Edith Speers

Curriculum Vitae

Edith Speers.
Writer, Editor, Publisher.

 

Personal Background

Place of birth: Cranbrook, B.C., Canada

Education:

  • B.Sc. (Honours Biochemistry), Simon Fraser University, 1971
  • B. Ed., University of Tasmania, 2012

Other:

  • Migrated to Australia, 1974
  • Settled on farm at Dover, Tasmania, 1976
  • Naturalised as Australian citizen, 1980
  • Centenary Medal 2003, for Community Service

 

Publications as Editor and Publisher

  •  Eight chapbooks, nine perfect-bound trade publications, and three commissioned academic and specialist publications as Esperance Press (1996-2019), including poetry, short stories, novels and history.

 Publications as Author

  • Dangerous Goods (poetry, Esperance Press, 2019)
  • Four Quarters (poetry, Esperance Press, 2001)
  • By Way of a Vessel (poetry, Twelvetrees Publishing Co., 1986)

Anthologies –

  • FAW Tas. Anthology 2019 (prose);
  • Poets and Painters – Celebrating the Big Punchbowl 2017;
  • Scope 2017 (FAWQ);
  • Laura Literary Awards Anthology 2017;
  • Brio Anthology 2016;
  • Contemporary Poetry 2015;
  • Montreal Prize Anthology 2011;
  • The Quadrant Book of Poetry: 2001-2010;
  • The Envelope Please 2007 (FAW National Literary Awards);
  • Running through the Stars (Fellowship of Australian Writers, Tas, 2005);
  • TFAW Anthology 2005;
  • River of Verse (ed. Helen Gee, Back River Press, 2004);
  • The Best Australian Poems 2004 (ed. Les Murray; Black Inc 2004);
  • Republic Readings 8 (Walleah Press, 2004);
  • The Indigo Book of Modern Australian Sonnets (Indigo 2003);
  • Moorilla Mosaic (Bumble Bee Press, 2000);
  • Oxford Anthology of Australian Verse (OUP 1998; reprinted 2000);
  • Modern Families (Macmillan Education Australia, 1996);
  • Alien Shores: Australian Science Fiction (Aphelion, 1994);
  • Philomel and Wattlebird (TFAW, 1994);
  • The Sting in the Wattle: Aus. Satirical Verse (UQP, 1993);
  • Oxford Book of Australian Love Poems (OUP, 1993);
  • Galloping On III (Access Press, 1993);
  • New Oxford Book of Australian Verse (OUP, 1991);
  • Contemporary Australian Poetry (Houghton-Mifflin, 1990);
  • Angry Women (Hale & Iremonger, 1990);
  • First Right (Greenhouse, 1989);
  • Moments of Desire (Penguin, 1989);
  • International Terminal (Mattara, 1988);
  • Readings: Experiences & Memories (McGraw-Hill, 1988);
  • Adventures: Projects and Workshops in English I (Jacaranda-Wiley, 1988);
  • Up from Below (Womens Redress Press, 1986);
  • Australian Women Poets (Penguin, 1986);
  • Effects of Light (Twelvetrees, 1985);
  • Lines from the Horizon (Mattara, 1982);
  • Folly and Wisdom (TFAW, 1983);
  • Point of View (TFAW, 1982);
  • Poems 1981 (TFAW);
  • Poems 1980 (TFAW)

Magazines/Newspapers

  • Bulletin, Overland, Quadrant, Meanjin, Island, Poetry Australia, Southerly, Artlook, Compass, Aspect, Edgeways, LINQ, Larrikin, Poets Republic, Southern Review, Fremantle Arts Review, Phoenix Review, Westerly, Kunapipi (Denmark), Trends (UK), BOGG (USA), Australian Writers Journal, Muse, Hobo, Hecate, Scarp, Imago, Heartland, Coast Lines, Paradox, Famous Reporter, Brisbane Courier-Mail, Antipodes (USA), Australian Reader; Blue Giraffe, Tasmanian Times, Poetrix; All Rights Reserved; Feathertale Review (Canada); Eureka Street; Arena; Tower Poetry (Canada); The Dalhousie Review (Canada); Blue Giraffe; Prospect; Poetry Matters; Antithesis Journal (University. of Melbourne); Tincture Journal, Text Journal.

