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sleeper / noun 2. a timber, concrete or steel beam forming part of a railway track, serving as a foundation or support for the rails. 7. Colloquial a. someone or something that unexpectedly achieves success or fame. b. a book... which has slow but constant sales. 8. A spy who is allowed to carry on a normal life sometimes for years before being requested to undertake any espionage.
Macquarie dictionary, 3rd edition
January/February 2010 – Welcome to the Sleepers site
Sleepers run book-related events and publish books, including the annual and – I don't think we're pushing it to call it – critically-acclaimed Sleepers Almanac. We are looking for manuscripts! We are excited by Australia's new and established authors!
Two Sleepers Novels in the Summer Reads Program!
That's right! Not one, but two of our novels (that's a whopping 66.6% of all our novels!) have been selected for this year's Summer Reads program. Sold and Things We Didn't See Coming are being praised and poured over across Victoria. Join in on the fun and head to some of the Author Events by going to the official website.
Things We Didn't See Coming Wins Age Book of the Year!!
In all honesty, no, we did not see this coming. In an incredible coup for small publishers, and of course, for Steven Amsterdam himself, Sleepers' first novel Things We Didn't See Coming took out the Age Book of the Year on August 21st as Bernhard Schlink was about to deliver the keynote address for the opening of this year's Melbourne Writers' Festival. Weak at the knees and barely containing their girlish squeals, publishers Lou Swinn and Zoe Dattner stumbled out of the Melbourne Town Hall and into the arms of their prize winning author, who promptly escorted them off the premises for a celebratory glass raising. Congratulations to Steven for a wonderful book, and a well deserved win. We're chuffed, so very chuffed. The book has now gone into its third print, and is in stores now. If you haven't got yourself a copy yet, do so, now. Head to our bookshop or get thee to a Readings Books store today!
Sleepers Launches The Twenty-First Century Bookshow
It's a humble, low-fi affair, but we'll be presenting shows regularly and we'd love to have your company, and your feedback!
Bookseller and Publisher advance review of The Danger Game
"While big Australian publishers are busy fighting each other with vampires and gangsters, small presses are quietly putting out some of the most impressive literary fiction of recent years. Melbourne-based Sleepers Publishing have uncovered a writer of exceptional skill and poise, whose debut novel is as outstanding an example of a contemporary realist narrative as you're likely to find. With echoes of Australian literary heavyweights such as Elliot Perlman or Anson Cameron, Ashton's story deftly explores the psychological damage of unspoken family history... Ashton allows us to understand the extraordinary importance of ordinary lives. Four-and-a-half stars."
Jennifer Byrne raves about Sold on the First Tuesday Bookclub
"... We know these characters, we know these people, particularly Dally Love, disgusting, over-dressed, over-smelling, horrible leading star of the real estate agent's circuit. It's such fun, and what I admire is that he doesn't do just the thing of 'look I?m setting up a perfect description of real estate', because it's incredibly close, and Brendan Gullifer apparently went and worked in the industry for a while and was appalled, and reeled away in horror to write this book. But he doesn't do that – he makes up a proper story, with proper characters – even if fairly heavily drawn, and I thought it was tremendous fun and let me tell you, you've met these people, they probably sold you your house. "Read more.
The Age reviews The Sleepers Almanac No. 5
"The Almanac plays an intrinsic role in Australian literary diversity, celebrating original perspectives... These are invigorating stories from Australia's emerging writers. We have much to look forward to." - Rebecca Starford
The Big Issue reviews The Sleepers Almanac No. 5
"FIVE STARS. Over the last few years, the Sleepers Almanac has established a reputation for showcasing some of the best talent around - and this year is no exception... Read more
Sleepers Novels
On March the 5th we launched our first novel – Steven Amsterdam's Things We Didn't See Coming. For more info about this stunning debut, go here, or visit the official site here.
On April 2nd, we launched Brendan Gullifer's much-anticipated SOLD, which will have you laughing out loud. For more information, go here and to see Brendan's official website, go here.
Sleepers Book Sale
Go straight to our online bookstore to purchase bundles of previous Sleepers titles for unbelievably cheap prices. Freight Free!!
Sleepers is proud to be a member of SPUNC: the Small Press Underground Networking Community
SPUNC is a growing organisation of members from Small Presses all around Australia. To find out more, and to join, go to www.spunc.com.au
If On a Winter's Night a Sleeper, by Casey Benetto
Here's a little treat for those of you who have read the second Sleepers Almanac. This song was written by Casey Benetto in response to that Almanac, way back in 2006.