Who is Night Parrot Press? - Night Parrot Press

Founded in 2019, Night Parrot Press is an independent, not-for-profit publisher of non-traditional works of fiction and non-fiction, where experimental forms and genres outside the mainstream can find a home.

Inspired by our namesake, the elusive Australian night parrot, we seek to uncover writing that exists on the periphery, in obscurity, and give it a platform for recognition with a broader audience.

Night Parrot Press is a champion of flash fiction, micro memoir, creative non-fiction, hybrid works and stories that leave a strong, colourful, and unforgettable impression. We are dedicated to elevating the work of rising young writers who shine new light upon our world.

Night Parrot Press publishes on the boodja (land) of the Wadjuk Noongar people, the spiritual and cultural custodians of Boorloo (Perth, Western Australia).

Our publishers and editors

Laura Keenan

Before relocating to Perth, Laura worked as a senior editor for the Perseus Books Group in Boulder, Colorado, where she managed the publication of a diverse range of books across multiple imprints.

Since then, Laura has worked as an editor at UWA Publishing and as a freelance editor and consultant for various publishers, academia and emerging and established writers. She has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Western Australia. Laura has been reading and writing flash fiction since 2002 and enjoys teaching children and adults the joys and challenges of writing small, intense stories.

Linda Martin

Linda brings to Night Parrot Press her love of reading, writing and editing flash fiction, creative nonfiction and hybrid forms. She has held positions of senior in-house editor at UWA Publishing, and freelance editor for Fremantle Press and Magabala Books.

Linda has lectured in writing, publishing and editing at Curtin University and for several years was unit coordinator and lecturer (creative writing) at the School of Indigenous Studies at UWA. She currently teaches editing and publishing at Edith Cowan University. Linda particularly enjoys working with and mentoring new and rising writers.

The Night Parrot Press Board

Meelee Sorkia

Chair

Meelee has several years of experience in managing creative projects and teams. Meelee worked as a book editor in Melbourne for more than a decade.
In 2019 Meelee joined Community Arts Network in Perth, where, as General Manager she contributed her professional learning and lived experience to the cultural change being implemented at the organisation.

Cliff Allison

Deputy Chair

Cliff has over 40 years of experience in the finance industry and recently retired after a 35-year career with Wesfarmers. For the last 20 years he was Group Treasurer and was responsible for cash, debt and foreign exchange management for the Wesfarmers Group.
Cliff was a director of the not for profit Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (REST) Board from 2012 to 2014 and was elected to the Wesfarmers Superannuation committee as an employee representative for the Wesfarmers Superannuation Fund from 2015 to 2018.

Brendan Martin

Treasurer

Brendan is a Chartered Accountant and Assistant Manager at Dyson Advisory Group with experience in providing taxation advice and business advisory services to a wide range of clients from small businesses to large proprietary companies to high net wealth individuals.
Brendan has worked with clients across varying industries including not-for-profit, pharmaceutical, hospitality, professional services and property development.

Jess Gately

Secretary

Jess is a freelance publishing professional with a keen interest in speculative fiction and experience working across the WA arts scene. She teaches at Curtin University in the Professional Writing and Publishing major.
In addition to Night Parrot Press, Jess also sits on the board of the Small Press Network of Australia. She is the President of Editors WA (a branch of the Institute of Professional Editors).

Mabel Gibson

General Member

Mabel is a Yamatji writer. She spent her childhood and teenage years in Albany and Geraldton, before moving to Perth to study at the University of Western Australia.
Her latest book, CryBaby, takes the form of micro memoir and is proudly published by Night Parrot Press. Her work can also be found in these Night Parrot Press publications: Once: A selection of short short stories, Twice Not Shy: One hundred short short stories and Three Can Keep a Secret, as well as in maar bidi: next generation black writing published by Magabala Books.

Bianca Breen

General Member

Bianca is an emerging children’s and YA writer. She works at Fremantle Press and is passionate about community, founding YA for WA in 2021 and previously held the position of Communications Director of #LoveOzYA.
In 2021 Bianca was the winner of the ASA Award Mentorship and has won several residencies with KSP Writers’ Centre and Vancouver Arts Centre in Albany. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Writing) from La Trobe University. Her short works have been published by Night Parrot Press, Fremantle Press, and more.

Ange Yang

General Member

Ange is a Malaysian-Australian writer based in Boorloo (Perth) who uses her appetite to explore questions around food and identity. Her writing has been published by SBS, WA Good Food Guide, Broadsheet and Gourmet Traveller.
Ange’s micro-memoir features in Ourselves: 100 micro memoirs by Night Parrot Press. She is interested in how food reconnects individuals to their heritage, shapes people’s identities and fosters a sense of community and belonging. Find her @vegemitecongee.

Aston Clarke

General Member

Aston is a passionate advocate for the literary arts with a lifelong love of books. A dedicated member of The Lane Bookshop for several years, Aston has cultivated deep connections within the literary community and long supported independent publishing.
As a practicing artist and digital designer, Aston brings a creative perspective to the board, combining a strong visual sensibility with a commitment to storytelling and the arts. Aston aims to contribute their expertise in design and a keen appreciation for literature to strengthen the identity of Night Parrot Press.