OOTA Newsletter March 11, 2014
WRITING AT THE CENTRE WORKSHOPS Haiku on speed – Recycling an ancient tradition Carol Millner guides this workshop to generate new poems by combining the ancient Japanese haiku form with texts gleaned from our everyday world – contemporary Western Australia. Mattie Furphy House: Sunday 9th March 1.30 – 4.30pm. FAWWA The Demon Party Beginning a writing project, or just a writing day, can sometimes summon up a chorus of doubting and distracting inner voices – variously whispering, howling, critiquing and cajoling. Naming and describing these Writing Demons is one good way to tame them. At the Demon Party we will lure them forth, name them, play with them, feed them brightlycoloured sugary stuff, and consign them to The Demon Box. Cecily Scutt advises: be prepared to play, and to write… Sunday 16th March, 1.30 – 4.30pm Mattie Furphy House, Claire Copse, Swanbourne $33 ($22 for members of FAWWA & OOTA)
POETRY Shane McCauley’s poetry class this Friday, 14th March @ 10.00am is in Room 3 to take advantage of the better acoustics. POETRY BITES Our Poetry Biter this week is Rachael Petridis. So why not catch Rachael’s reading & share a jug of Pimms No. 1 Cup or a coffee at the FAC Café on Friday 14th March @ midday. OPPORTUNITIES The Best Australian Poems 2013 The deadline for submissions is 1 August 2014, but early submission would be appreciated. Please send a maximum of three poems – completed or published since 1 August 2013, to poet and editor Geoff Page @ bestaustralianpoems@blackincbooks.com
Cafe Poetry Workshops Leap or tiptoe out of your poetic comfort zone in a supportive group environment with much-published poet Jackson as your guide. Pay as you feel. 10am sharp to12:30 Saturdays fortnightly Mar 15 & 29, Apr 12 at Hubbles Yard Cafe, cnr George & Hubble Streets, East Fremantle. Come to one or more. Please book in advance. lostpoetjj@gmail.com 0406 624 578 Poetry Kitchen Tactful feedback, writing experiments, yummy snacks. In Fremantle, with experienced poet & editor Jackson. Tuesdays 10-12 or 1-3, fortnightly (next session 11 March). Pay as you feel. Limited places, book now. lostpoetjj@gmail.com, 0406 624 578. More info: proximitypoetry.com/kitchen
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FISH ANTHOLOGY Poetry Prize: €1,000
Closing Date: 31 March 2014 Results: 15 May - Anthology Published: July 2014 Max. Length: 300 Words - Submission Fee: €14 - First Prize: €1,000: Second Prize: A week in residence at Anam Cara Writers and Artists Retreat in West Cork. The ten best poems will be published in the 2014 Fish Anthology. more HERE
PERTH POETRY CLUB 15th March Guests include Caroline Sambridge & Don Smith @ the Moon, 2pm, 323 William Street, Northbridge. VOICEBOX Look out for Voicebox on Monday 31st March. Our guests are Fran Graham who currently resides in Mandurah, and Annamaria Weldon who will be reading from her anthology 'The Lake's Apprentice' which will be launched later that week. We will also have the luxury of hearing all but one of the Tom Collins Poetry Prize award-winning poems. CALENDAR MARCH 2014 13 – Castaways Poetry Prize 14 - The Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Awards Poetry & short story. 31 – Westerly for July Issue 31 - Ekphrastis Poetry Award
31 - The joanne burns (prose poem/microfiction) Award: 31 – Prole Collaborative Poetry Collection. APRIL 12-13 Nurture: A Workshop for Playwrights 13 – The Writer’s Tales. Details: FAW website. MAY 1– Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize Deadline not advised - Readings New Australian Writing Award. MEMBERS ACHIEVEMENTS CONGRATULATIONS TO: Sue Clennell Sue and Jan Napier have had their poem 'Magritte Man' accepted by the Maintenant8 Dada Journal (USA). Rachael Petridis Rachael won a commended in the Tom Collins Poetry Prize for her poem Child’s Play. Zan Ross Zan also won a commended in the Tom Collins Poetry Prize for her poem Bayhead, 1963. Please note: The FAWWA’s website was down last week for me to check the particulars of the prize.
The Stringybark Future Times Short Story Award Stringybark Stories competition 2014 gives you a chance to look into your crystal ball and contemplate events set after 2020. What will the future bring? How will we respond to climate change? What does the Higgs-Boson mean to you? Are robots more than vacuum cleaners? Will death be conquered? Let your mind speculate about our near or distant future. Writers have 1500 words to produce a short story that will delight and entertain the judges. International entries welcome. There is over $810 worth of prizes in cash and books available. Closing date for entries is 13 April 2014. Details at: http://www.stringybarkstories.net POEM OF THE WEEK When Sometimes all I can Imagine are Hands by Tony Curtis There is a winter within me, a place so cold, so covered in snow, I rarely go there. But sometimes, when all I can imagine are hands, when trees in the forest look like they’re made of wood, then I know it’s time to take my photograph of Akhmatova and sling it in a bag with socks and scarves. My neighbours must think it strange to see me strapping on my snowshoes, to hear me roar at the huskies as I untangle the harness. But when all you can imagine are hands it’s best to give a little wave and move out into the whiteness. From (The Well in the Rain)
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