The Latest Breaking News from Michael Heyward

‘It will be dire for readers’: the disappearing voices of Australia’s independent publishers

Many local award-winning authors first found a home at a small publishing house, but as yet another is subsumed by one of the ‘big five’, there are fears for the writers of the future

The Guardian - AU · Jan 27, 2025

The acquisition of Text Publishing by Penguin Random House is part of a worrying trend in Australian publishing

Australia has been unique in the anglosphere for decades, as its independent publishers have resisted the forces of conglomeration and remained privately owned – often by their founders. But this week the third independent publisher in less than six months has merged with a multinational.

The Conversation · Jan 23, 2025

Australian independent publishing stalwart Text acquired by global giant Penguin Random House

Local publishing house says it will ‘retain creative control’ and no redundancies are planned for Melbourne office

The Guardian - AU · Jan 22, 2025