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.
20 December 2018#NEW#
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#NEW#
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#NEW#
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/