Penguin Books Australia

My Journey by Jim Stynes & Warwick Green has been shortlisted for this year’s Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) Book of the Year Award.

Read an extract of My Journey.

6 May 2013 Melbourne: After more than 27 years at Penguin Australia, 22 at the helm of the Publishing Department Bob Sessions will retire from Penguin on 27 September 2013.

Gabrielle Coyne, CEO Penguin Australia said today “For over two decades Bob has played an integral role in shaping Penguin’s vibrant and diverse lists. He has been one of the defining figures of our industry and his commitment to Penguin and to the creative talent on which we all thrive is without question.

“He has tirelessly championed Australian talent – authors and illustrators – and his desire to see them succeed not only in Australia but internationally, is what has made him such a fine publisher and one for whom many owe a debt of gratitude.”

Bob Sessions said “It has been a privilege to work for the leading publisher for more than 27 years, along with colleagues who have proved themselves to be the best in the business.

“Publishing is a people business, and I have made many good friends along the way. I first came to Penguin in the 1970s, when Australian publishing was just beginning to find its feet. Since that time, Penguin Australia has been blessed with some fine leaders, and it has been inspiring to have been a part of the management of change, and part of the growing professionalism and internationalisation of the industry. Most important, however, have been the authors, many of whom I have worked with over a long period of time, and over many books. I am leaving Penguin, and its authors, in very capable hands, and will watch its progress with great interest as it enters an exciting new era.”

Bob Sessions’ distinguished publishing career began more than forty years ago. He was one of the inaugural recipients of the George Robertson Award for Services to the Australian Publishing industry. He was at the vanguard of Australia’s growth in local publishing and the list of authors with whom he has worked reads like a roll call of Australian writing talent. These writers include, but are by no means limited to: Phillip Adams, Pamela Allen, Thea Astley, Graeme Base, Geoffrey Blainey, Bryce Courtenay, Li Cunxin, Rob Drewe, Donald Horne, Paul Jennings, Elizabeth Jolley, Michael Leunig, Ruth Park and Amy Witting.

In addition to his role at Penguin, Bob has also, throughout his career been an active voluntary member on a number of industry associations and is currently Chair of the Course Advisory Committee for Graduate Diploma in Editing & Publishing at RMIT University.

The following books have been shortlisted for the 2013 REAL Awards, which also comprises the shortlist for the ACT's COOL Awards, NSW's KOALAs, NT's KROC Awards and Victoria's YABBAs.

Picture Story Books

A Giraffe in the Bath by Mem Fox, Olivia Rawson and Kerry Argent

Hunwick's Egg by Mem Fox and Pamela Lofts

The Jewell Fish of Karnak by Graeme Base

Fiction for Younger Readers

Andy Roid and the Field Trip Terror by Felice Arena

Our Australian Girl: Meet Nellie by Penny Mathews and Lucia Masciullo

Our Australian Girl: Meet Rose by Sherryl Clark and Lucia Masciullo

Pizza Cake by Morris Gleitzman

Fiction for Older Readers

Con-Nerd by Oliver Phommavanh

Specky Magee and the Best of Oz by Felice Arena and Garry Lyon

Thai-Riffic! by Oliver Phommavanh

Fiction for Years 7-9

After by Morris Gleitzman

Grace by Morris Gleitzman

The 2013 Lantern program was revealed in Sydney last night by publisher, Julie Gibbs, and the star-studded line-up includes new books from old favourites, books from exciting newcomers and once-in-a-lifetime books from some of our most treasured Australians.

The full list is below:

• Almond Bar: 100 Delicious Syrian Recipes by Sharon Salloum: Heady spices, creamy tahini, tender lamb, fragrant rosewater and fresh, salty cheeses. Enter the exotic world of Syrian cooking with the chef from well-known Sydney eatery, The Almond Bar.
• The Garden at Stonefields by Paul Bangay: Celebrated landscape designer Paul Bangay tells the inspirational story of creating Stonefields, one of Australia’s most beautiful country gardens.
• Family Cooking by Justin North: Justin shares the recipes he loves to cook for his family, along with his insider tips on getting the kids involved and enjoying your time in the kitchen.
• Silvia’s Cucina by Silvia Colloca: Healthy and delicious Italian home cooking from passionate cook Silvia Colloca.
• Maggie’s Christmas by Maggie Beer: Maggie Beer shares her all-time favourite recipes and menus for entertaining family and friends during the festive season.
• 101 Moments of Joy and Inspiration by Meredith Gaston: Artist Meredith Gaston brings us words of inspiration, abundance and joy in this beautifully illustrated gift book.
• Love Italy by Guy Grossi: Join Melbourne restaurateur Guy Grossi as he travels around Italy in this joyful celebration of Italian food and the people who produce it.
• The Agrarian Kitchen by Rodney Dunn: The much anticipated first book from the founder of The Agrarian Kitchen in Tasmania.
• Naples: A Way of Love by Carla Coulson and Lisa Clifford: A photographic journey through the Naples most tourists never see.
• Jamie Durie’s Edible Garden Design by Jamie Durie: Jamie shows you how to create and maintain a vegie garden as visually stunning as it is practical.
• Obsessive Creative by Collette Dinnigan: An intimate insight into the life and work of the Australian fashion designer and fashion icon.

For more information, please visit the Lantern website penguin.com.au/lantern.

Congratulations to all our authors and illustrators shortlisted for this year’s Australian Book Industry Awards. With a total of 16 shortlist nominations and representation in every book category, as well as being nominated for Publisher of the Year, Penguin Books Australia is a strong contender for success at this year’s ABIAs. United Book Distributors have also been shortlisted for Distributor of the Year (a category which they’ve won for the past four years). See below for details of Penguin’s shortlist nominations. For the complete list, see: http://www.publishers.asn.au

Biography of the Year 2013
On Warne by Gideon Haigh
Jim Stynes: My Journey by Jim Stynes and Warwick Green

Book of the Year for Older Children (age range 8 to 14 years) 2013
Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett
After by Morris Gleitzman

Book of the Year for Younger Children (age range 0 to 8 years) 2013
Today We Have No Plans by Jane Godwin & Anna Walker
The Gobbledygook is Eating a Book by Justine Clarke and Arthur Baysting with illustrations by Tom Jellett
Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester
Little Elephants by Graeme Base

General Fiction Book of the Year 2013
Jack of Diamonds by Bryce Courtenay

General Non-fiction Book of the Year 2013
The Essential Leunig: Cartoons from Winding Path by Michael Leunig
The People Smuggler: The True Story of Ali Al Jenabi, the Oskar Schindler of Asia by Robin De Crespigny

Illustrated Book of the Year 2013
What Katie Ate by Katie Quinn Davies

Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2013
Lola Bensky by Lily Brett

Newcomer of the Year 2013
The People Smuggler: The True Story of Ali Al Jenabi, the Oskar Schindler of Asia by Robin De Crespigny

Publisher Promotional Campaign of the Year 2013
Penguin Group Australia for The Australian Moment by George Megalogenis
Penguin Group Australia for The House of Memories by Monica McInerney

Publisher of the Year 2013
Penguin Group Australia
 
Distributor of the Year 2013
United Book Distributors