Now in its fifth year, this year's BookUp program explores Australian storytelling – from discoverability in a market buffeted by increased globalisation to the role of the book industry to champion our stories, now and into the future.
Sessions will explore the fluidity of book formats, the market for non-fiction in the post-truth era, and maximising the intellectual property of the authors and illustrators we work with.
This year the conference will conclude with networking drinks, and the presentations of the Australian publishing industry's Rising Star and George Robertson Awards.
Don't just take our word for it though:
‘BookUp was such a huge success. The 2024 program was topical and relevant with great speakers, industry experts, panel discussions and presentations. An excellent learning and development opportunity for Hachette staff.’
Louise Stark – CEO, Hachette Australia
'I am a big fan of BookUp. It is hugely important for the publishing sector's development to have this opportunity to come together and discuss the big issues facing our industry. One of the keys to the success of BookUp is that staff from all parts of publishing – sales, marketing, publicity, editorial etc – attend.’
Keiran Rogers – Sales and Finance Director, Affirm Press
View the 2025 BookUp program
Keynote speaker announced
Throughout the day we'll hear from storytellers in different sectors to inspire and challenge our thinking – including our opening keynote speaker, one of Australia’s most acclaimed and best-known filmmakers Robert Connolly.
Robert will use his keynote to share his experience adapting Australian books (which includes The Slap, The Dry, and most recently Magic Beach), and how creative industries can better work together in bringing Australian stories to local audiences and to the world.
Meet the BookUp programming committee
This year’s conference program is being brought to you by a stellar group of professionals from across publishing, including two past Rising Star shortlistees:
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Nancy Conescu, freelance publisher, formerly at Berbay Publishing
- Clare Hallifax, associate director - content acquisition at Audible Australia
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Katherine Rajwar, senior publicist at NewSouth Books
- Penelope White, editorial manager at Hardie Grant Children's Publishing
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Justin Wolfers, publisher at Murdoch Books
Your invitation to Research Day
This year’s BookUp will feature a Research Day event on
Friday 8 August at Woollahra Library, curated by Dr Claire Parnell of the University of Melbourne
and Dr Agata Mrva-Montoya of the University of Sydney.
BookUp Research Day will bring together publishers with academics
actively researching key issues related to publishing.
You can now register to include a Research Day ticket as part
of your BookUp package, at no extra cost. To register, first purchase your
BookUp Conference tickets, then email [email protected] to
confirm your complimentary registration. You can also purchase a standalone ticket for BookUp Research Day. Places are limited.
Browse the current programs and speakers for both days.
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Tickets & pricing:
Tickets include all day access to the conference and networking drinks, including food and refreshments throughout the day, plus access to session recordings following the event.
If you aren’t able to join us in Sydney, you can still watch the BookUp conference online.
Bundles – buy five get one free!
Even bigger discounts are available with our bundle offer – buy five tickets and get a sixth ticket free!
Early bird pricing, until 11 July:
- Members: $200
- Non-members: $300
- Bundle: buy five, get one free
- Research day: $200
Standard pricing until 25 July (or sold out):
- Members: $300
- Non-members: $400
- Bundle: buy five, get one free
Online BookUp Conference tickets:
- Members: $150
- Non-members: $180
All prices exclude GST. In-person tickets include conference attendance, lunch and refreshments, plus post-event networking drinks, and access to the session recordings after the event.
Bookings:
To book tickets for this event you must either sign-in or sign-up for an account below. Multiple tickets should be purchased using the Register Someone Else option – the bundle options are for in-person tickets only.
Staff of member companies should login and check that the appropriate pricing is being displayed – prices below and on checkout will be inclusive of GST.
Should you have any issues with your website access, or registering multiple people, please contact us.
Find event safety and ticket refund details here.
Partners and sponsors
This event is presented in partnership with the State Library of New South Wales.
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BookUp and the Rising Star award is made possible thanks to the continued support of the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund, Books+Publishing and Media Super.