From early cuneiform clay tablets used for trade in Mesopotamia in 3000 BCE; to scrolls made from papyrus or animal hide parchment to record ancient history; as well as codices studied and reproduced in religious monasteries during the Middle Ages, innovation has always been key in the development and distribution of writing, literacy and literature. With the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440, publishing transformed from a tedious process of manual inscription into a mass-produced commercial industry, reshaping how information is spread and shared across the globe.

Today, the literary world continues to evolve to face new challenges in adopting sustainable practices, adapting to new legislation, confronting social issues and technological advancements, with Australia’s print publishing industry being no exception. With the rise of digital commerce, e-books and social media, the cultural value of physical books and stores has been called into question with booksellers having to discover new ways of promoting their businesses. Growing discussions about equality and representation within the publishing industry continue to make waves within the literary scene. Pre-existing legislation surrounding book copyright laws, pricing and import restrictions have begun to be re-evaluated by both politicians and publishers, seeking to understand what the future of the bookselling industry might look like.

These industry reports have been produced by emergent young writers and publishers working under RMIT’s Masters of Writing and Publishing program on what we believe to be the most influential topics within our industry as of 2026. Seeking to investigate the current state of Australia’s publishing industry, our reports discuss the benefits and consequences of parallel import restrictions and fixed retail price. Investigate the commercial sustainability of small independent presses and booksellers in an increasingly digital world. Growing accessibility of technology for consumers and their rising influence on the industry beyond just purchasing, but also social change. And despite steps against growing imbalance, representation in gender and race continues to struggle against systematic inequality.

Our edition of Bound concludes with a range of findings and insights about the future of the Australian print publishing industry.