Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Closing date 30 June

The annual poetry competition for school-aged children is now open. Optional theme is ‘the open door’. Individual fee of $15 or $25 for schools (up to 30 entries) or $50 (over 30 entries).

For more information, click here.

Poem of the Day

Thank you to everyone who has been contributing poetry for publication on this blog. Your submissions are much appreciated and I’m enjoying them immensely. Please keep them coming. If you’re a poet who is still thinking about whether to submit, please do! Poems are always needed and get posted so long as they are suitable for children (including teenagers). Previously published poems can be submitted provided you still retain copyright. Email traffa-m@bigpond.net.au

Articles, events, information and interviews

ACP is also happy to accept information about children’s poetry activities and events in Australia and overseas, poetry links, competitions, interviews with poets or publishers, and relevant articles.

Poetry books

English poet Roger McGough has criticised the lack of poetry books for children following the short-list announcement of books in the 2015 Children’s Poetry Award in the UK. You can read his comments here: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32451011 and take note of the short-listed books here: https://www.clpe.org.uk/page/67

Sites to visit

Poets’ Garage is a supportive community of people who write verse for children. Poets’ Garage members write (and critique) everything from haiku to rhyming picture books.

The Garage motto is: We crit hard; we crit with love; we crit as a team! Through constructive critiques, Garage members are dedicated to helping each other improve technique, become more confident and capable writers, discuss and share information, and get published. https://poetsgarage.wordpress.com/

Poetry Friday is a weekly blogging event in which poets, writers, readers, and lovers of children’s poetry share blog posts about poetry. http://www.nowaterriver.com/what-is-poetry-friday/