9.12.14

 

Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2015

 

You wait for your loneliness to be looked upon appears in The Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2015 launched in the UK by Aesthetica Magazine.

 

‘This absorbing compendium fuses established and emerging literary talent from across the world, and showcases the winners and finalists from the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2014. Considering a vast range of themes and subject matter, this text reveals many different aspects of life in today’s society. This is a book that you can return to time and time again; it will ignite your passion for new writing.’

 

Partners for the creative writing award include Granta, Bloodaxe Books, The Independent, Apples and Snakes, and Vintage Books.

 

The Aesthetica Creative Writing Annual 2015 is available for pre-order from Aesthetica’s website.

 

 

1.12.14

 

The Troubadour International Poetry Prize

 

Recovery Room has been awarded third place in The Troubadour International Poetry Prize in London by the judges Neil Astley and Amy Wack.

 

The annual Troubadour Poetry Prize (£5000) is one of the largest UK prizes for an individual poem. Administered by Coffee-House Poetry, this year the prize attracted over 4,000 entries from around the world.

 

The prize-giving evening took place last night at The Troubadour in Brompton Road, Earls Court, London, where the winning poets were announced and read alongside Neil Astley and Amy Wack.

 

‘The Troubadour was founded in 1954 as a writers' and artists' cafe: Stanley Kubrick had his favourite table in the early '60s, & it soon became the hub of a folk-poetry-jazz-&-r'n'b revolution. And while acts as varied as Paul Simon, Joan Baez, Eric Clapton, Martin Carthy, the Stones, the Dubliners & Bob Dylan flourished in the cellar-club's bohemian setting, it was poetry that made the cluttered, eccentric & always-lively coffee-house a magnet for London's writers over the past 55 years.'

 

The prizewinning poems, including Wes Lee’s poem Recovery Room are published on the Coffee-House Poetry website.

 

 

30.11.14

 

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2014

 

Finalist in the Aesthetica Magazine Creative Writing Award 2014.

 

This year’s judges for the Creative writing award were Arifa Akbar (Literary Editor at The Independent and i Newspapers), and Professor Oz Hardwick (Professor of English and Programme Leader for English and Writing at Leeds Trinity University).

 

 

25.11.14

 

 

Poetry d’Amour

 

Eight Transitions appears in Poetry d’Amour 2015, an anthology of love poetry, selected by Nandi Chinna for the Poetry d’Amour Love Poetry Prize in Perth, Australia.

 

The anthology will be launched on November 25 at Mattie Furphy House, Swanbourne, and on November 26 at Falcon eLibrary, Falcon.

 

Poetry d’Amour is an annual event run by West Australian Poets Inc., and will feature at events in two locations on Valentine’s Day 2015:

 

Perth Zoological Gardens (Home of Poetry d’Amour) from sunset to 9.30 pm. And Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery from 11am until 12.30 pm

 

Poetry d’Amour brings Australia’s best loved poets and performers live on stage on Valentine’s Day, by the water in Mandurah and under the stars at the Japanese Gardens at Perth Zoo.

 

The anthology can be purchased in Australian bookstores, or direct from the West Australian Poets Inc. website.

 

 

8.11.14

 

The Cork Literary Review Poetry Manuscript Prize

 

Shortlisted for the Cork Literary Review Poetry Manuscript Prize 2014 offered by Bradshaw Books in Ireland.

 

The prize includes the publication of a first poetry collection published by Bradshaw Books. The overall competition winner and two runners-up will also be featured in the next edition of the prestigious Cork Literary Review, edited by Eugene O’Connell.

 

‘Since it first appeared in 1994, the Cork Literary Review has featured contributions from a host of noted Irish poets and writers, including, Seamus Heaney, Paul Durcan, Thomas McCarthy, Frank McGuinness, Jean O’Brien, Ian Wild, Brian Turner, Medbh McGuckian, Sheila O’Hagan, Eugene O’Connell, William Wall, John McAuliffe, Mary Rose Callan and Roderick Ford.’

 

Established in 1985, Bradshaw Books has published the work of both established and emerging writers.

