Here I will provide you with details of Readings I am doing, Workshops I am going to, readings and events I am attending and industry news that interests me.
24 June 2020#NEW#
A belated news item, but more great news. I won the Newcastle Poetry Competition! My poem, 'The Handshake' was chosen by Colette Bryce. It was a shame that it happened during this COVID-19 moment because it came with a residency in the Contemporary Poetry Archives. I have always wanted to do a residency and I have always wanted an excuse to go to the UK. Hopefully there will one day be another opportunity. Here is a link to my reading of the poem: http://archive.nclacommunity.org/content/?p=3083
A belated news item, but more great news. I won the Newcastle Poetry Competition! My poem, 'The Handshake' was chosen by Colette Bryce. It was a shame that it happened during this COVID-19 moment because it came with a residency in the Contemporary Poetry Archives. I have always wanted to do a residency and I have always wanted an excuse to go to the UK. Hopefully there will one day be another opportunity. Here is a link to my reading of the poem: http://archive.nclacommunity.org/content/?p=3083
01 May 2020
Wow. I won The Moth Poetry Prize. There are no words to describe, but as a poet I am compelled to say that I am astonished, humbled and excited. I am so glad I persisted with this poem, which I have submitted to five other journals and competitions. Normally I would have retired it by now! Maybe I do have something to say.
Wow. I won The Moth Poetry Prize. There are no words to describe, but as a poet I am compelled to say that I am astonished, humbled and excited. I am so glad I persisted with this poem, which I have submitted to five other journals and competitions. Normally I would have retired it by now! Maybe I do have something to say.
15 March 2020
It's been a slow start to the year, but I have received some wonderful news. I am a finalist in the Moth Poetry Competition! I had been aware of the Moth for a while but it came into greater focus for me last year when David Stavanger, a fellow Australian, became a finalist. His success encouraged me to give it a genuine go. There are three other great poets and poems so a win from here is a little bit of a lottery, but nevertheless I feel extremely proud and honoured! Here is a link to the website if you want to know more: www.themothmagazine.com/a1-page.asp?ID=8466&page=21
It's been a slow start to the year, but I have received some wonderful news. I am a finalist in the Moth Poetry Competition! I had been aware of the Moth for a while but it came into greater focus for me last year when David Stavanger, a fellow Australian, became a finalist. His success encouraged me to give it a genuine go. There are three other great poets and poems so a win from here is a little bit of a lottery, but nevertheless I feel extremely proud and honoured! Here is a link to the website if you want to know more: www.themothmagazine.com/a1-page.asp?ID=8466&page=21
07 February 2020
I am readying at Couplet on this day. Come and listen! I will be reading with Sean West whose poetry I am not yet familiar with, but I am looking forward to hearing him soon. I will be reading new poems and old award winners so I guarantee I won't put you to sleep. Here is the Facebook link for more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/467206450619674/
I am readying at Couplet on this day. Come and listen! I will be reading with Sean West whose poetry I am not yet familiar with, but I am looking forward to hearing him soon. I will be reading new poems and old award winners so I guarantee I won't put you to sleep. Here is the Facebook link for more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/467206450619674/
26 October 2019
Please join me at the Poetry Book Launch of my friend and fellow poet, Margaret Clifford. I will be making some comments and afterwards there will be an Open Mic. All are welcome. The book, Layers of Life, is Margaret's second poetry collection. If you are interested the launch is at the Lucky Duck Café and Bar 15 Highgate Hill. Margaret's poetry is beautiful, lyrical and accessible and concerned with matters of humanity and the living of a complete and spiritual life.
Please join me at the Poetry Book Launch of my friend and fellow poet, Margaret Clifford. I will be making some comments and afterwards there will be an Open Mic. All are welcome. The book, Layers of Life, is Margaret's second poetry collection. If you are interested the launch is at the Lucky Duck Café and Bar 15 Highgate Hill. Margaret's poetry is beautiful, lyrical and accessible and concerned with matters of humanity and the living of a complete and spiritual life.
16 October 2019
Today I had the honour of reading my Judge's Report for the Year 11 and 12 Poetry Section of the Literary Competition co-ordinated by the Independent Education Union of Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory branch and the English Teachers Association of Queensland. This is my second year and I was again astonished by the calibre of all the winners, mature and creative beyond their years. In my Section, Hannah Ostini won and she is someone to keep an eye out for. An astonishingly assured and technical poem. Wow!
