Great Escape Books

What a brilliant afternoon we shared yesterday at the Coastal Launch of Where Truth Ends.

More than 100 guests packed the Anglesea Bowling Club to hear Mark Smith and Tanya Scott in conversation, and what a superb conversation it was. While offering fascinating insights into the writing of the novel, Mark and Tanya also explored some of the big issues shaping our world today - from climate change and the changing face of Australian politics to police surveillance and the rise of home-grown extremism. -

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the event such a success. We’re incredibly grateful to our wonderful patrons, my amazing staff, my great friend Anita, Lisa and the team at the Anglesea Bowling Club, and the team at Pan Macmillan for their generosity and support. Our thanks for both Mark and Tanya who are both so incredibly warm and talented, you made the event such a joy to host, thank you!

Events like these are only possible because of the community that surrounds them, and we couldn't be more appreciative.

Signed copies of novels by Mark Smith and Tanya Scott are available now at Great Escape Books and online through our website.

Winter ain't so bad when you can curl up around a wonderful new book!

We are open 7 days throughout winter with the cozy bookshop a haven from the weather... and the world!

P.S. We still have some spots available for our event tomorrow with Mark Smith and Tanya Scott if you haven't booked your spot.

We can't wait to see you all throughout the long weekend!

We were so fortunate to be invited to be the bookseller at an absolutely inspirational evening last night at the Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library with First Nations Elder Aunty Fay Muir and her longtime co-author and close collaborator, Sue Lawson.

Together they spoke thoughtfully and generously on a wide range of topics, particularly the importance of listening, speaking up, and being strong allies for First Nations people.

Our heartfelt thanks to Gillian Elijah and the wonderful team at Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library for making us feel so warmly welcomed. It was a truly special evening, filled with wisdom, conversation, and a caring community.

New books...
Hallelujah

Our heartfelt and hope filled congratulations to Lee Lai on being awarded the 2026 Stella Prize for her graphic novel, Cannon.

From the judges:

“Cannon is a compelling depiction of a fracturing friendship between two q***r, second-generation Chinese women. It is also a bruising examination of the lifelong weight that people – often women – carry, the profound toll it takes to be the ‘responsible one’, and what can happen when you are being taken advantage of repeatedly. (Bonus: it is also, somehow, very funny.) Lai’s elegant artistry evokes horror and poignancy, shock and delight, and Cannon is an incontestable reminder that – in the hands of a masterful artist and storyteller – the very best graphic novels can do what prose alone cannot. And Cannon is absolutely one of the best.”

The Stella team does such an incredible job championing the voices of women and gender-diverse writers, making this win feel all the more special. Lai is both the first graphic novelist and the first non-binary author to receive this illustrious prize.

We can hardly contain our excitement and are thrilled to once again be hosting a Stella Day Out in Aireys this November, with the Stella team presenting a one-day workshop and events program.

Watch this space for more details to come.

Motherhood: a story worth celebrating. Happy Mother's Day to our book family!

Give her the gift of an afternoon curled up with a new book. Open 10am til 5pm every day!