Post EWF (bunny report)

After a panel session in the Yarra Room this bunny went to browse the EWF zine fair and hang out with his pal the wooden wombat. He had a great time in Melbourne and thinks the Emerging Writers Festival totally dacks on all others.

Poet Bunny RockStar

An invite to the coolest gig in town. We all hope to see you there.

So I'm just home from the Emerging Writers Festival in Melbourne. Um, I don't know what to say about it other than just wait for the pics. That might be best. This Poet-Bunny-RockStar is SO tired. It turns out that if you happen have to a giant bunny suit handy you can do good deeds like assisting with wedding photos. I gave a kiss to one beautiful bride on the steps of the Town Hall before heading inside for my session. Felt awesome! (thanks to Angela Meyer for the "poet bunny rockstar" tag. that's a keeper. I couldn't be happier with that.)

And another thing I learnt is that if you do have a bunny suit Jennifer Mills will always help zip you up. Check out her new book with UQP here... http://www.jenjen.com.au

Now pop Friday, August 14 in your diary for the launch of The Ghost Poetry Project at Old Melbourne Gaol. 6-7:30 pm. Launched by Kevin Brophy.

Ten nights. Ten haunted locations. One terrifying adventure across Australia.

From a gaol cell to a lunatic asylum to a night in a haunted hearse, The Ghost Poetry Project is one poet's attempt to find a language of guts and daring. A unique exploration of fear, courage and the power of mystery and myth.

Overland 195

Two of my poems from The Ghost Poetry Project (forthcoming in August with Puncher & Wattmann) are up at Overland 195.

These were inspired by my stay at the Quarantine Station, Spring Cove, Sydney. Check out my archives for pics.

http://web.overland.org.au/?page_id=1168

And here's an interview I did for the Skill Share Series with Tess Jager from Express Media...

http://www.expressmedia.org.au/content.php?content_id=504

My jeans still hug me

So here's a few things you might be interested in getting along to.

I'm running a workshop for Express Media on Performance Poetry, which is really cool. I get to talk about my favourite tracks and discuss a form that's been good to me/interested me for a long time.

www.expressmedia.org.au/events.php?content_id=496

Then come and see if I'm up to scratch the following weekend at the Emerging Writers Festival. I'll be in a debate/panel session at the Melbourne Town Hall. One titled Art vs Craft.

www.emergingwritersfestival.org.au/MTH.html

Whether you're ready for it or not I'm planning to bust out some John Laws poetry on ya.

My jeans

still hug me

but i'd rather

you did

And then I get to perform for real at the upcoming launch of Going Down Swinging #28, June 10 Northcote Soical Club. These nights are always BIG. And I'll be going unplugged with the piece they commisioned me to do for last year's Melbourne Writers Festival. Static is one of my faves. So I can't wait for this one. More news on this soon.

www.goingdownswinging.org.au/index.html

Gaol pics

With thanks to photographers Julie Millowick, Julie Hough and the Castlemaine State Festival

Zorro dog

Now don’t forget that Page Seventeen is currently open for submissions until June 30 so check the submission/competition guidelines carefully…

http://www.pageseventeen.com.au/news.html

I am fortunate enough to be judging the poetry competition this year, so I’m looking forward to reading some strong poems.

Also, Express Media in partnership with the Emerging Writers Festival, is presenting a mini workshop series in May. I’ll be running a workshop on performance poetry, alongside Lisa Dempster (Independent Publishing) and Ben Eltham (pitching)

http://expressmedia.org.au/workshops.php

And make sure to check out Lisa Dempster’s site, Unwakeable. At moment you’ll find pictures of her little dog dressed as Zorro. Just without the mask.

http://www.lisadempster.com.au/

Oh and I’m on a panel for the Emerging Writers Festival too…

Art vs. Craft?
One of our special Two Sides of the Coin debates where writers debate with themselves. Is it all about lyrical musings regardless of plot and structure, or can you put any old a pap down if the plot rocks? Obviously you need both…obviously. Obviously?

With Nathan Curnow, Kirk Marshall, & Elise Hurst
Hosted by Susan Hayes

12:30 Sunday the 31st of May
Yarra Room, Melbourne Town hall

The EWF program is being launched on the 23rd April.

Poetry Tough Talk

I’m after creative tough talk that incorporates poetry titles. Some examples, along with the author of the book…

If you don’t shut up I’m gonna kick you in the Magisterium!
(Joel Deane)

I’ll beat the Minorphysics out of you! (Paul Mitchell)

Meet my fists: Folly and Grief! (Jennifer Harrison)

That’s it, I’m going Atomic Ballet on you’re arse! (S K Kelen)

Let me serve you up some of my hot Kurri Kurri Book of the Dead! (Greg McLaren)

Ok. Time to bust out a little ManWolfMan (LK Holt)