Today I had the honour of reading my Judge's Report for the Year 11 and 12 Poetry Section of the Literary Competition co-ordinated by the Independent Education Union of Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory branch and the English Teachers Association of Queensland. This is my second year and I was again astonished by the calibre of all the winners, mature and creative beyond their years. In my Section, Hannah Ostini won and she is someone to keep an eye out for. An astonishingly assured and technical poem. Wow!
19 September 2019
Poets Up Late at Wynnum Library had a special guest today: Anna Jacobson, winner of last year's Thomas Shapcott. She read from her new book 'Amnesia Findings'. I picked up a copy of her book. Anna is a truly humble poet and someone is capable in multiple artistic paths, including drawing and multimedia. I wish I had her talent.
Poets Up Late at Wynnum Library had a special guest today: Anna Jacobson, winner of last year's Thomas Shapcott. She read from her new book 'Amnesia Findings'. I picked up a copy of her book. Anna is a truly humble poet and someone is capable in multiple artistic paths, including drawing and multimedia. I wish I had her talent.
26 August 2019
Well it is all over. QPF is finished for another year and I am in mourning. What a wonderful long weekend it was. The opportunity to rub shoulders with Ishion Hutchinson, Stuart Cooke, Judith Beveridge, Jayne Fenton Keane, Jena Woodhouse and many others. I had a special few days of my own - I won the Val Vallis Award for Unpublished Poetry (and picked up second prize as well) and was joint winner of the Philip Bacon Ekphrasis Award. On the same Sunday I spoke in the panel (see 14 August 2019) I phoned in to the award ceremony to receive the news I won the Woorilla Poetry Prize! I am very lucky. Here is a link to the Philip Bacon entry: verityla.com/2019/09/06/2019-qpf-philip-bacon-ekphrasis-award-winners/. When the others are published, I will update this with a link.
Well it is all over. QPF is finished for another year and I am in mourning. What a wonderful long weekend it was. The opportunity to rub shoulders with Ishion Hutchinson, Stuart Cooke, Judith Beveridge, Jayne Fenton Keane, Jena Woodhouse and many others. I had a special few days of my own - I won the Val Vallis Award for Unpublished Poetry (and picked up second prize as well) and was joint winner of the Philip Bacon Ekphrasis Award. On the same Sunday I spoke in the panel (see 14 August 2019) I phoned in to the award ceremony to receive the news I won the Woorilla Poetry Prize! I am very lucky. Here is a link to the Philip Bacon entry: verityla.com/2019/09/06/2019-qpf-philip-bacon-ekphrasis-award-winners/. When the others are published, I will update this with a link.
14 August 2019
The Queensland Poetry Festival is coming! My favourite time of year where I spend four days listening and reading so much poetry I actually start feeling 'poetried' out. If that is even possible. Here is the link to Program: festival.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/events/. There is so much going on and a lot of it is free, so if you are in Brisbane from 22 August to 25 August, try and make it. There will be something for every poetry reader. This year I will be on a panel talking about the role of animals in my poetry. If you catch anything, catch that. I promise I will be interesting.
The Queensland Poetry Festival is coming! My favourite time of year where I spend four days listening and reading so much poetry I actually start feeling 'poetried' out. If that is even possible. Here is the link to Program: festival.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/events/. There is so much going on and a lot of it is free, so if you are in Brisbane from 22 August to 25 August, try and make it. There will be something for every poetry reader. This year I will be on a panel talking about the role of animals in my poetry. If you catch anything, catch that. I promise I will be interesting.
21 June 2019
Yes I know this is out of order, but I have to crow about it. I have won the Welsh International Poetry Competition! I won it with a poem 'The Map-Maker's Tale' which is a narrative and a little outside my comfort zone. I am glad that the Judge thought it worked. I have left a link for it on the main page if you wish to read it. My first win in the United Kingdom.
Yes I know this is out of order, but I have to crow about it. I have won the Welsh International Poetry Competition! I won it with a poem 'The Map-Maker's Tale' which is a narrative and a little outside my comfort zone. I am glad that the Judge thought it worked. I have left a link for it on the main page if you wish to read it. My first win in the United Kingdom.
20 July 2019
Check out this great workshop conducted by Queensland Writers Centre: The Spaces Between and Beyond: An Introduction to Poetic Writing with Simon Kindt at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-spaces-between-and-beyond-an-introduction-to-poetic-writing-with-simon-kindt-tickets-61280409354
Check out this great workshop conducted by Queensland Writers Centre: The Spaces Between and Beyond: An Introduction to Poetic Writing with Simon Kindt at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-spaces-between-and-beyond-an-introduction-to-poetic-writing-with-simon-kindt-tickets-61280409354
16 June 2019
I will be at Poetry vs Prose this Sunday: a workshop conducted by Kathryn Apel. After a long hiatus, I am looking forward to being challenged and inspired by new exercises and new outlooks. If you are interested, check out Eventbrite or the Queensland Writers Centre for tickets.
