Join us at That Poetry Thing to hear from two feature poets, Niel Smith from Perth and Andrew Moss.

Niel Smith is a dynamic spoken word poet and community leader based in Boorloo (Perth). A first-generation Australian, father of five and primary school principal, Niel brings a deeply personal and socially conscious lens to his poetry. His performances are known for their honesty, humour and incisive commentary on family, social and political issues. An active voice in Western Australia’s slam poetry scene since 2017, Niel has performed at major events including Perth Poetry Club, Perth Poetry Festival and Perth Slam. He has twice represented Western Australia at the Australian Poetry Slam National Final, finishing fourth in 2019.

Andrew Moss is an Anglo-Ghanaian writer and teacher whose work explores liminality, identity, and the social constructions of race across transnational spaces. Having lived in the UK, Japan, and Australia, his writing interrogates belonging and cultural hybridity. He has written one novella, Nicked Names (2022), and his poetry has been widely published in journals and major anthologies, including The Best New British and Irish Poets 2019–2021, Poetry for the Planet, and Nombono. He is a recipient of two Best of the Net Awards and has been nominated for both the Pushcart Prize and the Rhysling Award. His poetry collections include Japanabandon, Manifest.oh!, Diaspora³, Objections, Scars & Artefacts (2023), and Outside of Here Outsider Hear! (2024). His sixth collection, Hybrid Heaven & Other(ed) Poems, is forthcoming with Recent Work Press in May 2026. Andrew is currently undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Canberra, where he also tutors.

And sign up on the night for our famous open mic. Up to three minutes per performer.