Writers at Work series: Catriona Menzies-Pike: an editor’s advice for writers

Catriona Menzies-Pike will be speaking about the history and project of the relatively new but influential Sydney Review of Books, and how it sees itself in the literary world. She will present a basic introduction to pitching/submissions to literary journals, with a particular focus on how the SRB works. How might you hook an editor with your idea? What’s the difference between theme and subject? SRB doesn’t work on an open submissions basis but Catriona will also discuss what speaks to her as an editor in terms of non-fiction.

“There are so few opportunities to write detailed and reflective literary essays for a mainstream audience… I hope that the Sydney Review of Books, by providing a venue for this kind of writing, will encourage writers and readers to rediscover the art of criticism. If readers recognise the need for this kind of publication and get behind it, there is no reason why it can’t flourish.” — James Ley, inaugural editor of SRB (2013)

Catriona Menzies-Pike is the editor of the Sydney Review of Books. Her essays and reviews have been widely published and she is the author of The Long Run (2016), a memoir about long-distance running. Her career in online media includes stints as managing editor of pioneering news and current affairs website New Matilda and arts editor of The Conversation. She holds a doctorate in modernist literature from the University of Sydney and she’s taught literature, film, journalism and digital studies to undergraduates across Sydney for two decades.

Venue/event delivery

This event will be held online via Zoom.