Events
In 2026, I will release a short poetry collection that explores the science of climate change through experimental writing that leads the way out of fire and into the Symbiocene. The poems move between concerns over the impacts of contemporary commercial cooking to iNaturalist field recordings during the extinction crisis, attending to restrained lyric intensity, concrete forms and the ways we can find hope in times of despair.
Join me as we launch my new publication with 5 Islands Press, and other publications, including our recent anthology with Westwords.
My short poetry collection will be released in May 2026 and will be supported through readings, festivals, and library events.
How To Read A City, Your Place of Last Resort will be available through selected independent bookstores and directly from the publisher.
Signed copies will also be available at readings and events. For bookstore or library enquiries, please use the page contact.
Liquid Amber Press Zoom Poetry - Sarah Rice - Alight on all things precious
Thursday 19 MARCH 2026, 7.30-9.00pm AEDT
Alight on all things precious is the latest collection by poet-artist Sarah Rice, weaving together ekphrastic poetry and luminous colour reproductions of both her own and others’ artwork.
Join in this special Zoom poetry event to hear Sarah read, followed by Glen Hunting, Ed Kus, Elizabeth Walton and others.
Mad Poet, Newcastle
Thursday 26th March
How To Read A City, Your Place of Last Resort
Pre-launch listening experience with Richard Lawson
𝟻𝟹𝟽 𝙷𝚞𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚂𝚝 𝙽𝚎𝚠𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚆𝚎𝚜𝚝
Join us for a night of new poetry at the very first pre-launch reading of Elizabeth Walton’s debut short collection, How To Read A City, Your Place of Last Resort, which will be published by 5 Islands Press in 2026. Elizabeth Walton is a writer and musician who has been shortlisted in many literary prizes. This new work asks where to find hope while living through the challenges of climate change. It is a collaboration with Richard Lawson - a triple ARIA-nominated punk rock drummer who was the first drummer to appear on ABC’s Rage, performing with the Lime Spiders. His song cycle for string quartet, How To Read A City, Your Place of Last Resort, performed by Acacia Quartet, was included in the ABC Limelight Australian Art Music playlist in 2025. Elizabeth’s poetry reading with Acacia at the world premiere is featured on the cover of her new book. Elizabeth will be appearing at Newcastle Writers Festival with the Macquarie/Westwords Nurejev’s Foot anthology.
Joining us at Mad Poet, Newcastle will be two very special guests, Susan Francis and Jodi Vial.
Susan Francis is a writer of short fiction, long fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Her most recent work is the novel, Revelation Beach, which at its centre tells the story of the Balibo Five, and will be featured at Newcastle Writers Festival. Susan lives and works on the land of the Awabakal people.
Dr Jodi Vial writes across the forms of poetry, short fiction and creative non-fiction, with a focus on the intersection of literature, landscape and history. She has been published by Spineless Wonders, Recent Work Press and Papatuanuku Press and her short story cycle, Lives of Girls and Women, resides in the University of Newcastle’s permanent art collection. Jodi lives and writes on the unceded lands of the Awabakal and Worimi people.
To Book a Booth
Newcastle Writers Festival
Launch event:
Nurejev’s Foot anthology with prize-winning writers Hsu-Ming Teo (Love and Vertigo Vogel Prize), Jessica Kirkness (The House with all the Lights On) and Kim Kelly (The Rat Catcher et al historical fiction) and Michelle Hamadache.
Saturday March 28th
Click here for festival program
Booranga Writers Centre, Wagga Wagga
with Kai Jensen
Friday 18th April, Reading
Saturday 19th April, Workshop
Ticket link coming soon
Poetica Petite Woolahra Gallery
With Richard Lawson
Thursday 14th May, 6-8pm.
Ticket link coming soon.
Westwords
With Richard Lawson
Friday 15th May, 6-7.30pm.
Ticket link coming soon.
Phoenix Central
With Acacia Quaret and Richard Lawson
Sunday 17th May 4pm.
Ticket link coming soon.
Colloquium Leeds Trinity University, UK
with Oz Hardwick
Monday 29th June, 2pm
Ticket link coming soon.
Poetry from Agitation Hill, Castlemaine, VIC
with Ed Southorn
Friday 17th July, 6pm ONLINE
Contact me for link
Four Winds, Bermagui
Booklaunch
Saturday 15th August.
Ticket link coming soon.
Past events
Storylines YassFM
Join me in conversation with Karen Williams on YassFm 100.3 Wednesday 28 January 5.30pm. Listen
34-37 Degrees South Book Launch
Anthology launch
Sunday 8 February 2pm
Well Thumbed Books, Cobargo
Gold coin donation at the door
