HIDDEN HISTORIES: Causing a stir with Arcadian Adelaide

In this third installment of Hidden Histories, we travel back in time to 1905 Adelaide, when Scottish-born actress and satirical writer Thistle Anderson first published Arcadian Adelaide to quite a stir in sleepy Adelaide. Published again in 2020 for a modern audience, this hilarious little volume, intended by its author as 'a playful skit', is to be taken with a pinch of salt ... or perhaps savoured, stubbornly, with a glass of excellent Adelaide wine.

Launching THE FEELING OF BIGNESS by Helen Parsons

When Adelaide's quasi-lockdown hit in mid-November, the launching of Helen Parsons' The Feeling of Bigness: Encountering Georgia O'Keeffe was momentarily put on hold. We were so thrilled to be able to have a rescheduled launch in early December. Launched by Jan Owen, and Emceed by Louise Nicholas, the launch was held on the beautiful grounds of St John's church on Halifax Street, on a balmy evening befitting Helen's gorgeous poems. We are delighted to be publishing Jan Owen's…

Wakefield acquires second YA novel in Olivia Grace mystery series by author Lisa Walker

We're delighted to officially announce the acquisition of world rights to Trouble is My Business, the second Olivia Grace mystery by author Lisa Walker, acquired from the Jane Novak agency. The young adult fiction novel will be published by Wakefield Press in September 2021. Trouble is my Business follows Lisa's previous instalment in her mystery series about Gold Coast teen PI Olivia Grace. The first book, The Girl with the Gold Bikini, was published by…

POETRY SPOTLIGHT: 'Going Home' by Geoff Goodfellow

This week's poetry spotlight shines once again on Australian literary icon Geoff Goodfellow, whose most recent release, Out of Copley Street, received glowing endorsements from Tim Winton and Helen Garner. 'A rollicking slice of an unlikely life. Watch young Geoff find poetry – and a few scraps of wisdom – the hard way. Ears up, chest out, flat-chat, punching on and wising up.' – Tim Winton 'A dry, sparkling clarity, a pure tone that hovers on the edge of…

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: Our top staff picks for Christmas

Even in a year like 2020, where it seems that every possible chance for fun is cancelled before it can begin, Christmas prevails. Exciting for all, of course, but what do you get for your teen sister-in-law? Your friend who loves travel and history? Your (checks notes) yoga teacher? Read on to find out ...

CELEBRATE ART: Ivor Hele, the productive artist

This week, discover the work of Ivor Hele, an artist of extraordinary discipline and power. He was enormously prolific and completed more commissioned works than any other artist in the history of Australian art. Ivor Hele: The productive artist by Jane Hylton, curator and author, is a beautiful portrait of an artist, focusing on his life, his work, and his legacy.