NEWS

  • Come to a book launch
    A banner announcing the book launch of If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems.
    BOOK LAUNCH: you’re invited!

    If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems, chosen by Rebecca M. Newman and Sally Murphy. Illustrated by Briony Stewart

    Fremantle Press and Alphabet Soup Books are delighted to invite you to the launch of If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems, a collection of fun and relatable Australian poetry for middle readers, featuring poems by a mix of award-winning, established and brand new writers.

    Defend a Goal with Sally Murphy, rocket through space with Amber Moffat or get radioactive with Cristy Burne. Walk the dog with Deb Fitzpatrick and play with your food with James Foley. Then … Barlay! (Watch out!) with Cheryl Kickett-Tucker. With stellar illustrations by Briony Stewart and featuring shape poems, haiku, cinquain and free verse – these are poems to tickle your funny bone, make your belly rumble and keep you up at night.

    3pm, Saturday 16 May 2026
    State Library of Western Australia
    Tickets are free but bookings are required 
    book now!

    See you there!

  • Pre-orders open: If I Could Eat the Stars
    A poster showing a space-themed background and the cover of a children's poetry anthology: If I Could Eat the Stars. The background includes a round sticker with the words Coming Soon.

    If I Could Eat the Stars and Other Poems, chosen by Rebecca M. Newman and Sally Murphy, illustrated by Briony Stewart.

    Defend a Goal with Sally Murphy, rocket through space with Amber Moffat or get radioactive with Cristy Burne. Make some noise with Rebecca M. Newman, Walk the dog with Deb Fitzpatrick and play with your food with James Foley. Then … Barlay! (Watch out!) with Cheryl Kickett-Tucker.

    With stellar illustrations by Briony Stewart and featuring shape poems, haiku, cinquain and free verse … these are poems to tickle your funny bone, make your belly rumble and keep you up at night.

    This is a collection of fun poems for middle readers by 56 contemporary Australian poets.

    PRE-ORDER NOW

    Ask for If I Could Eat the Stars at your favourite bookshop or order online.

  • Submissions Open until 21 February
    A banner that says: Calling all WA poets! Submissions are open for children's poetry anthology

    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.