AGP Executive Report

Reading Together: Australian book clubs are broadening beyond traditional meet-ups, with audiobooks and accessible groups helping readers connect — including people who are blind or have other disabilities. Publishing Accountability: Convicted author Craig Silvey has posted a 9,000-word apology after being jailed for child exploitation offences; advocates say it fails to address victims. Australian Literature: Questions are resurfacing over the promised Australian poet laureate role, while the Southern Highlands is inspiring local crime fiction. Book Market: Sarah J. Maas’s latest novel has become the UK’s fastest-selling adult fantasy title on record, underlining the genre’s commercial strength.

Author Fallout: Craig Silvey, the Jasper Jones author, was sentenced to seven months in prison for child exploitation offences. In a 9,000-word apology, he said he was abused as a child; Bravehearts said the essay focused on his redemption, not victims. His books have been removed from school curricula and stage adaptations halted. Literary Spotlight: Helen Garner’s latest work drew praise as a “masterclass,” while the question of where Australia’s promised poet laureate is has resurfaced. Books & Music: Family and friends have helped complete a book honouring Midnight Oil songwriter Rob Hirst.

Author Convicted: Craig Silvey, the Australian writer behind Jasper Jones and Runt, has been sentenced to seven months in jail after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing child exploitation material. The case has stunned readers and publishers; the judge said Silvey had betrayed the trust of thousands. New Graphic Novel: Melbourne writers Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride have teamed up for Blunderbore, a fantasy retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and their first graphic novel together. Helen Garner’s Return: Garner’s The Season, her first solo-authored book in more than a decade, is winning praise for turning a season following her grandson’s junior football team into a sharp, moving memoir.

Craig Silvey Sentenced: The award-winning Australian author was jailed for seven months after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing child exploitation material. The judge said his actions had harmed children and betrayed the trust of readers and communities. Books in the Works: Family and friends have helped complete a book honouring Midnight Oil songwriter Rob Hirst. Poetry and Public Life: Australia’s promised poet laureate remains unappointed, renewing questions about the role’s future and support for poetry. Copyright and AI: Experts warn changes to Australian copyright law could conflict with the Constitution and trigger major compensation claims, a high-stakes issue for authors and publishers.

Australian Book News: Family and friends have helped complete a book honouring Midnight Oil songwriter Rob Hirst. Copyright & AI: A new defence report argues that tech firms’ national-security warnings are a smokescreen for weakening Australian copyright protections, as the government considers wider access to creative works for AI training—a major issue for authors and publishers. Reading & Writing: Australian academic Dan Dixon’s forthcoming Reading Relations explores readers’ emotional ties to authors and characters. Biographer Bernadette Brennan has also discussed the hands-on research behind her work on Helen Garner and Gillian Mears. Poet Laureate: Writers are again asking where Australia’s promised national poet laureate has gone, putting the stalled commitment back on the cultural agenda.

Copyright and AI: A new defence report says technology companies are using national security claims to pressure Australia to weaken copyright protections for AI training, warning that concessions could leave creators’ work exposed. Poet Laureate Delay: Australia’s promised $80,000-a-year poet laureate appointment has slipped again, with Creative Australia now aiming to name the inaugural laureate in early 2027. A Final Book from Rob Hirst: The Midnight Oil drummer’s daughter, Lex, has completed his nearly finished book on a lifetime of songwriting, turning a painful task into a way to preserve his voice. New Australian Books: Reviews take in Tim Winton’s urgent essay collection Songs from the Firefront and Magda Szubanski’s candid memoir I Can’t Tell You But I Will, about her mother, family history and grief.

Poet Laureate: Australia’s long-promised national poetry post is delayed again, with Creative Australia now aiming to announce the first laureate in early 2027. The $80,000 role was proposed in 2023 to champion poetry and reach new readers. Memoir: Ariarne Titmus says her new book, Relentless, includes a chapter about rival Katie Ledecky, whom she describes with deep respect. AI and Rights: Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic back a shared opt-out allowing websites to tell AI companies not to use their content for training — a tool that could matter to Australian authors and publishers. New Australian Books: Musician Ziggy Alberts is releasing his debut children’s book, No Fin Steve, while Sam Kerr’s popular children’s series is set for a Western Australian production. Readers and Community: A new LGBTQIA+ book club for Australian Defence members, veterans, families and allies will launch in Rockingham in December, building on GRAI’s established Queer Book Club.

Australian Writing: Helen Garner says her new book, The Season, follows her grandson’s under-16 football team — not the sport’s rules or social meaning. Literary Voices: Christos Tsiolkas will headline a free online symposium on Greek Australian writing on November 6. AI & Copyright: Australian experts warn proposed AI copyright changes could breach the Constitution and prompt major compensation claims; publishers are also working out how to identify AI-written books. Children’s Books: Musician Ziggy Alberts has announced his debut children’s book, No Fin Steve, while Sam Kerr’s popular series is being adapted for a Western Australian production. Romantasy: Sarah J. Maas’s latest A Court of Thorns and Roses novel has shot to number one on Amazon Australia, as local readers embrace the genre’s spicy side.

