Poems on Pillows at The Sydney Writers' Festival

What a writers' week and what a poetic conclusion to read my poem, Pillow Talk at a special poetry session organised by Leah Greengarten (NSW Director of Australian Poetry Ltd).  I was also interviewed by SBS Arts about - Why Poetry? You'll see snippets of this interview on SBS in the next few weeks.

Power Poetry at the Powerhouse

This week I'm talking poetry to about 70 teachers and librarians at the Powerhouse Discovery Centre and getting "down and dirty"with about 30 of them in my workshop aimed at active poetry for students - so poetry and dancing, poetry and music etc etc. This does not mean we don't do some thoughtful writing at the end of the lesson. More on this later.

Psst! Some Great Poetry & E-Book News!

Pier Poetry is off and running. Last Sunday, Mother's Day, Australian Poetry Ltd had their inaugural poetry reading at the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs on Hickson Road in Sydney's arts precinct. Pier Poetry is a series of innovative poetry events/readings/launches and is scheduled for every second Sunday of the month. Check out some of the pictures, here. 

Also, that intrepid Roberta Lowing had a poetry reading in the pub for Joanne Burns and an Open Mike section at Harold Park Pub. 

Some e-book news! I'm pleased to announce, my book of short ghost stories, Ghostly Ghastly (Pax Press, 2011) is now live on Amazon.com - ready for your Kindle or Ipad. 

Women’s Work – It’s All About Poetry

Like writing poetry? Here's an open invitation to  be a part of a poetry anthology, Women's Work, focusing on the many aspects of daily work from home to office and beyond and planned to represent a wide range of cultural groups. So if you have any thoughts about women's work, pen your poem and get it to me as soon as you can. This anthology is planned to be published in early 2012. See conditions below. 

Please email your own work in the body of the email to womenspoetry@gmail.com with the subject like ‘Women’s Work’. Please do NOT send attachments. 

Terms and Conditions

1. Entries must be a single poem of no more than 30 lines.

2.  Previously published or prize-winning works will be accepted. 

3. Multiple entries are permitted  (no more than two)

4. The closing date for entries is 1^st of October 2011. Late entries will not be considered.

6. Entrants must reside in Australia or be Australian citizens.

7. The Editor's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

8. Successful entries will be announced on the 7^th of December 2011. 

9. Your personal information will only be used for the purpose for which you provided it. It will not be used for any other purpose without your consent. 


10. Publication planned date for 2012


11. Payment on acceptance. 

Believing In Yourself

I believe that one of the hardest things to do as a young person in trying to realise your dreams, is to believe in yourself. Time and again I hear people who are grown up referring to the advice given when they were young of someone older (and maybe wiser) along the lines of- "Go for it! Give it a go! Believe in yourself! You’ll find a way!’’ and this bit of encouragement has helped them realise their dreams. 

So as an author who loves the work she is doing with kids all over the world, I’m giving it to you. "Go on- believe in yourself. You can do it! And help your dreams comes true.’

I'd like to share some of the things I have learnt along the way, and in doing so, becoming that voice of encouragement. 

Please feel free to circulate this to your friends. 

Warm wishes, 

Libby

Ever dreamed of being a Children's Writer? 

Want to be apart of a publishing meeting, sip tea with Sydney's literati and learn some of the tricks of the trade? 

Well, now is your chance. 

A Day in the Life of Libby Hathorn is a new literary program being offered to one lucky winner. This is your Golden Ticket to catch a glimpse of what it's like to be a Children's Writer. 

Simply tell us in 25 words of less, (on Libby’s facebook page) why you'd like to spend a day with Libby Hathorn. 

Good Luck!

A poetry reading & an interview on Life Matters

A reading of I Love You Book at Kido store in Clovelly, where my grandchildren helped me read the story in a gorgeous kid's atmosphere, complete with a bed for the children to sit on!

The poetry reading at the Harold Park Pub (Poets in The Pub, a monthly reading organised by Roberta Lowing) of poems for my upcoming poetry book, Collecting Evidence.

At the ABC studio - photo by Tracey Trompf

In an interview on Life Matters for I Love You Book I say the story is a homage to the paper book, it is celebrating the sensory aspects of it with Heath McKenzies lively artwork. I made sure it is not a denial of the place of technology in kid's lives today with an illustration of a kid's bedroom complete with TV and computer. The essential message is cuddle up with a book and let your imagination go.

An exciting week for poetry and books!

It's been an exciting week for poetry and books. Early on in the week, I did a reading at Lesley McKay's bookshop in Woollahra with a live fairy performing actions for, I Love You Book.

I gave a talk last night at the launch of Australian Poetry Ltd, where 150 people turned up at the Australia Council building in Surry Hills. Brendan Cowell MC'd the event and Bob Adamson gave a couple of poetry readings. I spoke about the importance of poetry in education and how it can help your children think more creatively.

A message from Ben Lee in Los Angeles 

Ben Lee, Brendan Cowell and Kylie Farmer were announced as Cultural Ambassadors for Australian Poetry.

And,  a student of mine, Ambrose McNamara read her fine poem.

Leah Greengarten the NSW Director organised a stunning event!

Here are some more images from the big night...

In between these events, I dined at the Hughendon Hotel in Woollahra and met Lucy Christopher of the novel, Stolen, fame. It was great to hear of the work she is doing in the UK and Wales. And, I hope to visit her when I am in England next.