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Poetry and the Australian publishing industry

A 2026 snapshot with Red Room Poetry

  • ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Poetry has always been an essential part of Australia’s literary landscape, but the opportunities available to our poets are scarce and industry practices are often opaque. Red Room Poetry and the ASA are teaming up this National Poetry Month to host a free discussion with Australian industry experts to provide valuable insight into the current status of poetry within the broader Australian publishing industry, the opportunities and challenges for poets, and the role of festivals, organisations, literary journals, and publishers in determining a future. 

Red Room Poetry’s Artistic Director David Stavanger will be joined in conversation by Wiradjuri poet and Editor-in-Chief of The Suburban Review Alison J. Barton, poet and Australian Poetry CEO and publisher Melinda Bufton, and director of Giramondo Publishing Ivor Indyk. 

The panel will discuss:

  • The publishing opportunities for poets in Australia and how you can identify the right avenue for your work
  • The acquisitions process for poetry, how the success of a poetry publication is measured, and the biggest challenges faced by poetry publishers today
  • The importance of supporting journals, and what they’re focusing on in the current market
  • The future of poetry and writer’s festivals
  • The role of Australian Poetry as an organisation in the local literary landscape

There will be time for questions from the audience. 

This event is co-presented with Red Room Poetry in celebration of National Poetry Month.

Who is this for?

  • Emerging and established poets wanting to gain professional insight into poetry’s place within the evolving Australian publishing landscape
  • Emerging and established poets eager to learn more about the opportunities available to them through traditional publishers, literary journals, and festivals
  • Emerging and established poets curious about the specific role of Australian Poetry and its initiatives as an organisation

About the panellists

Alison J Barton
Alison J Barton
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David Stavanger
David Stavanger
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Ivor Indyk
Ivor Indyk
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Melinda Bufton
Melinda Bufton
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Can't make it to the live session?

No problem! Everyone booked in to this event will be emailed a link and passcode to access the recording afterwards. This recording will be available to view for 10 days after the live session. This also means that if you wish to revisit the session after attending it live to take further notes, you can do so!

After 10 days, the link will expire and the recording will no longer be available to view.