Welcome

Thanks for visiting my website. My name is Sophie Cunningham and I'm a writer of fiction and non-fiction. I am currently the Chair of the Literature Board of the Australia Council. My background includes twenty-five years in Australian publishing, ten years of which I was a senior publisher of innovative fiction and non-fiction. My journalism - which there hasn't been much of lately - includes travel writing, cultural analysis, feminism and writing on Buddhism and television. My first novel, Geography, came out in 2004. My second, Bird, was published in 2008. My book on Melbourne came out with New South in 2011. You can contact me on mail@sophiecunningham.com. The literary agency that represents my work is Jenny Darling & Associates. If you'd like to book me to speak at an event or run a workshop, speak to Booked Out. Please note that any speaking requests sent through this website will be forwarded to them.

Teaching »

Throughout 2012 I am teaching a six-month novel writing course for the Faber Academy, in Melbourne, at the Wheeler Centre.

Public Events »

I gave a lecture on why we still need feminism at the 2011 Melbourne Writer's Festival. You can read more about it on my blog or watch it below.

Novels »

My first novel, Geography, was published by Text Publishing in Australia and Black Swan in the UK. My second one, Bird was published in 2008. I have begun to research a third novel, based on the early years of Leonard and Virginia Woolf's relationship. That not-yet-a-novel is called 'This Devastating Fever'.

A book by Booki.sh

Non-fiction books »

My first non-fiction book, Melbourne, came out with New South in August this year.

A book by Booki.sh

Publishing »

I first worked in publishing at McPhee Gribble and McPhee Gribble/Penguin. I was a Trade Publisher at Allen & Unwin for about ten years. In 2007 I was a publisher at Lonely Planet and from 2008-2010 I was the editor of Meanjin. (Read a list of books I've published).

Blog »

I'm only doing occasional blog posts at the moment - but am posting links to articles, and talks I've done.

This blog and website has been archived as a part of the National Library of Australia's Pandora Project.

Travel »

I love traveling and have begun writing travel articles for a range of newspapers and magazines. Most of my articles, so far, have been about India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Features »

I have been writing occasional features for many years - much more regularly since 2000. The topics vary widely, from Buddhism to publishing, to writing, to television and to travel. Oh, and sex.

Photos »

I keep most of my general photos on Flickr, but I'll also occasionally blog some here as well.