Call for Reviewers for Paġna Letterarja

The National Book Council (NBC) is seeking three (3) reviewers to write in Maltese for its literary page (Paġna Letterarja). This page is printed in the ILLUM newspaper every Sunday and published online on the newspaper’s website a few days later.

Through this literary page, the NBC aims to foster a robust literary culture by providing critical analysis and substantive arguments. The goal is to shed light on the state of Maltese literature across its various genres, always keeping a finger on the pulse of what is being published and discussed in the current literary scene.

Additionally, through its weekly literary page, the NBC invites the public to read about literature and its writers in accessible language that remains neither simplistic nor superficial.

What We Expect from the Reviewer

️ An 800-word article in Maltese once every three weeks, submitted on time.
️ Articles on:
i) a literary or genre book with a Maltese ISBN; or,
ii) thematic discussions or news related to the world of books within the Maltese context.
️ Well-founded arguments built on close reading and literary analysis, which may also include broader commentary on Maltese literary culture.
️ Polished writing and a distinctive voice unafraid of constructive criticism, while remaining accessible and comprehensible to readers of the newspaper and social media.

You can read the full reviewer guidelines here.

What We Offer the Reviewer

Payment of €150 (excluding VAT) per review.
A one-year contract starting February 2025.
A budget for book purchases (€50 for every three reviews).

How to Apply

Please submit your application by filling out this online form and include:

✍️ A short bio of 20–30 words.
✍️ Your CV.
✍️ A brief motivation letter.
✍️ Published reviews or writing samples of 800 words (minimum one, maximum three).

Submission Deadline

This call closes on Monday, 16 December 2024.

Selection Process

Submissions will be evaluated based on several criteria, including:

Writing skill.
Distinctiveness of voice.
Depth and substance of literary critique.

To get an idea of the writing style we are looking for, you can read reviews written by Daniel Cossai and Mark Vella. More examples of published contributions can be found in the Arts section of ILLUM by searching for articles marked ‘Kotba.’

For more information, contact Jasmine Bajada at jasmine-alexa.bajada@gov.mt.