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.

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...

25/07/2025
Coming this October!
23/07/2025

Coming this October!

Delighted to see that Pavel and Olga Voronov's granddaughter Alex de Fircks is bringing out a revised edition of Olga's memoir with Downingfield Press on 13 October with new explanatory notes and the addition of Olga's 1919 diary, as well as letters between her and OTMA.

Discover the poetic force of NECESSARY – David Harrison Horton’s masterful meditation on time, place, and connection. In...
19/07/2025

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.

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.

Available 28 July from select booksellers and online.
Learn more: https://downingfield.com/book/necessary/

09/07/2025

The first time my grandmother, Countess Olga Kleinmichel, saw Empress Alexandra the Empress wasn’t smiling. In fact, according to my grandmother’s memoir in

🖋️ Writers of History—Your Story Starts Here 📚Do you bring the past to life with insight, imagination, and depth?Downing...
04/07/2025

🖋️ Writers of History—Your Story Starts Here 📚
Do you bring the past to life with insight, imagination, and depth?

Downingfield Press is now open for submissions in:

✨ Non-fiction History
✨ Historical Memoir
✨ Historical Biography
✨ Historical Fiction (with a literary edge)

We’re seeking manuscripts that illuminate forgotten voices, reframe familiar narratives, and explore the human experience through time. Whether you’re a seasoned historian or a passionate storyteller, we want to hear from you.

🔍 Read our full call for submissions: downingfield.com/.../call-for-history-historical...

SUBMIT HERE: https://downingfield.com/manuscript-submission/

Let history speak—through your words.

🌊✨ NOW AVAILABLE ✨🌊🔥 As The Observer wrote, “Flynn’s pen strikes the page like flint, stoking the fire of hope within,” ...
04/07/2025

🌊✨ NOW AVAILABLE ✨🌊

🔥 As The Observer wrote, “Flynn’s pen strikes the page like flint, stoking the fire of hope within,” and “...his imagery catches the imagination off-guard...” — and in AN OCEAN CALLED HOPE, S.C. Flynn delivers once again.

From Ireland’s Famine Trail to the starry skies of the Southern Hemisphere, this powerful poetry collection explores memory, place, and identity with lyrical brilliance.

📖 Memory and Promise retraces ancestral footsteps through Ireland.
🌾 Grains evokes the quiet strength of small-town Australia.
🌌 Twelve Views of the Southern Cross connects continents from the Pacific to South America.

This is poetry that travels—across time, land, and longing.
Rich in heritage, alive with emotion.

👉 Order now: downingfield.com/book/an-ocean-called-hope

From the windswept Famine Trail of Ireland to the starlit skies of the Southern Hemisphere, this collection by S.C. Flynn explores places and the memo...

“The well-beaten path” leads to something NECESSARY.In NECESSARY, David Harrison Horton crafts a poetic meditation on ti...
03/07/2025

“The well-beaten path” leads to something NECESSARY.

In NECESSARY, David Harrison Horton crafts a poetic meditation on time, place, and connection.

💬 “This is indeed necessary writing.” — Elizabeth Robinson, American poet, professor, and author

Pre-order now for 28 July 2025 release: https://downingfield.com/necessary

30/06/2025

Meet The Enquirer—our bold new face and the spirit of curious minds. Downingfield Press is turning the page on a new chapter. Watch the brand come to life.

✨NOW AVAILABLE✨From the Famine Trail of Ireland to the star-filled skies of the Southern Hemisphere, AN OCEAN CALLED HOP...
28/06/2025

✨NOW AVAILABLE✨

From the Famine Trail of Ireland to the star-filled skies of the Southern Hemisphere, AN OCEAN CALLED HOPE by S.C. Flynn is a powerful collection of poetry exploring memory, place, and identity.

In ‘Memory and Promise’, Flynn retraces his ancestors’ steps through Ireland, reflecting on diaspora and belonging. ‘Grains’ captures the essence of small-town Australia and a childhood shaped by its land. ‘Twelve Views of the Southern Cross’ offers vivid glimpses of the countries connecting Australia and Ireland—from the Pacific to South America.

🌍✨ Rich in emotion and heritage, this collection invites you on a lyrical journey across time and continents.

📖🛒 ORDER NOW at select retailers: https://downingfield.com/book/an-ocean-called-hope/

🔮 “The well-beaten path” leads to something NECESSARY.David Harrison Horton’s NECESSARY is a poetic meditation on time, ...
26/06/2025

🔮 “The well-beaten path” leads to something NECESSARY.

David Harrison Horton’s NECESSARY is a poetic meditation on time, place, and connection — weaving Babylonian myths, Carolingian history, Marco Polo, Paul Éluard, Elizabeth Willis, and Xinran into a lyrical reckoning with heritage and story.

Structured in a fixed nine-line form, each poem follows Mr Lusk as he walks through history, longing, and meaning.

Address

Suite 346/585 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
3000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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