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Readings in Australia

E: mail@katherine-gallagher.com
Tel: 020 8881 1418


Biography:
Katherine Gallagher is a widely-acclaimed poet with six books published as well as four chapbooks. Born in Australia, Gallagher has lived and worked in London since 1979. She has been an active force in the community, giving poetry readings, running workshops (for adults and children), judging poetry competitions, and participating in poetry festivals.
Her work has been widely reviewed, see Reviews. In addition, Gallagher has undertaken translations (from French) and her reviews of the work of other poets have been extensively published. Gallagher’s own poetry has been translated into French, German, Italian, Romanian, and Serbian.
More biographical details can be found on the Biography notes of this website.

News:

CHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL, 2009:
Katherine Gallagher will be reading at the Shell Chester Literature Festival on Saturday 10th October, details in the programme as follows:
Saturday 10th October
Bishop Lloyd’s Palace
5.00 pm FREE

Katherine Gallagher: Circus-Apprentice
“I’m learning it all –acrobatics, clowning,
riding bareback and trapeze,
fire from a sleeve: my hand’s a wand.”

This widely-published Australian poet and experienced poetry tutor gives a reading from her fourth collection Circus-Apprentice. Katherine Gallagher draws on a rich inheritance from her different worlds: Australia, Britain and France. Her subject-matter ranges widely: travel, exile, returning, change, nature, war, family, illness, love, loss, death and childhood experiences, always rooted in a passionate sense of discovery and attention to place.

The Chester Literature Festival runs from 5 - 18th October, 2009 and promises to be eclectic and wide-ranging.
Further details:
Tel. 01244 405605
www.chesterfestivals.co.uk

The Shell Chester Festival

MOTHERLODE: NEW AUSTRALIAN ANTHOLOGY, 2009:
Katherine Gallagher’s poem ‘Relic’ from Fish-Rings on Water (Forest Books, 1989) has been published in a new anthology, Motherlode: Australian Women’s Poetry 1986 – 2008. (Puncher & Wattman Pty. Ltd., PO Box 441, Glebe, NSW. 2037).

The editors Jennifer Harrison and Kate Waterhouse say : We have chosen poems from the pool of Australian women’s poetry published or anthologised between 1986 and 2008 with the intention of capturing a contemporary snapshot of women’s attitudes to children, mothering, female identity and related issues. We believe that the anthology will prove a welcome addition to the literature of women’s studies.

The workshop series Poetry & Voice is starting again at Torriano, 99 Torriano Ave., NW5, on October 17. See Workshops

Poetry Society/National Trust Osterley Project Katherine Gallagher (London North Poetry Society Stanza group) recently worked with Kavita Jindal (Poetry Society South –West London Stanza group) on a poetry project for children and adults as part of the South-West London Stanza’s Poetry Society/National Trust initiative at Osterley Park, a much-visited London NT site.

Poetry and sculpture - engraving poems written by children on stones or other surfaces, is a delightful way of involving them in neighbourhood projects. Some time back, in January-February, 1999, I worked with pupils from two Barking Schools - St. Joseph's and St. Margaret's, and sculptor Harry Gray of the Cambridge Carving Workshop to provide poems for the Town Quay Garden Stones. as part of the Barking and Roding Valley Partnership Regeneration Project and The Word, the London Festival of Literature.
The object of the Town Quay Garden Stones Project was to create an outdoor perpformance space next to the River Roding and near the Barking Abbey ruins and historic 13th century St. Margaret's Church. br>

Aldo Magagnino has translated some poems from Circus-Apprentice in the Italian review Crocevia, Letteratura dell’Oceania, Issue 07, 2009 ( http://www.besaeditrice.it), a special issue dedicated to the late much-loved Professor Bernard Hickey.

ABC’s POETICA Programme, 27th June, 2009:
Katherine Gallagher’s poems were featured on the A.B.C’s POETICA programme (36 min poetry and chat) on Radio National on 27th June, 2009 and repeated on the 2nd of July after the 3pm news both days.
It is available as audio on demand on the Poetica website until the 27th July. Go to: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/poetica
Interview by Krystyna Kubiac.

