What a buzz it was to read to a real live audience last Thursday. Around 16 people attended my reading at Putney Library and it could hardly have gone better. There was applause! There were smiling faces! There was even a Bravo! I split my set into three sections, reading first from Triptych Poets, followed …
Author: Hilaire
I am a writer of poetry and prose. I was born and brought up in Melbourne but have lived in London most of my adult life.
a display, a reading, and a little poetry news
Late last year Stephen Graham, with whom I collaborated on the booklet indoors looking out, mentioned he was planning a show of new work at Putney Library, and that there was an empty display case in the library, which he suggested I could use to showcase some of my books and any related visual material. …
Continue reading a display, a reading, and a little poetry news
half a dozen joys
It's not been the easiest year, but here are a few things that have brought me joy: Flickerbook by Leila Berg, published by CB editions. I have read quite a lot this year but this is the book that immediately comes to mind as my favourite. I loved it from the very first page. Berg's …
Best British Short Stories 2021
I'm beyond delighted that my short story, The Red Suitcase, is included in Best British Short Stories 2021 edited by Nicholas Royle and published by Salt Publishing. The Red Suitcase was originally published as a limited edition short-story chapbook by Nightjar Press in October 2020, but is now sold out. Over the last few weeks I've been …
Poetry taster workshops – TICK
On Tuesday, I led the last of five poetry taster workshops at Battersea Park Library. Considering I first started planning these with the library staff nearly two years ago, this feels like quite an achievement. We'd aimed to start in early spring 2020, but we all know what happened. Personally, it's also an achievement, as …
Happy Wombat Day
Today is Wombat Day, a day to celebrate those wonderful marsupials found only in Australia. The only time I remember seeing a wombat in the wild was as a child, on a slushy snowy mountainside, possibly Mt Buller, on a day trip with my family. It was probably the first time I'd seen snow too. …
Remembering my friend Jeanine one year on
Jeanine: a portrait in some of her own words Wowee, dear friend,a year since you passed oninto that spirit worldI have no inkling of. How about that?I bet you’re laughingat our lot, these politicianswith their blabberyab and lies. Holyschmoly, how I missyour sharp tongue and your mischief;our tête-à-têtes peppered with un peu de français,ein bißchen Deutsch. And who could forget your …
Tube now arriving at Battersea Power Station station
The new Northern Line extension from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station opened this morning. I've lived in Battersea for a long time, and for most of that time I never thought the mooted tube line would arrive, so I was not going to miss this historic day. The first tube out of …
Continue reading Tube now arriving at Battersea Power Station station
writing local / local writing
I'm happy to have a poem included in a new anthology, Words of Wandsworth, edited by Emily Zinkin, and supported by Wandsworth Libraries and Heritage Service and Moishe House. The anthology includes poems, short stories, art and photography by Wandsworth residents, with each contribution featuring an aspect of the borough of Wandsworth in some way. …
January was my August
I've been thinking about that 'back to school' feeling that many on this side of the world associate with the end of August and the beginning of September. For me, as I grew up in Australia, January was the long summer school holidays and the new school year began in February. August was winter, and …
