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 👉 asa@asauthors.org
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...
A blue picture with the text 'Access industry discounts as an ASA member, ASA members receive discounts to industry subscriptions an services, including Macquarie Dictionary, Nielsen BookScan, AustLit and more.
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-...
