Feature poet Asha Naznin, in her own words, is an 'accidental poet' in English literature in her tiny world in Canberra. Her poem 'A tree, two frogs and me' is on display as part of the Haig Park Experiment. The Australian Poetry Anthology 2020 published her poem ‘Midnight Lover’. She is one of 6 poets to be featured at the National Folk Festival 2022, representing Canberra. Her poem 'Play' has been sung by three different singers as part of the 'How Musicians Work' project. She has featured at Manning Clark House, Girls on Key, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, and Poetry on the Move. Poet Melinda Smith reflects “Asha’s poetic voice is unique and provocative ... as a multilingual poet, she herself has said her English poetry ‘often blends Western, Arabian and Asian romance, wit and melancholy’."

Brian Purcell is a poet and painter based in Bellingen on the mid-north coast of NSW. Since the early eighties he’s published poetry in magazines such as Meanjin, Imago, Plumwood Mountain and Southerly, and in anthologies such as Australian Love Poems. Brian was the singer/lyricist for the alternative band Distant Locust, touring Europe in 1991, and releasing the CD Chemical Wedding Feast. His first book, Lovely Infestation, was published in 1995 by We Make μ-sick, containing lyrics and collages. In 2008 he moved to Bellingen and later founded The Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival. In March 2021 he had an exhibition, The Day on Fire, at the Shop Gallery in Glebe NSW. 'The Leaving' is his first book of poetry.

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