Photo by Robert Alexander Smith, 2018.
Published work
Matilda is a freelance journalist and cultural critic. She has written across a wide range of print and online publications in Australia.
Is The literary Industry Even worth saving?
for Meanjin, Winter 2023
This year I reach an important milestone: ten years working in the literary industry. In 2013 I entered my first ‘real’ lit job, as an editorial assistant at a small magazine publisher in North Melbourne . . .
Timothée Chalamet Had an Incredible 2017
Vice, 2017
The 'Call Me by Your Name' star on how fortunate he is to be acting at such a young age . . .
Swimming, my body and fat summers
SBS Voices, 2017
My body is bigger than it used to be. Like many people – maybe you – my weight “yo-yos”. Flicking back through photos of myself, I can see my body squashing in then stretching out like a concertina . . .
You can also find a list of some more of Matilda's published work below, catalogued by publication.
+ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
University sexual assault guidelines are a small step forward but too little, too late (21 Jul 18) Read here
+ Broadsheet Melbourne
The Peculiar Parallel Lives of Hans and Nora Heysen (7 May 19) Read here
+ Crikey news
Do we need to renegotiate the language of sex and consent for the #MeToo era? (29 Jan 18) Read here
+ Daily Life
What Male Critics' Dismissal of "Big Little Lies" says about women's stories (2 apr 19) Read here
+ Feminist Writers Festival
Generation Gap: How feminists of different ages are connecting to #MeToo (1 Mar 18) Read here
+ The Guardian
"Cat Person" is familiar to women who feel powerless to stop a sexual encounter (12 Dec 17) Read here
+ Junkee
The Inside Story Of Nicole Kidman’s Comeback Year That Wasn’t (28 Nov 17) Read here
+ Kill your darlings
Dancing with myself (11 Dec 17) Read here
+ Meanjin Quarterly
Taking Female Queerness from Subtext to Text (Winter 20) Read Here
+ News.Com.Au
"That’s impossible": "Lie" at heart of romance films (26 Jul 18) Read here
+ Overland
The "Gone Girl" Problem (13 Oct 14) Read here
+ Pedestrian TV
OK, So Who Should Be People's Sexiest Man Alive 2017? (19 Nov 17) Read here
+ Rendezview
Mental health care shouldn't be a luxury (9 Aug 18) Read here
+ Special Broadcasting Corporation (SBS)
Why young women sleeping rough can never feel truly safe (1 Aug 18) Read here
+ VICE
Every millennial should be watching "Search Party" (23 Nov 17) Read here
Listen + Watch
Matilda has appeared regularly on panels for various writing festivals, as well as at The Wheeler Centre, Melbourne's centre for reading and ideas. She has also been a guest on Radio National, ABC locals and many other radio and podcast shows.
WATCH: Reporting The Gender Reckoning with Sophie Black, Francesca Donner and Matilda Dixon-Smith. Co-presented by The Wheeler Centre and The New York Times (2018).
LISTEN: The roles and responsibilities of news satire — The Breakfast Club, Next Wave Festival (2014).
LISTEN: 'Modern Dilemma' — RN’s Life Matters with host Amanda Smith.
LISTEN: RN Drive with Patricia Karvelas (topics: Ryan Gosling, Bill Shorten and Harvey Weinstein).
LISTEN: Rereaders with hosts Mel Campbell and Dion Kagan (topics: I, Tonya, 'Extraordinary Routines' and The End Of The Fxxking World ) here.
LISTEN: Critical Attention with hosts Mel Campbell and Dion Kagan (topic: Matilda’s critical practice).
LISTEN: Rereaders with hosts Mel Campbell and Dion Kagan (topics: Griffith Review's 'Millenials Strike Back', My Cousin Rachel and Hamish and Andy with Dion Kagan and Mel Campbell).
LISTEN: New York’s 60dB with host Daisy Rosario (male critics and HBO’s Big Little Lies).