POETRY WORKSHOP AT LE MOULIN, VILLEBAUDON, NORMANDY: June 28th - July 2nd, 2010.
‘Crossing Points and Risks’ – a four day poetry course for 7 participants led by Katherine Gallagher. Course cost (includes tuition and accommodation) £350.
Further details: Kay Cotton & Sylvia Miles : e-mail: moulin50410@hotmail.com
Tel: 0033(0)233 592181
http://www.lemoulin50410.eu
For more details, see Normandy Workshop

POINT 33 RECURRING, 2nd July, 2009:
Katherine Gallagher’s poems were included in POINT 33 RECURRING, a multimedia representation (music, visuals and poetry) of our connection with the social and physical environment, symbolized by the recurrent motif of feet, presented at Bishopsgate Institute in a programme for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Event co-ordinated by Kate Newell, Oboist.

ARTEMISpoetry:
ARTEMIS poetry is an exhilarating new poetry magazine published by SLN Network. The general editors are Dilys Wood and Anne Stewart, now calling for submissions for Artemis 3 for which Katherine Gallagher is Poetry Editor. Details are as follows:
Poetry Submissions Deadline; 31 August 09. Women poets only, of any age.
Strict submission limit: a maximum of 4 poems; the total number of lines in all should not exceed 200 lines.
Two copies of each poem: A4 paper copy only, typed or neatly handwritten. Each numbered sheet to bear the poet’s contact details (name, address, telephone, email). Send to Dilys Wood, 9 Greendale Close, London, SE22 8TG.
Please write "ARTEMISpoetry 3" on your envelope.

New Collection:
Katherine Gallagher’s next collection, titled Carnival Edge: New & Selected Poems (published by Arc Publications) is due out in February 2010. It will be distributed in Australia through Eleanor Brasch Enterprises later in 2010 when Katherine Gallagher plans to do promotional readings.

Salisbury House Workshops
Gallagher is leading a themed workshop (September 12). Another, led by Mandy Coe will be on October 3.
See Workshops.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2009: Katherine Gallagher’s haiku

was one of the Festival's Sakura Award winners this year.

Grant:
In December, 2008, Katherine Gallagher received a £2,000 grant from the Society of Authors, London, towards her New & Selected Poems.

Eleanor Brasch Enterprises
Gallagher’s collections Circus-Apprentice (2006) and Tigers on the Silk Road (2000) published by Arc Publications, UK (www.arcpublications.co.uk) are distributed in Australia by Eleanor Brasch Enterprises, PO Box 586, Artamon, NSW., 2064.
Email: brasch2@aol.com

www.poetryinternational.org
Details of Katherine Gallagher's poetry collections plus a selection of her poems by Editor, Michael Brennan, are now on the Australian section of www.poetryinternational.org.

Barnet Poetry Competition
The 2009 Competition was launched at the Bull Theatre, March 21, 2009. Katherine Gallagher is again judging the Junior Sections. (7 – 11, & 12 – 16s). Closing date:
November 16, 2009. Details and entry forms: http://www.barnetarts.org.uk

Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2009
This competition, judged by Selima Hill and Lemn Sissay, is open to writers between the ages of 11 and 17 inclusive before the closing date of 31 July 2009. Enter online at: http://www.foyleyoungpoets.org Address for snailmail entries: Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2009, The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London. WC2H 9BX.

