Eumundi Writers Festival 2025 Poetry Slam Heat

Multi award winning spoken word poet, Amy Ocean will host a fast and powerful experience with poets putting into words what matters. Performance by guest poet Sherly Anderson.

Slam poetry is a form of performance poetry that combines elements of writing, performance, audience participation and engagement and competition.  

An online Expression of Interest process will invite poets to compete in the  Friday heat on 22/8/25 and then compete in the grand final on Sunday 24/8/25. Poets will also be welcomed from the audience on the Friday night.  Grand Final competitors are chosen by judges Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane, Lincoln Scott and Simon Cleary. Lincoln is an opera singer, vocal coach, and seasoned performer. Simon is an award winning writer and a barrister. Roxanne is an author, ghost writer, editor, tutor and a qualified journalist who has written for a number of newspapers, magazines and e-zines. 

Multi award winning spoken word poet, Amy Ocean captivates listeners with a powerful authenticity and driven passion.  Her audiences are invited on a journey of emotional amplification and lyrical alliteration - as she uses song and sonnets to encompass her experiences as an emotionally empowered imperfect human. Amy’s awards include:

Finalist 2019 Bunker Spoken Word Competition

Winner “People’s Choice Award” – Bunker Spoken Word Final 2019

Winning Team – Comedy Debate – Solbar Nov 2019

Winner – Liquid Lyrics Poetry Slam Feb 2020

Finalist 2021 Bunker Spoken Word Competition 2021

Runner Up Champion – Bunker Spoken Word Final 2021

Winner – APS Heat North Lakes 2023

Winner – APS QLD State Final 2023

National Finalist 2023 Australian Poetry Slam 

Winner- Rukus Slam Oct 2023 

Winner – APS Heat Sunshine Coast - Aug 2024

QLD State Finalist APS - Oct 2024

Published Poem in Grieve Anthology Vol 11 2024 - Hunter Writers Centre

Runner-up - Liquid Lyrics Grand Final 2024

Sheryl is a writer and drama facilitator providing opportunities for people to tell their stories through poetry and performance. Sheryl has been writing and performing poetry for many years.  With one published collection of poetry – cannibal love, Sheryl is working on her next. She lives in Rainbow Beach and runs creative writing workshops for aspiring writers. Sheryl tries to believe in at least five impossible things before breakfast. 

Discover more about the Eumundi Writers Festival here: https://eumundiwritersfestival.com.au/