Exotic Matter – Pre-pub offer!

Posted on October 8, 2026 by magdalenaball

My new book, Exotic Matter, is coming out early next year and my publisher Liquid Amber Press, has put up a terrific pre-publication offer.  Put in your order now and save!  Also of course you will get my undying gratitude and will be supporting a really wonderful independent poetry publisher.  The stunning cover is from a painting by the amazing Brian Purcell (the work includes a few ekphrastic poems based on Brian’s work as well).  To go straight to the offer visit: https://liquidamberpress.com.au/product/exotic-matter-prepub-offer/ Stay tuned for a bunch of in-person and online launch events!

If you’re a reviewer, please let me know as I’m gathering a list together for advanced review copies.

Posted in book launch, Books, events | Comments Off on Exotic Matter – Pre-pub offer!

Unborder: inaugural Salon des Refuses

Posted on November 12, 2026 by magdalenaball

My poem “Degrowth” has been published in the inaugural Salon des Refusés:  Unborder. The issue, introduced beautifully by David Adès, includes formerly ‘rejected’ poems from exceptional writers – I’m so pleased to be in an issue with these people – and can be read in full here: https://unborder.au/in/salon-des-refuses/?issue_no=2

 

Posted in News, poetry | Comments Off on Unborder: inaugural Salon des Refuses

How to make a Commonwealth Quilt

Posted on November 5, 2026 by magdalenaball

A poem of mine called “Stitched with its colour” has been included in The Commonwealth Foundation’s “Creative Quilt”. All entries were written in response to the word Thread and feature poems, stories, images, songs and films from across the Commonwealth.  You can check out the whole quilt (and spend hours!) by visiting https://commonwealthfoundation.com/commonwealth-quilt/?intro

or you can go directly to my piece here:

Stitched with its colour

Posted in poetry | Comments Off on How to make a Commonwealth Quilt

History Illuminated: Long Journey Home

Posted on November 1, 2026 by magdalenaball

* RESCHEDULED*
SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2026 10-11am
Windale Hub, bilyabayi
I’ll be hosting a session with titled “Long Journey Home: The perilous escapes of Anzac POWs in wartime Italy” with historian Katrina Kittel as part of this year’s History Illuminated festival.  We’ll be talking about her new book which traces her father’s escape from an Italian POW camp following the 1943 armistice. The session is free. For more information or to book visit: https://library.lakemac.com.au/Events/Long-Journey-Home-The-perilous-escapes-of-ANZAC-POWs

Posted in Books, events, Festivals | Comments Off on History Illuminated: Long Journey Home

Launch: What the Mirror Tells

Posted on October 29, 2026 by magdalenaball

I’m honoured to be launching Denise O’Hagan’s new poetry collection What the Mirror Tells at the Don Bank Museum, 6 Napier Street, North Sydney on 29 November, 3pm.

Denise was Writer in Residence at the Museum for 2024, and much of the book was written there.  The event is free, but bookings are requested.  Book here: What the Mirror Tells

Posted in book launch, Books, poetry | Comments Off on Launch: What the Mirror Tells

TRANS LA FOSAĴO Esperanto Anthology

Posted on October 21, 2026 by magdalenaball

I’m pleased to have my poem “False Promises on Petals” or “Falsa Promeso sur Petaloj” published in TRANS LA FOSAĴO: Across the Ditch — the Flying Islands’ Esperanto Anthology of Contemporary Australian and New Zealand Poetry. The book, which will be available from the Flying Islands website from mid November reads like a who’s who in Australian and NZ poetry and I’m honoured to be part of it.

Posted in Books, poetry | Comments Off on TRANS LA FOSAĴO Esperanto Anthology

Life Encounters 17th Anniversary

Posted on October 7, 2026 by magdalenaball

My little flash fiction “Blue” has been published in the very long-running and terrific publication Live Encounters. This particular 17th Anniversary issue includes work from writers I deeply admire and I’m honoured to have my work ‘in conversation’ with theirs.  You can download the full issue .pdf here: https://liveencounters.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/LE-PW-Vol-4-Nov-Dec-2026.pdf or go straight to my piece here: https://liveencounters.net/17th-anniversary-editions-2026/magdalena-ball-blue/

Posted in News, poetry | Comments Off on Life Encounters 17th Anniversary

Newcastle Poetry Prize

Posted on October 1, 2026 by magdalenaball

I’ve been a member of the Hunter Writers Centre for almost 30 years and I think I’ve been entering the Newcastle Poetry Prize, which the HWC administers, for almost as long. I’ve been shortlisted several times and was lucky enough to win the HWC members award. I have a good working knowledge of the prize and am absolutely honoured to be one of the judges this year along with the fabulous poet Grace Yee.  The Newcastle Poetry Prize is not only one of the longest-running and richest prizes in Australia, it’s also one of the few prizes that allows for and encourages the long-form.  Poems can be up to 200 words. I expect to be doing a lot of poetry reading through the adjudication process and that’s just fine with me. For more information about the prize and to enter, visit: https://hunterwriterscentre.org/newcastle-poetry-prize/.

Posted in News, poetry | Comments Off on Newcastle Poetry Prize

Book Launch: ‘Dislocations’

Posted on September 27, 2026 by magdalenaball

On Sunday the 15th of November, at Woollahra Library,  I will be launching the wonderful new book, Dislocations, from acclaimed poet Marcelle Freiman.  The event is free and all are welcome. Please RSVP here: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1652076 or directly to Marcelle at the email address above.

Posted in book launch, Books, events | Comments Off on Book Launch: ‘Dislocations’

New book!

Posted on September 12, 2026 by magdalenaball

Cathedral – Gums at twilight by Brian Purcell

I’m delighted that my new poetry collection, Exotic Matter, will be published in Feb 2027 by Liquid Amber Press.  Liquid Amber press is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting poetry publishers in Australia with an excellent design and editorial team and a terrific list of poets. I’m so pleased to be working with them and joining this high-calibre group. I’ve just had the cover reveal and I’m very excited about it – not sure I can post it up here just yet (soon…soon), but like the image to the right, it features a stunning Brian Purcell image.

Posted in Books, News, poetry | Comments Off on New book!