The Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship (BDEF) provides a unique opportunity for a senior Australian editor to develop knowledge and expertise through a research project, and share the findings with peers and the wider industry.

 

Beatrice Davis AM, MBE was Australia's first full-time book editor
Beatrice Davis AM, MBE, was Australia's first full-time book editor

The Fellowship is named after the distinguished literary editor, Beatrice Davis, and honours her contribution to Australian publishing. The Fellowship has been awarded biennially since 1998.

The BDEF involves the Fellow undertaking interviews and other research activity in an overseas market. A research report is then produced and promoted through workshops and presentations, sharing this knowledge and sparking conversation across the industry.

Find details of past fellows below, the latest news on the fellowship, along with the published research where available. 

Latest news on the 2023-24 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship:

Image Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship delivers report on graphic novel publishing 24 Sep 24 Beatrice Davis Editorial Fellowship report delivers handbook to graphic novel publishing with recommendations for industry growth. Read
Image BDEF 2023/24 - Sophie Splatt 24 Sep 24 Sophie Splat's BDEF report ‘Graphic novels: Can we grow them at home?’ provides a comprehensive overview of the entire publishing process for graphic novels. Read
Image BDEF 2023/24 - Sophie Splatt 24 Sep 24 Sophie Splat's BDEF report ‘Graphic novels: Can we grow them at home?’ provides a comprehensive overview of the entire publishing process for graphic novels. Read

 

 

 

What past Fellows say about the BDEF program

Past fellows

Headshot of Sophie Splatt, who stands smiling in front of a grey background and wears a black top, with brown hair with pink highlights.
Sophie Splatt

BDEF 2023/24
Sophie Splatt, Allen & Unwin

Against the backdrop of a growing market for graphic novels, Sophie Splatt’s report, ‘Graphic novels: Can we grow them at home? The editing and publishing of graphic novels in the US’ is essential reading for Australian publishers who are interested in entering the graphic novel market, or publishing teams looking to improve their processes when working with graphic novels.

Based on interviews with dozens of graphic novel experts conducted during Splatt’s time in the US in 2023, this comprehensive report provides an overview of the entire publishing process for graphic novels, including chapters on:

  • Acquisitions
  • Editing
  • Creative roles within graphic novels production
  • Design and production
  • Publicity and marketing
  • Rights, sales and distribution
  • What’s next? Trends in graphic novels

The report also offers recommendations to grow the market for graphic novels in Australia.

Download the 2023/24 BDEF executive summary

Download the 2023/24 BDEF report

Watch Sophie's webinar (members only)

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