Andrea Thompson - Author

Around two years ago I blockaded Dumas House, the building in West Perth where most state government ministers have their offices. I did it in protest at the then attorney-general likening trans women to male s*x criminals to justify passing a law that forces gender diverse people to see a doctor or psychologist if they want to apply to have their genders legally recognised. Why is this a problem? Research clearly shows a causal link between the treatment of medical practitioners and high rates of suicidality among gender diverse people. Your state government knowingly kills gender diverse Western Australians. You stand by and allow the deaths to continue. I’m still fighting. Recently I was visited at my home by the anti-terrorism police. I am no sort of criminal. They will not stop my struggle. However, on many days, I have to work hard to keep myself in existence. The toll of constant oppression and the fight are too much sometimes.

When told me they would like to publish my debut novel, , it was very much a life changing moment. The world beyond that moment involved fish fingers and finding my way in the world of book publishing. Still lost! 🤣

In a lovely bit of symmetry I can reveal I got my first rejection letter from Fremantle (Arts Centre) Press around 40 years ago. Clearly, at 20something I hadn’t lived enough to have anything worth saying 😊😁

Speaking of being around a while, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Fremantle Press. Fifty years of bringing Western Australian stories to the world makes our beloved imprint a true cultural institution. I’m so pleased to be a small part of the Freo Press story and here’s to the next 50 ❤️❤️

If you’d like to kindly donate to help keep Fremantle Press turning out stories like mine and many other way more interesting ones, please consider donating. Link in bio 😘