What else should our lives be but a continual series of beginnings, of painful settings out into the unknown, pushing off from the edges of consciousness into the mystery of what we have not yet become...

- David Malouf, An Imaginary Life

Queensland Writers Centre presents a celebration of the artform, and a homecoming for poetry to the Judith Wright Arts Centre.

Welcome to a very special new event for 2024. QPoetry! is a celebration and a reimagining of poetry in Queensland.

The program includes thought-provoking panels, interactive workshops and inclusive readings, plus the official launch of Queensland's renowned poetry awards, including the Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize, Val Vallis Award and XYZ Prize, supported by Arts Queensland, and the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Indigenous Poetry Prize, named in honour of one of our founding members.

We invite all Queensland and Australian writers to explore with us what poetry looks like here, and where to next.

Young writers and poets aged 10-20 – check out our special QPoetry! x Youth Writing Saturday events and workshops here.

Program

Friday 9 August

A POET LAUREATE FOR AUSTRALIA
4:00pm • Panel • with Yvette Holt, Martin Dolan, Mindy Gill, Vuong Pham & Ella Jeffery

In 2025, Australia will appoint its first Poet Laureate. Hear from a panel of poets and industry professionals as they discuss this new role and what it means for the poetry community.

WHAT'S NEXT?
5:00pm • Panel • with QWC CEO Lori-Jay Ellis, Yvette Holt, Phil Brown & Mindy Gill

From Oodgeroo Noonuccal to Thomas Shapcott, David Malouf to Sarah Holland-Batt, Queensland poets have made their mark on the national stage. Join us for a discussion about what comes next for poetry in the state, and how we can support a new generation of groundbreaking Queensland poets.

AWARDS LAUNCH
6:00pm • with readings by Jarad Bruinstroop, Scott-Patrick Mitchell, Adam Brannigan & Madeleine Dale

Queensland Writers Centre is proud to officially launch Queensland's renowned suite of poetry awards, supported by Arts Queensland, and the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Indigenous Poetry Prize. This event will feature readings from last year’s award winners. Please join us for drinks in the foyer after the launch.

Saturday 10 August

POP-UP SALONS
10:00am, 12:30pm (Youth), 3:30pm • with guest facilitators Jemma Green, Tony Norris & Sean West

Poetry is popping up at the Judith Wright Arts Centre! These casual readings invite writers and poets of all stripes to step up to the mic. Plus young writers take the stage in a special midday session.

WRITING IN PLACE
10:30am • Panel • with Vuong Pham, Ella Jeffery & Matt Bond

How does place underpin poetry? How can poetry honour place? Our panel of poets explore how paying attention to place inspires and influences their work.

DEVELOPING A POEM: FROM PLANNING TO PUBLICATION
11:30am • Panel • with Ella Jeffery, Sean West, Damen O'Brien & Sandra Makaresz

You’ve planned your next poem. But now what? Join a panel of poets, editors, and industry professionals as they discuss how to develop a poem from planning to publication.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?
1:00pm • Panel • with Damen O'Brien, Jarad Bruinstroop, Huda the Goddess & Coco X Huang

It’s the question every writer dreads – where do you get your ideas? In this panel, three poets tackle the question head-on to explore the wellsprings of creativity and the sources of their inspiration.

THE THOMAS SHAPCOTT POETRY PRIZE
2:00pm • Panel • with Rosanna Licari, Jarad Bruinstroop, Janaka Malwatta & Madeleine Dale

The Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize has launched the careers of Queensland poets for over twenty years. Join previous winners of the prize for a discussion of the Shapcott’s past, present, and future.

ELECTRIC WORDS: A POETIC SALON
4:00pm • with Jarad Bruinstroop, Coco X Huang, Janaka Malwatta, Scott-Patrick Mitchell, Georgia Malu, Omar Sakr & Huda the Goddess

Join award-winning QPoetry! artists for an electrifying evening of poetry and performance.

WRITERS AFTER DARK: A HORROR SALON
5:30pm • with Geneve Flynn, Pierce Wilcox, Pamela Jeffs & Helen Marshall

When the sun goes down, strange things come out to play. A special GenreCon crossover event showcasing writing that delights in the macabre, the mythic, and the weird.

Add-ons (ticketed separately)

GENERATING IDEAS FOR SUCCESSFUL POETRY
1:00pm, Sat 10 Aug • with Philip Neilsen

In this workshop, poet, fiction writer and editor Philip Neilsen will provide practical guidance on how to create viable ideas for poems. A range of types of poems will be explored, such as environmental, autobiographical and ekphrastic. Book your place - spaces limited.

YOUTH WRITING SATURDAY x QPOETRY 2024 (WRITERS AGED 10-20)
9:00am, Sat 10 Aug • with Rowan Campbell, Huda the Goddess & Omar Sakr

A series of interactive workshops on page poetry, slam poetry, and zines for young writers (ages 10-16 and 16-20). Book your place.

Queensland Writers Centre is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.