Submissions are open to Western Australian poets (Australian residents), 18 years and older, from all backgrounds.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: 11.59pm AWST, 21 February 2025

** SUBMISSIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED via the portal at the Fremantle Press website. **

Fremantle Press and Alphabet Soup Books are excited to announce that submissions are open for a poetry anthology for children, the companion to Right Way Down and Other Poems. 

The anthology will be published in 2026 and will be co-edited by Rebecca M. Newman and Dr Sally Murphy. The editors are looking for poems for 21st century children – poems that are clever, thoughtful silly, fun, scary, loud, quiet … and everything in between.

What are we looking for?

• The editors will be choosing poems across a variety of styles and forms, including free verse.
• Poems must be suited to children aged 9 to 12.
• We recommend that you read a copy of the first anthology (Right Way Down and Other Poems) to get a feel for what is called for. Copies are available from bookshops, many public libraries, and via Fremantle Press.

Submissions are open to Western Australian poets (Australian residents), 18 years and older, from all backgrounds.

Writers are invited to make one submission only, with up to three unpublished poems of 45 lines or fewer. Shorter poems are preferred. 

We do not support work generated with the use/assistance of AI.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: 11.59pm AWST, 21 February 2025

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram for any news or future submission windows.

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Rebecca M. Newman, co-editor of Right Way Down and Other Poems, will be at the State Library of WA on 17 November for the 2024 Young Readers Day Out!

Meet some of WA’s most well-known children’s book authors and illustrators for a morning packed with activities, including:
• Helping illustrators compete in an interactive illustration duel
• Learning how to draw your favourite book characters
• Peeking behind-the-scenes to find out how these stories come to life
• Meeting and chatting with twelve children’s book authors and illustrators.

Suitable for book-lovers of all ages, but perfect for ages 0-12. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Featuring:
Rebecca M. Newman
Kelly Canby
Sharon Giltrow
Ash Harrier
Steve Heron
Laura Holloway
Lorraine Horsley
Kylie Howarth
Chenée Marrapodi
Jevita Nilson
Kristy Nita Brown
Renae Hayward

Cost: $20 + booking fee

Each ticket includes:
• Entry for up to 6 people
• 1 x $20 voucher at the Boffins Books pop-up shop on the day
• Gift bag with bookmarks, colouring-in sheets and more

Date:
Sunday, 17 November 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Venue:
State Library of WA @statelibrarywa

Bookings essential via Trybooking.

Poetry in classrooms, Fibonacci poems, cricket, body surfing, dragon eggs – Michael Barker from the Fremantle Shipping News podcast chats with one of our co-editors, Rebecca M Newman.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

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