Digital technology and Australian literary writing: Short fiction and literary journals

For writers in the Australian literary field, the short story has traditionally functioned as an important career stepping-stone: an opportunity to gain recognition and reputation through publication in a literary journal or anthology. The availability of digital technologies for the production, distribution, and promotion of writing has made the very notion of ‘publication’ unstable and provided new opportunities for writers to connect with readers. In spite of this, in Australia, it seems that the traditional route is still preferred, calling into question how print publication and the role of cultural intermediaries – or ‘gatekeepers’ affect our construction of literary value