For the Love of Poetry

We will make them together of grasses and winds

We find along the river of time, made of smooth stone
– Joy Harjo and Ali Cobby Eckermann from ‘Story Tree’

Red Room’s National Poetry Month (1–31 August) is a new initiative presented by Red Room Poetry to increase the profile of Australian poetry, poets and publishers.

This wonderful company’s goal is to increase access, awareness, value and the visibility of poetry in all its forms and for all audiences.

This inaugural Poetry Month will run throughout August and aims for an ongoing annual celebration. What an achievement for Red Room to auspice this artistic and cultural initiative for all of Australia!

The Poetry Month 2021 program features an electrifying line-up of poetic collaborations, daily poems and writing prompts, online workshops, poetic residencies and live to live-streamed showcases, designed to engage everyone – from veteran poetry lovers to the (for now!) uninitiated.

Check out their ‘Our Poetry Month Calendar’ it’s your one-stop-shop for all their creative events happening in August. And if you're planning a poetry reading, workshop or online ballad in August, the Calendar is also a free platform to promote your upcoming events.

Every art form needs its champions so they’ve invited eight of the nation’s favourite public figures, all holding a deep love of poetry, to join their quest to bring poetry to the people. First up, is science commentator and author Dr Karl, writer, award-winning social advocate Yassmin Abdel-Magied and 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. Throughout August, these Poetry Ambassadors will delight with an original commissioned poem of their own as well as video readings. They’ll also keep us entertained with news on their socials during Poetry Month. So hit ‘follow' and stay tuned!

We are loving the idea of Impossible Machine, online poetry & performance events unlike anything else, supporting Elizabeth Morgan House. 
Impossible Machine sees a cast of improvisers respond to the work of featured poets – poems they've never heard before – to create a completely new, never-to-be-repeated performance. With featured poets (August 6) Geraldine Burrowes & Elena Gomez and (August 20) Bella Li & Justin Clemens.

We will definitely be getting onboard with the 30in30 daily poetry commissions and competition. Every day across August, 30in30 delivers new original text/video poem, poet reflections and writing prompts from some of the country’s leading poets, authors, spoken word artists and playwrights. 30in30 is the centrepiece of the inaugural Poetry Month and features commissions from their Poetry Ambassadors, the Red Room Poetry Fellow, Ellen van Neerven and the City of Sydney Poets in Residence as well as collaborative poems from Fair Trade and more.

Keep an eye on @redroompoetry socials during August to read the best of new poetry, write your own and win daily prizes!

Every day across Poetry Month a new writing prompt will be released from one of their 30in30 commissioned artists. Enter your work via Twitter using the hashtag #30in30 or via Facebook in the comments of each day's post before 3pm each day across August.

View the calendar here for all events
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