Grattan Street Press is a trade publisher based in Melbourne. A start-up press, we aim to publish a range of work, including contemporary literature, trade non-fiction, and to re-publish culturally valuable works that are out of print. The press is an initiative of the Publishing and Communications program in the School of Culture and Communication at the University of Melbourne, and is staffed by graduate students, who receive hands-on experience of every aspect of the publication process.
The press is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to build long-term relationships within the Australian literary and publishing community. We also partner with community organisations in Melbourne and beyond to co-publish books that contribute to public knowledge and discussion.
Welcome to the GSP MZ Blog, where we dive into the Millennial and Gen Z experience: all the quirks, fears, and dreams that make us tick!
GSP is not just any old press – we're a cool teaching press that gives emerging writers a chance to shine. We've got your back, whether you want to talk about cultural differences, your favourite niche hobbies, or how to conquer the world through social activism!
If you want to write for us: Get ready to unleash your inner weirdo because this space is all about YOU.
We want to hear YOUR thoughts, YOUR experiences, and YOUR wonderfully wacky ideas. Let your imagination run wild as you share your unique take on this crazy world we live in.
Feeling stuck and not sure what to write about?
Fret not!
Shoot us an email at mz@grattanstresspress.com and convince us why your story is a must-read! Or check out our awesome content list below for some inspiration.
Oh, and remember, keep it snappy. We're talking pieces of 600-900 words of pure awesomeness, with a hard limit of 1500 words. Short, sweet, and to the point – just how we like it!
So what are you waiting for? Unleash your creativity and submit your fabulous work. We can't wait to hear what you have to say!
Stay quirky, stay awesome, and keep on rocking!
Yours truly,
Dimple Malhotra (MZ Blog Editor)
NON-FICTION (funny/interesting)
● The Hilarious World of Online Dating: Tinder Tales and Bumble Bloopers
● The Art of Procrastination: How Millennials and Gen Z Master the Art of Last-Minute Brilliance
● Confessions of a Serial Netflix Binger: The Struggles and Triumphs of Binge-Watching Obsessions
● Millennial Slang 101: A Hilarious Guide to Speaking Gen Z
● Lost in Translation: Misadventures in Foreign Language Misunderstandings
● Embracing Our Inner Geeks: Celebrating Fandoms and Nerd Culture
● Zoom Fails and Virtual Meeting Mishaps: Surviving the Era of Online Gatherings
● From FOMO to JOMO: Embracing the Joy of Missing Out
● The Rising Gig Economy: Pros and Cons of Freelancing in the Modern World
● How to make friends as University students
● ‘How To’ Pieces
● Online Social Media Bubbles – How deeply is our view of the world skewed by algorithms?
● A world of spin-offs – Did we, as consumers, ask for this?
● Reality TV shows – MAFS, Love Island, Survivor – why do people love these shows?
● How do fashion trends reflect our desires, interests and definitions of representation?
NON-FICTION (serious)
● Sustainable Living for the Future: Tips for Eco-Conscious Millennials and Gen Z
● Student Loan Debt Crisis: Strategies for Managing and Paying Off Loans
● Career Transitions in the Digital Age: Pivoting and Upskilling
● The Role of Millennials and Gen Z in Shaping Political Landscapes
● Impactful Travel: Ethical Tourism and Giving Back to Local Communities
● Financial Planning for Young Adults: Building a Secure Future
● The Importance of Mental Health Days and Self-Care Practices
● Understanding and Challenging Online Misinformation and Fake News
● The Power of Influencers: Examining the Role of Social Media Influencers in Society
● Technology Addiction: Navigating the Digital World Mindfully
● Building Healthy Relationships in the Digital Age: Love, Friendship, and Boundaries
● How has binge-watching influenced media consumption? How is this pattern of consuming content also reflected in other areas of our lives, such as fashion, music or social interactions?
● The cult of wellness – What are the consequences of medical misinformation and mental health being associated with each other by companies such as Goop?
● Migrant experience – is Melbourne as liveable a city for new citizens or international students as is claimed?
