In July 2007, this organisation was re-named Fremantle Press in line with an $820,000 restructuring package funded by the West Australian Government.
The original organisation, known as Fremantle Arts Centre Press (FACP), was established in 1976 'to promote, encourage and provide the widest possible audience for Western Australian writers and artists with a principal focus on high-quality paperback literary works of prose and poetry, social history, autobiography and biography.'
The founding director and publisher was Ian Templeman and the first books published by FACP were a selection of Western Australian poetry, Soundings, and a companion short story volume, New Country. Soundings was adopted by the WA school curriculum in 1977, which was 'a great boost for sales and morale'. FACP then established the West Coast Writing series, which aimed to promote emerging WA writers; its first book was Anchor and Other Poems by Nicholas Hasluck, illustrated by Ashley Jones. This was followed by Five Acre Virgin and Other Stories by Elizabeth Jolley, illustrated by Sue Grey-Smith. The extraordinary success of a number of titles, including Albert Facey's A Fortunate Life and Sally Morgan's My Place, established FACP's reputation in the Australian book trade. By 1986, Fremantle Arts Centre Press had published over 120 books, many of which have been awarded national and international awards. The press introduced picture books for children into its publishing output in 1991 (under the Sandcastle Books imprint), and added fiction titles for young readers in 1994.
According to the Fremantle Press website:
' ... The Press is classified as an arts agency and receives an annual General Purpose Grant from the State of Western Australian through ArtsWA in association with the Lotteries Commission. Publication of the Press's creative writing programme is assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.'
In late 2022, the Press commenced a Reconciliation Action Plan, to increase their inclusion and promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers.
Sources:
Fremantle Arts Centre Press website: http://www.fremantlepress.com.au/
'Fremantle Press Announces Restructure', Books + Publishing, 16 January 2023. https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2023/01/16/225165/fremantle-press-announces-restructure-szabo-to-retire/
Michael Denholm, 'Fremantle Arts Centre Press' in Small Press Publishing in Australia, vol. 2, Footprint, Footscray, Vic., 1991, pp. 45-47.
