Secrets from the Green Room

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Season 6: Episode 66: Terri-ann White (publisher)

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Aug 5, 2025

Guest

Terri-ann White

Terri-ann White, the Founder and Publisher of Upswell, shares her insights on the evolving publishing landscape. She discusses the alarming volume of new books being released and the need for more creativity within the industry. Terri-ann reflects on her early struggles, including the heart-wrenching experience of discovering plagiarism in her first publication. She celebrates the joy of publishing award-winning novels, like Josephine Wilson's work, and passionately describes the invaluable role of booksellers in fostering literary culture.

52:30

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ANECDOTE

When Adaptations Keep The Soul

Karen Viggers and Irma Gold share memorable examples of screen adaptations they loved and loathed.
They praise adaptations that preserve a book's heart and lament ones that lose a book's lightness.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Bookselling Taught Her How Readers Discover Books

Terri-ann White says bookselling taught her how customers discover and build joy from books.
She learned to champion forgotten authors and broaden readers' tastes through hand-selling.

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ANECDOTE

UWA Closure Led To Redundancy And Resolve

Terri-ann White recounts the uproar when UWA Publishing faced closure and the strong public support it received.
She learned that standing up can bring punishment and was ultimately made redundant, which spurred her onward.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Art of Adaptation: Successes and Misses

02:00 • 5min

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Exploring Feminism and Fear in Literature

06:50 • 2min

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Exploring Unique Narratives in Literature

09:06 • 4min

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Navigating the Literary Landscape

13:20 • 37min

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Celebrating the Journey of a Talented Writer

Alison Nempajimpa Anderson

Nicholas Rothwell

This book offers a unique and immersive exploration of Indigenous life and culture in the Western Desert. Co-authored by Nicholas Rothwell and Alison Nempajimpa Anderson, it presents a series of interconnected stories that delve into the complexities of Indigenous communities. The narrative is primarily driven by dialogue, offering a direct and intimate glimpse into the lives and perspectives of the characters. The book explores themes of identity, tradition, and the challenges of navigating a rapidly changing world. Through its innovative use of dialogue and its authentic portrayal of Indigenous voices, 'Yilkari' provides a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.

#29783

Before You Knew My Name

Jacqueline Bublitz

This novel tells the interwoven stories of two women whose lives intersect in unexpected and profound ways. Ruby, haunted by a troubled past, finds solace in her newfound independence in New York City. Alice, full of dreams and aspirations, arrives in the city seeking a fresh start. Their lives become inextricably linked when Ruby discovers Alice's lifeless body, setting off a chain of events that forces both women to confront their deepest fears and desires. 'Before You Knew My Name' is a gripping exploration of identity, resilience, and the power of human connection in the face of adversity.

This book is a heartwarming tale of friendship, resilience, and the power of community. Set in a vibrant coastal town, the story revolves around a young boy named Finn who discovers an injured penguin on the beach. With the help of his family and the local community, Finn nurses the penguin back to health, forming an inseparable bond along the way. As the penguin, affectionately named Percy, becomes a part of their lives, Finn and his family learn valuable lessons about compassion, acceptance, and the importance of protecting our natural world. 'Where the Heart Is' is a celebration of the human-animal bond and the extraordinary connections that can be forged in unexpected places.

Set against the backdrop of contemporary Australia, this novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, memory, and the search for identity. The story revolves around a man named Michael, who returns to his childhood home after years of absence, only to confront unresolved issues and buried secrets. As Michael reconnects with his aging father and estranged siblings, he unearths long-held resentments and painful truths about their shared past. 'The Dogs' explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring bonds that tie us to our families. The novel captures the nuances of human relationships and the challenges of coming to terms with the complexities of life.

#29492

Extinctions

Josephine Wilson

Set in contemporary Australia, this novel explores themes of aging, displacement, and the search for meaning in the face of loss. The story revolves around Frederick Lothian, a retired engineer who finds himself adrift after the death of his wife. As Frederick navigates the challenges of old age and grapples with his past, he forms an unlikely friendship with a young Aboriginal woman named Marion. 'Extinctions' delves into the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of connection in a world marked by change. The novel captures the beauty and fragility of life, reminding us of the importance of finding solace and hope in the face of adversity.

#60126

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Rachel Joyce

Yisi Qiao

Rachel Joyce's "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" is a heartwarming novel that follows Harold, a retiree, on an impromptu walk across England to visit a dying friend. The story explores themes of friendship, redemption, and the unexpected joys of life's journey. Joyce's charming prose and relatable characters create a feel-good narrative. The novel's simple plot belies its profound exploration of human connection and the power of hope. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to touch the hearts of readers and inspire them to embrace life's unexpected detours.

#2214

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

The Salt Path

Raynor Winn

In 'The Salt Path', Raynor Winn shares the true story of her and her husband Moth's journey. Just days after learning that Moth was terminally ill, they lost their home and livelihood due to a legal battle. With almost no money and no place to go, they decided to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. The book chronicles their struggles with homelessness, their encounters with nature and other people, and the transformative impact of their journey. It also addresses themes of resilience, the stigma of homelessness, and the healing power of nature. The memoir is known for its lyrical descriptions of the natural world and the deepening relationship between Raynor and Moth as they navigate their challenging circumstances.

#3152

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Anne of Green Gables

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Published in 1908, the novel tells the story of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl who is sent by mistake to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Avonlea. Despite initial reservations, Anne's vivid imagination, talkativeness, and joyful spirit transform the lives of the Cuthberts and the community. The novel follows Anne's adventures in school, her friendships, and her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, as well as her growth and adaptation to her new home. Montgomery infused the work with her own girlhood experiences and the rural life and traditions of Prince Edward Island.

#46991

My brilliant career

Miles Franklin

My Brilliant Career is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows Sybylla Melvyn, a spirited young woman from a poor farming family in rural Australia. The novel explores themes of gender, independence, and personal fulfillment as Sybylla navigates societal expectations and her own ambitions. Written by Miles Franklin at a young age, the book reflects the challenges faced by women in early 20th-century Australia and remains a classic of Australian literature.

Karen and Irma chat about book to film adaptations, and recommend recent reads in their new Book Chat segment.

Then Irma talks to Upswell Founder and Publisher Terri-ann White about the current state of the publishing industry and what needs to change, why she thinks too many books are being published, why she believes there is not enough risk-taking happening, the cult of the writer and its impact on the publicity demands placed on authors, how shame and guilt pervade the industry, the devastating experience of discovering her first book with Upswell contained plagiarism and the subsequent high of publishing an award-winning book by Josephine Wilson, and why booksellers are magic.

About Terri-ann

Terri-ann White was Director and Publisher at UWA Publishing for 14 years until 2020. Prior to this, she founded and directed a cross-disciplinary research centre at UWA, taught literature and writing in universities, was a bookseller for 16 years, and organised ‘ideas’ festivals. In 2021 she founded independent publishing house Upswell in Perth.

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