13.1.20
Anna Spargo-Ryan appointed Nonfiction Editor at ISLAND Magazine

We are delighted to announce that we have finalised the structure of our editor team for 2020. Anna Spargo-Ryan will be taking on the role of Nonfiction Editor. She joins Ben Walter as the new Fiction Editor, and Lisa Gorton as the new Poetry Editor. Judith Abell remains our Art Features Editor and Vern Field continues to head up the team as Managing Editor.

10.10.19
Picador acquires Spargo-Ryan memoir in ‘heated’ auction

Read more at Books + Publishing (paywalled)

5.9.19
“The Journey to Publication” – Kingston Arts panel (EVENT)

I’m excited to be part of this wonderful panel for a session in November at the Kingston Arts Centre, with Eleni Hale, Claire Halliday and Amra Pajalic. Book your ticket here.

21.6.19
THE GULF optioned for film by James Brown of The Other Producer

Brown has a wonderful record of producing adaptations for the screen, including 2014’s Still Alice, starring Julianne Moore in her Oscar-winning role. I’m so pleased to entrust him with Skye and Ben. Find out more about his work.

3.10.18
Anna wins 2017 Philip Brown History Award

I’m so excited and grateful to have been awarded Deakin University’s 2017 Philip Brown History Award, for research using original sources.

19.12.17
Anna announced as one of Creative Victoria’s inaugural Creators Fund grant recipients

“Twenty-one creative individuals and groups have been named the state’s ‘Creators’ for 2018, as the first recipients of funding through the Victorian Government’s ground-breaking Creators Fund.”

20.10.17
Overland’s Spring Fiction Edition now live

I saw bits of myself in some of them, and I saw lots of what I am not and have no ownership of, stories that cover great multitudes of experience that isn’t published, that isn’t relayed, and that isn’t recognisable or even present in our media. I took bits away. I learned.

18.8.17
“Useful tips for broken hearts” included in The Big Issue fiction edition

My little story is one of fourteen chosen for inclusion in this year’s fiction edition of The Big Issue. Support your local vendor and grab a copy! See more of my upcoming short fiction here.

13.7.17
The Gulf reviewed by Newtown Review of Books

“The Gulf … suggests an Australian literary talent just beginning to come into its own.”

9.7.17
Anna talks to ABC’s Kate Evans about The Gulf

“Ben is one of the most charming characters in fiction …”

22.6.17
Interview with The Guardian

“If I want people to hear something, I can’t punish them for reading it. So this is the best way for me to deliver the message I want to. Partly for the readers’ sake, and partly for my sake as well.”

10.6.17
The Gulf reviewed by The Saturday Paper

“It’s this extraordinary empathy and immersion that lifts The Gulf above other stories of its type. It deserves to be read by adults and teens alike.”

30.5.17
The Gulf reviewed by The Monthly

“… the writing impels you through the narrative, always vital, often funny. Spargo-Ryan is definitely a writer to watch.”

29.5.17
The Gulf reviewed by Readings

“Anna Spargo-Ryan is a writer in command of every sentence, who somehow makes the unspeakable succinct.”

27.5.17
The Gulf reviewed by Eleanor Limprecht in the Australian

“It’s not always easy to read The Gulf but it is impossible to turn away.” With book pal Eliza Henry-Jones, and her novel Ache.

5.5.17
Anna named guest editor of Overland’s special fiction edition “OUR HOUR”

“For this issue, we are looking for writers’ own stories about identity, perception, perspective and reality. This might mean stories of home, displacement, gender, race, physicality, ability, dysphoria, illness, altered states, or any other experience realised in your fiction. Send in stories that have listened, and that require listening to.”

30.3.17
The Gulf gets four stars from Books + Publishing

    Reviewer Lorien Kaye says: “Anna Spargo-Ryan returns with another impressive novel that will have readers feeling every emotion experienced by the beautifully written characters.” (paywalled) 

16.3.17
The Paper House longlisted by ABIA

I’m so delighted that The Paper House has been longlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, alongside the most wonderful group of other books and authors.

19.12.16
“The Suicide Gene” WINS the inaugural Horne Prize

I mean, holy shit, I won! With so much gratitude to the other brilliant shortlistees, the incredible judges, The Saturday Paper, Aesop, my wonderful sister who accepted the award on my behalf, and everyone who’s ever read anything of mine.

1.12.16
“The Suicide Gene” shortlisted for the inaugural Horne Prize

I couldn’t be more excited to announce that my essay is one of five shortlisted for The Horne Prize, a “major essay prize” from The Saturday Paper and Aesop.

21.10.16
“How to Love Football” included in 2016 Best Australian Essays

What a great thrill to have this piece (originally in From the Outer) included alongside writers like Helen Garner, Fiona Wright, Richard Flanagan and Clive James!

20.10.16
Anna’s new novel to be published by Picador

16.9.16
Hannah Kent in conversation with Anna Spargo-Ryan

I’m very excited to be speaking with Hannah about her new book, The Good People, in Beaumaris on October 19 at 7:30pm. SOLD OUT.

16.7.16
The Weekend Australian review

Australian fiction: from fractured families to cli-fi
Three new Australian books reviewed (including mine!)

13.7.16
On Writing Podcast with Joshua Pomare

We talked about writing, poetics, mental illness and the combination of all these things.

1.7.16
book-plate – The Paper House and banana bread

A really wonderful review from Kylie Maslen at book-plate.

25.6.16
The Age / Sydney Morning Herald review

A very generous review of The Paper House from Gretchen Shirm, author of Where the Light Falls.