Poets! Some resources for you today. The first stop for all things poetry is, of course, Australian Poetry. Online you can also find loads of information including this one on how to give a good reading of your poems, or this list of recommended texts for poets. Here is a great poetic glossary for your reference, and this blog post from the ACT Writers’ Centre blog has some great info on performing at poetry slams. On the Australian Poetry website you will find this guide to getting your work published, and you should also keep up with the Cordite Poetry Review blog. Check out the Australian Poetry Slam YouTube channel to see excellent live performances, and you should really listen to this audio on the Kill Your Darlings blog about Slam Poetry in Oz. Finally, the Australian Poetry Library is an excellent way to explore homegrown poetry.

Opportunities and Events

It would be remiss of us to mention the NSW Writers’ Centre Poetry Festival coming up on June 29 for those in Sydney.

There is also the Ipswitch Poetry Feast writing competition closing on July 26, open to poets everywhere.

For the under 18s in Wyndham, Victoria your local story, prose and poetry writing competition closes on June 30. More details found here.

South Australian writers can enter the Gawler Short Story Competition, which has young all all-ages sections and closes on August 12. South Australians should also note that the Emerging Artists Mentorships applications close June 21.

Kill Your Darlings are hosting a workshop in Melbourne on writing memoir with Jo Case on June 23. More details on their site. For Melbourne writers with children in tow, why not pop along to this kid-friendly slam poetry event on June 25. Details on the Culture Mamas site.

Today’s quote is a reflection on the place of poetry in our society

Poetry is important. No less than science, it seeks a hold upon reality, and the closeness of its approach is the test of its success – Babette Deutsch

Can you tell us your favourite poet? Add your own suggestions in the poll below…

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