● Are you a content creator? How did you begin? What are the pros and cons? What are your thoughts on the industry?
● Children of migrants – what are your experiences growing up in the liminal space between a migrant background and White Australian culture?
● The role of AI programs for students – a source of amusement, an aid or a slippery slope?
● Entering the adult world – what surprised you in your first ‘adult’ job?
Grattan Street Press is seeking manuscripts for publication. We are keen to publish daring new works that are intelligent and engage with a wide audience. We are especially interested in works that have a distinctive voice and unique stories to tell.
We are seeking both fiction and non-fiction of a wide variety including: short story collections, novellas, memoir, political and historical fiction. But if you have something brilliant hiding in your desk drawer that doesn’t fit that bracket, don’t let that deter you. Send it to us and see what happens.
In terms of nonfiction, we’re looking for well-written long-form work that explores contemporary social, political and cultural issues with insight and literary flair.
When submitting fiction, please include the following:
- the first three chapters of your manuscript (or a maximum excerpt of 12,000 words)
- a short summary of the complete work
- a brief author CV
When submitting nonfiction, please include the following:
- one draft chapter
- a table of contents
- a 500-word outline of the proposed work
- a brief author CV
Thanks for your interest.
Note: Please send no more than two proposals. We’d love to read more of your work but we don’t have the staff right now.
Interested in the publishing industry? This blog is for tips, tricks, queries and concerns, debates and everything publishing.
If you are passionate about a topic in the publishing industry then we would love to hear about it. We also have a prompt list below for those who want to write and need some inspiration.
You can submit anything from 500 to 1500 words.
I’m excited to see your ideas!
Love,
Your Publishing Blog Editor,
Nicola
Publishing Prompt List
● How does social media affect what we read?
● Interview a professional in the industry.
● Your experience in the industry.
● Your favourite small publisher: what do they do well?
● What are your controversial book loves and why?
● Sexualising real people in fan fiction - where is the line?
● Thoughts on book bans
● Using AI to write books.
● Thoughts on TikTok inspired imprint?
● Tropes and trends: what do we love? What don’t we love? What’s new on the scene?
● Diversity in Publishing.
● Publishing formats: what’s on the rise and what’s dying?
● Issues in academic publishing.
● What’s happening in the web comic and graphic novel scene?
I hope this has provided some inspiration. There are many other topics we would love to hear about so don’t feel you have to be confined to this list. You can also contact us with a pitch idea or with any other questions at website@grattanstreetpress.com.
Grattan Street Press is looking for literary book reviews of new contemporary works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry which promote and amplify the voices of Australian writers.
Reviews should be around 500-800 words and follow a conventional reviewing format - that is, beginning with an introduction of the book and author, and a summary of the plot before delving into your reflections and analysis of the work.
Included below is a potential list of recent works that we would like to see reviewed. If you are interested in reviewing anything listed and would like to see it published on our site, please submit your piece for appraisal here!
If there are any reviews you would like to pitch outside of those listed, please email your ideas to: editorial@grattanstreetpress.com We would love to hear from you!
Looking forward to reading all your brilliant thoughts on what is happening in the current Australian literary scene.
Yours truly,
Annie (Literary Reviews Editor)
BOOKLIST
Fiction:
- But the Girl - Jessica Zhan Mei Yu
- Firelight: Stories - John Morrissey
- The Hummingbird Effect - Kate Mildenhall
- God Forgets About the Poor - Peter Polites
- Sixty-Seven Days - Yvonne Weldon
Non-fiction:
- Gigorou - Sasha Sarago
- The Last Daughter - Brenda Matthews
- Reaching Through Time - Shauna Bostock
- The Queen Is Dead - Stan Grant
Poetry:
- Reliefs - Jarad Bruinstroop
- Chinese Fish - Grace Yee
- She Is the Earth - Ali Cobby Eckermann
- Exactly As I Am - Rae White
- Through Old Eyes - Uncle Wes Marne
- At the Altar of Touch - Gavin Yuan Gao
Authors:
Works from these Australian Authors we would always love to hear your thoughts on
- Helen Garner
- Shaun Tan