These 20 or so poems encompass huge emotional territory, as well as geographical space, and always with a nod to the net oftime in which we are enwrapped. Language is pared back, exquisitely chiselled, to release essences, the hidden beauties and sadnesses and joys that are there in all our lives if only we could apprehend them. Josephine Clarke helps us to do exactly that: to see and feel that the world, for all its sorrows, can still spark in us joy, even a sense of transcendence.

Shane McCauley

The collection is the result of a Strictly Poetry Focus Week at Varuna in 2015, was edited by Deb Westbury and published by Mulla Mulla Press. You can purchase the book for $15 at www.josephineaclarke.wordpress.com  

Jan Napier’s first poetry collection Thylacine, was launched on the 12th September 2015, in the Pavlich Room at Fremantle Arts Centre. Kevin Gillam launched the book which was published by Regime Books. Andrew Burke edited the collection, and Rose van Son wrote the review for the back cover. Kevin Gillam’s launch speech may be read at Westerly’s on line site. The book is currently under review by Westerly, Australian Book Review, and by William Yeoman at The West Australian.

The book retails at $19.99, and is available from New Edition in Fremantle, Crow Books in Victoria Park, Planet Books in Beaufort St, the State Library Bookshop, Northside Books in Northbridge, and Kaleido books at Perth Railway Station.

Set in the Far East on the eve of World War 2, Oriental Vagabonds tells the story of hard-bitten skipper Bill Rowden and his vagabond crew as the work their ageing tramp steamer around the treacherous waters of the China Sea and Western Pacific. On what begins as a routine voyage to New Guinea, Rowden discovers an illegal shipment of arms concealed in his ship, setting off a chain of increasingly dangerous events that drag him unwittingly into the centre of Nazi, Soviet and British attempts to gain the upper hand before war breaks out. Entangled with Chinese warlords, triads and a beautiful Russian adventuress, Rowden narrowly escapes Shanghai before the bombs start to fall, but his enemies are closing in. Deep in the Pacific, in a remote coral fringed lagoon, Rowden and his crew face a violent and explosive confrontation with little more that fists and wits to keep them alive.

The novel is available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Angus & Robertson and Booktopia, and can also be purchased from Richard Regan for $20 + $10 pp by emailing orientalvagabonds@ozemail.com.au.

There is a heavy dose of joy and wonder throughout this collection, yet more vital medications for the future of Australian poetry. All within the context of a fully nuanced life; in “After the Eye Injury” we’re breathlessly led along a pilgrimage of newly re-experienced colours to her altar of light. With “A Swim in the Sea” the poet plays with a simplicity of moment to a turn at the end that saw an audible ah from this reader. The familiarity with and love of the sea is evident throughout this collection. – Les Wicks Rochford St. Review

Julie Watts' collection of poems is published by Sunline Press. Available in all good book stores. Enquire: Roland Leach @ rleach@plc.wa.edu.au/http://www.sunlinepress.com.au/sunline/

I knew the stories he/ told his grandchildren/ of learning to plot their cries against the wind – Flora Smith
Sands drift/ and the wind has no idea where it blows – Chris Konrad
Listen to the wind/ and you will hear/ waves of silk – Rose Van Son

Sandfire is published by Sunline Press. Available in all good book stores.
Enquire: Roland Leach @ rleach@plc.wa.edu.au
http://www.sunlinepress.com.au/sunline/

Deadly Beautiful by Liana Joy Christensen offers an entertaining portrait of some of the main dangerous animal species with which humans have a love-hate relationship. Clear, up-to-date, scientifically accurate information about the natural history of these species is presented in a broadly accessible style, examining their day-to-day existence, how they have developed the weapons they possess and how they use them for defence, for hunting and for making love.

Purchase her book at Exisle Publishing here.

‘… you’ve scoped me like landscape and I await/ the brushstrokes of your breath, the weather of tongues …’
‘Strange Vernacular’, The Weather of Tongues

Land, language, distance, the music of love, its darkness and its mystery – all these themes are woven into The Weather of Tongues,winner of Australia's Anne Elder Award in 2011 for best debut collection. 

'…endlessly surprising and full of delight…a terrific and collectable book' The West Australian

The Weather of Tongues is published by Sunline Press. To purchase, contact Mags via http://www.magswebster.com

A gentle, perceptive and intensely lyrical spirit infuses the poems of Rachael Petridis. There is astute judgement of language and tone, a seriousness and sensitivity that avoids solemnity. There are evocations of places and people, and a sense of celebration that nestles next to an awareness of loss and longing. There is passion, memory, joy, and much wisdom in the feelings she shares so generously with the reader – Shane McCauley

Available from the Australian Poetry Centre. RRP $10

Helen Hagemann announces the publication of her new e-book The Joyous Lake. Helen's poetry will take you down a nature trail to rivers, lakes, ponds and more. You can read her work leisurely on Helen's website or check out ISSUU - a great way to publish!

View collection here...

"Helen Hagemann’s writing is a triumphant celebration of the power of poetry to recapture the past and still the present. Whether she is remembering growing up on the Central Coast of NSW, memorialising family and neighbours or observing cormorants, she makes each moment vividly real. These poems have all the dazzle and sting of a summer day at the beach, with the esky full of rolls and lettuce and the ‘cozzie’ a ‘rainbow’ to put on. Evangelyne & other poems is an exuberant, generous, thoroughly lived-in collection. Its relish for the everyday details of Australian life is a rare delight." – Jean Kent

RRP $10
Available from AP Ltd, and Melbourne University Bookshop

Volume 5 features an provocative interview with Tim Winton by Delys Bird, the co-editor of Westerly Magazine. There is also an excerpt from Lovesong, the latest novel by Alex Miller.
The Short Stories in this volume are selected by Ray Coffey, former publisher at Fremantle Press. His selection echoes many tales of manhood, but there are also stories of whales and women and drugs and sex. Dr Carmen Lawrence chose an excellent collection of Creative Non-fiction and Caroline Caddy's collection of poetry will bring whimsy and wonder into your days.

You can buy indigo journal online through Fremantle Press.