Poetry

Image of a young person smiling and standing before a microphone as they speak (Spoken word poetry)

What is poetry? How do I write it? How do I get published?

Express Media, in partnership with Australian Poetry, is pleased to announce Toolkits Connect: Poetry – an online course in the forms, functions, histories and uses of poetry, combining theoretical approaches, practical exercises and group workshops to guide young writers through the development of new work. 

The program includes specialised presentations from guest artists and industry experts, the opportunity to connect with and learn from an established writer and network with other young writers in the same literary form, as well as to contribute to an outcome towards the end of the program (format to be determined by the group and facilitator).  

Writers will meet as a group with Maddie Godfrey fortnightly on Wednesday evenings, connecting young Australian writers and offering opportunities for skill sharing and development. These meetings will foster community, encourage writers to develop a regular working practice and open a space to receive encouragement/guidance. During the off-weeks, the group and their facilitator will connect and share their work via a private online Discord channel, fostering connection and establishing relationships across the full 12 weeks.  

Participants will have the chance to learn from some of Australia’s best writers, with guest artists and industry experts including Jacinta Le Plastrier and Rae White who will be presenting live and online in sessions for young writers across the country. 

If you are a young writer or artist interested in poetry, we want to hear from you! 

Become an Express Media Member!

Applications to Toolkits Connect Poetry are free for Express Media & Australian Poetry joint members along with a number of other perks, events, and opportunities. If you’re not already a member, you can easily sign up here.

Season one facilitator 

Manisha Anjali is a writer and artist. She has been a recipient of BLINDSIDE’s Regional Arts & Research Residency at Mooramong, a Writer-in-Residence at Incendium Radical Library and a Hot Desk Fellow at The Wheeler Centre. Manisha is the founder of Community Dream Project, a research and documentation platform for dreams, visions and hallucinations. 

 

Season two facilitator 

Madison ‘Maddie’ Godfrey is a writer, educator, and emotional feminist. They are the author of ‘How To Be Held’ (Burning Eye Books, 2018) and ‘Dress Rehearsals’ (Forthcoming from Allen & Unwin’s JOAN Press, 2023). Madison has performed poetry at The Sydney Opera House, The Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, TEDx and Glastonbury Festival. They are a previous recipient of the Kat Muscat Fellowship, The Varuna Poetry Flagship Fellowship and a WA Youth Award for their ‘Creative Contributions’ to the state. Currently Maddie is completing their PhD and living on Whadjuk Noongar land. Their great loves include; the band La Dispute, the colour purple, and their rescue cat Sylvia. 



Toolkits Connect: Poetry is presented by Express Media in partnership with Australian Poetry.