Australian Poetry Slam Lithgow Heat

Word Travels presents Australian Poetry Slam Lithgow Heat featuring Miles Merrill 

Poets Run This! Have you ever wanted to change the world with your words? 

You are invited to rip those scrawled leaves of passion from your notebook and ignite them on stage.  

Share your words for two minutes on the mic. By throwing your ideas into the slam-storm, you could be chosen as the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam-bassador and offered an international writers’ festival tour worth about $20K. 

This APS Heat audience will send two writers to represent Lithgow in a performance at the NSW State Final. The top 16 in the country make it to the National Final at Sydney Opera House on the 25th of October. 

Doors open/poet sign-up at: 6:30pm 

Slam starts at: 7pm 

Hosted by Miles Merrill 

Originally from Chicago, Miles Merrill is a writer, performer, facilitator and event coordinator who combines poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hip-hop beats, stand-up and, occasionally, political confrontation. Miles introduced poetry slam to Australia, co-wrote and co-directed 'Slamming for the Sydney Festival' and performed with UK DJ Billy Bizniz at the Sydney Opera House. Internationally, Merrill has performed in Krakow's Audio Art Festival, and writers' festivals in Bali, Beijing, Vancouver and Calgary.  

Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes. 

See www.australianpoetryslam.com for full 2026 details.  

Head to www.wordtravels.info to find out more about how you can get involved with the not-for-profit organisation presenting the annual APS. 

Australian Poetry Slam is presented by Word Travels. This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Mumbai LitFest, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.