Welcome
Thanks for visiting my website. My name is Sophie Cunningham and I'm a writer of fiction, non-fiction and (well, I'm trying) screenplays. My background includes fifteen years in Australian publishing, ten years of which I was a senior publisher of innovative fiction and non-fiction. My journalism includes travel writing, cultural analysis, and writing on Buddhism and television. My first novel, Geography, came out in 2004. My second, 'Bird', was published in 2008. You can contact me on mail@sophiecunningham.com. The literary agency that represents my work is Jenny Darling & Associates.
.Publishing »
Before I was writing for a living I worked in publishing fifteen years, at first as an editor at McPhee and McPhee Gribble/Penguin then as publisher for McPhee Gribble/Penguin and Allen & Unwin. (Read a list of books I've published). Then I was being a journalist and writer.. At the moment I am back in publishing - I'm the editor of Meanjin and can be contacted there on cusa@unimelb.edu.au or phoned on +613 93420313.
Upcoming Events »
I'm launching Tom Cho'sHares and Hyenas, on Saturday May 16.
Meanjin and myself will be guests of the Sydney Writer's Festival from May 21 until May 24.
Meanjin and myself will be guests of the University of Melbourne's Festival of Ideason Saturday June 20.
I'm, in effect, permanently available as a podcast thanks to Sleepers.
Blog »
At the moment I'm doing most of my blogging over at Spike, Meanjin's new blog.
This blog and website has been archived as a part of the National Library of Australia's Pandora Project.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.
Television »
I am a TV obsessive. This was formalized, for three years, when I was writing The Age's Couch Life column (from June 2002 to June 2005). I love Buffy most of all, though have moved on - if you can call it that - in recent times to Mad Men, Battlestar Gallactica,Big Love and 30 Rock.
Fiction »
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'.
Buddhism »
Since the mid-90s I've been extremely interested in Buddhism - particularly Tibetan Buddhism. This has led to a couple of retreats, some articles and a lot of reading on the subject, but, I confess, not so much meditating and practice. My second novel, Bird, is about a woman who became a Buddhist nun in the late '60s (I'm letting my fictional character do all the hard work for me).
Photos »
I keep most of my general photos on Flickr, but I'll also occasionally blog some here as well.