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Palmers Green Reading:
The next event in this series held at St. John’s, Palmers Green, N13, will take place on Saturday, 24th October. Guest poets are June English, Caroline Price, Clive Eastwood and John Whitworth. Readers from the floor. Wine and nibbles. 7.30 pm.

www.secondlightlive.co.uk
Second Light Network has a fantastic website: http://www.secondlightlive.co.uk.
It has been set up and administered by Anne Stewart who also runs the wide-ranging poetry p f site.
If you haven’t already logged on to poetry p f, do take a look. It is one of the most visited sites in the British poetry scene with details of over 100 poets (and growing), future reading events and workshops.
poetry p f also publishes very attractive poetry postcards on a wide range of themes. Prices are very reasonable.

pRO Translation Collaboration - National Tour.
As part of a series of events in a national tour, this translation collaboration published a bilingual anthology of poetry and translation (and optional CD recording of the poets and translators) from the poetry p f imprint.
The anthology called ’And the story isn’t over . . .’ was celebrated in a national tour beginning March 20 and ending on April 2.
Katherine Gallagher read on 30th March with her Romanian translator Elena Nistor, and also with Maggie Butt & Rik Wilkinson in a Translation Workshop, part of the above collaboration
Venue:
Middlesex University Literary Festival, Trent Park Campus, Bramley Road, London . N14 4YZ.

Launch of Circus-Apprentice
 
 
Launch: Katherine signing Circus-Apprentice - 20th October
Kwesi, Katherine, Ian at the launch at The Menzies Centre - 29th October

My new collection, Circus-Apprentice, was launched along with Joanna Boulter's book Twenty Four Preludes & Fugues on Dmitri Shostakovich by Arc Publications (www.arcpublications.co.uk) on October 20th, 2006 at Trinity United Reformed Church, Buck Street, London NW1 8NT.

There was another launch for Joanna and myself at the Lit. & Phil. Library in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 24th October. It's an amazing place, next to the station.

The third event was on the 29th November at the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, part of King's College London. The Menzies Centre is at the Melbourne Place end of Australia House. There were about 60 people there. Highlight of the evening was the sequence After Kandinsky, eleven poems inspired by Kandinsky paintings from his Bauhaus period, accompanied by Kwesi Edman (cello) and Ian Henderson (flute). Kwesi composed the music which was very well received. Certainly, poetry and music go together beautifully. Very exciting. Finally, Ian, Lecturer in Australian Literature, launched Circus-Apprentice, giving some fascinating insights into its focus on hybridity, landscape, exile and the cosmopolitan.



Events

COMING UP . . .
READINGS and WORKSHOPS

READINGS

Tuesday, 14th July – 7.15 pm.
Poetry Reading for the London North Stanza
Maggie Butt &Valerie Darville read their poetry.
Venue: Alexandra Park Library, Alexandra Park Road, N22.
Info: 020 8489 2700
Sunday, 19th July – 7.30 pm.
Poetry Reading
Katherine Gallagher reads with American poet Patricia Zontelli. Readers from the floor.
Venue: Torriano, 99 Torriano Avenue,London. NW5.
Info: 020 8881 1418

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WORKSHOPS

Workshop: Poetry & Voice

led by Katherine Gallagher

Dates: 2009-2010, London
Saturdays, 1.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.:
17th October
28th November
12th December
23rd January
20th February
20th March
17th April
15th May
19th June
17th July

Wanting to develop your poetry-skills, explore your poetry 'voice'?
This workshop offers ways into writing poetry. Writing-exercises and constructive feedback. Practical criticism of existing work.
The emphasis is on tuning into ourselves and the poem, its particular shapes and rhythms. For new and experienced writers. Please bring 12 copies of your poem.

Venue:

Torriano, 99 Torriano Ave., Kentish Town, NW5. Kentish Town Tube.
Cost per session: £17 (£13 conc.) per day.

Pre-bookings and further details:


Poetry Workshops in beautiful 17th century Salisbury House

Three themed workshops looking at ways of transforming the autobiographical: explorations of voices and effects, the place of risk and new beginnings.

Date  Workshop Session  Time 
Saturday May 16  I write myself – transforming the autobiographical, other voices  12 – 6 pm 
Saturday June 27  Places: discovery and belonging, unexpected shifts  12 – 6 pm 
Saturday Sept 12  The eye of the storm: the poem as journey, hesitations  12 – 6 pm 

During these courses, we will look at a variety of ‘example’ poems and explore our own ideas, feelings and memories through writing exercises and constructive feedback. The workshop is for new and experienced writers.

