prizes

Two winners in each state will receive prizes and a spot in the National Finals at the Sydney theatre Company on Sunday November 27th.

Slammers will be competing for the ultimate writer's tour of Asia. The Australian Poetry Slam Champion for 2010 will mix it up with the literati; presenting panels, performances and workshops at the Bookworm International Writers Festival in Beijing, Chengdu and Suzhou in March 2011 and at The Ubud Writers and Readers Festval in Bali in October 2011.

The total value of the two trips is up to $11,000 and priceless professional development. Think: drinking champagne in a palace, conversing with Louis de Bernières or discussing dub poetry with Benjamin Zephaniah in Tiananmen Square.

 Alex Pearson, the director of the Bookworm International Writers Festival, had this to say about the relationship between The Australian Poetry Slam and her writer's festival:

"At the crossroads of new and old, east and west, The Bookworm International Literary Festival is a unique happening that expands both literary and cultural boundaries.  With China’s cultural scene rapidly expanding and changing on both an international and local level, we play a pivotal role in creating links between Asian and international writers, translators, publishers and readers. Supporting emerging writers as part of this creative exchange has always been a core tenet of the festival. Whether through giving a platform to local artists or helping authors reach a new audience or suppporting our writing groups and workshops, we are proud to foster and encourage tomorrow's top writers. We are thrilled and honored to invite The Australian Poetry Slam Champion to China to join in the conversation."

A message from Janet De Neefe, the director of The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival:

"Congratulations on another successful event! We are very excited to support the  work of new writers and performers in Australia by welcoming the winner of the Australian Poetry Slam to perform in Bali in October 2012. The festival  is now one of the most important literary events in Asia and greatly honours the contribution of emerging writers in the region. A return airfare and seven nights accommodation are included in the package. So please enjoy what has been named "one of the top six writers' festivals in the world" by Harper's Bazaar UK and congratulations to the winner. I am sure you will love Ubud!"