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.
01 October 2023#NEW#
It is important that poets who are starting out get a real sense of how tough this industry is. To apply a bit of realism to preconceptions, I like to compile my acceptance and rejection statistics. Here are mine for 2022:
It is important that poets who are starting out get a real sense of how tough this industry is. To apply a bit of realism to preconceptions, I like to compile my acceptance and rejection statistics. Here are mine for 2022:
- I submitted 633 poems (some poems more than once). On an average of three poems per submission, that is more than 200 submissions.
- Of those, I had 62 acceptances. So, a success rate of less than 10%.
- Of these, 38 were published, I received 34 shortlistings of one sort or another including 3 wins and 2 second prizes.
- One rejection took 434 days to arrive, but there were many that took more than a year to turn up.
25 September 2023#NEW#
My poem 'Scene in Medias Res' has been Highly Commended in the Forward Poetry Prize. I received the beautiful collection in the post today and got to read all the winning, shortlisted and highly commended poems.
My poem 'Scene in Medias Res' has been Highly Commended in the Forward Poetry Prize. I received the beautiful collection in the post today and got to read all the winning, shortlisted and highly commended poems.
19 September 2023#NEW#
I finished the last session of a poetry Masterclass run by Mark Tredinnick today. Over the course of six Sundays myself and a group of poets were put through our paces by Mark, who gave us readings to go through, presentation on forms and philosophy and homework challenges. It was hard work but tremendously satisfying. Mark is a caring and thoughtful reader of our poems and provided us close and insightful feedback. Mark focused on poetic forms, many of which were unknown to me. I came away from these sessions with a renewed appreciation of the power of form and shape and its integral effect on the poem. I also have a greater desire to edit my poetry. This is an astonishing outcome since I rarely edit my poetry, but that is beginning to change, and it is through the example of poets like Mark that I am beginning to see its importance. I would recommend any poet from beginner to 'expert' to take the course. You can find the details here: www.marktredinnick.com/
I finished the last session of a poetry Masterclass run by Mark Tredinnick today. Over the course of six Sundays myself and a group of poets were put through our paces by Mark, who gave us readings to go through, presentation on forms and philosophy and homework challenges. It was hard work but tremendously satisfying. Mark is a caring and thoughtful reader of our poems and provided us close and insightful feedback. Mark focused on poetic forms, many of which were unknown to me. I came away from these sessions with a renewed appreciation of the power of form and shape and its integral effect on the poem. I also have a greater desire to edit my poetry. This is an astonishing outcome since I rarely edit my poetry, but that is beginning to change, and it is through the example of poets like Mark that I am beginning to see its importance. I would recommend any poet from beginner to 'expert' to take the course. You can find the details here: www.marktredinnick.com/
02 September 2023#NEW#
Two launches this week - both at Avid Reader (which seems to be Brisbane's poetry launch location of choice). The first is Griffith Review's Issue 81: The Leisure Principle. I am reading at this one - a quick selection of my poetry, including one poem 'Sonnet for the Weekend' which was published in that issue. I am having fun at this launch, keeping it light with some other 'leisure' poems - 'The Saturday Afternoon Football Call' and 'What Kind of Animal Could You Beat in a Fight'. The other launch is of Jarad Bruinstroop's brilliant 'Reliefs', which won the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize last year. Brilliant poet and lovely person.
Two launches this week - both at Avid Reader (which seems to be Brisbane's poetry launch location of choice). The first is Griffith Review's Issue 81: The Leisure Principle. I am reading at this one - a quick selection of my poetry, including one poem 'Sonnet for the Weekend' which was published in that issue. I am having fun at this launch, keeping it light with some other 'leisure' poems - 'The Saturday Afternoon Football Call' and 'What Kind of Animal Could You Beat in a Fight'. The other launch is of Jarad Bruinstroop's brilliant 'Reliefs', which won the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize last year. Brilliant poet and lovely person.