Katherine Gallagher is a widely-published poet and experienced poetry tutor. She has four full-length collections of poetry, including Tigers on the Silk Road (Arc Publications, 2006) and Circus-Apprentice (Arc, 2006). Until recently, she was Writers Inc Education Officer. Circus-Apprentice was selected as Book of the Month (March 2007) on the Poetry Kit (http://www.poetrykit.org).

Penelope Shuttle on Circus-Apprentice – ‘. . strong, resourceful and varied
Patricia McCarthy (ed. Agenda) on Tigers on the Silk Road – ‘. . an impressive clarity and freshness of voice.

Venue: Bury St. West, Edmonton. N9. (329 bus from Wood Green tube)
Please bring a packed lunch. Fee: £30, £24 (concs.) Pre-booking essential

Pre-bookings and further details:


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Workshop: Barnet Writers Workshop

led by Katherine Gallagher at Friends' House, Leicester Street, East Barnet, London. EN5.

Dates: 2009-2010, London
Wednesdays: 1.00 - 4.00 p.m. -- Monthly
Ways into Writing. For new and experienced writers.
Dates of next workshops:
23rd September
14th October
11th November
9th December
20th January
17th February
17th March
14th April
12th May
16th June
14th July
Cost per session: £10

Pre-bookings and further details:

Contact Katherine Gallagher
N.B. PLEASE SEND ANY MAIL FOR ME TO MY PRIVATE ADDRESS:
49 Myddleton Road, Wood Green, London. N22 8LZ

AND NOT TO THE FRIENDS’ HOUSE.
Thanks.


RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP in Normandy

28th June - 2nd July, 2010: ‘Crossing Points and Risks’: a four-day poetry course for 7 participants, with experienced tutor, poet Katherine Gallagher at Le Moulin, Normandie, France. From 6pm Monday 28th – 3pm Friday 2nd July . . .

Course Fees: £350 inclusive. (Fees include accommodation, tuition, all meals from Monday evening (28th June) until after lunch on Friday (2nd July), including wine.) One afternoon of the course will be left free for an off-site outing, eg. Mont St. Michel, Bayeux, Granville.

The Course: Writing through the senses and engaging with boundaries and risks, the workshop will focus on the crossing points of our lives, exploring memory and inner spaces to transform the autobiographical into poetry – using writing exercises and constructive feedback. . For new and experienced writers. There will be a strong emphasis on identifying and improving the personal skills of course participants, and individual tutorials will be arranged. With your booking, please include two poems that you feel are representative of your work, for possible discussion at your tutorial.
(Please email poems to Katherine Gallagher: mail@katherine-gallagher.com )

Accommodation: Course participants will stay on site, either in La Grange, which has 7 bedrooms: 1 en-suite double bedroom on ground floor, easy access; 1 double and 2 singles, plus bathroom, in each of two converted haylofts, extra shower-room downstairs . . .
OR in Le Moulin which also has an accessible bedroom on the ground floor, with separate bathroom and toilet, and two twin-bedded rooms on the first floor.
There will be no need to share a room.

Katherine Gallagher (http://www.katherine-gallagher.com) is a widely-published prize-winning poet and experienced poetry tutor.
She has four full-length collections of poetry, the most recent being Circus-Apprentice (Arc Publications, 2006). Her Carnival Edge: New and Selected Poems is forthcoming from Arc in January 2010. In 2008, she received a Foundation Award from the Society of Authors.

BOOKING DETAILS,
including transport: Kay Cotton and Sylvia Miles, Le Moulin, 50410 VILLEBAUDON, Normandy, France.
Tel: 0033 (0)233 592181
Email: moulin50410@hotmail.com
Website: www.lemoulin50410.eu


Katherine Gallagher at the Stevie Smith Exhibition in Palmers Green Library, North London - September, 2002

Katherine presenting the Festival


I was co-organiser with Joanna Cameron, Palmers Green Bookshop, of the Stevie Smith Centenary Festival (13 - 22nd September, 2002). Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and Stephen Twigg, M.P., were patrons. Participants included Stevie's biographer, Frances Spalding, Elizabeth Maslen, and a range of poets - among them, John Horder, Mario Petrucci, Myra Schneider, Martyn Crucefix, John Killick, Cuban Redd and myself. I also gave a talk, 'Exile and the Dream of Nourishment' in relation to Stevie Smith's poetry. A highly memorable Festival.

