Monash University Publishing has garnered an international reputation for producing scholarly work of the highest quality, and this month the press celebrates its ten-year anniversary.
Sitting within the Monash University Library, the press publishes peer-reviewed books available globally for academic, niche and general audiences. Helmed by a small, dynamic team, the press punches well above its weight globally in terms of publishing output, quality and reputation.
In 2019 the press received more than 100 reviews for its books across academic journals, general media and the booktrade, as well as hosting 75 author events. The press team was also awarded the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff. Monash University Publishing has grown from a small e-Press to one of Australia’s top-five University Presses, as well as being a member of the US-based Association of University Presses.
Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said independent publishing played a crucial role in contributing to Australia’s vibrant public conversation.
“Against a backdrop of media and publishing fragmentation and digitisation, and the global uncertainty and challenges of 2020, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed scholarly work, and contributing to the international exchange of knowledge, is more important than ever,” Professor Gardner said.
“Monash University Publishing represents the breadth of world-leading research that emerges from our institution, and also gives a voice to up-and-coming as well as established authors across many genres.”
Monash Publishing acting director Greg Bain described the press as a leader within the Australian market.
“In 10 short years, Monash Publishing has published nearly 300 titles, and established itself as a leading university press in Australia,” Greg said.
“Building a strong list in Australian history, education, Asian studies and other fields, Monash Publishing continues to provide a platform for a meaningful engagement between writers and readers across the world.”
Some stand-out works published by Monash University Publishing during the past decade include:
Half the Perfect World by Paul Genoni and Tanya Dalziell
Half the Perfect World tells the story of the post-war international artist community that formed on the Greek island of Hydra that included George Johnston, Charmian Clift and Leonard Cohen. The book won the 2019 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for non-fiction.
Australian Lives by Anisa Puri and Alistair Thomson
From oral history interviews with Australians born between 1920 and 1989, fifty narrators reflect on their diverse experiences as children and teenagers, in midlife and in old age.
Black Saturday by Peg Fraser
Winner of the Oral History Book and Award and the Victorian Community History Award, Black Saturday is a harrowing, hopeful and personal examination of the catastrophic 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
The Powerbroker by Michael Gawenda
The Powerbroker illustrates how Mark Leibler rose to a position of immense influence in Australian public life by skilfully entwining his roles as a Zionist leader and a tax lawyer to some of the country’s richest people.
The Two Frank Thrings by Peter Fitzpatrick
Sad and scintillating, The Two Frank Thrings is a compelling biography about father and son and their remarkable careers in the entertainment industry. This extraordinary biography was the winner of the National Biography Award.
Monash University Publishing books are available in all leading bookshops and libraries, and distributed throughout the world.
Monash University Publishing will also launch a new website in October. Their new slogan, ‘The discussion starts here’, is precisely what the press is all about.
publishing.monash.edu