15 June 2023#NEW#
I have been shortlisted in the Arc Poem of the Year competition. This poem is a little different for me, being both Ekphrastic and a Prose Poem. It responds to the Hieronymous Bosch Triptych 'The Garden of Earthly Delights'. I have always been a fan of Bosch's art, so this was fun to write. You can read it here (or listen to me read it!): arcpoetry.ca/editorials/2023-poem-of-the-year-shortlist/#A-Tour-in-the-Garden-of-Earthly-Delights
I have been shortlisted in the Arc Poem of the Year competition. This poem is a little different for me, being both Ekphrastic and a Prose Poem. It responds to the Hieronymous Bosch Triptych 'The Garden of Earthly Delights'. I have always been a fan of Bosch's art, so this was fun to write. You can read it here (or listen to me read it!): arcpoetry.ca/editorials/2023-poem-of-the-year-shortlist/#A-Tour-in-the-Garden-of-Earthly-Delights
21 May 2023
One of the greatest unsung poets we have in Queensland,, Jane Frank, will be launching her new book 'Ghosts Struggle to Swim' today and I will have the honour of helping her launch it. Jane's poetry are beautiful, sensitive, human snapshots of the world and it is has been way too long a wait for her first book to arrive. The launch will be on Tamborine Mountain, which is a lovely setting. It will be worth the visit, so try and come.
One of the greatest unsung poets we have in Queensland,, Jane Frank, will be launching her new book 'Ghosts Struggle to Swim' today and I will have the honour of helping her launch it. Jane's poetry are beautiful, sensitive, human snapshots of the world and it is has been way too long a wait for her first book to arrive. The launch will be on Tamborine Mountain, which is a lovely setting. It will be worth the visit, so try and come.
20 – 22 April 2023
Was this the greatest Queensland Poetry Festival ever? Possibly. Did I get to meet and listen to wonderful poets? Absolutely: Bronwen Lovell, Casandra Atherton, Paul Hetherington, Omar Sakr, Dan Hogan, Huda the Goddess, Joelle Taylor, Anders Villani. Not to mention the poets I already know: Janaka Malwatti (great book), Scott-Patrick Mitchell (winner of QYZ!! Woohoo!!), Rebecca Cheers, Nathan Shepherdson, Jessica Wilkinson, Samuel Wagon Watson. The list goes on and on. What a line up. Amazing panels, readings, books, poems, stories, presentations. I wish it could have gone longer. I got shortlisted again in the Val Vallis, which was nice, but even nicer was seeing Emma Simington and Sean West shortlisted for the Thomas Shapcott. Would love to see either one take it out next year. Already counting down....
Was this the greatest Queensland Poetry Festival ever? Possibly. Did I get to meet and listen to wonderful poets? Absolutely: Bronwen Lovell, Casandra Atherton, Paul Hetherington, Omar Sakr, Dan Hogan, Huda the Goddess, Joelle Taylor, Anders Villani. Not to mention the poets I already know: Janaka Malwatti (great book), Scott-Patrick Mitchell (winner of QYZ!! Woohoo!!), Rebecca Cheers, Nathan Shepherdson, Jessica Wilkinson, Samuel Wagon Watson. The list goes on and on. What a line up. Amazing panels, readings, books, poems, stories, presentations. I wish it could have gone longer. I got shortlisted again in the Val Vallis, which was nice, but even nicer was seeing Emma Simington and Sean West shortlisted for the Thomas Shapcott. Would love to see either one take it out next year. Already counting down....
26 February 2023
Two of my poems have been shortlisted in the Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition. These are two of the best poems I have written - 'The Country Cut' and 'Walking the Boundaries' so that should give you a hint of how tough the competition is. Maybe next year!
Two of my poems have been shortlisted in the Melbourne Poets Union International Poetry Competition. These are two of the best poems I have written - 'The Country Cut' and 'Walking the Boundaries' so that should give you a hint of how tough the competition is. Maybe next year!
16 February 2023
Finally - I was asked to read at Poets Up Late - my local poetry reading (I have only been going to this event for most of the ten years I have lived here!). It was great to read new poems I haven't read before and try them out on such a welcoming crowd. Sold a few books, but more importantly, I got to show my fellow Wynnum locals a little more of my style.
Finally - I was asked to read at Poets Up Late - my local poetry reading (I have only been going to this event for most of the ten years I have lived here!). It was great to read new poems I haven't read before and try them out on such a welcoming crowd. Sold a few books, but more importantly, I got to show my fellow Wynnum locals a little more of my style.
