What one does during the distance, iso, quarantine… set up a pop up zine for one thing! Okay, so it’s really old-fashioned, but I like banners.. I’ve re-cycled one of my favourite pics for PUZ – the once upon a time Jacarandas (view from Lennox Bridge, Parramatta, built by convicts…) Plus other images donated by kind writers…
Bless their hands: Traditional Lebanese breakfast in a lane beside the Parramatta Artists Studios curated by artist Justine Youssef whose extended family cooked and served up a storm – 29th May, 2019
My first visit, with colleagues from NEW Writers Group Inc and Code-Mixing Poetry, to the annual zine fair at the Museum of Contemporary Art. A splendid event attended by large and curious crowds during the period of the Sydney Writers’ Festival. We were not the fanciest stall, but we displayed many editions of our publications, ranging from NWG Inc’s photocopied and badly stapled first attempt at ZineWest, to the lovely Romanian/Australian anthologies of Mihaela Cristescu. Sold a few titles and talked a great deal about the value of writers collaborating.Photos by Mihaela Cristescu.
Been working with Carol Amos and Mihaela Cristescu in preparation for a busy year. We have been writing, editing, talking and eating rather well. Our first three events are all in collaboration with other people … and then there’s the rest of 2019
NEW Writers’ Group Inc welcomes writers back to UNE Sydney in search of great characters (PPT and discussion) and a laugh about love (Valentine’s Open Mic Comp – with an emphasis on humor – there are book awards!) February 9
Lachlan’s Old Government House for RHETORIC IMAGES which involves images, champagne, a soprano, lots of hats, revelations from writers … March 2
Launch of Between Dusk and Dawn – Cristescu’s third Romanian/Australian anthology at the State Library of New South Wales – which will also feature imagery, music, readings and great food… not sure if we’re wearing hats … March 23
Centre: Mihaela Cristescu, L:Carol Amos; R:Sue Crawford
There is something disconcerting about launching one anthology On The Wallaby Track while acquiring work for the next Between Dusk and Dawn (especially when a few writers are contributing to both) and being simultaneously on the cusp of promoting a different anthology altogether ie the 2018 ZineWest. Bi-lingual poet Mihaela Cristescu, who heads the Romanian/Australian project, does an excellent job however of co-ordinating multiple tasks and inspires me to keep up.
I’m delighted to co-edit the English inclusions, which seem to be having a conversation in richly different voices. Lucky are those who can read all the works, Romanian and English.
On the Wallaby Track
NSW State Library, 24th March, 2018
Metcalfe Auditorium, 11:15 for 11:30 am
with Anamaria Beligan and Luke Carman.
The launch of Pound
ing the Pavement in Sydney, at the NSW State Library (25th March) celebrated the strengthening collaboration between Romanian and Australian writers. An initiative of bi-lingual poet, Mihaela Cristescu, the anthology included Romanian works by Romanians, plus English works by Australians – and Romanians. Artists were Luminita Serbanescu (illustrations) and Andrei Pora (short movie) both Romanian Canadians. Anamaria Beligan and Luke Carman commented on the works in the anthology. The event was opened by Her Excellency, Mrs Nineta Barbulescu the Romanian Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand. More details and images are available at Code-Mixing Poetry It was wonderful to see some of our writing friends from NEW Writers Group and ZineWest at the event and r
eading their work. Pic below is me listening to my poet friend Peter Cartwright.
Keeping the amateur editing gig to two zines this year. Last year I edited or co-edited four little journals. Enjoy it though I did, in 2017 it will be just ZineWest and Mihaela Cristescu’s next anthology: “On the Wallaby Track”.
ZineWest 16: here’s our eminent judge Luke Carman and Julie Owens MP (with prize at ready) congratulating writers.
Every ZW looks a bit different despite sticking to a basic A5 white cover. Front image by Geoff Sellman and back cover by Robert Frost
Co-edited the first of Mihaela Cristescu’s anthologies to include a strong line up of Australians writing in English. Love Luminita Serbanescu’s artwork.
Also in 2016 I helped a friend self-publish an anthology (which sold out) and finally, I played back-up for the editor of NWG’s financial members’ anthology.