Professor Kit Kelen’s One Year Flying Islands Poetry Manuscript Workshop
THE POETRY OF EVERYDAY LIFE
The simplest words must be enough.
– Berthold Brecht
- running from January to December 2027
- minimum of six participants in each stream
- maximum of twelve participants in each stream
- $500 flat fee (GST free) (with possibility of a scholarship for a poet of demonstrably limited means, letters of support may be provided for successful applicants wishing to apply to a funding body.
- certificate on successful completion and transcript available
Organised around a daily Challenge, I found the format inspirational, enabling me to establish a regular poetry-writing habit and accumulate a rich source of material to be further refined and edited, hopefully, for future publication. One has freedom to pursue one’s own topics, as well as to produce poems on topics one never would have written about, otherwise. Coupled with monthly Zoom sessions hosted by an assortment of other established poets, I recommend the workshop as an excellent opportunity to write your head and heart off. Dialogue and critique on our blog or directly with and from others in the group adds further to the experience. Kit is an enthusiastic facilitator of the whole shebang
My relationship to poetry has been completely overhauled through this year-long poetry workshop. I have had many opportunities to collaborate and connect with fellow poets that I’ve met along the way. Being introduced to guest poets and others I didn’t know has inspired me to pursue different forms and experiment with various styles I wouldn’t have otherwise explored. Kit has so much energy, passion and knowledge of poetry and I feel so grateful to be guided by his expertise. It’s such a rare event to journey through the world of poetry together with fellow poets that can offer constructive feedback and support growth.
This workshop has been an amazing journey. The daily challenges have sometimes been surprising/shocking, but also stimulating, inviting participants to think differently than the usual, to write more succinctly, to form a relationship with language we might not have had before. I have become obsessed with words! The monthly ZOOM workshops have been extremely varied, giving a wide range view of ways of writing poems; also giving an opportunity to meet fellow poets face to face, hear their poems (rather than reading them on the blog) and to ask questions.
I am enjoying the workshop so much I would like to continue it next year.
I am enjoying the workshop so much I would like to continue it next year.
Apply now – spots limited! More details available here.
2026 Flying Islands Poetry Manuscript Competition
Details available here.
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University of Sydney (Platinum Grant)
The Late Gail Hennessy (Gold Donor)
Jean Kent (Gold Donor)
Australian Cultural Fund (Gold Grant)
Compulsive Reader – Maggie Ball (in-kind)
Rochford Press (in-kind)
Jonathan Shaw Me Fail? I Fly! (in-kind)
Sappho Books, Cafe & Bar (in-kind)
The Shop Gallery Glebe – Anna Couani (in-kind)
Deephouse Print Studio (in-kind)
The Salons – Angie Contini (in-kind)
Physical TV – Dr Richard James Allen (in-kind)
Not for Profit Bookkeeping (in-kind)
Liberating Websites (in-kind)
Brain Purcell Art (in-kind)
Kit Kelen (Platinum Donor and In Kind)
Gillian Rubinstein (Platinum Donor)
Thank you to the Supporters of the Flying Islands Poetry Community
Recognition of Sponsors and Donors where contributions in a year are: $1,000 or more – Platinum | $500 or $999 – Gold | $350 – $499 – Silver | $200 – $349 – Bronze. Sponsorships are usually tax deductible. Donations made to the Flying Islands Poetry Community Inc. Gift Fund are tax-deductible. CLICK HERE for more information and to make a donation.