Awards

  • Poetry Matters 2019 (1st, poetry);
  • Norma & Colin Knight Poetry Award 2018 (1st);
  • FAW Queensland 2017 (poetry, Highly Commended; prose, H.C.);
  • Poetry Matters 8th Annual Competition 2017 (prize-winner);
  • Eastwood Hills FAW 2016 (poetry, 2nd prize);
  • FAW Tas. 2016 (poetry, commended);
  • FAW Tas Norma and Colin Knight Award 2016 (poetry, 3rd);
  • Robyn Mathison Poetry Prize. Society of Women Writers Tas 2016 (commended);
  • Society of Women Writers Victoria 2015 (non-fiction, 1st);
  • Society of Women Writers Victoria 2015 (2nd, poetry);
  • Society of Women Writers Victoria 2015 (Special Mention, short story);
  • FAW Eastwood/Hills 2015 (2nd, poetry);
  • Robyn Matheson Poetry Prize, Society of Women Writers, Tasmania, Dec. 2015 (Commended);
  • FAW Eastwood/Hills 2015 (poetry, Commended);
  • FAW Tas Poetry Prize 2014 (Highly Commended);
  • Jacqueline Cook short story award, 2014 (2nd prize);
  • Norma & Colin Knight Poetry Award 2014 (commended);
  • Alice Sinclair Memorial Writing Awards 2014 (Short Story, 2nd);
  • FAW Tas 2014 (poetry; highly commended);
  • FAW North Shore Super Short Story 2013 (Highly Commended);
  • Montreal Prize 2011 (short-listed);
  • Place and Experience 2010;
  • FAW Stroud 2010 (prose; short-listed);
  • John Shaw Neilson Poetry Award 2008 (commended);
  • TFAW Christmas Competition 2008 (Norma & Colin Knight award for poetry, equal 1st,);
  • FAW National Literary Awards 2007;
  • TFAW Christmas Competition 2007 (poetry, commended);
  • Traditional Verse Competition, TFAW 2006 (1st prize in Ballad Section);
  • Waxing Lyrical; Yellow Moon Magazine 2004 (2nd place);
  • Australasian Short Story Awards, 2004 (commended);
  • TFAW Christmas Competition, Poetry, 2003 (2nd place);
  • Auswrite Short Story Competition, 1997 (commended);
  • Kyogle Lit. Group Poetry Comp., 1994 (highly commended);
  • Tom Howard Mystery Novel Contest, 1992 (v. highly commended);
  • Judah Waten Short Story Competition, 1992 (equal 3rd);
  • Maryborough Golden Wattle Festival, 1991 (1st, poetry);
  • Iris Multinovic Short Story Award, 1988 (2nd);
  • ABC Bicentennial Literary Awards, 1988 (MS of Sonnets);
  • Judah Waten Short Story Competition, 1986 (1st);
  • Alexandra Hasluck Short Story Award, 1986 (2nd);
  • TFAW Christmas Competition, 1984 (2nd, poetry);
  • TFAW Christmas Competition, 1983 (2nd, poetry);
  • Harold Kesteven Poetry Prize, 1983 (commended);
  • Maryborough Golden Wattle Festival, 1983 (commended, poetry);
  • Harold Kesteven Poetry Prize, 1982 (hon. mention);
  • Warana Writers Competition, 1982 (2nd, poetry);
  • Illawarra Writers Award, 1982 (3rd, poetry);
  • F.A.W. (North Shore) Poetry Contest, 1982 (1st);
  • Illawarra Writers Award, 1981 (commended, poetry);
  • State of Victoria Short Story Award, 1981 (commended);
  • Ballarat Begonia Festival, 1981 (commended, poetry);
  • Artlook Rhyming Poetry Contest, 1980 (commended);
  • John Shaw Neilson Poetry Award, 1980 (3rd)

 

Broadcast/Performance (by others) –

  • Leonard Lehrman & Helene Williams, “Australian Odyssey” (song cycle); 8/5/08 at Bethpage Public Library, NY.
  • ABC Radio, ‘Life Matters’, 27th December 2002
  • Leonard Lehrman & Helene Williams, “Australian Odyssey” (a song cycle), 5/1/02 at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne; 9/1/02 Sydney at Hakoah Club (Bondi); 19/1/02 at Sydney Naturally.
  • Broadcast on Radio AK3, Melbourne, December 2002 (Lehrman & Williams song from Love Sonnet 9)
  • Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe; performances in Queensland schools throughout 1999 & 2002
  • ABC Radio ‘Poetica’, 08/05/99
  • Edinburgh Festival (Scotland), 1995
  • The Stables, Sydney, June 7-July3, 1994
  • Beckett Theatre, The Malthouse, Melb, 11-12/93
  • ABC Radio “Fictions Poetry”, 27/9/92
  • Up from Below, 22/9/89, LaBoite, Brisbane
  • Patrick Morris, 22/11/88, BMIC, London, UK
  • Poets & Pianos in Pubs, 27/8/86, Hobart
  • ABC Radio “A First Hearing”, 30/12/84