 

 

4.11.14

 

Sweet As – Contemporary Short Stories by New Zealanders

 

These Last Desires appears in Sweet As – Contemporary Short Stories by New Zealanders, edited by Blair Polly and Wendy Moore.

 

Launched last night in Wellington, Sweet As is a collection of short stories donated by New Zealand writers.

 

‘Sweet as’ is a typically New Zealand term meaning okay, cool, better than good, or even awesome. However, the stories in this collection are not all ‘sweet’ in the traditional sense. New Zealand is a country of light — both strong and bush-dappled — but it also has a dark side. These short stories speak to us of the diverse world we live in. They take us on a journey, or offer a glimpse into another’s life. Some show the struggles, tough questions and challenging situations people face. Some stories are sweet or humorous, while others are quirky or just plain entertaining. They provide us with a snapshot of life in New Zealand and how New Zealanders experience life overseas. 

For this collection, we sought contributions from New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. This gives a breadth of story lines — ‘sweet as’ in their variety and quality. Our aim was to continue one of New Zealand’s finest traditions: its strong culture of reading and writing, especially in the area of short fiction.’

 

The collection is available in print throughout New Zealand bookstores and Amazon in both print and e-book formats. All profits will be donated to the IHC.

 

 

1.11.14

 

Take Back Our Sky

 

Furious Type and Cowry Shell Curtain appear in Take Back Our Sky, the annual New Zealand Poetry Society’s poetry anthology, launched at Meow Café in Wellington on Saturday.

 

The anthology is edited by New Zealand poet Nola Borrell, and contains the winning and commended poems from the annual NZPS Poetry Competition, judged this year by Tim Jones. And a selection of poems chosen by the editor.

 

Furious Type, was commended by Tim Jones. And Cowry Shell Curtain was selected by Nola Borrell.

 

Take Back Our Sky can be purchased through the NZPS website.

 

 

13.10.14

 

Blackmail Press

 

A suite of poems has been published by Blackmail Press in Auckland.

 

The poems: Guernica, On ‘The Rape’ by Rene Magritte, The city from the air, Rothko’s Black, and Sunflowers, appear in Issue 37 of the online publication.

 

Founded in 2001 by editor Doug Poole: ‘Blackmail Press’s impetus is to promote New Zealand poetry and to provide an environment for emerging New Zealand poets to share their work, presenting an eclectic range of voices from Aotearoa and abroad.’

 

 

12.10.14

 

Hildegard – visions & inspiration

 

After a death: a tenderness of thought appears in the Italian anthology Hildegard – visions & inspiration.

 

The anthology was launched at a special event at The Poetry on the Lake Festival at Orta San Giulio, Lake Orta, Italy, on Sunday October 12.

 

The anthology, fully illustrated in colour, with notes on Hildegard's life and works, contains poems inspired and dedicated to the poet and medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen. The event will include readings from the contributors and music composed by Hildegard of Bingen, performed by Julia Berger.

 

The Poetry on the Lake festival of readings and workshops takes place each autumn at Belgirate on Lake Maggiore, Italy.

 

The patron of the festival, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, describes it as 'perhaps the smallest but possibly the most perfect poetry festival in the world.'

 

The limited edition anthology can be purchased from The Poetry on the Lake website.

 

 

12.9.14

 

The Bridport Poetry Prize

 

Shortlisted for The Bridport Poetry Prize, judged by Scottish Maker Liz Lochhead in the UK.

 

The Bridport Prize was founded by Bridport Arts Centre in 1973. The Bridport Poetry Prize has a first prize of 5000 pounds, and is one of the major UK prizes for poetry.

 

The Bridport Poetry Prize received over 6,000

poetry entries this year.

 

The winners will be announced October 18.

 

 

10.9.14

 

Dazzled: The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize Anthology

Morning Light appears in Dazzled, launched last night at an award ceremony at The University of Canberra. The anthology contains the poems selected for the inaugural University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize.

 

The anthology takes its name from the winning poem: Dazzled by David Adès selected by Philip Gross, and was awarded $15,000.

