Writing WA

WA has a lot to be proud of when it comes to youth-led literary publishing, with a growing mix of new and established journals creating space for young writers and artists to put their work into the world.

These publications speak to the energy and ambition of WA’s emerging literary culture, showing a generation actively making, publishing and sharing creative work and using their platforms to explore social and cultural questions.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards, announced at the State Library on Friday night.

Book of the Year & Emerging Writer of the Year: CryBaby by Mabel Gibson
Children’s Book of the Year: Creature Clinic by Gavin Aung Than
Young Adult Book of the Year: A Murder is Going Down by Kate Emery
Fiction Book of the Year: O’Keefe by David Whish-Wilson
Non-Fiction Book of the Year: Tjukurrpa Kurranyu, Tjukurrpa in the Front by Jan Turner and Dr Lizzie Marrkilyi Giles Ellis
Dr Charmaine Papertalk Green Smith Poetry Prize: Past & Parallel Lives by Kaya Ortiz
Daisy Utemorrah Award: Barefoot Running by Amanda Lott

The Premier’s Book Awards showcase the diversity of Western Australian writing and celebrate the writers that contribute to our literary culture.

Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted writers, and thank you to the State Library for hosting the awards.

Looking for time and space to focus on your writing?

Applications are open for a range of upcoming residencies and fellowships for Australian writers, including opportunities in WA, interstate and overseas.

Swipe through for four opportunities with applications closing in September and October 2026.

Writing WA is pleased to welcome Kate Pickard to its Board of Management.

Kate Pickard is Publisher at UWA Publishing (UWAP), Australia's second-oldest university press. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma of Editing and Publishing from RMIT University. Before joining UWAP, she worked as a Project Manager at Lonely Planet and held roles at Dorling Kindersley/Penguin Books.

In Conversation with David Whish-Wilson 📖

Acclaimed local crime novelist David Whish-Wilson will discuss his latest gritty offering, Free World. This gripping novel, set in Fremantle features character Lee Southern, and is a story not to be missed. Audience: adult readers and authors, book club members.

See David speak on his novel at 6:30pm Thursday September 10.

This event is free but bookings are required.

Book now at https://ow.ly/wx7950ZJeQU

Writing WA Dymocks Books Fremantle Press

Writing WA is pleased to present our next Love to Read Local event for 2026: Reading Across the Spine.

Join authors Karleah Olsen and Rashida Murphy and Night Parrot Press publisher Laura Keenan at Rabble Books on Thursday 17 September for a conversation about writing, publishing and collaboration.

The conversation will cover how the award-winning stories Old Ghosts and Bloodwood were transformed into a tete-beche, a single book sharing a spine and refusing hierarchy by inviting the reader to engage with both stories on their own terms.

The stories explore themes of vulnerability and violence in remote landscapes, and this project has been a true collaboration between editors, writers, publishers, typesetters and TAFE student book designers, all of whom have combined expertise and innovation to produce a one of a kind book.

This project is supported by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund.

Needing a last-minute Father’s Day gift? Our Writing WA members have some great upcoming workshops to help develop writing, editing, and self-promotion skills, with options to suit a range of interests and budgets.

Browse the upcoming workshops below and give the writer in your life the gift of learning something new. Find the full details and booking information on each member’s website.

Writing WA is pleased to welcome Shoma Mittra to its Board of Management.

Shoma Mittra is a ghostwriter, developmental editor, memoir coach and publishing strategist based in Perth, Western Australia, where she runs her company, WriteClick Writing Services Pty Ltd. Across more than thirty years in journalism, writing and strategic communications, she has guided over 350 works to publication.

Looking for your next literary event?

There are plenty of writers' festivals happening across Western Australia over the coming months, bringing together writers, readers, publishers and storytellers from across the state and beyond.

Save the dates and check each festival’s website for program details, tickets and event information.

Writing WA held its Annual General Meeting on 19 August 2026, welcoming six members to the Board: four newly elected members and two re-elected members.

Newly elected: Mikaela Castledine, Shoma Mittra, Kate Pickard and Clare Reid.
Re-elected: Rachel Bin Salleh and Alison Davis.

Together, the Board brings expertise across writing, publishing, communications, governance and the not-for-profit sector, strengthening Writing WA’s capacity to advocate for and support Western Australia’s writing community.

We’ll be introducing each Board member and sharing more about their work and experience over the coming weeks.

First, we are pleased to welcome Clare Reid to the Writing WA Board of Management.

Clare Reid is the founder of communications agency Longform Creative and Editor of Literature and Creative Industries for The Metamorphosis Project Journal. Before launching Longform in 2026, Clare was the CEO of Lush, The Content Agency, a branding, communications and film studio. During this time, Clare spent two years as Lead Copywriting Representative of Perth Advertising and Design Club (PADC) where she led the sector of commercial writers in WA.