Hawkeye Publishing, a trade publisher based in Queensland, is adventurous about the books it selects for publication. You can check out the range here.

Unlike the big five publishers and their imprints, the CEO Carolyn Martinez decides whether she likes the story, not whether it is a popular trope, and then is 100% committed. Her choices are risky, as in the case of my own novel Big Music which is set in an arts college, and yet, Martinez evidently makes good choices as Hawkeye authors win many prizes for fiction, memoir, youth fiction and children’s literature.

Most significantly, Troy Henderson whose new crime novel won Brisbane author Troy Henderson won the 2025 The Australian Fiction Prize for his unpublished crime thriller, River City. The award, presented by The Australian and HarperCollins, included $20,000 in prize money and a $15,000 advance for the novel which is to be published in 2026.

I’m pleased Troy has agreed to review Elvis and Me; how a world-weary musician and a broken racehorse rescued each other, Hawkeye Publishing, which will be released on the 1 August. 

2026 is the year of the horse.

Here's an interview with Kathleen O’Reilly Johnston, another horse lover, and the author of Johno which is due for release by Hawkeye Publishing on 9th September 2026.

How do you balance your writing with mentoring youth at risk and providing care for the aged?

Basically, my life is a shemozzle. But I limit work to 25 hours per week. Both my working roles involve shift work which I love. During deadline periods I apply for leave. During the 2 x year period that I wrote Johno, I set aside 25 - 40 hours per week for writing.

What inspired you to write Johno?

It was part inspiration and part massive compulsion, mainly because Johno’s story is epic. I have known him for most of my life. We have three children together and for a time, we were married.

Who is your target reader for Johno?

Adults. Parents. Teachers. Anyone with an interest in Australian history, psychology, social work or those working in NGOs. Johno will strike a chord with adults healing from childhood trauma.

Why do you think readers will enjoy your book?

Johno is a story with heart. Ultimately, it's a story of resilience and the power of the human spirit.

I hope it makes readers cry, laugh and heal. There are some scenes of terrible cruelty. This is juxtaposed with scenes of incredible kindness allowing readers to tune into positive and heartwarming aspects of human nature.

Can you briefly describe the story?

In the aftermath of the Second World War a seven-year-old boy is deported from Scotland to Australia without his mother's knowledge. As an adult Norman, aka Johno slowly unravels the lies he was told in childhood and joins others in a fight for justice.

A story told from the point of view of one person that shines a light on a bigger picture.

How hard was it to find a publisher?

I spent months submitting to various publishers and also agents. So, thank you, Hawkeye Publishing. I’m still pinching myself.

Sounds like your life is a busy one. How do you relax and enjoy down time?

I ride my horse (more slowly these days) along the river and in the bush around my home.

What advice do you give would be writers?

Keep reading and keep writing and share your writing with friends.  Friends and those in reading groups give amazing insights and feedback.

Are you working on another book?

Yes, ‘Babanginy’ – A story for adults young and old. Babanginy is a fairy tale set in the Australian bush.