Saturday, July 14, 2007

Yellow Door Bookshop Readings - Yeppoon

The readings went really well last night. A twenty plus crowd, not large but interested.

I took the opportunity to read a selection of poems from the (now almost completed) Holding Job's Hand sequence as well as some from the Rainshadows cd (IP Digital 2007) and Swelter (Interactive Press - emerging authors series 2003) & (IP Digital 2004).



Most of the audience had heard the older work at various events and readings locally over the last few years and it was good to read some that were familiar and fresh in a new way. It is surprising how often poets forget to reacquaint themselves from time to time with their own 'golden oldies'.



The Job sequence was also a surprise, as it created some excitement with a couple of people who hadn't heard my work before. Fellow author and reader, Michael O'Sullivan and a woman who had studied theology and in particular - the Job conundrum. Both were very enthusiastic about the journey my poems were taking and how I might resolve the Job question within the larger framework. Most of the poems are short, so I read 13 of the 30 (or 33 as ending is still unresolved).



It is easy to forget how enjoyable smaller readings can be. The drinks and conversations that often continue afterwards. The way people feel empowered to discuss with an author aspects of their work, things which caught their attention or their interest.



I guess for me, that sort of interaction and support can validate the toil.

I'm now really looking forward to the readings at Rockhampton Art Gallery this afternoon, although because of the nature of the space and the afternoon time slot, I'm guessing there will be a little less of the drinks and conversations after the readings.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Famous Reporter 35

This issue is a must-have with some outstanding work included.
Ralph Wessman's Famous Reporter's 20th Anniversary edition includes poetry, prose, reviews, blog entries and all other literary things.
I was very impressed with one very long poem in this edition by John Kinsella.
An epic poem over many pages, well worth publishing and reading.
Three cheers to Ralph and FR!
With text and journal publishers being very shy on the ground, it takes determination and faith these days to publish literary work, and for a journal to publish one author's longer work, is always a risk.
This one pays off tenfold.
If you can get a copy do so, you won't be disappointed.
Also included are two of my reviews - Francesca Haig's 'Bodies of Water' and Dorothy Poter's edited 'Best Australian' 2006.

IP Autumn Season 2007 - northern tour

Interactive Publications are touring the new Autumn season in my neck of the woods/words.

'Rainshadows' (IP Digital 2007) celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the press features authors from 1997 to the present, including myself and Kristin Hannaford - work from our combined collections 'Slipway' and 'Inhale' which were published in 'Swelter' (IP 2003) & (IP Digital 2004).
The tour features the children's book 'Real Guns' by David P. Reiter and 'Easter at Tobruk' by Michael O'Sullivan who also wrote 'Secret Writings'.

Kristin and myself will be performing with David and Michael at the Yellow Door Bookstore in Yeppoon on Friday night and the Rockhampton Art Gallery on Saturday.

Also participating in the Saturday readings will be local academic Stephen Mullins, demonstrating from his Community, Environment & History: Keppel Bay Case Studies (CQUP).

Hope to see some central Queenslanders there and any intra/interstate visitors who might like to come along.

Friday, July 06, 2007

queensland poetry festival

The programme is uphttp://www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/
Looks like another great line up of poets and performers.
Poets from Canada, Tasmania, New Zealand, Ireland, and Australia - wow - I'm getting excited already.