Collection: Blog

December 25th is over for another year. We hope you enjoyed it.

Now? It's time to relax and take a deep breath to recharge for the new year. 

So to help you relax, why not pick up one of our really good books at a bargain price? 

So it's less than two days to Christmas; you haven't quite finished getting the presents yet; and Australia Post - who does a damn good job most of the time - can't help you anymore. You've got three options.

Santa's schedule via Australia Post is closing-in on all of us. To make it simple (as there are different dates for different states), here is a quick guide for domestic postage. 

A pop-up shop AND a Black Friday sale! Read on.

The three business-related accounts which we run - Fair Play Publishing, Football Writers' Festival, and Manly Writers' Festival - are in the process of leaving X (formerly known as Twitter). 

We're delighted to bring you the latest book written by a Socceroo with a twist: because this book is not about football—but man's and woman's best friends from Jim Fraser (cap #234). 

Twenty-eight short stories that are funny or sad, will make you chuckle, and all of which are genuine feel-good reads.

Author appearances at our pop-up shop from November 26th to December 1st.

1. Saturday 30th, 10am:  James Vella-Bardon
2. Saturday 30th, 10.30am:    Texi Smith
3. Saturday 30th, 3pm:     David Weiner
4. Sunday 1st, 11.30am:   Jim Fraser
5. Sunday 1st, 4pm:         Jill Valentine 

124 Beatrice Street, Balgowlah Heights, Sydney.

In a journey that spans continents, trials, and triumphs, Abebi follows the life of Abebi Ngom as she rises through personal heartbreak to international football fame as a Matilda. 

Sometimes maligned, sometimes celebrated, and often misunderstood, the professional football agent is an essential part of today's football landscape in Australia and globally. What happens behind the scenes in securing potentially life-changing deals has been a mystery—until now. 

This profoundly personal narrative chronicles Anthony’s journey from the devastating diagnosis through to the heartbreaking loss of his wife. It is both a love story and a testament to the strength of the human spirit when confronted with unimaginable adversity.

This book has helped me to love my wife differently—with fewer conditions and more sacrifice. Men should read this book.

Dr John P Best, FACSEP FFSE

From overwhelming anxiety to paralysing depression to tumultuous manic episodes, Jacqui’s journey has been anything but easy.

Yet the one thing that has consistently helped her find focus and hope has been running.

It's 'Booktober': want to have a chat about a really good book?

Then join us at one of our book launches or author talks this 'Booktober'.

Italian striker, Salvatore Schillaci, died from colon cancer on September 18, 2024.

In his memory, we share this excerpt from Philip Micallef's Quote, Unquote (2022), which comprises 100 of Philip's favourite stories after more than three decades as a football journalist.

Whether your dad is a football enthusiast, a sports history buff, someone who loves a gripping novel or just a great read about people, we're happy to share a selection of books that make the perfect gift. 

If you've been caught with an unfulfilled order of one of our books by the closure of online bookseller Booktopia, please contact us.

With the Paris Olympics just ten days away, it's time to highlight our two Olympic books published this year.

The first, released in March, is an autobiography of 1980 Gold Medalist Michelle Ford, in Swimming, Turning the Tide, written with Craig Lord.  The second, Ladies First by Ashley Morrison, released last month, is also an incredible story of an otherwise forgotten team: the 1988 Seoul Olympics Gold Medal winners in women's hockey. 

 

Our second release in June was RIPPA! the second football novel from P.J. Laverty.

Set in the late 1980s -  after Craig Johnston but before the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, et al made their names in English football - it is about Joey Rippa, a young football-playing surf-loving, pot-smoking, guitar-strumming 19-year-old from coastal Western Australia who is 'discovered' by the manager of West Ham while on a pre-season trip to Perth. 

Our latest book is another Olympics non-fiction about some forgotten Gold Medalists, the 1988 Australian Women's Hockey team. Ladies First - The Story of Australia's First Olympic Hockey Gold Medal is a compelling account of the remarkable journey undertaken by the Australian women's hockey team at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

The theme of this year's Football Writers' Festival on 5-6 October - the fifth! - is CHANGEMAKERS. 

The people, incidents, and events that have helped change our game—those from the past, the present, and those shaping the future. 

It was 50 years ago today that the team we know as the #Socceroos made their debut in the World Cup, facing off against East Germany in Hamburg. This historic match marked the beginning of a legacy that continues to inspire football fans and young players around the country.

Chances are that most Australian football fans are not familiar with midfielder Charyl Chappuis, yet he is one of the best-known footballers from Thailand, one of our Asian Football Confederation neighbours.

For many, South America epitomises most of what we love about football. Tales of South American Football - Passion, Revolution and Glory by Jorge Knijnik weaves the fabric of culture and sport in 13 chapters that give the reader a path into the region's modern history and social realities. 

One of our books has been shortlisted for the prestigious Football Book of the Year as part of the 2024 Sports Book Awards sponsored by Charles Tyrwhitt in association with The Sunday Times. We are thrilled for author Sally Freedman and her book, "Get Your T*ts Out for the Lads".