I will be at Poetry vs Prose this Sunday: a workshop conducted by Kathryn Apel. After a long hiatus, I am looking forward to being challenged and inspired by new exercises and new outlooks. If you are interested, check out Eventbrite or the Queensland Writers Centre for tickets.
13 June 2019
You can't have a year like 2018 every year, but nevertheless it was good to get the news that I had won the WB Yeats Poetry Competition with my poem 'Changing the Sheets'. Two other poems, 'Mangrove Canal Road' and 'The Last Shave' received 2nd Prize and Highly Commended respectively. You can read them here: www.wbyeatspoetryprize.com/2018_prizewinners. I have had some success in this competition over the years and my thanks go to the judges and to Declan Foley for his hard work in convening it each year.
You can't have a year like 2018 every year, but nevertheless it was good to get the news that I had won the WB Yeats Poetry Competition with my poem 'Changing the Sheets'. Two other poems, 'Mangrove Canal Road' and 'The Last Shave' received 2nd Prize and Highly Commended respectively. You can read them here: www.wbyeatspoetryprize.com/2018_prizewinners. I have had some success in this competition over the years and my thanks go to the judges and to Declan Foley for his hard work in convening it each year.
05 April 2019
I haven't posted news for awhile, as things have been quiet, but today I received my copy of Island 156 which contains my Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize! Very exciting. Winning the competition was not enough to get my name on the front cover with the other featured poets or even have the competition mentioned, but there you are. In the gap since Christmas I have attended my usual Poets Up Late, 'Saturdays with...' and Couplet events and will be going to these again this month. I am looking forward to one in particular, a reading by Philip Neilsen at Poets Up Late at Wynnum Library on 18 April 2019. An accomplished but humble poet who writes poems that yield more each time you read them. Worth attending if you can make it.
I haven't posted news for awhile, as things have been quiet, but today I received my copy of Island 156 which contains my Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize! Very exciting. Winning the competition was not enough to get my name on the front cover with the other featured poets or even have the competition mentioned, but there you are. In the gap since Christmas I have attended my usual Poets Up Late, 'Saturdays with...' and Couplet events and will be going to these again this month. I am looking forward to one in particular, a reading by Philip Neilsen at Poets Up Late at Wynnum Library on 18 April 2019. An accomplished but humble poet who writes poems that yield more each time you read them. Worth attending if you can make it.
20 December 2018
Christmas present! I won the Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize! I came runner up last year, but I had a good feeling about the competition this year. The runner up was Chloe Wilson, who is one of the best poets in Australia, and has pretty well won everything which isn't nailed down (including having previously won the Gwen Harwood), so I am doubly happy to be in that company.
Christmas present! I won the Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize! I came runner up last year, but I had a good feeling about the competition this year. The runner up was Chloe Wilson, who is one of the best poets in Australia, and has pretty well won everything which isn't nailed down (including having previously won the Gwen Harwood), so I am doubly happy to be in that company.
24 November 2018
An end-of-year reading at Can You Keep a Secret. This is a kind of breakup party for 'Saturdays with...' In this case Saturdays with Macaulay Culkin. Saturdays is organised by Liam Ferney, a great poet, and a true believer in Brisbane poetry. It was an amazing line up, and I was just happy to be in the audience. Follow the link to a blog by one of the readers, Brett Dionysius. https://brdionysius.com/2018/12/03/2018-international-day-of-people-with-disabilities/ He is on the left in the photo and Philip Neilsen is on the right. They would later be the First Place and Third Place winners of the Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry prize this year. Poetry royalty. I wish I had Brett's poetry books, but he never seems to be selling any. I would like both their autographs. I have Philip's beautiful book, Wildlife of Berlin, but didn't bring it, so couldn't snaffle his autograph. Next time!
