Category Archives: poetry

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 … Continue reading →

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New book!

Posted on September 12, 2026 by magdalenaball

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 … Continue reading →

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Ros Spencer Poetry Prize

Posted on August 30, 2026 by magdalenaball

My poem “Imago” won second prize in the 2026 Ros Spencer Poetry Prize. Of the poem, judge Jaya Penelope said “Subtle and generous, the poem offers something approaching consolation to those who are walking in liminal spaces of grief and … Continue reading →

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New review of High Wire Step

Posted on August 28, 2026 by magdalenaball

One of the many nice things about poetry is that it tends not to have a use-by date for publishers. It stays out there and you never know who will pick it up or when (often with fiction you have … Continue reading →

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Sugar Frosted Koans

Posted on July 10, 2026 by magdalenaball

My fellow writer and interviewer extraordinaire Ed McManis invited me to participate in his fun project Sugar Frosted Koans. Koans are meditations from Zen Buddhism that transcend rational thinking. Along with a dozen or so other poets, we were invited … Continue reading →

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Australian Poetry Journal 14-2

Posted on February 11, 2026 by magdalenaball

I’m delighted to have my poem ‘Gravitational Waves” published in the latest Australian Poetry Journal (Volume 2, Number 2) guest edited by Bonny Cassidy & Alison J Barton.  These amazing editors have chosen such a powerful selection of work that … Continue reading →

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Newcastle Writers Festival 2026

Posted on February 6, 2026 by magdalenaball

The Newcastle Writers Festival weekend is my favourite time of the year. The Festival is always so warm (a good antidote from what has been going on elsewhere), pleasurable and accessible – with well-known names but also lots of locals, … Continue reading →

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Asian Studies Review

Posted on January 15, 2026 by magdalenaball

I usually like to publish my own book reviews at Compulsive Reader, however, when I was invited to review Daughters, a poetry book by noted Taiwanese author Ling Yü, translated from the Chinese by Nicholas Y. H. Wong for the … Continue reading →

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Flying Island Book launches at Poetry at the Pub

Posted on January 14, 2026 by magdalenaball

I’ll be launching Ronald Araña Atilano’s new book New Ordinance for the Dead as part of Flying Islands new book launch at the first Poetry at the Pub on a special Tuesday night, The Grand Hotel, 32 Church St, Newcastle, Tuesday … Continue reading →

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Oystercatcher 2

Posted on December 7, 2025 by magdalenaball

The new rejuvenated 5 Islands Press is producing beautiful books and their second Oystercatcher anthology  is no exception. I’m delighted that poem “Knucklebones” is a part of this collection.  You can get a copy here: https://www.5islandspress.com/product-page/oystercatcher-two

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