Books from the Kimberley | Online bookshop
Backroom Press books can also be purchased at several Broome outlets.
Backroom Press is greatly saddened by the passing of one of our founding members, Patricia (Pat) Lowe.
Pat was, by any measure, a remarkable human, who dedicated her life to the protection of the Kimberley, documenting its ecology, honouring Indigenous history and culture, and elevating the region’s rich and diverse stories. From chilly post-war Britain, she travelled to Australia via Tanzania, to work as a prison psychologist in Perth, before making the Great Sandy Desert home for many years, with her beloved Jimmy Pike and his family.
Pat moved through life with humour, curiosity and deep conviction. Her life became a story in many layers, one that friends and visitors revelled in hearing and retelling. She published 19 books and had a large archive of literature spanning diverse genres including satire, children’s and young adult books, travel logs and poetry. Many of her stories are about her and Jimmy’s time in the desert, others about the ecological wonders of the Kimberley such as termites and fire, and personal histories of Aboriginal people as they traversed the turbulent divide of pre- and post-colonial contact.
Pat represents the purpose of Backroom Press: to embrace Kimberley stories, transforming them into accounts that can be shared with the world, so others can glimpse and comprehend the majesty of this region. She had a knack for seeing the world as if already on the page, from the social life of dogs to the character of boabs and her intrigue with human endeavours and follies. She could translate wonderment into text for others to delight in.
She was also a keen editor with an eye for perfect grammar and clear, jargon-free expression. She cared that stories are told, and told well. Backroom Press honours her and will continue to deliver what Pat believed in – a local publishing house, for Kimberley stories, that the world needs to hear. We are so grateful for you, Pat, and all that you have done for the Kimberley, including the founding of Backroom Press, one small part of your life’s work and fascinating story.
Thank you to Julia Rau and Damian Kelly for the photos
Beyond the Lattice
Step back into Broome’s fascinating past with ‘Beyond the Lattice: Broome’s Early Years’ by Susan Sickert. 
Susan Sickert, a founding member of Backroom Press, was passionate about uncovering the hidden heart of Broome. She turned her focus to the thousands of Asian, Aboriginal and mixed-race men and women whose lives shaped the town we know today.
‘Beyond the Lattice’ offers rare insights into the colour, politics and atmosphere that have defined Broome’s story. If you’re someone who cherishes regional history and values authentic storytelling, this book is an absolute must.
Grab a copy today!
Have you got a Kimberley book you would like to publish?
The Art of Fire
Where Australian Indigenous art and traditional life meets science.
Jimmy Pike grew up in the Great Sandy Desert, where he learnt about fire, its uses and its dangers. He shares some of this knowledge through his minimalist drawings and compact, vivid descriptions.
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Become a Member
Join us by completing the Membership Form and send it to admin@backroompress.com.au
There is a once-only membership fee of $10, which can be paid in cash to one of the committee members or purchased using the button below.
Backroom Press is a micro-publisher located in Broome, a small Kimberley town in the north of Western Australia. It was set up to publish entertaining and educational books from the region.
Backroom Press was founded by three friends in 2006, and incorporated three years later as a Not-for-Profit Association.
We work to foster understanding between different cultural groups, support community educational projects and participate in public events such as festivals and workshops.
We aim to delight, entertain and enlighten through the publication of books that resonate with authentic Kimberley voices telling Kimberley stories.
Our online bookshop features a growing list of children’s and adults’ titles representing the diversity of the region. You are sure to find something for everyone.
If you wish to submit a manuscript for consideration, please refer to our guidelines.
To stay up to date with our news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or browse through our occasional e-bulletin, Backroom Bytes.