An end-of-year reading at Can You Keep a Secret. This is a kind of breakup party for 'Saturdays with...' In this case Saturdays with Macaulay Culkin. Saturdays is organised by Liam Ferney, a great poet, and a true believer in Brisbane poetry. It was an amazing line up, and I was just happy to be in the audience. Follow the link to a blog by one of the readers, Brett Dionysius. https://brdionysius.com/2018/12/03/2018-international-day-of-people-with-disabilities/ He is on the left in the photo and Philip Neilsen is on the right. They would later be the First Place and Third Place winners of the Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry prize this year. Poetry royalty. I wish I had Brett's poetry books, but he never seems to be selling any. I would like both their autographs. I have Philip's beautiful book, Wildlife of Berlin, but didn't bring it, so couldn't snaffle his autograph. Next time!
22 November 2018
Today I won my first international competition! This has been an ambition for me this year, and I finally made it. I won the Knightville Poetry Prize which is a United States competition run by the New Guard Journal. My poem was 'Once Upon a Time'. It is a longer poem which has been rejected a half dozen times so it just goes to show that sometimes you shouldn't listen to the people saying 'no'. See the details at https://www.newguardreview.com/tng-contests/
Today I won my first international competition! This has been an ambition for me this year, and I finally made it. I won the Knightville Poetry Prize which is a United States competition run by the New Guard Journal. My poem was 'Once Upon a Time'. It is a longer poem which has been rejected a half dozen times so it just goes to show that sometimes you shouldn't listen to the people saying 'no'. See the details at https://www.newguardreview.com/tng-contests/
12 October 2018
A busy week: I will be at a workshop conducted by Carmen Leigh Keates tomorrow. Carmen recently published Meteorites, which I love. Then to the launch of Liam Ferney's new book Hot Take. Later this week I deliver my Judge's Report for the Year 11 and 12 section of the IEUA-QNT Poetry Competition. I have also received my author copies of the ACU Poetry Competition book for this year and Canberra University's Vice Chancellor's International Poetry Competition book. Lot's of great poems to read and listen to!
A busy week: I will be at a workshop conducted by Carmen Leigh Keates tomorrow. Carmen recently published Meteorites, which I love. Then to the launch of Liam Ferney's new book Hot Take. Later this week I deliver my Judge's Report for the Year 11 and 12 section of the IEUA-QNT Poetry Competition. I have also received my author copies of the ACU Poetry Competition book for this year and Canberra University's Vice Chancellor's International Poetry Competition book. Lot's of great poems to read and listen to!
01 September 2018
QPF is over and I am in my annual mourning period, or at least counting down to the next festival.
A successful event: Second Prize in the Val Vallis Poetry Award for a single unpublished poem for 'What We Know About Her'. Second Prize in the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Award for an unpublished Manuscript for 'pH'.
QPF is over and I am in my annual mourning period, or at least counting down to the next festival.
A successful event: Second Prize in the Val Vallis Poetry Award for a single unpublished poem for 'What We Know About Her'. Second Prize in the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Award for an unpublished Manuscript for 'pH'.
Thursday 23 August 2018 to Sunday 26 August 2018
My favourite poetry event for the year. I will be there every day (and night) if I can, to listen to the very best poets from Queensland, Australia and the world. Go to https://festival.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/ . The 2018 main festival is at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Fortitude Valley, with a number of satellite events to take place around Queensland.
My favourite poetry event for the year. I will be there every day (and night) if I can, to listen to the very best poets from Queensland, Australia and the world. Go to https://festival.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/ . The 2018 main festival is at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Fortitude Valley, with a number of satellite events to take place around Queensland.
24 July 2018
Shortlists and Longlists! My poem 'A Survey of Australia's Religions' has been shortlisted in the Newcastle Poetry Prize. My poem 'A Lesson' was shortlisted in the Nillumbik Ekphrasis Poetry Prize. My poem 'Lady with an Ermine' was longlisted in the University of Canberra Vice Chancellor's Poetry Prize. Very very strong fields in each, unfortunately, so I think that is as far as these poems go, but it is great to be in such company!
Shortlists and Longlists! My poem 'A Survey of Australia's Religions' has been shortlisted in the Newcastle Poetry Prize. My poem 'A Lesson' was shortlisted in the Nillumbik Ekphrasis Poetry Prize. My poem 'Lady with an Ermine' was longlisted in the University of Canberra Vice Chancellor's Poetry Prize. Very very strong fields in each, unfortunately, so I think that is as far as these poems go, but it is great to be in such company!
08 July 2018
My poem 'The Darkness' is a finalist in the 45th New Millennium Award for Poetry. I had a given up that poem for dead long ago, so it was a nice (though awkward) surprise. Awkward, because I had to withdraw it elsewhere. A good problem to have.
