Wednesday 19 June 2013

I'm reading at the Queensland Poetry Festival this summer

I'll be appearing at the Queensland Poetry Festival in Brisbane, Australia this August 23 - 25.

The festival program is now live on the QPF website. Canadian readers will see a few familiar names. Click here to see what's on!

Monday 17 June 2013

Some tips for live literary readings, or how not to be a prima donna:

A colleague of mine recently asked for some tips to give to writers before a live reading. This is what I came up with.

- Show up early, not late. 

- Ask the host how long she/he wants you to read.

- Be flexible. If there is more than one reader, don't demand to go first or last. Let your host curate the evening as she/he sees fit.

- Don't read longer than the time your host has requested/suggested (remember: leave the audience wanting more!).

- Be gracious. Remember to thank your audience/host/fellow readers/venue during your reading.

- If other authors are reading on the same bill, it is polite to stay for their readings, as well.

- Plug your book. It's okay to do this yourself if the host doesn't. It's why you're there (and your publisher will appreciate it). Mention the price.

- If selling your own book, decide on a book price for live readings. As an incentive, it can be a little lower than the list price, but don't shortchange yourself too much!


What would you add? 

Monday 10 June 2013

An erasure poem after Susan Sontag’s “The Aesthetics of Silence” (part 1)



                                      “          .     (     

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                                       ,     .     ,     .     ,     ,     ,     ;     ,     ,    
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                                                 .     ,     ,     ,     .     (     :     ,    
                                       ,     ,     .     )     ,     .     ,     ,     ,     -    
                                       .     ,     ,     .     ,          .     (     .     )
    
                                       ,     -     ,     .     ,     ,     ,     -     ,     ,    
                                                 (          ,          )     ,     ,     .    
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                                       ,    :                         .     ,          (    
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                                       .     ,     .     -     (     )          ,     ,