Magabala Books

Magabala Books
Founded1987
Country of originAustralia
Headquarters locationBroome, Western Australia
Publication typesBooks
Nonfiction topicsIndigenous Australian culture
Official websitemagabala.com

Magabala Books is an Indigenous Australian publishing house based in Broome, Western Australia, founded in 1987.[1][2] Their stated objective is "restoring, preserving and maintaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures".[3] The name Magabala is a Yawuru, Karrajari and Nyulnyul word for the bush banana.[4] In 1990, they became an independent Aboriginal corporation.[5]

Their published literature includes Aboriginal lore, children's books and oral history.[6][7] Many prominent Australian Indigenous authors have been published with Magabala Books.[8] including Anita Heiss,[9] Ali Cobby Eckermann, Jimmy Pike, Alexis Wright, Bronwyn Bancroft, Jack Davis, Bill Neidjie, Stephen Hagan, Jack Davis, Jimmy Chi[10] and Bruce Pascoe.[11][12]

In May 2020, Magabala won the Small Publisher of the Year award at the Australian Book Industry Awards[13] and again in 2024.[14]

The Magabala Fellowship, first launched in August 2020 and valued at A$10,000, is open to First Nations writers who have had at least one book published.[15] Winners include Tristan Michael Savage in 2020,[16] Sue McPherson and Charmaine Papertalk Green in 2021,[17] Vivienne Cleven in 2022[18] and Brenton McKenna in 2023.[19]

  1. ^ It has also been known as the Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation, see - Sims, Bruce (September 1996), "Transition [A move for Penguin Books Australia Limited, Ringwood, to Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation, Broome]", Publishing Studies (3): 35–36, ISSN 1324-7662
  2. ^ Magabala Books (1988), Magabala Books Aboriginal publishing, Magabala Books, retrieved 9 July 2014
  3. ^ "Magabala Books and the importance of Indigenous YA literature — Kill Your Darlings". www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Our Name | Magabala Books". www.magabala.com. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  5. ^ "History | Magabala Books". www.magabala.com. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Stunning showcase for Aboriginal lore". The Canberra Times. 21 August 1993. p. 52. Retrieved 9 July 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari. Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Women's Council Aboriginal Corporation. 2013. Magabala Books.
  8. ^ Austlit. "Magabala Books: (author/organisation) | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  9. ^ Heiss, Dr Anita (7 August 2012). "Anita Heiss Blog: Happy 25th Anniversary Magabala Books!". Anita Heiss Blog. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  10. ^ Austlit. "Bran Nue Dae : A Musical Journey | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  11. ^ "History | Magabala Books". www.magabala.com. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  12. ^ Laurie, Victoria (29 March 1994), "Consenting authors. -Magabala Books, a Broome (WA) based Aboriginal publishing company-", Bulletin (Sydney) (29 Mar 1994): 97–98, ISSN 1440-7485
  13. ^ "'Bluey: The Beach' wins 2020 ABIA Book of the Year". Books+Publishing. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  14. ^ ABIA (9 May 2024). "Australian Book Industry Award Winners 2024". ABIA. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Magabala announces fellowship for mid-career writers". Books+Publishing. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Magabala announces winner of inaugural fellowship". Books+Publishing. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  17. ^ "McPherson and Green recipients of 2021 Magabala fellowship". Books+Publishing. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Magabala 2022 fellowship and scholarships recipients, inaugural AIC grant winners". Books+Publishing. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Magabala announces annual fellowship, creative development grants and scholarship recipients". Books + Publishing. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2024.