last week's meeting

Thanks to all who came along last week - it was a lively gathering! We had apologies from Margaret, Mary, Susie, Tricia, and the adventurous Annetine of course who is somewhere in a desert.

There were some very interesting readings, including a couple of "response poems" from Dave and Jeff ( Jeff's are on the blog, or will be very shortly), as well as a beautiful work by Sandra. Pete delivered a "work in progress" that ignited a heated discussion on the appropriateness (or otherwise) of using the term "bitch". The debate split along gender lines, with the males claiming poetic licence. (We would, wouldn't we?)

Can I suggest that in Cecilia's absence we put our works on the blog for her to read? I'll put mine and Jeff's on - Sandra, Pete and Dave please add yours too if you want to , or you can send them to me if you can't access the blog.

Re publication of poems on the blog - Jeff has raised the interesting question as to whether blog publication is counted by journals seeking "unpublished" work. Our feeling was that putting a poem on our blog doesn't count as publication, as the blog is not readily accessible to the public but we're not really sure. Does anyone know the answer? I do know that anything you write on a blog is automatically copyrighted.

Our discussion of possible group outings produced some good ideas: VWC readings, Glenfern Poetry Centre readings, the Melbourne Writers Festival, and the events and venues to be found on "Pam's Poetry Pitch". There were also some suggestions for poetry journals that could be a source of information on upcoming events ( see below). Also, the Channel 31 poetry programme "Red Lobster", worth watching (if you can get Ch 31).

Victorian Writers Centre: http://www.writers-centre.org/

Melbourne Writers Festival: http://www.mwf.com.au/2008/content/mwf_2008_home.asp?name=Home

Pam's Poetry Pitch: http://pamspoetrypitchblog.blogspot.com/

Zest: an emagazine published by the Australian Poetry Centre but now available only to members - the archive editions may be available though.: http://www.australianpoetrycentre.org.au/

Red Lobster:http://redlobster.davidmcl.id.au/

Currajah ( poetry weblog): http://www.walleahpress.com.au/b25/

I suggest that we all review these sites and put together a shortlist of events that we would like to attend. If you want to, email suggestions to me in Cecilia's absence.