UPHEAVAL

Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution Second Edition Available 13 October 2025 · Online Book Launch: 15 October 2025, 7PM AEST In 1932, Olga Woronoff published Upheaval, a memoir that quietly distinguished itself from the more sensational accounts of Russia’s fall. Her voice — m...

7pm AEST, 15 OCT 2025: Join us for the online launch of the updated second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’, featur...
01/10/2025

7pm AEST, 15 OCT 2025: Join us for the online launch of the updated second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’, featuring a live Q+A panel discussion between Olga Woronoff's granddaughter Alex de Fircks and Romanov historian Helen Azar.

JOIN THE EVENT: meeting_NTI1ZDE0NWUtMGY4OC00ZTlkLTgyZmItNmVhN2YyNWQ2YjBi@thread.v2/0?context=%7B%22Tid%22:%221b79aa58-dd48-4326-bfcf-56b8f3c611a3%22,%22Oid%22:%2221bc5c5b-b160-423e-9889-574b3765dc77%22%7D" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19:meeting_NTI1ZDE0NWUtMGY4OC00ZTlkLTgyZmItNmVhN2YyNWQ2YjBi@thread.v2/0?context=%7B%22Tid%22:%221b79aa58-dd48-4326-bfcf-56b8f3c611a3%22,%22Oid%22:%2221bc5c5b-b160-423e-9889-574b3765dc77%22%7D

UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna K...
11/09/2025

UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution turned everything upside down. In UPHEAVAL, she recounts her journey from opulent palaces to the chaos of civil war, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into a vanished world.

With vivid chapters on family, staff, and the places she called home, this memoir is a deeply personal account of resilience, memory, and survival.

🗓️ Available 13 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: downingfield.com/book/upheaval

NOW AVAILABLE 🔗 downingfield.com/book/necessaryCritics describe NECESSARY as “urgent”, “brave”, and “necessary reading f...
28/07/2025

NOW AVAILABLE 🔗 downingfield.com/book/necessary

Critics describe NECESSARY as “urgent”, “brave”, and “necessary reading for anyone who wants to know what’s really going on.” This is poetry that enters the fray – calm, curious, and deeply human.

Discover the poetic force of NECESSARY – David Harrison Horton’s masterful meditation on time, place, and connection. In a series of nine-line poems, Horton weaves together fragments from Babylonian myths, Carolingian history, and voices like Paul Éluard and Xinran, creating a rich tapestry of inherited and unfolding narratives.

Follow Mr Lusk as he walks the ‘well-beaten path’, confronting the weight of history with quiet resolve. With laconic precision, Horton invites readers to reckon with the stories that shape us – and those we shape in return. Now available from select booksellers and online. Learn more: https://downingfield.com/book/necessary/

David Harrison Horton’s Necessary is a poetic exploration of time, place, and connection. Drawing on sources as diverse as Babylon...

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