2021

FSP Big Book Launch #1: change of venue!

Tonight’s launch has had to to be moved to the Halifax Cafe… !

Friendly Street Poets Inc. is proud to launch two great new books:

New Poets 22 featuring Veronica Cookson, Rob Ferris and Sue O’Brien

Lament by Michèle Saint-Yves

Monday, 25th October, 2021
6:00pm for 6:30pm

Halifax Cafe
187 Halifax Street, Adelaide

COVID restrictions mean that our numbers are restricted. The poets can each invite a limited number of guests, leaving only 44 spots for others wishing to attend. If you are not one of those nominated by the poets, you will need to register ASAP using the form below.… Click for more

Poem of the Month – July 2021: Like, Shakespeare by Gordon McPherson

Congratulations to Gordon McPherson, winner, July 2021 Poem of the Month, as selected by 2021 FSP Anthology editors Louise Nicholas and Judy Dally.

Like, Shakespeare…
by Gordon McPherson

We’re doing Hamlet,
and there’s this dude
called Yorick,
and like, that’s a real name,
so incredulity,
and he’s standing in a grave,
and I’m like, eeeyuuuuw!
and this gross out skull
like in NCIS,
how unsanitation!
and Hamlet
he’s a prince,
and he’s telling Yorick
he’s a lass
and half my head
goes all magic pie 
and the blackbirds
and WTF? 
and the other half
is all mega brill
and clownspray and LOL
and I’m all, like,
where’s the remote?… Click for more

FSP Featured Poets Series returns to Halifax Cafe in September

Thursday, 23 September 2021
from 6:00pm

Halifax Cafe
187 Halifax Street, Adelaide

$5 at the door (cash only) to pay the poets

After a long COVID-19 induced lay-off, the FSP Featured Poets Series returns for a spectacular reprise, featuring four of Adelaide finest poets: Steve Brock, Alison Flett, Bronwyn Lovell and Ken Bolton.

This will be the last of these events curated by Jelena and Ian, so come early, stay late and enjoy the fabulous fare of the Halifax Cafe.

Steve Brock has published four collections of poetry including Double Glaze (Five Islands Press, 2013) and Live at Mr Jake’s (Wakefield Press 2020).… Click for more

FSP 2021 competition certificates

The Friendly Street Poets reading for September saw the awarding of certificates to writers who had been successful in the 2021 competitions for publication of their collections, due soon.

Left to right here, we have Nigel Ford (Highly Commended twice, New Poets 22 ), Susan O’Brien and Veronica Cookson (both Winners, New Poets 22), Michèle Saint-Yves (Winner, Single Poet), and Shaine Melrose (Highly Commended, Single Poet).

Unable to attend were: Rob Ferris (Winner, New Poets 22), Claire-Louise Watson (Highly Commended, New Poets 22), and Gaetano Aiello (Highly Commended, Single Poet).

Congratulations to all of you – and we look forward to the launch of both titles on 25th October: more details to come.… Click for more

FSP September City Meeting and Open Mic

Monday, 6th September, 2021
from 6:00pm

The Box Factory
59 Regent St, Adelaide, SA 5000

Yes, we’re on again and bigger than ever!

Current COVID-19 guidelines (unless they change) allow us up to 72 people and we’re ready to hear your poetry. 

You just sign on – via QR code or handwriting – and then add your name to the reading list if you want a turn at the mic. Bring two copies of your poems for the current editors if you want those considered for next year’s anthology, or submit them electronically via the form below straight after the night.… Click for more

New Poets 22 and Single Poet 2021 winners!

Besides its annual anthologies, Friendly Street Poets has a long (and, yes, proud) history of bringing the work of emerging poets to a keen readership. 

Independent and blind judging has given the results for the books that will appear in 2021 in the New Poets 22 (featuring three poets, as usual) and Single Poet volumes. The Winning and Highly Commended entries are: 

New Poets 22

Winning
Legacy – Veronica Cookson 
The Butterfly Defects – Rob Ferris 
Valley Fleurieu – Susan O’Brien 

Highly Commended
A Hapless Romantic – Nigel Ford  
Life Poet – Nigel Ford
A Glimpse of Light – Claire-Louise Watson  

Single Poet 2021

Winning
Lament  – Michele M.… Click for more

+ More