Rebecca Jessen's Blog, page 2

Reading at the QWC Lit Salon this Saturday

This Saturday night I will be reading some new poems at the QWC Lit Salon. The lineup is absolutely stellar, and includes Miles Franklin shortlisted author Emily Maguire, Thomas Shapcott shortlisted poet Mindy Gill, Chloe Callistemon, Tessa Rose, Ben Hobson, and me! It’s also Brisbane Pride day so expect me to read some very queer poems to celebrate! (I was going to anyway).

You can buy your ticket here.

 

Full venue/time details are below!

QWC Lit Salon – Saturday 23rd September

Red Box, SLQ...

Post-QPF 2017 Highlights

The Queensland Poetry Festival is done for another year and I have resumed programming as a shy introvert and have spent the last week catching up on sleep after four memorable (and intense) days of reading, listening, and absorbing everything poetry.

What I love most about QPF is the atmosphere of camaraderie and community it creates. The festival is a place where (most) people can leave their ego at the door and contribute in a positive way to our poetry community.

Below are some of my high...

Val Vallis Award Shortlisting + Reading at the QUT Literary Salon at QPF

Yesterday I found out that my poem (after) HER: dating app adventures was shortlisted for the Arts Queensland Val Vallis Award for an Unpublished Poem. I’m completely humbled and thrilled, it was such a surprise I even shed a few happy tears at my desk! This shortlisting means so much, and has come at exactly the right time. Many thanks to the judges, Arts Queensland and QPF, and congratulations to my fellow shortlistees, especially my QUT post-grad poetry group buddies Ella Jeffery (Val Vall...

QLD Poetry Festival 2017: Distant Voices

My favourite time of the year is almost upon us again! August and September in Brisbane are particularly fabulous, the weather is gorgeous and the festivals are aplenty! The Queensland Poetry Festival officially begins next Thursday 24th August and I’m beyond excited.

This year’s theme is Distant Voices and I think it couldn’t be more relevant, considering the current states of affairs, Australia and elsewhere. There is no other festival like QPF who so strongly and passionately champion the...

‘Hello Dolly’ now online at Verity La

The lovely people at Verity La have published my memoir ‘Hello Dolly’ which is about dealing with grief and the eccentricities of family. You can read it in full here. Like Tincture Journal, Verity La publish challenging, courageous, and thoughtful writing by a diverse range of emerging and established writers. So while you’re there have a look around and read some of the other brilliant work on the website.

 

‘Some Days’ now online in Tincture Journal

The lovely people at Tincture Journal have made my poem ‘Some Days’ (published in issue #17) available for free online for your reading pleasure. Read it in full here and while you’re there, read some of the other free content available. And then subscribe, not that you will need any convincing.

Some Days now online in Tincture Journal

The lovely people at Tincture Journal have made my poem ‘Some Days’ (published in issue #17) available for free online for your reading pleasure. Read it in full here and while you’re there, read some of the other free content available. And then subscribe, not that you will need any convincing.

‘We’re All Going On A Summer Holiday’ published in The Lifted Brow #33

This month The Lifted Brow are celebrating 10 years of the Brow! I’ve been lucky enough to be published in the Brow a few times now, and I can tell you that their 10th Birthday issue is in itself something worth celebrating – and not just because I have a piece in there.

My memoir ‘We’re All Going On A Summer Holiday’ is featured in this issue, and I was really grateful to see it find a home here. Writing the piece, and reliving the holiday was… well a labour of love, or self-torture. Read it...

(TWENTY-SIX) World Poetry Day 2017

In honour of today being World Poetry Day I thought I would share a little something I wrote for the now (in)famous QUT Z2 curlew.

(for the Z2 curlew)
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I’m fine
I just like to stare at myself in the window

sometimes I want to scoop up every vulnerable creature that has ever wandered
and transport them to an alternate reality

I am a knight
with no armour

sometimes I want to make every baby in the room smile

I’m living in the future
according to my diary

sometimes I want to give everything I h...

‘Some Days’ New Poem in Tincture Journal

Once again, the lovely people at Tincture Journal have published one of my poems. Many thanks to the wonderful Stuart Barnes (poetry editor) and Daniel Young (editor) for their continued support, not only of my own work, but that of many other wonderful emerging, and established voices.

My prose poem ‘Some Day’s features in the latest issue #17. I’m really pleased to see this poem published, the poem is somewhat of an ode to returning home, to the place you grew up. Partly inspired by the Nel...