Three of my poems, “Free Association”, “Sylvia”, and “Bhakti” have been published in the 15th Anniversary edition of Live Encounters. The full issue can be found here: https://liveencounters.net/
Or go straight to my 3 poems here: https://liveencounters.net/2024-le-pw/magdalena-ball-free-association/
The lovely Johanna Fink at Yellow Shelf interviewed me about my podcast Compulsive Reader Talks:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/yellow-shelf-podcast/id1767729340?i=1000670226208
I’ll be chatting with Meg Keneally and Tea Cooper about their latest books for History Illuminated on 07 November from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Toronto Library, Toronto Library, corner of Brighton Ave & Pemell St, Toronto NSW. We’ll be talking all manner of historical fiction and the fine line between the real and the imagined. This is a free (gold coin only) event, but bookings are a must. https://library.lakemac.com.au/Events/Weaving-Fact-and-Fiction
My session on Writing Country and Connection with Sara Saleh, Rob Waters, and Susie Anderson last April at the 
Newcastle Writers Festival was recorded for their Stories to You Podcast. It’s such a joy to be able to listen back to it in the relative calm of my car. Sara, Rob, and Susie read their work beautifully and we talked candidly about critical topics like the nature of time, the paradox of words that colonise and constrict but also open portals and heal, about body and country and so much more. You can listen right here, or subscribe to Stories to You on any podcast app.
On Saturday the 14th of September I’ll be moderating a Zoom party to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Girls on Key! Time is 4pm NZ or 2pm AU EST (for other times please check world clock meeting planner – the event is open to everyone). This session featuring poets Sophia Wilson, Patricia Sykes, Nancy Holland-Schroder, and Kiri Piahana Wong, with special guest Girls on Key founder and maestro Anna Forsyth. For more details and to sign up visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/5s74NzK81NmFVqzL/
Poetry Sydney is launching their new exhibition program and the program will be inaugurated Vessels of Love 2024: love in transmission, which I was so pleased to be part of. The exhibition will include all of the poets’ works transmitted via the bar’s own Poem Phone, and their gorgeous street window gallery.
When: Launch of Poetry Sydney Exhibition Program 5pm Saturday 31 August
VOL 2024: love in transmission runs 1-30 September
Where: Knox St Bar, Chippendale.
Opening hours (to experience the Poem Phone): 5:30pm till late Friday and Saturday nights.
For more information about the project visit: https://www.thesalons.org/love-in-transmission
I’m delighted to have a poem, “A line distinguishes it” in the latest issue of Australian Poetry Journal – 13.1—‘place, nonplace’ guest edited by Sara M Saleh and Autumn Royal. I’ve been losing myself in this complex, thought-provoking issue with its beautiful cover by First Nations painter, elder and healer, Betty Muffler, More about APJ can be found at their website: https://www.australianpoetry.org/
My poem “Placing Stones” has longlisted for the Grieve 2024 poetry competition.
The longlisted entries have been sent to sponsor judges, who will determine the recipients of the awards. Winners will be announced at the Grieve Aloud Community Gathering on 31 August 2024 which will be both in-person and online. More information soon.
I’m overjoyed that my poem Free Association was selected as one of the five finalists in the inaugural Mercedes Webb-Pullman Poetry Award. The award was announced on the first anniversary of Mercedes death at a celebration of Mercedes’ life and work at St Peters Village Hall, Paekakariki, New Zealand.
Press release here: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2408/S00094/mercedes-webb-pullman-poetry-award-announcement-of-winners.htm
On Sunday the 25th of August, I’ll be at the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival to interview Keri Kitay about her new book The Long Goodbye: Lessons on humanity from the grips of Alzheimer. More details and for tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/the-sydney-jewish-writers-festival-2024
