ABIAs: 2023 Business Awards Shortlist Announced

The Australian Publishers Association is excited to announce the 2023 Business Awards Shortlist, which includes Bookshop of the Year and the inaugural categories of Commissioning Editor and Marketing Strategy.

National book retail chains, discount department stores, online sellers and bookstores are essential to the industry’s growth. The title of Retailer of the Year will be awarded to the Australian business, group of businesses, or online seller; and the Bookshop of the Year to an individual bricks and mortar store that best embody excellence and contribute to the industry’s overall success throughout the year.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THIS YEAR’S ABIAs: Join the ABIAs in celebrating the authors and industry professionals who work together to bring high-quality books to readers in Australia and around the world at this year’s awards at the red-carpet event at Darling Island (Doltone House) in Sydney on 25 May 2023. Get your tickets here.

The shortlists for 2023 are:

Book Retailer of the Year

• QBD
• Target Australia
• Dymocks
• BigW
• Harry Hartog Bookseller

Bookshop of the Year

• Where The Wild Things Are Bookshop
• Matilda Bookshop
• Readings Emporium
• Boffins Books
• Booksgrove

Commissioning Editor Award

The inaugural Commissioning Editor Award recognises the importance of an editor or publisher who provides excellence in the support of their authors, and the acquisition and commission of new titles that not only meets the needs of the publishing house but enriches the Australian publishing landscape.

The shortlist for the 2023 Commissioning Editor are:

• Rebecca Saunders (Hachette Australia)
• Jane Palfreyman (Allen & Unwin)
• Rebecca Young (Scholastic Australia)
• Vanessa Radnidge (Hachette Australia)
• Mandy Brett (Text Publishing)

Marketing Strategy Award

The inaugural Marketing Strategy Award recognises the important work of marketing professionals in showcasing their talent and individual product lines and lists with imaginative, innovative and effective campaigns that have captured the imagination of Australian readers.

The shortlist for the ABIA 2023 Marketing Strategy Award are:

• Stolen Focus by Johann Hari (Bloomsbury Publishing)
• Runt by Craig Silvey (Allen and Unwin)
• Barefoot Kids by Scott Pape (HarperCollins Publishers)
• The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly Ringland (HarperCollins Publishers)
• Lisa by Lisa Curry & Ellen Whinnett (HarperCollins Publishers)

Publisher of the Year

• Simon & Schuster Australia
• Allen & Unwin
• Penguin Random House Australia
• HarperCollins Publishers
• Pan Macmillan Australia

Small Publisher of the Year

• Magabala Books
• University of Queensland Press (UQP)
• Scribe Publications
• Black Inc.
• Pantera Press