Dr LJ Maher (cis: she/her, 🌈, AuDHD, Quaintrelle)
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littleread.bsky.social
Dr LJ Maher (cis: she/her, 🌈, AuDHD, Quaintrelle)
@littleread.bsky.social
540 followers 1.7K following 100 posts
Naarm-Melbourne. Settler-Coloniser on Stolen Woi Wurrung
Land.
Research: transmedial life-writing, literature & law, music & memoir, book & reading histories. Lecturer in Publishing Studies at Melbourne Uni. Views my own, not my employer's, etc.
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littleread.bsky.social
Today I have no classes, the 🐉 (now 1) is in childcare, and my research assistants, Cwtch and Cariad, are helping me mark (which I am doing from bed because insomnia was real last night). There is sun. I have creamy soda and a Bakers' Delight pizza. I am being productive. Small mercies, big loves.
October 27, 2025 at 4:22 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Re #MeanjinJournal, a letter from myself and some of my colleagues to The University of Melbourne. #Meanjin is such an important part of Australia's literary ecosystem and losing it would be culturally and industrially devastating. #AusLit #AustralianWriters #Publishing #Unimelb
1 / 1 Letter in support of Meanjin’s future As members of the Publishing and Communications program’s staff at the University of Melbourne, we strongly support the continued existence of Meanjin Quarterly. From direct involvements with the journal during the past 25 years and more, we personally attest to the formative role Meanjin has played in the development of writers, editors and publishers, and an independent Australian cultural voice. The creative labour of thousands resonates deeply in the fabric of this cultural institution founded by Clem Christesen in Meanjin/Brisbane in 1940. We call on the University of Melbourne to recognise the rich and continuing social, political and literary value of Meanjin by ensuring its future. The journal is a living resource for our teaching, and vital to our students. Its publications fill our reading lists with ideas from the best minds of our time. It has uplifted many of our students through publication, internships, partnerships and employment, and its connection to the University is part of what makes our writing and editing programs valuable and comparable to other leading universities on the international stage. We believe the University’s enduring purpose of benefiting society compels it to take swift action to preserve the journal and sustain its continued publication, preferably within the University itself. At the very least, the University should do all it can, acting in good faith, to transfer the journal’s cultural and IP assets to another institution prepared to save it. Culturally, the University of Melbourne has benefited immensely from its support of the journal since 1945; the extinction of the journal would be its enduring loss but an even greater loss to the community the University serves. Signed by: Sybil Nolan Tim Coronel Matt Holden LJ Maher Fiannuala Morgan Sharon Mullins Beth Driscoll Claire Parnell Nicola Redhouse Hollen Singleton Bec Kavanagh
September 12, 2025 at 5:58 AM
littleread.bsky.social
I am back in front of a lecture hall! I have no sleep, no caffeine and all the vyvanse. Buckle up for Legal Issues in Arts and Media #PUBL90014 #HowToPourTheTeaNotSpillIt #AcademicSelfie
July 28, 2025 at 12:19 AM
littleread.bsky.social
It's been a while so here's the #AcademicSelfie. I am back at work & loving it. My classes for s2 are prepped. Dragon is in childcare, I got a lil nap, the midwinter sun is shining, there's a new @benaaronflynn.bsky.social book, I am off to meet a friend for lunch & do some work in a beer garden.
July 18, 2025 at 12:55 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Thank you for coming to my play. If you made it this far, please find attached an updated on The Dragon/ reason for parental leave.

#Law #BookNerd

She is crawling, starting to sign (AusLan), and desperate to walk. The cats are affeared.
Picture of a white infant with dark brown hair in a Miffy the bunny onesie sitting on a purple blanket. The infant is looking down. At their hands and their face is partially obscured.
June 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Then I decided to check which edition I actually have.

And my life as both a legal scholar and book historian comes full circle.

Anyway. IMHO this book is genuinely the most accessible take Australian Constitutional law, so buy it and/or borrow it from your library. /4

#Law #BookNerd
Photograph of copyright page of authors old 1st edition of Federal Constitutional Law: A Contemporary View dated 2001.
June 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Thought, "hey I should probs spring for the new edition, undergrad was a long time ago and Constitutional law is slow but I may need a more "Contemporary View"."

Please note, I have taught constitutional law in the intervening years and I am not as funny as I think I am. /3

#Law #BookNerd
Picture of Thomson Reuters webpage selling 6th (2024) edition of Federal Constitutional Law: A contemporary view by Sarah Joseph and Melissa Castan
June 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
littleread.bsky.social
I came across Old Trusty from my undergrad days and figured it's always a useful book to have around when I'm trying to explain what an "implied freedom of political speech" is to my publishing & editing (ie non-law) students. /2

#Law #BookNerd

Ping @profsarahj.bsky.social @drmcastan.bsky.social
A copy of the book Federal Constitutional Law: A Contemporary View by S Joseph and M Castan.
June 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
littleread.bsky.social
I am finally back at work post parental leave. I thought I should pull out books from the Home Library that I will need in the Office Library. /1