 

The anthology contains the 58 longlisted poems selected by the judges: Judith Beveridge, Brook Emery and Jennifer Harrison.

 

‘I highly commend this publication to all poetry lovers, and to everyone who enjoys the creative connections made by writers and artists . This volume is a celebration of the creative spirit that is so important to university life, and cultural life more broadly, everywhere in the world.’ – Stephen Parker AO (Vice-Chancellor University of Canberra)

Dazzled, edited by New Zealand poet Owen Bullock is published as a limited edition print anthology and as a free e-book from The University of Canberra’s Website.

 

 

25.7.14

 

Book Launch – Sydney

 

The Trouble with Flying and Other Stories will celebrate its Sydney launch at GLEEBOOKS on Saturday.

 

Edited by Richard Rossiter and Susan Midela, The Trouble With Flying contains the winning and shortlisted stories from the Margaret River Press Short Story Competition.

 

The collection was initially launched in May at The Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival in Perth, Western Australia.

 

‘The Margaret River Press Short Story Competition has developed a following of accomplished short story writers, many who have won local, national and international awards and have been published in highly regarded collections such as The Best Australian Stories, Island, Overland and Australian Book Review. Submissions for this year’s competition came from every Australian state and across the Tasman. We are delighted this year to include a story from New Zealand in the collection.’ – Margaret River Press

 

 

11.7.14

 

NZPS International Poetry Competition

 

Furious Type has been commended by the judge Tim Jones in the New Zealand Poetry Society’s Annual Poetry Competition.

 

The winning and commended poems will appear in the annual anthology, edited this year by Nola Borell, along with a selection of poems chosen by the editor.

 

The anthology will be launched by the NZPS in November.

 

 

13.6.14

 

Westerly

 

Tiny Father: Circa. 1997 appears in the June edition of Westerly.

 

Launched at the Westerly Centre at the University of Western Australia, Westerly is the flagship literary publication of Western Australia and has published over 180 issues since 1956.

 

‘The magazine covers literature and culture throughout the world, but maintains a special emphasis on Australia, particularly Western Australia, and the Asian region. Westerly has a strong international reputation, being listed in all the world’s major cultural biographies and indexes, and has been instrumental in the careers of many renowned writers. These include major Western Australian writers such as Randolph Stow, Dorothy Hewett, T.A.G. Hungerford and Elizabeth Jolley; highly awarded contemporary writers, including Tim Winton, Kim Scott, and Sally Morgan; and important local poets like John Kinsella, Tracy Ryan, John Mateer, and Lucy Dougan.’

 

Westerly can be purchased in bookstores throughout Australia or direct from the Westerly website.

 

 

10.5.14

 

Landfall 227

The Late Life Orphan appears in Landfall 227: Vital Signs, edited by NZ critic, poet and non-fiction writer David Eggleton.

‘A raft of writers and artists diagnose ‘vital signs’ in Landfall 227, published in May 2014. Landfall 227 traverses narratives, identities and cultures to offer vital engagement with the best and the most promising in new New Zealand writing.’

Landfall is New Zealand's foremost and longest-running arts and literary journal. Published by Otago University Press, it showcases new fiction, poetry, essays, and cultural commentary.

 

7.4.14

 

The Sleepers Almanac

 

The Sleepers Almanac No. 9, featuring Montauk, has been launched in Melbourne.

 

Sleepers Publishing has been releasing its annual collection of short fiction since 2005, and it has long been considered one of the best anthologies of new writing in Australia.

 

Each year, the editors at Sleepers call for short stories: ‘from writers we’ve all heard of and writers we haven’t (yet). This year’s bumper crop features new stories from literary stars alongside names you’re likely to hear a lot more.’



 

Based in Melbourne, Sleepers was founded by Zoe Dattner and Louise Swinn in 2003. Since its inception Sleepers has continued to garner critical acclaim and awards for its publications which include Steven Amsterdam’s Things We Didn’t See Coming, winner of the Age Book of the Year in 2009, and David Musgrave’s Glissando shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Award 2011.

