Lohrey wins Miles Franklin, Hardie Grant buys out founding investor

Amanda Lohrey has won this year’s Miles Franklin Literary Award for her seventh novel, The Labyrinth.

Hardie Grant has bought out founding investor Associated Media Investments (AMI), introduced a new board, and reported revenue of over $100 million. Workers at Better Read Than Dead have voted for industrial action, with more than 200 authors signing an open letter in support.

The ABA has announced changes to its committee, including a new president, while Hachette marketing and communications director Emma Rusher is leaving the company. Meanwhile, Canberra Writers Festival organisers have postponed this year’s festival from August until spring.

In awards news, Asphyxia’s Future Girl won the Readings YA book prize, the finalists for the Ngaio Marsh and PANZ Book Design Awards were announced, and the winner of the inaugural Island Nonfiction Prize and the shortlist for the Mascara Bundanon Writer’s Residency were also revealed. Meanwhile, Writing NSW and the Sydney Opera House have each announced details of new writing and publishing mentorship programs for First Nations and culturally diverse applicants.

Italian book sales were up 44% in the first half of this year compared to 2020, while Peter Warwick has been appointed Scholastic president and CEO.

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Category: This week’s news