Arts Participation

  • Soapbox Project; 2017 City of Hobart Cultural Development; Criterion Lane billboard (excerpt from ‘the air’ and David Keeling’s painting ‘the air’)
  • Poets and Painters: The Big Punchbowl, Tasmania; Oct 12-14, 2016; exhibition at Moonah Arts Centre 28/7/17
  • Poets and Painters: A Tribute to Dick Bett; collaboration with Ian Bonde, sculptor (Aug. 2-23, 2013)
  • Another Country; Tasmanian Writers & Publishers Forum; Peacock Theatre (1/12/01)
  • Publishers Seminars; convened by Arts Tasmania and Department of Premier and Cabinet (2000-01)
  • Cultural Industries Council Draft Industry Development Strategy; contributor (august, 1999)
  • Collaboration with Raymond Arnold, print maker; poem: Prayer; Long Gallery
  • Regional Community Forum; ‘Arts Industry Publishing Policy and Strategic Plan; prepared in accordance with 1999 Arts Industry audit; submitted to Premier Jim Bacon in company with Geoff Dean in Huonville RSL (14/3/99)
  • Artists for Mount Wellington; Long Gallery (March 23-April 6, 1994)
  • Workshop on Publishing; with Ian Templeman (May 30-31, 1998)
  • Writers Tour of Northern Tasmania; State Library / Arts Tasmania; with Elizabeth Dean and John Lucas (Oct. 1993)
  • Contemporary Tasmanian Writing; books display tour of Tasmania

 Readings (professional) –

 ·       Seasonal Poets; Hadley’s Hotel; with Ross Donlan and Ann Morgan; 12/11/18 (Organisers: Ann Collins, Gina Mercer, Irene Mcguire)

·       Bett Gallery, Hobart 16/9/17

·       Moonah Arts Centre 28/7/17 (Poets & Painters)

·       The Republic Readings, Hobart 4/10/16

·       The Republic readings, Hobart 1/7/07

·       DVD digital movie ‘Machines’ which was runner up in the 2005 Digital Media Awards (documentary section)

·       Republic Reading (7/12/03)

·       Salamanca, Hobart (Launch of Coastlines 3), 4/04/03

·       Cygnet Arts Afternoon Tea, 19/8/01

·       Republic Bar & Café, 17/6/01, Hobart

·       Moorilla, Hobart 17/6/00, organised by Island Magazine

·       Republic Bar & Café, Hobart 1998

·       Dover Art and Craft Expo, Dover 1997

·       Tasmanian Poetry Festival, Launceston, 1997

·       Long Gallery (Artists for Mt Wellington), Hobart, 24/3/94

·       Beaconsfield (tour of N. Tas.), 22-25/10/93, Tas Arts Board

·       Round Midnight, Hobart, 15/9/93

·       Woodbridge Hotel, 18/3/92, Kingborough Arts Festival

 ·       Round Midnight, Hobart, 4/2/92,

·       Town Hall, Cygnet, 7/12/91

·       Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston, 4/12/89

·       Knopwoods, Hobart, 17/5/89

·       Knopwoods, Hobart, 5/10/88System M Cafe Gallery, Los Angeles, 24/2/88

·       Knopwoods, Hobart, 11/11/87

·       Chalmers Theatre, Launceston, 4/10/87

·       Centennial Hotel, Launceston, 3/10/87

·       Backspace, Theatre Royal, Hobart, 29/11/86

·       Backspace, Theatre Royal, Hobart, 14/8/86

·       Rehearsal Space, Kelly’s Steps, Hobart, 30/11/85

·       Ulverstone Camp (Youth Arts Action Conference), 4/8/85

·       Peacock Theatre, Hobart, 5/12/84

·       Long Gallery, Hobart, 4/8/84

·       Chameleon Gallery, Hobart, 30/6/84

·       Knopwoods, Hobart, 29/11/83

·       York St. Hall, Sandy Bay, 18/2/83

·       Long Gallery, Hobart, 23/11/82

·       Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, 5/11/82

·       Knopwoods, Hobart, 1/12/81

·       Adult Education Centre, Hobart, 6/6/81 (FAW Tas.)

 Teaching (of creative writing) –

  • Huonville High School, July 25-28, 1994
  • Cygnet Writing Group, March-May, 1993
  • Geeveston District High School, Tas., May 1992
  • Cygnet Writing Group, June 1992
  • Cygnet Writing Group, June-Sept. 1991
  • Writer in residence, Geeveston, June-Sept. 1989
  • Writer in residence, Fahan School, Hobart, June-July 1988
  • Dover District High School, Tas., March-Dec. 1988
  • Huonville High School, Tas., Sept-Dec. 1987
  • Artist in Residence, Huonville High School, June-Aug. 1987
  • Rokeby High School, Hobart, 19/3/87
  • Woodbridge High School, Tas., Nov. 1986
  • Rosetta High School, Hobart, 15/8/86
  • Ulvestone Camp (Youth Arts Action), Tas., 4/8/85
  • Philip Smith Centre, Hobart, 20/10/84