Light Sleeper

David Leser is an Australian journalist, author, interviewer, and keynote speaker. Born in Montreal, Canada, he grew up in Sydney.

Over a distinguished 47-year career, David has served as a Middle East and Washington D.C. correspondent, and as a feature writer for prominent publications including The Australian, HQ Magazine, The Bulletin, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age, The Australian Women’s Weekly, and Good Weekend magazine.

A recipient of multiple journalism awards, David has been honored with two Walkley Awards:

• 1999: Best Magazine Feature Writing for “Who’s Afraid of Alan Jones”
• 2024: Commentary, Analysis, and Opinion for “The Israel-Gaza War”

He has also been nominated for a Walkley on three other occasions, won two national magazine awards for Story of the Year, and received a United Nations Human Rights Commendation.

A Doctor of Creative Arts, David is the author of seven books. His notable works include:

• The Whites of Their Eyes (an anthology of profiles)
• To Begin To Know: Walking in the Shadows of my Father (a memoir)
• Women, Men & the Whole Damn Thing (a study of patriarchy and misogyny in the age of #MeToo)

He served as the executive producer of the 2012 award-winning documentary Paul Kelly: Stories of Me, which explored the life and musical career of Australia’s pre-eminent songwriter. David also edited Paul Kelly: The Essays.

In addition to his journalism, David works as a speech writer, writing mentor, guest lecturer, and interviewer at writers’ festivals.