31 January 2023
A poem which was once two poems and which takes a number of liberties with my own family history has won the New Millennium Writings Poetry Competition. The poem is 'Begats'. I have tried to place in this competition for many years and have been shortlisted a few times. Finally made it. You can read it here: newmillenniumwritings.org/begats-damen-obrien/
A poem which was once two poems and which takes a number of liberties with my own family history has won the New Millennium Writings Poetry Competition. The poem is 'Begats'. I have tried to place in this competition for many years and have been shortlisted a few times. Finally made it. You can read it here: newmillenniumwritings.org/begats-damen-obrien/
22 December 2022
I'm an 'obscenely talented fellow'! I always knew it, but Beejay Silcox has confirmed it as part of the Guardian's list of the top 25 books of 2022. I am humbled to be in the mix and I have already bought my headstone so I can make this my epitaph. Read her comments here: www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/dec/19/the-25-best-australian-books-of-2022-chloe-hooper-alex-miller-jessica-au-and-more?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other She also gave me a shout out on the ABR Podcast, so I owe her a beverage of her choice when I meet her!
I'm an 'obscenely talented fellow'! I always knew it, but Beejay Silcox has confirmed it as part of the Guardian's list of the top 25 books of 2022. I am humbled to be in the mix and I have already bought my headstone so I can make this my epitaph. Read her comments here: www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/dec/19/the-25-best-australian-books-of-2022-chloe-hooper-alex-miller-jessica-au-and-more?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other She also gave me a shout out on the ABR Podcast, so I owe her a beverage of her choice when I meet her!
04 December 2022
Lovely to win second prize in the Martha Richardson Memorial Poetry Prize for my poem, ‘The Flame’, which is a word play about spiders. Anyone who lived in Brisbane in wet humid weather will recognise this one. Andy Jackson was the judge and the winner was Nathan Curnow, both great poets themselves. Read the poem here: ballaratwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Flame.pdf
Lovely to win second prize in the Martha Richardson Memorial Poetry Prize for my poem, ‘The Flame’, which is a word play about spiders. Anyone who lived in Brisbane in wet humid weather will recognise this one. Andy Jackson was the judge and the winner was Nathan Curnow, both great poets themselves. Read the poem here: ballaratwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Flame.pdf
24 October 2022
2nd Prize in the Bridport Poetry Prize with 'Scene in Media Res'. This one describes a moment frozen in time and plays into my current obsessions with time! Here is the prize list: bridportprize.org.uk/results/
Winner of the Hungry Hill Writing Poets Meet Politics Competition with 'The Denials'. I would never have expected to win with this poem. It was very much a last-minute entry because I had nothing else to submit. Uncharacteristically short and imagist, but must have triggered something for the Judge. Here is the announcement: hungryhillwriting.com/winners/It has been a good month!
2nd Prize in the Bridport Poetry Prize with 'Scene in Media Res'. This one describes a moment frozen in time and plays into my current obsessions with time! Here is the prize list: bridportprize.org.uk/results/
Winner of the Hungry Hill Writing Poets Meet Politics Competition with 'The Denials'. I would never have expected to win with this poem. It was very much a last-minute entry because I had nothing else to submit. Uncharacteristically short and imagist, but must have triggered something for the Judge. Here is the announcement: hungryhillwriting.com/winners/It has been a good month!