See also the unveilling of Stevie Smith Blue Plaque.



Biographical Note

I am a widely-published Australian poet resident in London. My books include The Eye's Circle (Rigmarole, 1974), Passengers to the City (Hale & Iremonger, 1985), Fish-rings on Water (Forest Books, 1989), Finding the Prince (Hearing Eye Pamphlet Series, 1993), a translation of Jean-Jacques Celly's poems, The Sleepwalker with Eyes of Clay (Forest Books, 1994), Tigers on the Silk Road (Arc Publications, 2000), and After Kandinsky (Vagabond Press, 2005, Chapbook Rare Object Series).
My most recent collection Circus Apprentice (ISBN 1-4614-02-7) was published by Arc Publications in October 2006.
See http://www.arcpublications.co.uk
Tigers on the Silk Road is distributed in Australia by Fremantle Arts Centre Press through Penguin. Passengers to the City was shortlisted for the 1986 Australian National Poetry Award.
Winner of the 1981 Brisbane Warana Prize.
Until 2008, I was Writers Inc/Blue Nose Poets’ Education Officer but unfortunately, due to funding cuts, Writers Inc can no longer continue. From July - October, 2002, I was Writer in Residence at Railway Fields Nature Reserve, Harringay, London. N4.

In 2004-5, I co-ordinated on behalf of Writers Inc an Arts Council-funded Young Writers’ Mentorship Project to work in twelve secondary schools in the Boroughs of Barnet, Ealing, Enfield, Haringey and Islington. Other participating poets were Mario Petrucci whose idea it was originally and Sue Hubbard. The Project was very successful and showed the need for such one-to-one mentoring as a spur to fledgling writers for they rarely have such direct access to established writer-tutors.

On July 17, 2006, I was Poet in Residence for the third annual Parks and Arts Healthy Lifestyle Walk in Hornchurch Country Park, London Borough of Havering organised by their Parks, Arts and Regeneration Services.
Co-ordinated as an Arts Walk by Arts Officer Chris Cole, the idea was to use the Walk to celebrate walking and healthy eating.There were 50 participants under very sunny, clear skies. Part of my brief was to write a poem of the Walk to accompany the photographs, poems and reflections sent in by the participants. The poem was displayed as a poster in libraries and around the Borough and sent to local media.

In March, 2007, I started a Poetry Society Stanza Group around the Palmers Green-Southgate-Tottenham-Hornsey-Wood Green area. This was listed by the Poetry Society as the Palmers Green-Tottenham Stanza. However, due to the residential base of our membership's being different, we asked for it to be changed to London North. The Stanza meets to discuss poems and other matters on the first Friday of each month. It is proving very useful as a meeting point for the group’s various interests. In May, 2008, we had a Stanza reading at Wood Green’s Big Green Bookshop, with more to follow.



Interviews

Interview - March 2000 with Ted Slade for the Poetry Kit on http://www.poetrykit.org


Interview - January 2006 with Professor Lidia Vianu (University of Bucharest) on http://www.lidiavianu.scriptmania.com


Interview - February 2007 with Elena Nistor.
Published in Caiete Internationale de PoezieInternational Notebook of Poetry Nr. 8/2007. Poems in Translation: East and West Essays on Poets and Poetry.
This International Notebook is an annual publication sponsored by the Romanian Writers & Artists’ International Association – LiterArt - XXI
The interview is accompanied by 10 Poems from Circus-Apprentice translated into Romanian by Elena Nistor (Link to the magazine website to be added shortly).



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Contents updated on 30th October, 2009, London
Copyright Katherine Gallagher © 2000-2009