Publishing First Nations Stories

Perched on a roundabout in the centre of town is Australia’s leading First Nations publisher, who has been publishing and selling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander books for almost 40 years.

Broome’s iconic bookstore and publisher, Magabala Books, has been celebrating and supporting First Nations stories since its inception in 1984, when more than 500 Aboriginal Elders and leaders met at a cultural festival in Ngumpan in the Kimberley and decided an Aboriginal publisher would protect their stories for future generations.

Since then, Magabala Books has gone on to win Small Publisher of the Year in 2020 and 2024 and publish over 300 books, from the bestselling Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe, to Raparapa, the social history of the Aboriginal stockmen who worked the stations in the Kimberley.

“Magabala Books is Aboriginal-owned and led, and our goal is to nurture the talent and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices,” says Magabala Books CEO Dr Lilly Brown. “Every book purchased is an investment in Indigenous creative, cultural and economic futures.”

Guided by strong cultural principles and a passion for quality literature, Magabala is named after the Nyul Nyul, Nyangumarta, Karajarri, Yawuru and Djugan language word for ‘bush banana’.

Dr Brown says, “Our books are not just books. Every story published by a First Nations creator is the culmination of thousands of generations of knowledge, care and experience.”

Their books are not just good stories, they are also award-winning, with Julie Janson’s Compassion recently shortlisted for the 2025 Miles Franklin Literary Award.

Aside from the deadly books, Magabala’s bookshop is an incredible place to come in and have a yarn and buy local art and gifts. Stop by to share stories and take away something unique.

Explore some of Magabala’s latest titles:

Old Days By

Marjorie ‘Nunga’ Williams

A gorgeous bilingual book written in both Western Arrarnta and English by renowned Tangentyere artist Nunga. The gentle story shares childhood memories of spending time on Country.

Raparapa Edited by Paul Marshall

Raparapa is a raw and gritty history that captures the harsh realities endured by Aboriginal drovers in the Kimberley. These storytellers capture a slice of history and showcase those who have persevered through impossible odds.

Young Dark Emu – A Truer History

By Bruce Pascoe

Bruce Pascoe’s iconic non-fiction classic Dark Emu significantly shifted the way Australians relate to their environment. Young Dark Emu - A Truer History brought together the research and compelling first-person accounts of his work into a book for younger readers. This updated edition brings a fresh look and format to the original content.

Hairy Holes 2 By

Brenton E McKenna

A kray-zay supernatural outback adventure graphic novel, perfect for reluctant readers aged 7-10. Brenton is a local Yawuru creator who is the first ever published Indigenous graphic novelist.

A lucky break saw the late William (Bill) Reed AM reshape the pearling industry in Broome.