About Swoon Bookstore

Launching in June 2024, Swoon Bookstore started life as a retail indie bookstore with a focus on Queer titles and Australian authors. We created a steady community and began to dabble in bespoke pop up events and small-run special editions to compliment them. The pivotal moment in the next phase of the Swoon Story began with the inception of our first, fully featured Special Edition Book Box, Hamartia by Scarlett Drake, which was release April 2025.

We loved the creative freedom and the ability to create bespoke and thoughtful editions and accompanying merchandise, so with the changing landscape and the uptick of incredible indie bookstores, it just made sense to position ourselves to transition into exclusively Special Editions.

Swoon Bookstore now produces clever and beloved Special Editions and merchandise, designed to treasure and to absorb into homes without being overt. We prefer a subtle nod to the worlds we explore, and work collaboratively with our authors, artists and designers to craft a whole experience.

If you want to see some of the incredible work that we're doing check out our Past Collections where you can find our original Special Edition.

We also have developed a Content Glossary to help you decide what Special Editions might suit you best.

THE FOUNDER

Meet Kell

If you can't immediately tell, Kell (they/he) is a little bit extra. Kell is the ideas guy, the one that uses their unmedicated ADHD brain to their advantage by thinking about seventeen different projects simultaneously all while holding down a full time job and looking after two extremely naughty French Bulldogs (Cash and Carter).

Kell loves reading (duh) and can usually work through one to two books a day (if reading for pleasure), splits their time listening to audiobooks or musics (90's bangers) and is currently cooking their way through Stanley Tucci's cook books.

Favourite book: His Dark Materials Trilogy - Phillip Pullman

Favourite audio book: Want you Still - Marley Valentine

Favourite song: Silver Springs - Fleetwood Mac

Favourite new find: Body Heat - Goldie Boutilier

Last meal: Truffle Gnocchi

Previous Special Editions

Check out how truly extra we can be

See all past collaborations

April 2025

Hamartia

Famous Young Things Book 1

The flagship Special Edition Book Box that started it all. Hamartia was a complete endeavour and heavy learning curve that set us up for future lush editions.

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Author: Scarlett Drake
Designer: Farah Faqir
Internal Illustrator: Noah Dea
Additional Illustrator: Vita Divata

Learn More Learn More

OUR BLOG

Love Letters to you

Behind the scenes with: Hamartia

Behind the scenes with: Hamartia

by Rachel Winchester on May 08 2026
If you've ever wondered how the Hamartia Book Box began, or what the casebound cover looked like in the beginning then join us and explore some behind the scenes. 

AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS AND DESIGNERS

Want to work with us?

We're so flattered!

We at Swoon love to work with Human creatives that are passionate about LGBTQIA+ stories. We do not work with authors, illustrators or designers that use Generative AI as part of their process.

IIf you think we would make a perfect match, smash the button and follow the rainbow brick road.

Learn More

KIND WORDS

Our Collaborators

Swoon were an absolute dream to work with. The thought, passion, and creativity they poured into bringing my book box to life was extraordinary.

Every designer and artist involved was carefully chosen, and their communication with me throughout the process meant I was genuinely included every step of the way. The final product was one of the most stunning book boxes I’ve ever seen — and the response from my readers reflected that too.

It’s important to me to collaborate with queer artists, creators, and businesses where I can and the fact that Swoon is all three made the experience even more meaningful. I wouldn’t hesitate to work with Swoon again. If you’re an author approached by Swoon for a collaboration, take that opportunity with both hands - they’ll create something truly special for you and your book. And if you’re a reader looking to spend your hard earned cash on a special edition of your favourite book, you will not be disappointed with a Swoon SE!

Scarlett Drake, Author

There's a hundred percent collaboration through our workflow, as a result we get to keep things playful and bring the heart of the stories we love to life!

I've had the pleasure of working alongside Kell for the Hamartia Special Edition Book Box. Kell is super passionate, meticulous (in the best way) and a total visionary. As a Graphic Designer, I couldn't have asked for a better partner; our conversations are always brimmed with excitement.

Kell is the backbone of Swoon Bookstore, consistently pushing boundaries and now paving the way to leave a memorable imprint within the book community! 

Farah Faqir, Designer