The Australian Association of Writing Programs

The Ember was born out of a combination of enthusiasm and frustration: enthusiasm for reading, writing, thinking, arguing, praising and questioning, and frustration that the visibility and market-value of these activities seemed to be on the decline. Perhaps we were looking in the wrong places – but it seemed like some kind of twilight. With a gloomy sense of quixotic purpose, we decided to light a candle – or fan an ember – rather than curse the oncoming dark. So we retained our old-fashioned commitments to the small circulation print ideals of the little magazine – attention to detail, faith in an engaged readership, a sense of possibility and a willingness to be out of step with the grander ambitions of our medium – and we set up a modest stand in the grand bazaar of pixelated infotainment.

We’re looking for writers with a clear style who are committed to ideas, language and the creative process.

Maybe you work in the culture industries, maybe you don’t. Maybe you’ve embarked on a research career but still want to share your expertise with a general readership, or maybe you are a disillusioned humanist looking to break the shackles of professional specialisation. Maybe you have an insider’s perspective, maybe you’re a disinterested observer. Maybe you are a published author, maybe you will be.

We are looking for philosophical or critical essays that appeal to the general reader; social commentary and non-fiction features on ideas, people and society; poetry and short fiction; long-format review essays on work that might be new or not; and casual reviewers to review new books, theatre, film, exhibitions and events.

Submissions will be assessed by an editorial panel, and accepted contributions will be edited and promoted to the best of our abilities.

Interested? Send submissions and enquiries to: mailbox <at> theember.com.au