Critical Failure: Book Criticism

Between the covers of our literary journals and weekend newspapers, reviewers shape what we read and buy. But as Gideon Haigh recently opined book reviewing is in trouble in Australia as reviewers “are the lowliest of contributors” at most media outlets. Our panel looks at how we can create a vibrant critical culture around literature that is both independent and professional.

This session will be chaired by Peter Mares.

Presenters

Gideon Haigh

Gideon Haigh has been writing about sport, business, both and neither for almost thirty years. He left newspapers for freelance journalism in 1995, and has contributed to more than fifty different publications.

Hilary McPhee

Hilary McPhee is an editor, writer and former publisher. Her selection of recent Australian writing, Wordlines, will be published by Five Mile Press in July.

Peter Craven

Peter Craven is one of Australia’s best-known literary critics. He edited Scripsi with Michael Heyward and was the founding editor of the Black Inc. Best Of annuals (Essays, Stories, Poems) and of Quarterly Essay.

Rebecca Starford

Rebecca Starford is the associate publisher at Affirm Press and the co-founder and editor at Kill Your Darlings.

Peter Mares

Peter Mares has been a journalist and broadcaster with the ABC for more than 20 years and presents the weekly public policy discussion program the National Interest on ABC Radio National.