Season 6: Episode 70: Sophie Cunningham (ASA Chair)

Karen and Irma chat about early drafts and tips for gaining momentum again after a break.

Then Irma talks to Sophie Cunningham in her role as Chair of the Australian Society of Authors about the impact of AI, the closure of Meanjin, the ASA’s role with industry issues, the ways in which authors need to change their expectations around publishing, how the Stella Prize changed the literary landscape, but also why prizes can be devastating for the majority who don’t make the lists, why we need to rethink the acquisition of independents by multinational publishing houses, and why seeing writing as a job helps her avoid the destablising effect of career highs and lows.

About Sophie

Sophie Cunningham has written 10 books, was co-founder of The Stella Prize, is a former editor of Meanjin, and a Member of the Order of Australia for her contributions to literature. She is currently a non-executive director of the Copyright Agency and the Chair of the Australian Society of Authors, which is the capacity in which we are chatting with her today.