AI Copyright: Australian legal experts and rights holders warn that allowing AI companies to use copyrighted books and other works without permission could trigger constitutional challenges and compensation claims. New Australian Book: Kaz Cooke’s Spooky Ladies revisits the overlooked women of magic and mediumship, including Melbourne’s 19th-century spiritualist scene. Bestseller: Sarah J. Maas’s latest A Court of Thorns and Roses novel sold 1.7 million English-language print and ebook copies on release day, with Australia among the markets counted. AI and Publishing: Australian publishers are working out how to spot AI-written books as the technology reshapes submissions.

Literary Festivals: Adelaide’s OzAsia Festival has ended after 20 years, taking its Weekend of Words with it. A former curator says replacing the festival with year-round Asian programming risks losing the focused audiences and connections it created for Asian Australian writers. Festival Watch: Adelaide Writers’ Week has revealed its new program. Australian Books: An Adelaide mother has turned her Greek family heritage into a children’s book. Book Launches: Fans who helped save late Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst’s kit are reuniting to launch a book about him.

Publishing Deals: Peermusic has acquired Sydney-based 120 Publishing’s catalogue of about 5,000 works and 120,000 administered projects, with Karen Hamilton named managing director for Australasia. Book Collecting: A new volume of Australian Book Collectors profiles 33 collectors and their Australiana collections, with Canberra collectors among those featured. Australian Fiction: A new ACOTAR release has shot to No. 1 on Amazon Australia, underlining local demand for romantasy. Regional news includes a former Euroa local’s debut novel and a Scarborough crime novel launching at a fundraiser. Bookshops and Authors: Fitzroy’s Fino Books is building a literary community with poetry nights, storytimes and writing workshops. Musician Ziggy Alberts has also announced his debut children’s book, No Fin Steve. Writer Scams: Reports of literary scams and offers to boost self-published book sales highlight the need for authors to be wary of unsolicited help.

Publishing Scams: A fresh report asks who is behind the surge in literary scams, as self-published authors also allege they paid for poor services and AI-generated art. AI and Copyright: Australian publishers are working out how to spot AI-written books, while polling suggests most Australians oppose changing copyright laws to benefit big tech. A new “Copyright Plus” proposal offers another path for creators. Romantasy: The latest ACOTAR release has shot to No. 1 on Amazon Australia, underscoring readers’ appetite for spicy fiction. Local Bookselling: Fino Books has opened in North Fitzroy, with poetry nights, story time and writers’ workshops.

Romantasy Rush: Sarah J. Maas’s latest ACOTAR novel, A Court of Splintered Harmony, shot to No. 1 on Amazon Australia on release, underlining local readers’ appetite for the genre. AI and Authors’ Rights: Australian publishers are outlining how they spot AI-written books, as a separate “Copyright Plus” proposal calls for a fairer deal for creators in the AI era. Writers’ Week: Adelaide Writers’ Week has unveiled its 2027 program, setting the stage for a new season of literary events. Young Readers: Labor has pledged $1.1 million to support young readers; a separate $95,000 grant will fund breakfast, shared reading and take-home books for disadvantaged children. Publishing Business: Peermusic has bought Sydney-based 120 Publishing’s catalogue of about 5,000 works and appointed Karen Hamilton to lead its Australian operation.

Romantasy Rush: Sarah J. Maas’s latest A Court of Thorns and Roses novel drew midnight crowds to bookshops across Australia, with the release tapping into BookTok’s booming romantasy readership. AI and Publishing: Australian publishers are explaining how they assess whether books were written by AI, as calls grow for fairer copyright protections for creators. New Australian Books: Singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts will publish his first children’s book, No Fin Steve, on November 10; meanwhile, fans of Midnight Oil are launching a book celebrating late drummer Rob Hirst. Writers and Readers: Adelaide Writers’ Week has revealed its new program, and the federal government is backing young readers with a $1.1 million book boost.

AI and Copyright: UNSW’s proposed Copyright Plus framework would give Australian creators more control over AI use of their work and a share of the value it generates. That debate is gaining urgency: an ARIA poll found most Australians oppose changing copyright laws for big tech, while publishers are watching for signs of AI-written books. New Voices: Twelve-year-old Newcastle poet Blake Mackenzie won the Australian Poetry Slam’s youth title with poems on racism and AI; he and adult champion Bivor share a $20,000 prize package, including publishing opportunities. Literary Events: Adelaide Writers’ Week has unveiled its new program. Readers and Writers: Labor has pledged $1.1 million to support young readers.

New Releases: Sarah J. Maas’s latest ACOTAR novel hit Australian shelves on 27 October, drawing fans to midnight launches and strong first-day sales. Australian Music & Books: Midnight Oil fans have helped preserve Rob Hirst’s drum kit for the Australian Performing Arts Collection; the gathering also marked the launch of his posthumous book, World Is Almost at Peace. Publishing Industry: IVE Group has installed a new automated digital book-production line at its Western Sydney site, boosting its capacity for fast-turnaround, short-run printing. Australian Stories: Adelaide author Evie Kanakaris has published the first book in a children’s series teaching Greek, inspired by her family’s efforts to keep their language and heritage alive. Adelaide Writers’ Week has also unveiled its new program. AI & Copyright: ARIA polling reports most Australians oppose changing copyright laws to benefit big tech, a debate with major implications for writers and publishers.