Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Paige Turner - July

Lugubrious and lubricious are two wonderful words I’ve recently been rolling around my tongue. I set myself a challenge to include at least one in this month’s column and have exceeded even my own expectations and it is only the first paragraph. Auspicious.

Good things ahead include the Poets and Painters Exhibition which opens on July 18 at the Moonah Art Centre. Featuring nine poets paired with nine painters, this exhibition is part of a wonderful continuum in a long series of these creative fusions. I look forward to seeing and reading this work.

Adam Ouston was the judge of the inaugural Smoke international microfiction competition from Transportation Press. A collection of the winning work will be launched at Quartermasters Arms in Elizabeth St Hobart from 5.30 on July 19. Readings, and a chance to have a yarn with Transportation Press’ International Guard Tadgh Muller, meet the writers, the judge and me too, delight of delights that I am. Fullers Bookshop are the generous sponsors of Smoke. The stories will be printed on individual pieces of fine paper, available in bundles and by PDF, direct from the press.

The day after this, Ouston will be in conversation with Robert Dessaix at Fullers. They will be marking the launch of Dessaix’ reissued backlist. His books are a such a special treasure and while I’m yet to lay eyes on these editions I am sure they will be beautiful publications; it would be a waste otherwise. They will be
talking about each of Dessaix’ books, piecing together an overarching narrative of his work.

Australian Slam Poetry heats are au go go in July. Slamduggery is presenting "Words of Winter" on Tuesday 18th at the Oak in Launceston. Consider it a chance to warm your vocals and our cockles before the Tasmanian heats of the Australian Poetry Slam. The Launceston heat is on 1 August at the Oak, Hobart at World’s End on 8 August, Deloraine at the Empire on 16 August and Ulverstone on 11 August at The Gnomon Pavillion. Check them out on Facebook.
The final will be held at the Launceston Workers Club, 30th August. from 7pm.

Releasing the Genie is an anthology of erotic poetry edited by Marilyn Arnold and Evie Wood. It will be launched by Tasmanian author Robyn Friend at Petrarch's Bookshop, Launceston, on Friday 7th July. The poets will read from their work. Also at Petrarch’s, on July 6 is the launch of
Transported by Brian Harrison-Lever.

On July 8, Launceston based Poet Musing will be reading at MellowFest. Poet Musing, aka Stephen Johnstone is a mental health advocate and he is performing at 4.30pm that day,.
The illustrious Hobart Bookshop has two events lined up for July, firstly Monica McInerney, an event they are very excited about. This event will celebrate the release of her new book The Trip of a Lifetime. The second event is the launch of the effervescent Eugenia Williams’ The Stone Fiddler on 21st July.

Flit is a fringe literary fest with an open call happening in Hobart in September. Click here for more details 

The Society of Women Writers Tasmania presents The Robyn Mathison Poetry Prize 2017. With a first prize of $200.00, second of $50, and a variety of acknowledgment certificates up for grabs and a closing date of August 31, you still have time. It is open to all poets and more details can be found here.

Also up for grabs is the Margot Manchester Memorial Short Story Writing Award. This gets my prize for alliteration. These guys are seeking short stories between 1200- 1500 words in length, no theme with cash money up for grabs for the winning authors. This also closes on August 31st and more information is available here.

Lesley Harrison has launched her first book, Behind the Boomgate, which is about what it’s like to live in caravan parks. She utilised a broad range of sources when writing the book, ranging from doctorates on the subject, government reports as well as lived experience. Books can be purchased from Foot and Playsted and Petrarch's Bookshop or the author on lharriso2 at bigppond.com.

Award winning Tasmanian musician and writer Sofi Chapman's lesbian romance 'Untitled, or The Seat of Narcissa' returns to the stage for the celebrations of Melbourne’s legendary La Mama theatre's 50th birthday Mini-Fest Weds. 26-Fri 28 July at Carlton Courthouse, Melbourne.

The Tasmanian Writers’ Centre are soon to release the program for the Writers and Readers Festival in September, I am seriously tantalized. In July they are hosting an essay writing workshop with James Dryburgh. Creative Non Fiction and the Art of the Essay is happening on July 23rd.  Pictured is James' first book, Essays From Near and Far.

On July 24th, Seasonal Poets winter readings at Hadley’s will feature Louise Oxley, Pete Hay and Kristen Lang. More info here.

Tansy Rayner Roberts is offering writing workshops for kids during the school holidays at Kingston Linc (July 14, Exploring Fairyland & July 18, Hero Quest). More details on Tansy’s website

On Saturday 29th between 1-3pm, Poems for Peace will be read at Collins Bookshop, Launceston. This is part of the Tamar Valley Peace Festival

And that’s a lovely way to end this month’s column. Drop me a line Racheledwards488 at gmail.com


PS I think you should look at this artist. He is my cousin and I love him fiercely, and his work takes my breath away. Will Whitehouse.

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