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Julian Novitz

Julian Novitz

The Conversation

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Friday essay: ‘red flags’ and ‘performative reading’ – what do our reading choices say about us?

We should not close ourselves off to the possibility that a fun, charismatic David Foster Wallace fan may theoretically exist, somewhere in the world.

19.02.2026 10

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

‘I want to write a book about you’: a deft tale of theft and deception skewers Australian literary culture

Dominic Amerena’s debut novel explores the selfish side of literary life: the desire to have a real story, no matter who it belongs to – or what...

10.06.2025 4

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

What if Hitler was assassinated and World War II ended in compromise? Catherine Chidgey imagines a parallel reality

Catherine Chidgey’s thrilling novel, set in an alternative UK under a version of Thatcher, continues her exploration of murky morality and the...

26.05.2025 10

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

A new publisher will focus on books by men. Are male writers and readers under threat?

Evidence suggests male writers and readers are in decline – in Australia and elsewhere. Is a male-only publishing house the solution?

06.05.2025 5

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

A new UK publisher will focus on books by men. Are male writers and readers under threat?

Evidence suggests male writers and readers are in decline – in Australia and elsewhere. Is a male-only publishing house the solution?

06.05.2025 10

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

Graydon Carter hired Christopher Hitchens, pissed off Trump and revealed Deep Throat. He calls himself a ‘beta male’

At Vanity Fair, Graydon Carter oversaw iconic coverage and launched the Oscars party. His memoir recalls the golden age of magazines – and ‘the...

22.04.2025 10

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

Amazon’s Goodreads builds community, but breeds division. Indie rival StoryGraph is playing it safe – and gaining ground

“Review bombing” – where authors receive a multitude of one-star reviews intended to lower their overall rating – has become a persistent...

27.02.2025 10

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

Brilliant, moving, thought-provoking ! Simon & Schuster is dispensing with book blurbs – will it make any difference?

‘When all novels are thrust upon you as words of genius,’ wrote George Orwell, ‘it is quite natural to assume that all of them are tripe.’

05.02.2025 10

The Conversation

Julian Novitz