Mic Looby
In a nutshell
I’m a Melbourne-based author/editor/ghostwriter with a journalistic background. A creative, meticulous all-rounder, I have a passion for storytelling across all kinds of media.
Major stuff
Co-author/ghostwriter of Black Snake: The Real Story of Ned Kelly (Affirm Press)
Co-author/ghostwriter of A Father’s Plea (Affirm Press)
Author of novel Paradise Updated (Affirm Press)
Online news editor and producer at The Age (2009 to 2017)
Writer and script editor for TV documentaries including The Great Australian Fly (360 Degrees)
Co-creator of various children’s books (Allen & Unwin)
Co-creator, writer and host of Australian history podcast The Wayback Week
Columnist for The Big Issue magazine (2006-2013)
Published stuff
Affirm Press
A Father’s Plea – co-author/ghostwriter
Black Snake: The Real Story of Ned Kelly – co-author/ghostwriter
Weekends with Matt, by Peter Coleman and Matt Fowles – editor
The Ballad of Abdul Wade, by Ryan Butta – editor
The Boy in the Dress, by Jonathan Butler – editor
Wild Place, by Christian White – editor
Don’t Call Us Carnies, by Norma Brophy – editor
The Guy Who Decides, by Jimmy Rees – editor
Funkytown, by Paul Kennedy – editor
When Jokers Were Kings, by John Tesarsch – editor
1001 Australian Nights: a Memoir, by Dave Graney – editor
Under Stones, short fiction by Bob Franklin – editor
Paradise Updated: a Novel – author
AUSTRALIAN SCHOLARLY PUBLISHING
The Boy from Brunswick: Leonard French, a biography – ghostwriter/editor
The Big Issue
The Big Issue magazine – contributing editor, writer, columnist
Allen & Unwin
It’s True! Pirates Ate Rats! – illustrator
It’s True! Animals Are Electrifying! – illustrator
It’s True! Frogs Are Cannibals! – illustrator
June Factor’s Bumper Book of Jokes – illustrator
June Factor’s Juicy Jumping Joke Book – illustrator
June Factor’s Jumping Joke Book – illustrator
Screen stuff
ABC, SBS and 360 Degree Films
The Great Australian Fly – writer, script editor
Indian Wedding Race – writer, script editor
Honours & Awards
2022
The Boy in the Dress shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year (non-fiction)
Weekends with Matt – finalist Australian Wine Communicator Awards, for best new wine book
The Ballad of Abdul Wade – shortlisted best non-fiction title, Australian Independent Bookseller Indie Book Awards
2016
Silver Prize China Dragon Awards for The Great Australian Fly
2015
Nominated Eureka Prizes Best Science Journalism Award for The Great Australia Fly
2010
Australian Shadows award for Long Fiction for Under Stones
Under Stones shortlisted Best Collection, Best Short Story, Aurealis Awards
2006
Shortlisted for Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature, for It’s True! Animals Are Electrifying!
Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book: It’s True! Animals Are Electrifying!
2003
Runner-up, HQ magazine short fiction competition
2000
Special Jury Prize, RMIT Animation & Interactive Media Centre awards, as writer/director/animator of short film Shopper
Academic stuff
Graduate Diploma in Animation & Interactive Media, RMIT
Bachelor of Arts (Journalism), English Literature major, RMIT