18 September 2022
Two poems announced as finalists in the Montreal International Poetry Prize. It was all I could do to sit on that news for the month or two before they were announced. The poems are 'The Man Who Repairs Electric Chairs Speaks of Art' and 'The Misdirection'. I am proud of these poems and proud to be one of only a handful of poets from thousands of poems to be shortlisted. Twice! Many great Australian poets also were finalists. You can find them all including my poems here: www.montrealpoetryprize.com/2022-competition-1
Two poems announced as finalists in the Montreal International Poetry Prize. It was all I could do to sit on that news for the month or two before they were announced. The poems are 'The Man Who Repairs Electric Chairs Speaks of Art' and 'The Misdirection'. I am proud of these poems and proud to be one of only a handful of poets from thousands of poems to be shortlisted. Twice! Many great Australian poets also were finalists. You can find them all including my poems here: www.montrealpoetryprize.com/2022-competition-1
31 August 2022
We announced the winners of the Val Vallis Award for an Unpublished Poem today! The winner was Dan Hogan with 'Aduantas'. Dan is a brilliant, unique poet, whose style is most definitely his own. I expect to see more of him everywhere very soon. It was such a pleasure and honour to be a judge of this prize, which I have been successful in myself and I loved working with Lucy Van, my fellow judge. Our comments, and details of the winners can be found here: www.qldpoetry.org/val-vallis-award
We announced the winners of the Val Vallis Award for an Unpublished Poem today! The winner was Dan Hogan with 'Aduantas'. Dan is a brilliant, unique poet, whose style is most definitely his own. I expect to see more of him everywhere very soon. It was such a pleasure and honour to be a judge of this prize, which I have been successful in myself and I loved working with Lucy Van, my fellow judge. Our comments, and details of the winners can be found here: www.qldpoetry.org/val-vallis-award
15 August 2022
I was a guest poet today in Judith Beveridge's poetry class. I have never been a guest poet for anything before so this was a thrill. I read a bunch of my best poems and then spent the time talking and answering questions. I might have led some of these developing poets astray though, when I let them know that I very rarely edit. I am trying to get better, I promise!
I was a guest poet today in Judith Beveridge's poetry class. I have never been a guest poet for anything before so this was a thrill. I read a bunch of my best poems and then spent the time talking and answering questions. I might have led some of these developing poets astray though, when I let them know that I very rarely edit. I am trying to get better, I promise!
18 July 2022
My first (maybe my only) interstate reading will be in Canberra on 18 July with Theodore Ell and Anita Patel. I would love to see you there. If you are interested in the details go to: https://facebook.com/events/5657655804267965/?active_tab=about
My first (maybe my only) interstate reading will be in Canberra on 18 July with Theodore Ell and Anita Patel. I would love to see you there. If you are interested in the details go to: https://facebook.com/events/5657655804267965/?active_tab=about
03 - 05 June 2022
It's so sad - the Queensland Poetry Festival is over. Three days where I was immersed in the best of Queensland and interstate poetry. I came home with so many wonderful books to read that my wallet will probably float away. Some new poets I met and heard that are worth keeping an eye out for: Eunice Andrada, Janaka Malwatta, Thabani Tsuhama, Emma Simmington, Es Foong and Bella Li. There were panels on what makes quality in poetry, writing against shame and on childbearing amongst many others! My own panel, Poetry at the End of the World, was so much fun, and my reading allowed me to pull out a bunch of poems I have never read before. It is always so hard when this is over. I can't wait for next year!
It's so sad - the Queensland Poetry Festival is over. Three days where I was immersed in the best of Queensland and interstate poetry. I came home with so many wonderful books to read that my wallet will probably float away. Some new poets I met and heard that are worth keeping an eye out for: Eunice Andrada, Janaka Malwatta, Thabani Tsuhama, Emma Simmington, Es Foong and Bella Li. There were panels on what makes quality in poetry, writing against shame and on childbearing amongst many others! My own panel, Poetry at the End of the World, was so much fun, and my reading allowed me to pull out a bunch of poems I have never read before. It is always so hard when this is over. I can't wait for next year!
20 May 2022
Today I am reading on Tamborine Mountain as the Calanthe Collective's guest poet. It has been a long time since I have been to Tamborine Mountain where my Grandparents used to live, so I will be doing nostalgia poems in their memory!
Today I am reading on Tamborine Mountain as the Calanthe Collective's guest poet. It has been a long time since I have been to Tamborine Mountain where my Grandparents used to live, so I will be doing nostalgia poems in their memory!
01 April 2022
No, not April Fools! Today I will be doing a reading with Volta, a Queensland Poetry Reading series along side Jarrah L Barton and Claire Alcock. If you are interested in coming along, find the details at www.qldpoetry.org/event-calendaring/volta-april2022 The readings start from 6PM at Brisbane Square Library. I will be taking requests!
No, not April Fools! Today I will be doing a reading with Volta, a Queensland Poetry Reading series along side Jarrah L Barton and Claire Alcock. If you are interested in coming along, find the details at www.qldpoetry.org/event-calendaring/volta-april2022 The readings start from 6PM at Brisbane Square Library. I will be taking requests!
