Vale Michael Webster

Publisher, editor and academic Michael Webster has died.

Webster had a long and distinguished career in the Australian publishing industry, with roles as a publisher, academic, and board member. He is a recipient of the George Robertson Award for services to the book industry.

Hardie Grant CEO Sandy Grant writes:

Michael Webster died Wednesday morning, the 29th of January.

He will be best remembered for his many years as the editor and the publisher of the AB&P [Australian Bookseller & Publisher]. In that time, he was at the centre of the publishing industry, listening, advising, observing and writing about the industry. He was a truly influential figure.

He started his career at McGraw Hill as an editor, became a publisher at Pitman, and then Thomas Nelson, where he had many significant successes. One was What Society Does to Girls by Joyce Nicholson, the owner and managing director of D W Thorpe, then the owner of AB&P.

She trusted him and lured him to run her business, which he did for many years.

When the business was sold, he became the adjunct professor of publishing at RMIT, where he taught and influenced a generation of industry figures and leaders. He excelled in that space, ensuring publishing courses were funded and supported as they still are today.

His most visible legacy was to be the conduit and spark to introduce Booktrack (now BookScan) to Australia. Collaborating with the UK founders, he worked tirelessly over years to ensure the launch and uptake of a core part of today’s infrastructure.

He served on the APA board, was the chair of the Copyright Agency, 1999–2002; the long-term chair of the Melbourne Writers Festival, 2009–2017; chair of the Small Press Network; a member of the literature board of the Australia Council; and the foundation committee that led to Melbourne becoming UNESCO’s second city of literature. He is a recipient of the George Robertson Award for services to the book industry.

A life working in and contributing to the health and strength of the publishing industry and to writing and literature in many valuable ways.

Outside of publishing, he was a mentor, a philanthropist and a friend to many.

A memorial event is to be held – a date and place will be announced.

I would add at a personal level Michael was a true friend, someone I absolutely trusted and someone whom I could never spend enough time with talking about the world – and books.

Books+Publishing owner Gary Pengelly writes:

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Michael Webster. I first met Michael in Salmon Street in the 90s; little did I know at the time I was destined to take on his role at Thorpe-Bowker.

Michael was a profound influence on the evolution of Australian Bookseller & Publisher into the publication we know today, as well as laying the foundations of the Thorpe-Bowker brand and its evolution into the publishing services business it has become.

His friendship and mentorship has meant a great deal to the whole Books+Publishing family in a number of different spheres. He will be sorely missed.

Associate Professor Tracy O’Shaughnessy, publisher of Bowen Street Press and program manager of RMIT’s Master of Writing and Publishing program, writes:

Michael worked tirelessly to improve our industry, often working in a voluntary capacity on boards and in leadership roles where his unique combination of deep industry knowledge and optimistic practicality ensured positive outcomes. Michael will be much missed as a dear friend and an esteemed colleague.

The Copyright Agency writes:

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Webster, publisher, academic, long-serving board member, and Copyright Agency chair, 1999–2002. His valuable contributions to our organisation have long been felt since his departure more than 20 years ago, thanks to his devoted leadership overseeing digital agenda amendments and pivotal copyright legal cases.

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.

The Australian Publishers Association writes:

Michael Webster was a leading figure in the Australian publishing industry, a former board member of the Australian Publishers Association, and a recipient in the inaugural George Robertson Awards for his long and distinguished service to the publishing industry. We were deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) writes: 

Melbourne Writers Festival joins the broader literary community in mourning the passing of Michael Webster, a passionate advocate for literature and a driving force behind MWF. Serving on the board for many years and as chair from 2009 to 2017, Michael played a pivotal role in expanding the festival’s reach and impact. Under his leadership, MWF grew into one of Australia’s premier literary events. With vision and dedication, he oversaw the festival’s growth into a vibrant platform for storytelling and critical thought. We honour Michael’s remarkable contributions to the literary and publishing communities, and deeply mourn his loss.

Category: Local news Obituaries