For over two decades I’ve been an emerging writer. Once you tip the scales and have several books, ie poetry (2) and novels (2) you’re an established author (it seems). I’ve recently applied for a residency in this category and now realise I have competition with the very best. It’s quite daunting when you think about your peers in your own state, those who have high profiles, get invited to writers’ festivals, attend public and community talks, etc. Suddenly you find yourself in a different category and wonder does this bring kudos?

MAYBE? I have noticed of late, that I am now being invited to submit my poetry to Australian online & print poetry journals. Sure, my publisher Adelaide Books in New York (I’m a listed writer) invites us all to submit to their Anthology Award every year. There are short stories, poetry and essays, all neatly packaged in a bound book for each genre. I haven’t been a winner, but I feel assured each time that my work is being supported and my prose poetry gets published. I’m now in their 2019 & 2020 Adelaide Poetry Anthology.

While I have moved over to fiction, my poetry has really taken a back seat. I do, however, write prose poetry from time to time, and I find that it’s fun posting to my Instagram @evangelynewriter with graphics to match. Getting back to the subject, twice now and probably it’s a “mutual friendly society” but I have been initially invited to Phillip Hall’s poetry journal “Burrow” – the first poem in the September 2020 issue and more recently another poem forthcoming in September, 2021. The latest invitation is from one of the Editors of a forthcoming publication – the Australian Poetry Journal, APJ 11.1. Fingers crossed, and a giant blog post to follow, if successful!

I thought I had left poetry behind, to move forward and fully concentrate on novels, but the old genre keeps pulling me back with plenty of surprises. I am also soon to write a poetry review for Miriam Wei Wei Lo on her 2^nd Edition of Against Certain Capture. I used to write poetry reviews for Plumwood Mountain eco-journal which suddenly stopped. (I don’t think they liked me steering away from the ecological side and not all collections supplied had that theme). Still, I may have luck getting Miriam’s review published in the Rochford Street Journal.

I can hear my dad with his old fatherly saying, “Wonders never cease.”