Schools, bookstores pull Craig Silvey’s back catalogue after child exploitation charges

The literary world is reeling after acclaimed Australian author Craig Silvey was charged with child exploitation material offences, with publishers, schools and bookshops pulling his books from their shelves.

The writer, 43, was arrested at his Fremantle home on Monday after he was allegedly caught by detectives “actively engaging” with paedophiles online, expressing interest in children and sharing child exploitation material.

“You sound amazing, looking gorg too … we have similar interests … would love to chat more,” read messages allegedly sent by Silvey on the platform.

During his first appearance in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Tuesday, prosecutors alleged the Jasper Jones author had refused to provide police with his passwords to access his phone, laptop and other electronic devices.

He was granted bail on the condition he live with his mother and report to police three times a week. However, he did not post his $100,000 surety after the court appearance, and was transported to prison a short time later.

Silvey’s publisher, Allen & Unwin, has halted promotion of his books as state education departments pull his novels from school bookshelves.

“Allen & Unwin is aware of the serious charges brought against author Craig Silvey in Fremantle this week,” the publisher said in a statement.

“The nature of the allegations is deeply distressing. Our thoughts and sympathies are with all survivors of child exploitation and their families.

“We acknowledge this is an active police matter, and that Mr Silvey is entitled to procedural fairness and a presumption of innocence until the matter is dealt with by a court.

“Given the gravity of the charges, Allen & Unwin will pause promotional activity of Mr Silvey’s work while the legal process takes its course.”

In the wake of the charges, WA Education Minister Sabine Winton ordered schools to remove the author’s books from their English courses.

“There are over 100 texts that students may study in years 11 and/or 12 literature,” she said.

“Jasper Jones and Rhubarb by Craig Silvey are two of these texts, with Jasper Jones also being one of 40 suggested texts that may be studied in years 11 and 12 ATAR and General English Courses.

“I have asked the Department of Education to ensure that schools cease using texts by Craig Silvey for the 2026 school year while the allegations are under investigation.”

Education departments in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory have also instructed schools to remove Silvey’s catalogue.

Book stores around the country are also pulling Silvey’s books from their shelves, including major retailer Dymocks.

Silvey has been writing for more than 20 years, with Jasper Jones selling nearly 1 million copies worldwide.

His 2022 novel Runt collected a number of awards and was adapted into a feature film in 2024.

Sydney’s Belvoir Theatre Company has indefinitely paused work on its stage adaption of Runt, which was due to open in August.

The City of Subiaco, which runs the Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers, said the author would have no longer be the award’s namesake.

“The city has no ongoing arrangement with Craig Silvey,” Mayor David McMullen said.

“Mr Silvey will have no affiliation with the 2026 Young Writers Award.”

Silvey is yet to enter a plea to one count of distributing child exploitation material and one count of possession of child exploitation material.

He is due back in court in February.

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