Tale of Two Publishing Houses by Linda Martin

This engaging memoir looks back at the 1970s and 80s to share how an independent publishing house from the West became a nationally recognised contributor to Australian literature, and what it takes to launch a publishing house today.

When Linda Martin goes digging for the story behind a beloved independent publisher, she doesn’t just unearth a rich history – she reignites her own passion for books and sets out to start a press herself. From the daring spirit of two publishing trailblazers in the 1970s to the grit and heart it takes to launch a small press today, this is a tale of vision, tenacity and the magic that happens when people believe in stories. Part history, part memoir and a love letter to the world of books, it’s a celebration of the dreamers, risk-takers and communities that bring them to life.

When editor Linda Martin sets out to uncover the origin story of a long-standing independent book publisher, she doesn’t just rediscover the thrill of publishing-she decides to create a new publishing house of her own.

About the Author: Linda Martin is co-publisher and editor at Night Parrot Press. She has extensive publishing experience, having held positions of senior in-house editor at UWA Publishing, production manager at Fremantle Press and having worked as a freelance editor for publishing houses including Fremantle Press and Magabala Books. She currently lectures in editing and publishing at Edith Cowan University (where she is completing her PhD), and has lectured in publishing and writing at Curtin University and at the University of Western Australia. Linda is co-editor of flash-fiction anthologies Once- A selection of short stories, Twice Not Shy, and Three Can Keep a Secret (Night Parrot Press), maar bidi- next generation black writing (Magabala Books) and is series editor for the little journal (Writing WA). Her creative fiction and nonfiction writing has been published in Westerly, Cordite Scholarly and in international flash-fiction journals. She is passionate about the publishing industry in Western Australia and enjoys mentoring emerging writers and editors.

31 Mar 2026
 

A Tale of Two Publishing Houses: A behind-the-scenes look into the publishing industry by Linda Martin ISBN 9781760996161