20 March 2022
My book has been reviewed by Sarah Day in Australian Book Review! You can find her review here: www.australianbookreview.com.au/features/abr-online-exclusives/225-abr-online-exclusives/8815-sarah-day-reviews-animals-with-human-voices-by-damen-o-brien It is a tremendous honour to be reviewed at all - so many books are published and disappear without garnering any interest. Sarah's review is balanced, thoughtful and fair. She takes a close look at a couple of my poems in particular, including 'Dust' and 'Measures of Truth'. I am a huge fan of Sarah's own poetry, so it is a particular thrill to be read by her!
My book has been reviewed by Sarah Day in Australian Book Review! You can find her review here: www.australianbookreview.com.au/features/abr-online-exclusives/225-abr-online-exclusives/8815-sarah-day-reviews-animals-with-human-voices-by-damen-o-brien It is a tremendous honour to be reviewed at all - so many books are published and disappear without garnering any interest. Sarah's review is balanced, thoughtful and fair. She takes a close look at a couple of my poems in particular, including 'Dust' and 'Measures of Truth'. I am a huge fan of Sarah's own poetry, so it is a particular thrill to be read by her!
17 January 2022
2021 was a great year for me and towards the end of it, I didn't really keep this news list up to date. In the end I won 6 major competitions, including three in the space of a few weeks in November, to bookend the great start to the year. These last few competitions included the Open Poetry category of the Ipswich Poetry Feast (a long time favourite of mine - the winning poem can be found here: 2021 Archives - Ipswich (ipswichpoetryfeast.com.au); the Katherine Suzannah Pritchard Poetry Prize (the winning poem, 'Failures', has one of my best endings - read it here: 44305c8e-850f-400c-8387-c3e8cd3f7fab.filesusr.com/ugd/85ab9f_243edea93942438bb854449c974e3b5f.pdf); and a dark-horse winner with the Booranga Prize for Poetry (the winning entry was 'How to Hold a Knife', which can be read in the journal 4W Thirty-Two). There were a bunch of other short-listings or long-listings (including the Peter Porter, the Val Vallis and the ACU) but publications in journals were far and wide (Crosswinds, Westerly and Griffith Review were the best of these, because I have tried so often to get into them!). I did some readings and personally read and wrote a mountain of poems. Most of them were rejected. Hundreds. However, I also published a book in 2021, so no matter what else happened it will be one of the best years of my life for that fact alone!!
2021 was a great year for me and towards the end of it, I didn't really keep this news list up to date. In the end I won 6 major competitions, including three in the space of a few weeks in November, to bookend the great start to the year. These last few competitions included the Open Poetry category of the Ipswich Poetry Feast (a long time favourite of mine - the winning poem can be found here: 2021 Archives - Ipswich (ipswichpoetryfeast.com.au); the Katherine Suzannah Pritchard Poetry Prize (the winning poem, 'Failures', has one of my best endings - read it here: 44305c8e-850f-400c-8387-c3e8cd3f7fab.filesusr.com/ugd/85ab9f_243edea93942438bb854449c974e3b5f.pdf); and a dark-horse winner with the Booranga Prize for Poetry (the winning entry was 'How to Hold a Knife', which can be read in the journal 4W Thirty-Two). There were a bunch of other short-listings or long-listings (including the Peter Porter, the Val Vallis and the ACU) but publications in journals were far and wide (Crosswinds, Westerly and Griffith Review were the best of these, because I have tried so often to get into them!). I did some readings and personally read and wrote a mountain of poems. Most of them were rejected. Hundreds. However, I also published a book in 2021, so no matter what else happened it will be one of the best years of my life for that fact alone!!
18 August 2021
I will be reading online at the Sydney Poetry Lounge with Magdalena Ball. Really excited! Get yourself on to Zoom and join in at www.facebook.com/events/1213559002390451/?ref=newsfeed
I will be reading online at the Sydney Poetry Lounge with Magdalena Ball. Really excited! Get yourself on to Zoom and join in at www.facebook.com/events/1213559002390451/?ref=newsfeed
01 August 2021
The last month has been great. It has been quiet from a publication perspective, but in the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to be published in Westerly 66.1, Griffith Review 73: Hey Utopia! and Cordite 102: Game. I have been trying to get into Westerly and Griffith Review for ages, so I am particularly gratified by that. Both poems were written during Queensland Poetry Workshops so they clearly work! The Cordite publication was a found poem that kind of wrote itself, but was lots of fun to put together.
