04/06/2026

The best kept secret in your workplace deserves to be recognised – nominate them for the Rising Star Award!  

Good news – there's still time to get your entries in for the Rising Star Award! We want to hear about the emerging talent who is quietly (or not so quietly) making waves in Australian publishing.

If you've been meaning to nominate a colleague but haven't found the time – this is your sign. The deadline is now 5pm AEST, Tuesday 16 June.

 

Submit your nomination

Who is this award for? 

At its heart, the Rising Star Award exists to lift the profile of emerging talent – the people who are doing exceptional work but haven't yet reached senior leadership positions in their careers. It's an award that says: we see you, and the industry is better for having you in it. It celebrates emerging talent across the Australian publishing industry across both trade and education who demonstrate ongoing excellence and genuine growth in their profession. Nominees must be currently working in the Australian publishing industry as a permanent employee, and have been part of the industry for no more than 10 years. Think about the people around you who are earlier in their careers but already bringing energy, initiative, and something a little extra to everything they do. The colleagues who haven't yet had the recognition their work deserves. Rising Stars aren't just exceptionally good at their jobs – they're the ones quietly shaping what the industry will become.

Why it matters? 

Australian publishing is built on the talent of the people who work within it. Recognising rising talent isn't just a nice thing to do – it signals to the whole industry that growth, curiosity, and ambition are valued. The Rising Star Award will be presented in person at BookUp in Melbourne on 22 July – making it an even more special moment for the winner and the community gathered to celebrate them. If someone in your workplace has been going above and beyond, championing new ideas, supporting their team, and bringing genuine passion to the industry – don't let their work go unrecognised.

Take 30 minutes, tell their story, and submit a nomination before the deadline closes.

What the judges are looking for 

Past judges have made it clear: they're not just looking for a glowing performance review. They want to see candidates who are pushing the boundaries of their role and demonstrating the qualities of a future leader as per the criteria below:

• Enthusiasm, reliability & integrity 
  Consistent, trustworthy and genuinely invested in what they do.
• Initiative & problem-solving  
  Spot gaps, find solutions, and takes action without being asked.  
• Team leadership 
  Works effectively with others – and lifts the people around them.
•  Key contributions 
  Has made a real difference – in their role and in the wider industry.
  
  
  

As one of last year’s judges put it: "People who are curious enough and care enough to take initiative to work on matters outside of their role descriptor are the ones who truly make a workplace special."

What makes a winning nomination? 

Past judges have been candid about what they're looking for — and what sometimes falls short. The strongest nominations go beyond describing someone as excellent in their role. They paint a picture of a person who is invested in the industry as a whole.

"Willingness to take on challenges, editorial growth, assessing manuscripts, and a broader commitment to industry issues like AI and diversity and inclusion — these are the qualities that stood out." - Judge's comments, previous award round.

"Curiosity and investment in exploring emerging areas — like ebook accessibility and production sustainability — are exactly the qualities I'm looking for outside of general job-role scope."  - Judge's comments, previous award round.

Tips for a strong nomination 

Judges are not just looking for a glowing performance review. They want to see candidates who are pushing the boundaries of their role and demonstrating the qualities of a future leader as per the criteria below:

• Go beyond their day-to-day role – what have they done that surprised you?
• Highlight involvement in industry issues, committees, events, or conversations beyond their organisation.
• Share specific examples rather than general praise – concrete stories are far more compelling.
• Show how they've grown: where did they start, and how far have they come?
• Avoid repeating the same point in different ways – judges notice when reasons overlap.
• Don't just tell judges they're great at their job – show them what makes this person exceptional.

Read about the past Rising Star winners and talented shortlistees here. 


Rising Star Award entries close 5pm AEST, Tuesday 16 June 2026.

Submit your nomination

Don't wait – nominate an emerging talent from the Australian publishing industry today.