 

‘Sleepers continues to work a crucial nerve in Australian writing.’ – Nam Le

 

‘A hefty contribution to the good health of the short story.’  – Sydney Morning Herald

 

The Sleepers Almanac No.9 can be purchased in bookstores throughout Australia; Amazon, or direct from Sleepers Publishing.

 

 

15.3.14

 

The National Poetry Competition

 

Longlisted for The National Poetry Competition in the UK, judged by Julia Copus, Matthew Sweeney and Jane Yeh.

 

Established in 1978, the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious poetry contests. Winners have included Carol Ann Duffy, Tony Harrison, Ruth Padel, Philip Gross, Jo Shapcott, Colette Bryce, Julia Copus, Ian Duhig, James Harpur.

 

This years competition attracted over 12,000 entries from 77 countries around the world.

 

The winners will be announced on the Poetry Society’s website on March 28 after the award ceremony.

 

The three prizewinning poems will also be published in the Poetry Review, and the winner invited to read at the Ledbury Poetry Festival in July.

 

 

13.3.14

 

Cowboy Genes

 

Launched at the Huddersfield Literature Festival on March 13, Cowboy Genes brings together a selection of Wes Lee’s short fiction.

 

A woman recovering from surgery makes sense of her life by connecting to the harsh, stoic world of Westerns. A woman is visited by her brother who has just been released from a psychiatric institution. Three eccentric sisters come together when one is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Two teenagers are fascinated by the local outsider who paints obscene pictures. An artist suffers a terrible car accident and becomes obsessed with repeating the same sculptures.

 

‘In Wes Lee’s beautiful, lyrical collection of short fiction, the shadow of death looms.’ – Michael Stewart (King Crow, 2011).

 

Cowboy Genes is published by Grist Books at The University of Huddersfield and is available from Amazon and Inpress Books.

 

 

6.3.14

 

Blackmail Press

 

A suite of poems has been accepted for publication by Blackmail Press in Auckland.

 

Founded in 2001 by editor Doug Poole: ‘Blackmail Press’s impetus is to promote New Zealand poetry and to provide an environment for emerging New Zealand poets to share their work, presenting an eclectic range of voices from Aotearoa and abroad.’

 

Issue 37 will be published in October.

 

 

15.1.14

 

Margaret River Press

 

Shortlisted for the Margaret River Press Short Story Competition in Perth, Western Australia.

 

The Gloaming was one of 24 stories chosen by the judges Richard Rossiter, Nicole Sinclair and Susan Midalia.

 

The stories will be published in the annual collection by Margaret River Press and launched in May at the Margaret River Writers & Readers Festival.

 

The annual competition is run in partnership with Arts Margaret River.

 

 

22.12.13

 

The London Magazine

 

Shortlisted for the London Magazine’s Short Story Competition by the judges Stephen May and Avril Joy.

 

The London Magazine is England’s oldest literary periodical, with a history stretching back to 1732: ‘Across a long life – spanning several incarnations – the pages of the London Magazine have played host to a wide range of canonical writers, from Wordsworth, Shelly, Hazlitt and Keats in the 18^th century, to T.S. Eliot, W.H. Auden and Evelyn Waugh in the early 20^th-century. Today – reinvigorated for a new century – the Magazine’s essence remains unchanged: it is a home for the best writing, and an indispensible feature on the British literary landscape.’

 

The annual short story competition offers a prize fund of 1,000 pounds, publication in The London Magazine, and is open to submissions worldwide.

 

The winners will be announced in January and will be formally celebrated at the House of Commons on January 21.

 

 

16.12.13

 

Aesthetica Magazine

 

Wake Moon appears in Aesthetica Magazine’s Creative Writing Annual 2014.

 

‘A celebration of poetry and short fiction which promises to stimulate, intrigue and inspire. This compelling collection of work from the finalists of the Aesthetica Creative Writing Competition 2013, unites established and emerging literary talent from across the world.’

 

The Annual was launched on December 16 and is available to purchase through Aesthetica and in bookstores worldwide.