Words Out West - Poetry

Cafe Poet Update By Diana Brooks

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:51:00 +1000

Here's the latest from Cafe Poet Diana Brooks: "I'm nearly through my first month at Café Latte. I've chosen the place I prefer to sit and having found the front of house the window looks onto the main street of Orange a bit full on, now I sit a little further down the back. Jasmine (from the Writers' Centre) has taken my photograph with Aaron, the proprietor, who says he is going to frame it. So! The sign's up, the fair trade coffee is hot and the whimsical works of art on the walls are tuning the atmosphere. A friendly arts reporter and photographer came for an interview and seemed keen to compare the Café Poet Program to Café Society and the Impressionist painters in the cafes of 19th Century France. Seemed like a good enough idea to me!! A few days later it has snowed all morning in the main street, the glass window framing the scene as cars nose their way through the huge soft flakes. As others have said, this café poet business is a work in progress. Thanks to the momentum provided by the publicity, I've had quite a number of informal chats, and arranged appointments with people and am waiting to see where this may lead. There is a sense of growing supportive relationships, not only with Aaron, but with to the city of Orange." The Cafe Poet program is supported by the Naitonal Poetry Centre, Central West Writer's Centre and Cafe Latte, 173 Summer Street, Orange. Diana is in residence at the cafe from 9am - 12 noon - Mon, Wed, Fri, so call in and meet a poet.

Cafe poet resides at Cafe Latte, Orange

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:08:00 +1000

Congratulatons to local Poet Diana Brooks who has been accepted into the National Cafe Poet Program along with cafe hosts Aaron and Emma Wright of Cafe Latte located at 173 Summer Street, Orange. Aaron is pictured with Diana Brooks. Diana has taken up residence in the coffee shop as part of the Australian Poetry Centre's Café Poet Program. She will be a regular sight at Orange's Café Latte on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am 12 noon. The National Café Poet Program aims to raise awareness of poetry and encourage people to try writing their own poetry, talk about poetry and read poetry. There will be a feedback box for people to leave their poetry for the café poet and to give their comments about the Café Poet Program. Stay tuned to this blog for updates.

Yeoval Mulga Bill Festival July 24 & 25

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:54:00 +1000

The Yeoval Mulga Bill Festival, which incorporates a bicycle ride to celebrate the fact that Banjo Paterson spent his early childhood years living in Yeoval, is now in its 5th successive year. Enjoy a bike ride, bush food, poetry, art exhibition, music and much more. Check out www.mulgabillfestival.com.au for program details.

Australian Poetry Slam Heat in Orange Thurs 22 July

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:39:00 +1000

Imagine it's just you and your words for two minutes with a mic in the spotlight. Orange City Library is calling all poets, hip-hop artists and other outspoken wordsmiths to polish their rhymes and lyrics for the Australian Poetry Slam. On Thursday 22 July - at 6pm for poets to sign up and from 6.30pm to perform - Orange will host one of 8 slam heats planned across the state. Winners from the Orange heat will go on to perform at the regional final and a chance to perform in the State final. Host Tug Dumbly (pictured) is one of Australia's greatest spoken-word artists and he will host this electric live event. An initiative of the non-profit literary arts association, Word Travels and State Libraries, the Australian Poetry Slam is the nation's largest and richest poetry slam with cash and a gig at Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in Bali up for grabs. The Orange heat offers a $100 prize for the winner. And four heat finalists will go on to perform at the regional heat to be held in Bathurst on Saturday 7 August at 8pm as part of Cabaret Kite at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. All contestants have just two minutes to impress the judges (selected at random at each heat) with their spoken word, poetry, hip hop, monologues and stories. We need people to get up and have a go and for others to be in the audience - so come along for a fun night out.

Grenfell's Henry Lawson Festival of the Arts Long Weekend

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:19:00 +1000

Grenfell's Henry Lawson Festival of Arts June Long Weekend (starts Tuesday June 8 to Monday June 14)and includes Poetry - Performance, Exhibitions, Heritage, Street Parade, Music, Circus, Sport and Community events. A full program of events is available from: www.grenfell.org.au/henrylawsonfestival Festival highlights this year are: Poetry by Firelight, Tuesday June 8, 7.30pm, Dramatic Society Rooms. Wallangreen Sculpture Garden Open Thursday-Monday, afternoons. Art Exhibition Opens Thursday June 10, 7.30pm, Grenfell Art Gallery. Photography Exhibition Friday-Monday, Upper Main Street Grenfell. Festival Concert With local bands, folk musicians, Melissa Robertson,Miranda Foster and Bush Poet Geoffrey Graham. Friday June 11, 7.30pm, Henry Lawson High School, Book at Louisa's Locker 02 6343 1577. Poetry on the Boards Saturday June 12, sign up from 9.30am, Railway Station. Poetry Slam with Miles Merrill - come and compete in the heats of this state-wide comp on Saturday June 12, 3pm, Railway Station. Grenfell Dramatic Society The Man in the Bowler Hat and The Dilemma of Deidre Dearheart, Sunday June 13, 7.30pm & Monday June 14, 2pm, Rose St Rooms tickets CJ Anderson 02 6343 1610.

