Fran Graham lives a long way from Kyogle and still she enters the Kyogle Readers and Writers Festival poetry competition.
She has received a Commendation three times.
“I’m just thrilled to get a mention,” Fran said.
Fran is based in Perth.
“I have a cousin who lives in Kyogle,” she said.
Fran said she didn’t start writing seriously until her early 30s — she is 76 now.
Writing poetry “gives you access to a deeper part of yourself,” she said.
Her tips for writers are — ask yourself, What are you trying to say?
“Keep it simple, show don’t tell.”
Fran said the more poetry she wrote, the better she became.
“A switch went off in my mind, it took a long time,” she said.
Fran will enter this year’s Kyogle Readers and Writers Poetry Competition that has the theme Under the Surface — an invitation to explore what lies hidden, unspoken, or waiting to be discovered.
The competition opens on March 2 and closes on May 1.
“You don’t have to call yourself a poet, just have a go at it,” Fran said. Read more about Fran’s poetry here.
There is a total prize pool of $500, and winners will also have the opportunity to perform their work at the Literary Allsorts Festival Launch in May — a highlight of the festival program.
The winner will be notified on May 8.
Poetry prizes are:
• 1st Prize – $250
• 2nd Prize – $100
• 3rd Prize – $50
• Five Commended Awards – $20 each
The entry fee: $5
All fees will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
How to Enter
• One poem per entrant
• Maximum 35 lines (excluding title)
• Any poetic style
Submit to: krawsecretary@gmail.com
Formatting:
Times New Roman, 12pt, 1.5 spacing, Word or PDF.
Include a separate cover page with your name, phone, email and poem title.
The poem must appear on a new page with no identifying details.
Entries must be original and unpublished. Authors retain copyright but grant KRAW permission to use the poem for festival promotion.
Payment details:
Kyogle Writers Festival
Summerland Credit Union
BSB: 728728
Account: 22331588
Reference: Your surname and initial (e.g. Smith L)
Further details and entry guidelines are here.
Please share this far and wide with poets, writers and creative friends in your networks.
The Literary Allsorts Festival is in Kyogle on May 15—16
Entries will be judged by an independent panel on originality, writing quality and engagement with the theme. Enquiries: Sue – krawsecretary@gmail.com
Tissue Test
Even in other people’s houses
I sometimes change
the toilet roll around
so it feeds out from the top
making access easier.
I often wonder if they notice
after I’ve gone.
Or maybe change it back
because they, too,
have the same obsession in reverse.
With a mixture of guilt
that I’m overstepping the line
and relief that I’m
keeping my world in order,
I wonder why the best way
isn’t obvious to everyone.
While it’s not premeditated –
when I’m on the spot
I can’t resist the temptation.
I crusade secretly,
proud to be setting the right example.
I am passionate about my mission.
And in spite of what
the cosmologists say,
when I’m liberating the two ply,
I know with conviction
I am more than stardust.
by Fran Graham
