Dr Tobias McCorkell
Education history
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
PhD in Creative Writing
2011–2016 (Passed)
My thesis, ‘(Re-)examining Blank Fiction: An excerpt from Barely Anything , a novel; and Sex, narcissism and disconnection in Australia and the United States’, explores recurring themes in Australian and American coming-of-age narratives and the changing concept of self-identity across generations of youth in literature.
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria
Bachelor of Arts, Degree with Honours
(Creative Writing)
2007–2010
- First-class honours average in Creative Writing coursework
- First-class honours mark for Honours thesis
Employment history
University of Melbourne
Sessional Tutor (Creative Writing)
2017–present; 2012–2014
In 2017–2018, and 2012–2014, I taught a total of ten first-year classes (Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice) and six second-year classes (Writing for Screen; Short Fiction) in the undergraduate creative writing program. This involved planning weekly lessons and exercises, researching readings to supplement the curriculum, marking the major assignments and assisting students via email and in person.
Thesis Examiner
2017–present
I have provided feedback for six Creative Writing Minor Theses to undergraduates completing the Honours program and to four postgraduates at Masters level completing the Major Writing Project. Drawing on my own research experience, I was able to assess and provide detailed critical academic feedback – in the form of a thesis examiner’s report – to these thesis writers, including a response to both critical and creative components of the students’ work, an engagement with the theoretical concepts presented, and suggestions for further academic development.
Thesis Supervisor
2016–present
I have provided research guidance and administrative assistance to two students enrolled in the Honours program and one in the Masters program within Creative Writing. Drawing on my own research experience, I have helped students devise a structure for their theses and suggested further reading to assist with developing a theoretical framework.
Smith Street Books
Freelance Writer
January 2016–present
Working as a freelance writer under the direction of Smith Street Books’ publisher, I have written six books of light humour and non-fiction to be published in the Australian, US and UK markets. This has required working in collaboration with freelance editors, following editorial briefs and adhering to tight deadlines.
Awards, fellowships and residencies
2019: Recipient of a Leighton Artists Studios Residency at the Banff Centre for Arts andCreativity (Alberta, Canada).
2019: Recipient of a Varuna Residency Fellowship (New South Wales, Australia).
2015: Recipient of the Affirm Press/University of Melbourne Creative Writing Prize, for thenovel Barely Anything.
Guest appearances
2018: Melbourne Emerging Writer’s Festival,What’s Your Story Melbourne? (Joint research project with Monash University)