A new poem of mine, “Philology”, has just been published in Backstory – issue 13. The poem was written about my great-grandmother Rebecca Samberg, who is the subject of my forthcoming book provisionally titled Bobish (due for publication by Puncher & Wattmann in late 2022). You can read the whole issue here: http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/category/issues/issue-thirteen/
Or straight to “Philology” here: http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/2022/05/24/philology/
I’m thrilled to be performing with the amazing musician Nadav Kahn at Poetica Petit Woollahra Gallery at Red Leaf on the 2nd of June, 6-8pm. This is a collaboration with the gallery and Poetica Bondi and will be a wonderful intimate night of poetry, music and interview followed by an open mic at poets in the audience. Here is a link to the gallery: https://www.woollahragallery.com.au/ Registration for the event is here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/poetica-petit-poetry-night-registration-324428021947
My poem “News from the Old World” has been published in Poetry Super Highways 24th Annual Yom HaShoah Remembrance Day Poetry issue. 
Yom HaShoah (Yom Hazikaron laShoah ve-laG’vurah) runs from Wed, 27 Apr 2022 – Thu, 28 Apr 2022 this year and commemorates the the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust along with the heroism of survivors and rescuers. This is a moving issue and can be read in full here: https://www.poetrysuperhighway.com/psh/24th-annual-yom-hashoah-holocaust-remembrance-day-poetry-issue/
The wonderful Rochford Street Review has published six poems from The Density of Compact Bone along with Denise O’Hagan‘s stunning launch speech which Denise was not able to give due to Covid restrictions. The book was later launched at the Newcastle Writers Festival by Gillian Swain (who did a fabulous job), but the Sydney event never happened. Denise’s speech is a work of art in itself and I’m so pleased it is getting a public airing. You can read the speech here: https://rochfordstreetreview.com/2022/04/19/denise-ohagan-launches-the-density-of-compact-bone-by-magdalena-ball/
and the poems here:
This stunning review of my latest poetry book The Density of Compact Bone, written by Siobhan Black, is featured this month in Dreich Magazine & Press: Made in Scotland from Words. Dreich is a lovely print publication and I’m delighted that Siobhan wrote so generously about my book: “This, the poets fourth, collection is rich and rewarding, humorous, clever, and very much poetry for our times.”
Details of the mag can be found here: https://hybriddreich.co.uk
I’m delighted to be included in Mark Ulyseas’ beautiful magazine Live Encounters once again. The issue is visually lovely, free to read online or download, and full of some of the most exquisite poetry. The contributor’s page is linked as well so if you’re looking to read a particular poet you can just click on their name. In the words of Justin Lowe’s marvellous guest editorial, “here is an emporium of colour and vibrant intellect that is so vital for the development of the good life and the good global citizen”. You can check it all out here: Live Encounters April 2022
I’m very excited about the upcoming Newcastle Writers Festival. The Festival runs from the 1st of April to the 3rd (with a few sideshows and extras before and after), and I’ve got some amazing things happening through the weekend.
10am on Saturday the 2nd (Mulubinba Room, City Hall), I’ll be hosting a session with Cécile Barral and her daughter Oceane Campbell, who will be speaking about their memoir The Silence Between Us.
Saturday, 2pm in the Watt Street Gallery, I will be (finally!) launching my book The Density of Compact Bone.
On Sunday, 10am, City Hall’s Cummings Room, I’ll be speaking with Kate Mildenhall, Inga Simpson and Jacquie Svenson on their “Stories to Change the World”, exploring the chonky topic of the role fiction can play when it comes to understanding climate change and inspiring action. There are so many great events on – check out the full program here: https://www.newcastlewritersfestival.org.au
My poem “Dragonfly” has been included in the latest Australian Poetry Anthology (Vol 9, 2021-2022) edited by poetry powerhouses Lucy Dougan and Michelle Cahill (it’s an extra joy when people you admire pick your work). The annual Anthology showcases poems submitted by current subscribers to Australian Poetry, whose website can be found here: https://www.australianpoetry.org
This Wednesday the 16th of Feb, I will be reading from my new book The Density of Compact Bone with poetry icon Les Wicks at the Sydney Poetry Lounge, The Friend In Hand Hotel, 58 Cowper St, Glebe. Doors open at 7pm for a 730 start, and there is an open mic – come early to read your work! RSVP or for more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/989756761899636
This Saturday the 12 February at 2pm (AEDT) at The Shop Gallery in Glebe NSW, I’ll be assisting with a group launch of The 2021 Flying Islands Pocket Poetry Books. New authors include Morgan Bell, Anna Couani, Laurie Duggan, Daniel Ionita, Alan Jefferies, Brian Purcell, Jane Skelton and Sarah St Vincent Welch and the event will be simultaneously run in person and via Zoom. RSVP/full details (including zoom link on the day) can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/253675503567825
