Lee's early writing work included a short story published in Voiceworks,[4] while serving as the founder and editor of the (now defunct) feminist quarterly periodical Hot Chicks with Big Brains.[5]Hot Chicks with Big Brains ran from 2015 until 2018, spanning seven issues. It featured articles and interviews with diverse women and non-binary people, including Darug elder Aunty Jacinta Tobin, Isabella Manfredi, Mehreen Faruqi,[6]Ruby Tandoh,[7] and Clementine Ford.[8]
Lee's first book, the memoir Eggshell Skull was published by Allen & Unwin in early 2018.[9] It describes Lee's experience as a complainant in the Australian court system for sexual abuse she was subjected to as a child, while simultaneously working as a Judge's Associate working on similar cases. The memoir was well received, winning several awards including the People's Choice Award at the 2019 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards,[10] as well as the Davitt Award for debut novel[11] and the Ned Kelly Award for best true crime[12] in the same year. Funding for story development for a film adaptation was granted by Screen Australia in March 2023.[13] In 2021, passages from Eggshull Skull were quoted in a parliamentary debate regarding reform to the criminal justice system in Queensland.[14] In 2023, Lee's work was discussed in the Parliament of New South Wales after the second reading speech for the Criminal Procedure Amendment (Child Sexual Offence Evidence) Bill 2023.[15]
In October 2019, Lee's essay Beauty was published by Allen & Unwin.[16] In the essay, Lee examines her struggles with disordered eating. It was praised for its dissection of corporate middle class culture.[17]
Her book, Who Gets to Be Smart, was published in 2021 by Allen & Unwin.[19]
In 2022, Lee's journalism for The Saturday Paper investigated a 'loophole' whereby perpetrators of abuse were able to shield their assets from civil claims brought by their victims, by moving them into their superannuation.[20] This was followed by further coverage by other outlets such as the ABC, and calls by Australian of the Year, Grace Tame for the government to enact reforms.[21] The Australian Government subsequently pledged to close this loophole.[22] Similarly, in 2023, Lee's investigative reporting into the financial affairs of Australian fashion label Ellery in The Monthly sparked further investigation and exposure by the ABC and other outlets.[23][24] Lee was nominated for a Walkley Award for the piece.[25]
Lee's debut novel, The Work, dealing with the development of a long-distance relationship between an art gallery owner in Chelsea, Manhattan, and a Queensland country boy turned art dealer, was published in 2024.[26]
Advocacy and media
Together with Bond University's Professor Jonathan Crowe,[27] Lee co-authored legal research and built ConsentLawQLD.com, a platform for the advocacy which led to the Queensland Attorney-General referring consent in rape and sexual assault to the Queensland Law Reform Commission in 2019.[28][29]
In 2021, in partnership with the Women's Justice Network and Gleebooks, Lee launched "Freadom Inside", an initiative facilitating the provision of books to inmates in women's correctional facilities in New South Wales.[36]
Lee hosts the 'B List Bookclub', a monthly bookclub featuring Australian and international authors, with the State Library of New South Wales.[37] Lee has made several appearances on the ABC program The Drum[38] as well as appearing on Radio National,[39] discussing issues such as law reform, and her written work.