The last month has been great. It has been quiet from a publication perspective, but in the last few weeks I have been lucky enough to be published in Westerly 66.1, Griffith Review 73: Hey Utopia! and Cordite 102: Game. I have been trying to get into Westerly and Griffith Review for ages, so I am particularly gratified by that. Both poems were written during Queensland Poetry Workshops so they clearly work! The Cordite publication was a found poem that kind of wrote itself, but was lots of fun to put together.
15 May 2021
Another early reading! Another opportunity to listen to great poets from the UK read and talk. I got to read my second-prize winning poem, 'A Small Holding' at the Gregory O'Donoghue Poetry Prize winning as part of the Cork International Literary Festival. I can't wait to see it in print when my copy of Southwords get here
Another early reading! Another opportunity to listen to great poets from the UK read and talk. I got to read my second-prize winning poem, 'A Small Holding' at the Gregory O'Donoghue Poetry Prize winning as part of the Cork International Literary Festival. I can't wait to see it in print when my copy of Southwords get here
30 April 2021
I have had the honour of participating in a long interview with David Ades for Westwords. The theme of the interview was 'the End of Things' and I read a selection of new poems and poems from my upcoming book that linked to the theme as well as answering questions. David is a great interviewer and hopefully brought out some interesting discussion from me. The Poets Corner series is an under-appreciated web series - there are some great poets in the collection to listen to. I never realised how many of my poems fit the theme until I started looking more closely. I guess I need to write new poems! Here is a link to the whole thing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DHmJhj8uyI
I have had the honour of participating in a long interview with David Ades for Westwords. The theme of the interview was 'the End of Things' and I read a selection of new poems and poems from my upcoming book that linked to the theme as well as answering questions. David is a great interviewer and hopefully brought out some interesting discussion from me. The Poets Corner series is an under-appreciated web series - there are some great poets in the collection to listen to. I never realised how many of my poems fit the theme until I started looking more closely. I guess I need to write new poems! Here is a link to the whole thing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DHmJhj8uyI
23 April 2021
A lovely little near-birthday present: I read my Magma Prize winning poem, 'An Inscription on a Grave' today along with the Pamphlet prize winners and the Editors' Prize Winners. It's always worth getting up early, if there is a chance that someone will listen to me read, and I always feel so welcomed by UK poets.
A lovely little near-birthday present: I read my Magma Prize winning poem, 'An Inscription on a Grave' today along with the Pamphlet prize winners and the Editors' Prize Winners. It's always worth getting up early, if there is a chance that someone will listen to me read, and I always feel so welcomed by UK poets.
07 March 2021
I have won the MPU International Poetry Competition with my poem, 'Aum Shinrikyo Farms Sarin', which tells the true story of when the doomsday cult tested their nerve gas in an Australian farm. Radio National teaches you so much!
I have won the MPU International Poetry Competition with my poem, 'Aum Shinrikyo Farms Sarin', which tells the true story of when the doomsday cult tested their nerve gas in an Australian farm. Radio National teaches you so much!
08 February 2021
An early start today. Reading my winning poem, 'Callus' for the Cafe Writers Poetry Competition. You can read it here: www.cafewriters.co.uk/home/poetry-competition/I love the idea of a competition named for writing in cafes. My favourite writing location.
An early start today. Reading my winning poem, 'Callus' for the Cafe Writers Poetry Competition. You can read it here: www.cafewriters.co.uk/home/poetry-competition/I love the idea of a competition named for writing in cafes. My favourite writing location.
09 January 2021
For so many people, 2020 was a year to forget. For me, it was a year to remember. I won three major poetry competitions and Recent Work Press agreed to publish my first book of poetry. I have been very lucky and have to keep reminding myself that there are very many deserving poets who don't have my luck. Whatever 2021 brings me, I will remember how privileged I am to have a year like 2020.