My poem 'The Darkness' is a finalist in the 45th New Millennium Award for Poetry. I had a given up that poem for dead long ago, so it was a nice (though awkward) surprise. Awkward, because I had to withdraw it elsewhere. A good problem to have.
19 June 2018
Two of my poems were successful in the Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Awards. 'Yucatan' received first prize. 'Post Truth' received third prize.
Two of my poems were successful in the Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Awards. 'Yucatan' received first prize. 'Post Truth' received third prize.
15 June 2018
Two of my poems were successful in the WB Yeats Poetry Prize for Australia. 'Empty Buildings' received joint second prize and 'A Kristallnacht Soon to Come' received a Special Commendation. It was great to appear amongst winning poet, Roger Vickery and joint second prize winner, Jenny Pollak. Both poets are top class and regular prize winners. They both have a knack of pipping me at the post! You can read the poems at https://www.wbyeatspoetryprize.com/2017_prizewinners. Jenny is also an accomplished artist. Check her out at https://jennypollak.viewbook.com/.
Two of my poems were successful in the WB Yeats Poetry Prize for Australia. 'Empty Buildings' received joint second prize and 'A Kristallnacht Soon to Come' received a Special Commendation. It was great to appear amongst winning poet, Roger Vickery and joint second prize winner, Jenny Pollak. Both poets are top class and regular prize winners. They both have a knack of pipping me at the post! You can read the poems at https://www.wbyeatspoetryprize.com/2017_prizewinners. Jenny is also an accomplished artist. Check her out at https://jennypollak.viewbook.com/.
30 May 2018
I am attending ‘Poetry Criticism with Alison Croggon’ State Library of Queensland on at Room 1B, Level 1, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm AEST. If you hurry there may still be tickets see: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/poetry-criticism-with-alison-croggon-tickets-43916811365. Writing poetry is partly about being able to deconstruct it, to critically analyse it. Here is a chance to hone those skills.
I am attending ‘Poetry Criticism with Alison Croggon’ State Library of Queensland on at Room 1B, Level 1, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm AEST. If you hurry there may still be tickets see: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/poetry-criticism-with-alison-croggon-tickets-43916811365. Writing poetry is partly about being able to deconstruct it, to critically analyse it. Here is a chance to hone those skills.
29 May 2018
The next Riverbend Poetry Series event. Readings and performances by Alison Croggon, Mindy Gill, Pascalle Burton and Phillip Neilsen. Tickets are only $8 which is amazing value for such a great line up. Details can be found at: https://riverbendbooks.com.au/events/poetry-series-two
The next Riverbend Poetry Series event. Readings and performances by Alison Croggon, Mindy Gill, Pascalle Burton and Phillip Neilsen. Tickets are only $8 which is amazing value for such a great line up. Details can be found at: https://riverbendbooks.com.au/events/poetry-series-two
19 May 2018
My poems, "Marriage and a Long Life" and "The Bones of Things" were longlisted in the Fish Poetry Prize. It is a looong longlist, but it is still exciting! Still trying to crack a foreign competition. Details at http://www.fishpublishing.com/2018/05/15/poetry-prize-2018-results-short-long-lists/
I went to Saturdays with...Rosalind Russell today. A great line up of poets. Ella Jeffery was my favourite. The crowd keeps getting better. Make sure you are there in June!
My poems, "Marriage and a Long Life" and "The Bones of Things" were longlisted in the Fish Poetry Prize. It is a looong longlist, but it is still exciting! Still trying to crack a foreign competition. Details at http://www.fishpublishing.com/2018/05/15/poetry-prize-2018-results-short-long-lists/
I went to Saturdays with...Rosalind Russell today. A great line up of poets. Ella Jeffery was my favourite. The crowd keeps getting better. Make sure you are there in June!
24 April 2018
I read at Can You Keep a Secret in Wooloongabba with Stuart Cooke, Angela Gardner, and Anna Jacobson as part of Liam Ferney’s ‘Saturdays With…’ poetry reading series. The next event is on 19 May 2018 with Shastra Deo, Rae White, Ella Jeffery and Jake Goetz. See you there: https://www.facebook.com/PoetryonSaturdays/
I read at Can You Keep a Secret in Wooloongabba with Stuart Cooke, Angela Gardner, and Anna Jacobson as part of Liam Ferney’s ‘Saturdays With…’ poetry reading series. The next event is on 19 May 2018 with Shastra Deo, Rae White, Ella Jeffery and Jake Goetz. See you there: https://www.facebook.com/PoetryonSaturdays/