UQ announces appointment of publisher at The University of Queensland Press

UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AC, today announced the appointment of Madonna Duffy as Publisher at The University of Queensland Press (UQP).

“We are delighted to appoint someone of Madonna’s calibre and experience into this pivotal role at UQP,” Professor Hay said.

“She has an intimate understanding of UQP’s place in Australian literature through her previous role as the Managing Editor, along with an extensive background in publishing, both in Australia and overseas.”

Ms Duffy has had 15 years of editorial experience in London at Penguin Books and in Australia at large publishing houses including Pan Macmillan. For the last three years, she has run the publishing department at UQP.

Her track record of publishing success at UQP includes books such as Robyn Arianrhod’s popular science title Einstein’s Heroes, which was shortlisted for the Age Book for the Year and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, and Alasdair Duncan’s novel Sushi Central for which a major US rights deal was concluded with MTV Books.

UQP General Manager, Greg Bain, said that Ms Duffy’s appointment complemented a strong management team, and that she would be appointing new editorial staff following a recent restructure.

“I plan to maintain our current publishing diversity,” Ms Duffy said.

“With fewer publishers venturing into areas such as poetry, Indigenous writing and literary fiction, it’s more important than ever that UQP continues its long-standing investment in Australian culture.

“It is also one of my priorities to build up the scholarly publishing list as befits a university press.”

Gerard Windsor, UQP author of I Have Kissed Your Lips and I asked Cathleen to Dance, described UQP as “a family of friends to their authors”.

“Madonna`s appointment as publisher confirms this tradition. I`ve come under her care in the last few years and from the beginning she has been to me what an author wants - enthusiastic and encouraging, and ready to listen and engage with what I`ve written.

“I really look forward to all her energy giving a new dynamism to all that old UQP communal warmth.”

Media: For more information contact: Eliza Kennedy, UQP Marketing and Publicity 07 3365 2606