For so many people, 2020 was a year to forget. For me, it was a year to remember. I won three major poetry competitions and Recent Work Press agreed to publish my first book of poetry. I have been very lucky and have to keep reminding myself that there are very many deserving poets who don't have my luck. Whatever 2021 brings me, I will remember how privileged I am to have a year like 2020.
28 December 2020
I have been longlisted for the Peter Porter Poetry Prize. One of 15 poets. My longlisted poem, "Carpool" is one of my best, most genuine poems, so I wasn't surprised to be longlisted. It took some pretty good poems to beat it and the 5 finalist poems are certainly that. Amazing poems by Danielle Blau, YS Lee, Jazz Money, Sara M Saleh and Raisa Tolchinsky. I can't wait to find out the winner! I have a soft spot for the PPPP. When I was joint-winner back in 2017, I started to believe I might be a good poet.
I have been longlisted for the Peter Porter Poetry Prize. One of 15 poets. My longlisted poem, "Carpool" is one of my best, most genuine poems, so I wasn't surprised to be longlisted. It took some pretty good poems to beat it and the 5 finalist poems are certainly that. Amazing poems by Danielle Blau, YS Lee, Jazz Money, Sara M Saleh and Raisa Tolchinsky. I can't wait to find out the winner! I have a soft spot for the PPPP. When I was joint-winner back in 2017, I started to believe I might be a good poet.
26 October 2020
The Newcastle Poetry Prize! I. Have. Won. The. Newcastle. Poetry. Prize! My poem, "Measures of Truth" was chosen by Mike Ladd and Judith Beveridge over Anthony Lawrence (2nd Prize with "Keepers') and Rob Edmonds (3rd Prize with "The Long Jetty Ghazals"). This marks the 5th year I have been published in this prize, which considers poems up to 200 lines in length, and this year I had two poems chosen. I admire and respect the previous winners, I love reading the anthologies. This was a special, unexpected, emotional moment.
The Newcastle Poetry Prize! I. Have. Won. The. Newcastle. Poetry. Prize! My poem, "Measures of Truth" was chosen by Mike Ladd and Judith Beveridge over Anthony Lawrence (2nd Prize with "Keepers') and Rob Edmonds (3rd Prize with "The Long Jetty Ghazals"). This marks the 5th year I have been published in this prize, which considers poems up to 200 lines in length, and this year I had two poems chosen. I admire and respect the previous winners, I love reading the anthologies. This was a special, unexpected, emotional moment.
04 October 2020
What an eventful September! I was shortlisted in the Montreal International Poetry Prize and I received third prize in the ACU Poetry Prize judged by Professor Chris Wallace-Crabbe as well as shortlistings in the Newcastle Poetry Prize. You can read my Montreal poem, 'Bookend to a Flood' here: www.montrealpoetryprize.com/poems/bookend-to-a-flood and see me read the ACU poem, 'Atlas Carried the World' here youtu.be/AWHjTDCJ4Jo
What an eventful September! I was shortlisted in the Montreal International Poetry Prize and I received third prize in the ACU Poetry Prize judged by Professor Chris Wallace-Crabbe as well as shortlistings in the Newcastle Poetry Prize. You can read my Montreal poem, 'Bookend to a Flood' here: www.montrealpoetryprize.com/poems/bookend-to-a-flood and see me read the ACU poem, 'Atlas Carried the World' here youtu.be/AWHjTDCJ4Jo
06 August 2020
I AM GOING TO BE PUBLISHED! Sorry to shout, but this is the best news I have had in years. Recent Work Press just announced their line up of poets they intend to publish in 2021 and my name was on the list.! This is something that I have hoped for since I was young, but I had begun to think it might never happen. My thanks to the editorial board (Shane Strange, Penelope Layland, Lisa Brockwell and Martin Dolan) of Recent Work Press for trusting my writing
I AM GOING TO BE PUBLISHED! Sorry to shout, but this is the best news I have had in years. Recent Work Press just announced their line up of poets they intend to publish in 2021 and my name was on the list.! This is something that I have hoped for since I was young, but I had begun to think it might never happen. My thanks to the editorial board (Shane Strange, Penelope Layland, Lisa Brockwell and Martin Dolan) of Recent Work Press for trusting my writing
24 June 2020
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/