Cloudland Poetry Reading and Launch on Sunday

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:02:00 +1000

Come along to a poetry launch and reading from a group of talented poets who have produced their own collection called Cloudland. Poets include group facilitator Deb Westbury, from the Blue Mountains, and Di Brooks based in the Central West. The book will be for sale and you can meet and talk with the poets and enjoy hearing them read their works. The launch takes place from 2-4pm on Sunday 28 March at Orange City Library. Enjoy!!

Oberon Writers' Competition has Water Theme

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:57:00 +1000

Oberon Writers' Workshop, Friends of Oberon Library & Burraga Ag Bureau presents the 2nd Oberson Writers' Competition. There are 2 sections: NARRATIVE: 1st $100, 2nd $25 An original piece of narrative writing of 1500 to 2500 words, not previously published. Theme: Water. Fee: $5 per entry, limit of two entries per section. POETRY: 1st $100, 2nd $25 An original poem or suite of poems in any style, 120 lines or less in total, not previously published. Theme: Water Fee: $5 per entry, limit of two entries per section. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate cover sheet with title of entry, writer's name and contact details. Writer's name not to appear on item submitted. Forward entries and fees, cheque or money order, payable to Burraga Ag Bureau, to Ms A Russell, 1303 Isabella Rd, Isabella, NSW 2795. If items are to be returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Entries close 30th June, 2010. Winners will be announced at 51st Burraga Sheep Show & Country Fair on Saturday, 28th August, 2010. For further details phone Anne Russell, 02 6337 0363 or email everanne@activ8.net.au. Prizes donated by Burraga Ag Bureau, Friends of Oberon Library & Oberon Writers' Workshop

Call for Entries in Banjo Paterson Writing Awards

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +1000

Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson was born on February 17, 1864 and to celebrate his birthday Orange City Council, Central West Libraries, Central West Writers' Centre supported by The Central Western Daily and ABC Central West Radio announce the call for entries to the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards. It is important to note that entries into the Prose (Short Story), Open Poetry and Children's Writing Awards categories of the competition do not have to be in the style of Banjo's writing. Entry forms are available from Central West Libraries branches, by phoning 6393 8120, email: writing@orange.nsw.gov.au or [download here]. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children per entry. The competition closes on Friday 16 April 2010 and winners will be contacted by phone on Monday 21 June 2010. There are cash prizes to be won and the winning Prose (Short Story) entry will be published in the Central Western Daily.

From this Broken Hill

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:19:00 +1000

Meuse Press has released an e-anthology titled "From This Broken Hill" an unique combination of writing from some of the country's top writers (past & present) combined with a dazzling array of photography. A place of near mythic proportions, this city deep in the outback. A mine that put the money into Melbourne. Arts hub while simultaneously isolated by distance. But in some ways Broken Hill was the experiment that became multicultural Australia it had the country's first mosque, many communities continue to thrive within its boundaries. The rough heart of Unionism still stands strong. People escape to this city, others escape a childhood there. It has its horrors and highlights, once there you'll never forget. Read an excerpt from a Napoleon Bonaparte set in the city, read the view back from leading poet Rae Desmond Jones who grew up there and wonder at the mining waste turned into a thing of beauty surrounded by red soil. Edited by Barbara De Franceschi, Marvis Sofield and Les Wicks. Supported by Broken Hill Regional Writers' Centre, Broken Hill City Council, Countrylink & ArtsNSW. It is available at http://brokenhill.tripod.com/BrokenHill.htm

Australian Book Review Poetry Prize

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:23:00 +1000

Entry to the sixth annual Australian Book Review Poetry Prize is now open. First place prize money is $4000, and shortlisted poems receive $250 each. Poets must reside in Australia or be Australian citizens living overseas. Each entry must be a single poem of no more than 100 lines. Multiple entries are permitted, and all poems will be judged anonymously. A shortlist comprising a maximum of six poems will be announced and those poems published in the March 2010 issue of ABR. The winner will be announced in the April 2010 issue. Entry forms available from the ABR website. Entries close on 1 December 2009.

