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Member only guide to the Australian book industry.
MIN READ
Our September Member Spotlight is Miranda Luby, an award-winning author, freelance journalist, and copywriter living on Victoria’s Surf Coast.
Her journalism appears in publications such as The Guardian and National Geographic, and her short fiction has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Prize. Her two young adult novels — Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over (shortlisted for the Text Prize) and The Edge of Everything (a Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book and shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards) — are both out now with Text Publishing.
Miranda has worked as a lifestyle journalist and editor for News Corp magazines and a Senior Reporter for Zoos Victoria. In 2023, Miranda was named Southern Cross University’s Young Alumnus of the Year.
Congratulations on being shortlisted for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards! What does it mean to you?
Thank you! It’s an incredible honour. As writers we know that the joy, satisfaction and meaning must come from the work itself, but of course being recognised in this way is still extremely exciting and validating. The Edge of Everything is about the existential grief we all face once we truly realise how fragile life is, and it’s based on the personal experience of losing a friend, so to have this story acknowledged by the judges means a lot. We all pour our hearts into our work, and it’s so nice to know mine connected with someone so deeply.
What inspired you to begin a writing career?
I’m that classic case of someone who has just always wanted to write. As a kid, I used to copy out chapters of The Baby-Sitters Club and hand them to my mum as if they were my own. I studied journalism, and still work as a journalist and copy writer, but I’d always had my heart set on writing books. I think even if I was never traditionally published, or didn’t have a ‘career’ in writing, I would still be writing creatively for the rest of my life. It’s in my bones.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the start of your career?
That balance is everything. Writing careers are so often freelance, so it’s easy (and sometimes necessary) to spend a punishing number of hours at the desk, but it’s completely unsustainable — especially if you want to do your best work.
Which Australian authors or illustrators have been influential for you?
When I began writing YA I kept Margot McGovern’s debut Neverland on my desk at all times. I just thought it was such a phenomenal novel, with a firecracker voice, and it really inspired me to keep at this book writing thing. I wanted so badly to publish a book anywhere near as good as hers. And the amazing thing is, my novel is now shortlisted alongside her latest in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards! So, it’s a real full circle moment for me.
Why are you a member of the ASA?
The ASA is such an incredible support to writers in Australia and I’m so grateful for all the work they do advocating for our rights. I think it’s essential to support organisations like the ASA and I’m very proud to be a member.
Find out more about Miranda Luby at mirandaluby.com.
