Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Meg Mason Discusses New Novel and Her Journey From Journalism
Meg Mason is a writer who used to work as a journalist.
She has written a new book called Sophie, Standing There.
It is about Sophie, who works behind the scenes at literary festivals and is trying to rebuild her life after a divorce.
Sophie also becomes interested in an author.
Mason says she spent five years writing the book.
She drew Sophie from people she has met and from parts of her own life.
Mason says journalism taught her to write clearly and meet deadlines.
She is looking forward to meeting readers in India at festivals beginning in January.
Meg Mason’s novel Sophie, Standing There follows Sophie, a freelance sound technician at literary festivals recovering from a divorce and attracted to an author.
Mason said she spent five years writing the book, which explores loneliness and uses humour to address serious themes.
She described her transition from freelance journalism to fiction as unexpected, while crediting discipline and hard work for helping her succeed.
Mason said Sophie draws on people she has encountered at literary events and shares some of the author’s own experiences.
Mason said she was excited to meet readers in India during literary festival appearances beginning in January.
- Who
- New Zealand-born, Sydney-based author Meg Mason.
- What
- Mason discussed her novel Sophie, Standing There, her writing career and the character Sophie.
- When
- The interview's date is not provided; Mason said her India festival appearances would begin in January.
- Where
- The article discusses Mason and her work; the upcoming literary festival appearances are in India.
- Why
- Mason spoke about the inspiration for Sophie, her move from journalism to fiction, and her anticipation of meeting Indian readers.
Mason’s perspective
Broader context
How success is achieved
Mason’s perspective
Mason rejects attributing her success simply to luck, emphasizing persistence and hard work while acknowledging help from others.
Broader context
She also recognizes that fortunate encounters, such as meeting a good editor or resourceful people, contributed to her career.
Journalism and fiction
Mason’s perspective
Mason says journalism taught her discipline and economy of language, helping prepare her for fiction.
Broader context
She notes that fiction differs substantially from journalism, including its greater length and the lasting life a book can have.
- Novel
- Sophie, Standing There
- Main character
- Sophie, a freelance sound technician for literary festivals
- Writing period
- Mason said she took five years to write the novel.
- Previous novel
- Sorrow and Bliss, published in 2020
- Previous career
- Freelance journalism; Mason wrote for publications including Vogue and Lawyers Weekly magazine.
- Upcoming appearances
- Mason said her India literary festival appearances would begin in January.