Posted 01.12.2023

UQP acquires two new books by Tony Birch; appointment to the Royal Society of Literature; school library named in honour

UQP is delighted to announce that we acquired world rights to two new books from Tony Birch, a novel and a short story collection. Tony’s most recent book with UQP is his recently released fourth novel, Women & Children, which is getting superb reviews, such as this in Books + Publishing: ‘This is a powerful novel that explores class, domestic violence, punishment and Australia’s dark past. It’s for fans of Helen Garner’s laying bare of everyday Australia, Tim Winton’s stories and Douglas Stuart’s ability to see the world through a child’s eyes.’

Tony Birch says:

‘I’m so excited to have signed a contract for two new books with UQP and to be working with a wonderful team who have supported my fiction for many years. I’ve already made a start on the new novel.’

Publisher, Aviva Tuffield says:

‘UQP has already published eight books with Tony Birch and we can’t wait to publish two more. Tony’s writing is always deeply rooted in people and place, and he deliberately ensures his work is accessible for all readers, yet it works on many levels, engaging head and heart in equal measure. We can’t wait to work with him again on these new books.’

These new acquisitions come as there is other exciting news for Tony Birch. Firstly, in the UK The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) has just announced Tony as one of its twelve international fellows for 2023 as part of their RSL International Writers programme. This annual, life-long award recognises the contribution of writers across the globe to literature. Readers and writers were asked to recommend writers from outside the UK for nomination.

Author Maureen Freely chaired a panel of Fellows and Honorary Fellows and says:

‘The RSL International Writers programme, now in its third year, is delighted to welcome twelve new fellows to the fold. They come to us from five continents and as many languages, with most working across a variety of forms. All are writers of great distinction. Though no two are alike, they share a fascination for erased lives and histories that can, once restored, serve as eloquent reminders of our commonalities as readers, writers, and global citizens.’

And secondly, Preston High School, a state school in Melbourne’s inner north, has honoured Tony Birch’s contribution to literature and education by naming their newly opened school library ‘The Tony Birch Library’. On 22 November, Tony Birch attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new library with his family. His partner, Professor Sara Wills, said on the night: ‘Tony is very proud of this achievement, which means so much to him. In his role as Boisbouvier Chair in Australian Literature at the University of Melbourne he is also pleased to have this partnership with Preston High School and its students.’

Congratulations to Tony Birch from UQP for these well-deserved accolades.

About Tony Birch

Tony Birch is an author whose most recent novel is Women & Children. He is the author of three other novels: The White Girl, winner of the 2020 NSW Premier’s Award for Indigenous Writing, and shortlisted for the 2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award; Ghost River, winner of the 2016 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Indigenous Writing; and Blood, which was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award in 2012. He is also the author of Shadowboxing, and four short story collections: Father’s Day, The Promise, Common Peopleand Dark as Last Night, which won the 2022 NSW Premier’s Literary Award and the Queensland Literary Award for Fiction. He has published two poetry collections: Broken Teeth and Whisper Songs, which was also longlisted for the 2022 Margaret and Colin Roderick Literary Award. In 2017 he was awarded the Patrick White Literary Award. Tony Birch is also an activist, historian and essayist.