#Law #BookNerd
Three piles of books on a table.
June 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
littleread.bsky.social
We have a crawler. #Dragon #MotherOfDragon
April 1, 2025 at 12:38 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Yesterday I joyfully attended the ceremonial sitting for Elizabeth Bennett J at the Federal Court of Australia. Her Honour (that feels so weird) is one of my favourite people; she builds communities of love and mutual support, and integrity is at the core of her being. We are so proud of you, Liz.
Photograph of the author's baby daughter, Dragon (not her real name) and her Fairy Judge Mother, Elizabeth Bennett J. Her Honour is a white woman with a short brown bob and a smile that lights up a room. She is wearing a grey suit jacket and white pinstripe shirt. Dragon is a white baby with (some) brown hair and big dark eyes. Dragon is wearing a green knitted cardigan and staring at the camera like "Mothûr, what are you doing?" Photograph taken after the ceremonial sitting at the morning tea.
February 19, 2025 at 11:58 PM
littleread.bsky.social
Can confirm that ROSÉ'S song APT is the new Baby Shark. Thanks be to Apollo and St Cecilia. #MotherOfDragon
Picture of the most obnoxiously colourful hipster baby you ever did see. Baby is lying in their pram under a knitted blanket, with a knitted Pinnie the Wooh bear toy. Baby is wearing a beanie and sunglasses (it is bright out and protecting baby's eyes is important).
January 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
littleread.bsky.social
#ThingsI'llTellMyDaughter : Red lipstick obscures a variety of ills including the impact of teething and sleep regression.
December 27, 2024 at 9:45 PM
littleread.bsky.social
A reminder that capitalism is premised on marginalized (generally feminized) bodies providing free domestic labour.

Fuck that.

I'm raising a poet, a friend, an Eldritch Horror, not just a worker drone/consumer.

She will learn kindness, curiosity & creativity. She is more than her productivity.
A profile photograph of a white woman with brown hair and wearing clear glasses and a cream T-shirt kissing a sleeping infant on the nose. The infant is sleeping in her arms. The infant is white with dark hair and is wearing a cream onesie with a print depicting stylized Australian plants and animals.
December 2, 2024 at 2:44 AM
littleread.bsky.social
This weekend has been a slow one. We moved into our own house last week, and are still unpacking but we got rid of the landlord beige on the walls, have a functioning TV, bookshelves and art are going up. The Dragon is having a sleep regression but we are getting there.
December 1, 2024 at 6:22 AM
littleread.bsky.social
In this house we communicate explicitly.

#MôthùrIHūngerrrr
#Cwtch
Picture of a long-furred grey cat with green eyes (possibly a Siberian Forest Cat but he was a rescue and is mostly just a gremlin) sitting next to a red biscuit tin that says YAY!BISCUITS! in white type.
November 17, 2024 at 12:34 AM
littleread.bsky.social
My current mindset with the baby is "If she's screaming, she's breathing." I am also going to apply this approach to my research and writing.

(I am ok for a given value of ok, where the "given" is *gestures at the world, angry side eyes the US*, just being dramatic. As is the Dragon.)
Blurry photograph of a white woman with brown hair and purple glasses holding a white baby with brown hair in a pink sleep suit. A green dragon comfort toy called Puff is resting between them. Mother and daughter are both screaming and look distressed. The baby is ok, just overtired. The mother is ok and just being dramatic. They are both safe, supported, loved and healthy. The photo has been cropped to exclude the father (who is also doing a Screm Face in the full image) because he values his digital privacy.
November 15, 2024 at 10:52 PM
littleread.bsky.social
I've been offline for a while because I made a human. Online I will refer to her as Dragon, but she does have a lovely Welsh name (named for the author of Y Gododdin and also for a Welsh Labour politician renound for his oratory skills and for founding the NHS). Like her namesakes, she can roar.
November 12, 2024 at 6:28 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Oof. This morning's reading is calling me in. Gotta lift my game.
March 20, 2024 at 10:35 PM
littleread.bsky.social
When nerds are packing up to move house.
February 14, 2024 at 7:34 AM
littleread.bsky.social
I know Keanu Reeves and China Miéville are teaming up for a book this year, but may I also propose that @benaaronovitch.bsky.social have a chat with @deathbybadger.bsky.social because I think Nightingale needs to call on his old mate, Henry Sotheran. Maybe leave the car at home...
January 24, 2024 at 3:22 AM
littleread.bsky.social
#AcademicFitCheck can best be described as "How French people feel when they are told they need to go to work in August".
January 3, 2024 at 12:18 AM
littleread.bsky.social
Celebrating the new job with takeaway, bubbles, and my Beloved (not pictured, as he is an offline person).
December 1, 2023 at 8:48 AM
littleread.bsky.social
I said yes! 🍾💍🥂

If Camilla can do it, so can I.

#SidePieceHustle

I am stoked to join a research & teaching team I adore and respect. Publishing is the most supportive and collegiate team I have worked with. I have made wonderful friends in my time here, and I can't wait to contribute more.
Screenshot of an email from the University of Melbourne that reads: Dear LJ, congratulations! We are delighted to offer you the position of lecturer, Publishing in the Faculty of Arts within the University of Melbourne.
November 30, 2023 at 10:15 AM
littleread.bsky.social
So far 42 is feeling rather good.
November 10, 2023 at 12:59 AM