Explore the opportunities, challenges, and pressing issues for Australian publishing at this year’s BookUp conference, taking place in Sydney on Thursday 7 August at the State Library of NSW.

Against a constant backdrop of change, expect a program of conversations, keynotes and debates around the hot topics and emerging trends for the publishing industry.

BookUp is designed to ensure publishers continue to succeed in a challenging market. We’ll be looking at strategies for growth – particularly in audio, children’s and non-fiction publishing, and exploring campaigns to expand our market of readers.

Meet the BookUp programming committee

This year’s conference program is being brought to you by a stellar group of professionals from across publishing, including two past Rising Star shortlistees:

  • Nancy Conescu, freelance publisher, formerly at Berbay Publishing
  • Clare Hallifax, associate director - content acquisition at Audible Australia
  • Katherine Rajwar, senior publicist at NewSouth Books
  • Penelope White, editorial manager at Hardie Grant Children's Publishing
  • Justin Wolfers, publisher at Murdoch Books

Networking and celebrations

Beyond professional development, BookUp offers opportunities to connect with industry peers, and the chance to celebrate those who have made their mark on the industry.

This year the conference will culminate with networking drinks, featuring the announcement of the Rising Star and George Robertson award winners.

Make sure you join us in Sydney on Thursday 7 August to enjoy the conference, socialising and celebrations. 

BookUp Research Day 

This year’s BookUp will feature a Research Day event on Friday 8 August at Woollahra Library, curated by Dr Claire Parnell of the University of Melbourne and Dr Agata Mrva-Montoya of the University of Sydney. You can register to include a Research Day ticket as part of your BookUp package, at no extra cost.

To register, first purchase your BookUp Conference tickets, then email [email protected] to confirm your complimentary registration. You can also purchase a standalone ticket for BookUp Research Day. Places are limited.

Purchase your tickets for BookUp Conference and Research Day now.

Essential attendee information

Whether you're joining us at BookUp in-person or online, find all the information you need to attend below.

Watch the BookUp recordings

If you bought a ticket to attend BookUp online or in-person, you can login here to access the recordings (your login is this email address).

If you didn't attend BookUp 2025, but want to benefit from a day of insights and practical tips, you can purchase access to the recordings below.

 

BookUp 2025 recordings

BookUp 2025 recordings
Access to the BookUp 2025 recordings
Standard price: 180.00
Member price: 100.00
180.00

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Program and Speakers

At BookUp Conference on Thursday 7 August at the State Library of New South Wales, you can expect a day full of experts from publishing and beyond, discussing thought-provoking ideas and delivering valuable professional development for publishing staff at all levels.

On Friday 8 August at Woollahra Library, BookUp Research Day will bring together publishers with academics actively researching key issues related to publishing.

Browse the current programs and speakers for both days below: 

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Friday 8 August 2025 (All times are AEST)


9:00-9:30 – Welcome

9:30-10:15 – Keynote: Millicent Weber & Maggie Nolan

Audiobooks and AustLit: Creating and analysing audiobook production data.

10:15-10:30 – Break

PANEL: Editing in the twenty-first century

10:30-10:50 – Emily Baulch

“Am I a good drawer?”: What Bluey colouring books reveal about trends in children's publishing.

10:55-11:15 –Katherine Day

Defamation in transition in trade non-fiction publishing.

11:20-11:40 –Sharon Mullins

Can editors be replaced by generative AI?

11:45-12:00 – Q&A

12:00-13:00 – Lunch Break

PANEL: Building publishing futures

13:00-13:20 – Jodie Lea Martire & Gary Williams 

Muurrbay: Publishing in seven Aboriginal Languages, practising liberation bibliography.

13:25-13:45 – Agata Mrva Montoya

Improving access to books in Australia.

13:50-14:10 – Angela Meyer & Sarah Gory

Publishing students shape their own futures: integrating environmental sustainability research into RMIT’s Master of Writing and Publishing. 

14:15-14:30 – Q&A

14:30-14:40 – Break

PANEL: Beyond text

14:40-15:00 – Kate Cuthbert

Seeing eye to eye: eye Contact, paratexts, and the extension of the story world.

15:05 -15:25 – Fiannuala Morgan & Claire Parnell

LAN025030: The development and implementation of classification metadata in anglophone book publishing.

15:30-15:50 – Anthea Taylor & Margaret Henderson

Making an authorial persona in digital times: Australian writers and the “Digital Labour, Australian Women Authors, and Public Persona-Building” project.

15:55-16:10 – Q&A

16:10-16:20 – Break

16:20-17:00 – Collaborative futures

APA and research roundtable discussion moderated by Kate Cuthbert.

BookUp is presented in partnership with the State Library of New South Wales.

BookUp and the Rising Star award is made possible thanks to the continued support of the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund, Books+Publishing and Media Super.