ABR currently welcomes pitches for commentary essays on topics of political and cultural moment – ones that would complement ABR’s increased focus on long-form journalism. We are keen to hear from writers with diverse backgrounds, interests and expertise. Please send succinct pitches to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contact
Peter Rose, Editor of ABR: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please read all information below before getting in touch.
Is ABR open to new writers?
Australian Book Review has a long and proud history of publishing emerging writers and critics with diverse backgrounds and interests. Each year we publish around 300 people from around Australia. Of them, usually about eighty are new to the magazine – a measure of our openness to new voices and talent.
If you want to write for ABR, please read this 
Advice for New Reviewers in which we summarise what we look for in reviewers and suggest how you should approach the magazine. This is intended to be a practical and encouraging document.
In a separate document – Advice for New ABR Contributors – we set out how we work with our writers and what we offer them.
Before you approach ABR, you should get to know the magazine if you are not already familiar with it. Find out if its style and content suit your work. If you don't subscribe, buy a few issues or think about subscribing. We look for many things in new writers – punctuality, professionalism, cultural engagement – but we also seek people with an understanding of ABR’s style, content, and direction.
Is ABR Arts looking for new contributors?
ABR Arts covers all the arts – film, theatre, music, dance, art exhibitions, festivals, etc. We pay for everything we publish, and we are publicly committed to increasing our rates when we can. All reviews appear promptly online; some later appear in the print edition.
ABR is always looking for discerning critics and arts journalists. This document – Advice for new ABR Arts contributors– sets out what we offer our journalists, how we work with them, and what we require from them in return.
We welcome expressions of interest from arts journalists.
Does ABR pay its writers?
ABR pays for everything it publishes – print or online. ABR is a proud advocate for young writers and a keen defender of critical standards.
Does ABR accept poetry submissions?
ABR is not currently accepting poetry submissions.
However, you may consider submitting your poem to the Peter Porter Poetry Prize (worth a total of $10,000).
Does ABR accept short story submissions?
ABR is not currently accepting submissions of non-Jolley short stories.
However, you may consider submitting your story to the ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize (worth a total of $12,500).