First Pre Launch Event: Mad Poet, Newcastle

How To Read A City, Your Place of Last Resort

Join us on 26th March 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.

Joining us at Mad Poet, Newcastle will be two very special guests, Susan Francis and Jodi Vial. Find out all the details: Info and Bookings