Cirrus@Austlit

Australian Newspaper Reviews of 1930 began from the premise that the academic study of literature – traditionally the focus of studies of individual writers' reputations – is only one part of a broader and more complex 'ecology' of literature, and that the circulation and reception of texts can productively be analysed in the light of this larger context.

As a pilot project for the rest of this period, this project focused on literature in Australian newspapers during a single month – December, 1930. It aimed to

• establish parameters by which a larger dataset could be created
• analyse the relationship between different forms of literary content (advertising, reviews, 'mentions' and other literary discussion) in newspapers, particularly in terms of the balance between Australian and other literatures
• examine the relationship between reviewing, advertising and other discussions in relation to specific key texts and writers in some key publications.

Broadly, the project aimed to qualify and solidify claims about the Anglo-centrism of Australian publishing, criticism and reading, using a dramatically expanded dataset.

Sources for Australian Newspaper Reviews of 1930 involved a selection of Australian newspapers – large circulation metropolitan dailies, newspapers from larger regional centres, and newspapers from small country towns. Literary items were identified and compiled into a dataset. The items included book reviews, biographical items, literary notes and ‘mentions’, book advertisements, along with creative works such as short stories and poems.

Those items which came within the AustLit scope were indexed and added to the AustLit database, whilst items such as book advertisements were mentioned in notes.