2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:43:00 +1000

Okay there is no time to rest as competitions are coming in thick and fast: 2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets, sponsored by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation. The major prize is $3000, with two minor prizes of $500. Closing date is Monday 7 December 2009. It's an award specifically designed to encourage new poets and new poems. You can find out more information about how to enter on the Overland website and here is the link - http://web.overland.org.au/?page_id=1549

Bush Poetry for Cancer Council Fundraiser Event

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:58:00 +1000

As part of Girls Night In (guys are welcome) events for October Greentrees Guesthouse, corner Lysterfield & Pinnacle Roads, Orange is hosting a night of food, fun and bush poetry on Friday 16 October at 6.30pm. For $30 enjoy enjoy finger food, dessert, tea or coffee and a performance by acclaimed bush poet Frank Daniel. There will be a raffle and lucky door prizes. All proceeds will go to the Cancer Council NSW. To get your tickets call Carol on 6362 8182.

2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging poets

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:12:00 +1000

Overland and the Malcolm Robertson Foundation have joined forces to create the Overland Magazine Judith Wright Prize for New and Emerging Poets. In 2009 the prize money is $3000, with two minor prizes of $500 each. Poets are eligible if they have not yet had a collection of their work commercially published. A maximum of three unpublished poems is allowed per entry. Two copies of each poem must be submitted. The poet's name must not appear on the manuscript, as all poems will be considered anonymously. The entry is to be accompanied by a $9.90 ($5.50 for Overland subscribers) administration fee. The poems will be judged by Overland's poetry editor Keri Glastonbury, and the winning poems will be published in the magazine. All submissions will be considered for publication in Overland. The entry form and guidelines are available at: www.overland.org.au Judith Wright, one of Australia's greatest poets, had a long and fruitful connection with Overland, and her last published poem (which appeared in Overland in 1999), was entitled 'To Younger Poets'. Entries should be sent to: 'Overland Judith Wright Poetry Competition' VUFootscray Park Campus PO Box 14428 MELBOURNE VIC 8001 by 7 December 2009. Winners will be announced at the 2010 Melbourne Emerging Writers' Festival.

Be Quick to enter Vera Newsom Poetry Prize

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:38:00 +1000

Submissions invited before 30 September for VERA NEWSOM POETRY PRIZE 2009 - administered and awarded by Youngstreet Poets. 1st & 2nd Prizes, $300 & $100 respectively. Entries can be sent to Receiving Officer, Sue Watson, PO Box 71, Avalon 2107, By closing date of 30th September 2009. For Australian residents only. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: 1. Entries must be unpublished, not currently submitted for publication, in English, the original work of the entrant, and must not have received a monetary award in, nor be concurrently entered in any other competition. 2. Maximum of 32 lines per poem, typed on A4 paper, one side only. Two copies of each poem required. Author's name must not appear on manuscript. 3. There is no official entry form, but a separate cover page must be provided, listing title of poem, number of lines, entrant's full name, address, telephone number and/or email address. 4. The judges decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into. No entries will be returned. 5. Entry fee of $5 per poem. 6. Entries to Receiving Officer, Sue Watson, PO Box 71, Avalon 2107, by closing date of 30th September 2009. Late entries will not be considered. 7. Winners will be announced as soon as possible, but prizes will be awarded at the Youngstreet Poets Christmas luncheon on Friday 27th November 2009. 8. SSAEs required for notification of results and/or acknowledgement of receipt of submission.

Poetry Publishing Opportunities & Workshop

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:10:00 +1000

Three opportunities for poetry publication: 1. Melaleuca is a free e-zine of Australian poetry, delivered monthly through your email in-box. For submissions and subscriptions, contact the editor, Phillip A. Ellis, at phillip.a.ellis@gmail.com 2. Meuse Press is publishing an e-anthology - "from this Broken Hill" - of poetry, short prose & photography celebrating the people, culture, history & landscapes of Broken Hill which is currently being considered for National Heritage listing. The anthology will not appear on paper & there will be no money in, so no payment out to contributors. You are invited to submit up to 3 pieces. Submissions should be in the body of the e-mail, single spaced Times New Roman 12p & be accompanied by a 3 line bio. Prior publication is no problem but you should include acknowledgement. It will be edited by Barbara de Franceschi, Marvis Sofield & Les Wicks. Send to leswicks@hotmail.com, deadline 30 October. 3. dotdotdash is taking submissions for Issue 2. The inaugual issue of dotdotdash will hit the streets on September 5th! So get writing or drawing again because submissions are now open for dotdotdash Issue 2. The theme is 'ugly', but unthemed work is also sought. Submissions close 30th September. To submit visit http://.dotdotdash.org/ And a poetry workshop on publishing with Les Wicks will be held on Sunday 30 August from 1 - 5pm at the West Room, next door to Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange. Cost $20. Please book on 6393 8125.