Geez, those Tauranga writers don’t muck around. Jenny Argante, co-ordinating editor of Bravado magazine, has informed us of a whole slew of upcoming bits and pieces.

First up, Bravado is calling for final input for the second 2nd Bravado International Poetry Competition 2005. With a nice grant from Creative NZ, the latest issue (No. 5), in which the winning poems will appear, will be enjoying a design makeover, with full-colour covers. Congratulations to Jenny and her team for this success – many of our best writers have their beginnings from the efforts of magazines such as Bravado.

The final date for submissions is 30 August. For all the rest of the info, see our previous posting.

There are also various regular meetings for literary exchange in the Bay:

• Tauranga Writers meets on the second Thursday of every month 7.15 for 7.30 p.m. in the Tauranga Environment Centre 12 Elizabeth Street. On August 11th their guest speaker is Tommy 'Kapai' Wilson, who will talk about writing for children and being a newspaper columnist. This is an open evening so please feel free to invite guests. New members are always welcome.

• Bravado @ Browsers - Poetry Live! is held on the second Sunday of each month at Browsers Bookshop in Wharf Street at 1 p.m. On 14th August our featured poet is Paddy Hoban - warrior poet - newly come to Tauranga and a well-known performer on Auckland's poetry circuit. Followed by open mike - go to listen, go to read.

• Poets Parlour meets on the third Sunday of every month at the Robert Harris Cafe at 12.30 in the State Insurance Arcade off Grey Street. This is for work in progress and members are set an exercise each month. For August it was to write a 4-line poem describing a movie you've seen. Take extra copies of your poems for sharing and helpful feedback. The co-ordinator is Marcel Currin, ph 07 576 0343 or e-mail madcurrin@xtra.co.nz.

Finally, Jenny is speaking at ‘Poets Alive!’, a poetry writing seminar on September 23rd from 6-9 pm in the Staff Common Room, University of Waikato, Ruakura Satellite Campus (21 Ruakura Road, just off Peachgrove Road; $10 donation, bring some finger food).

As well as being a linchpin in Bravado, Jenny Argante is an experienced writer, editor and a tutor for the Waiariki Institute of Technology online Certificate in Creative Writing. At this seminar, Jenny will talk about the origins of the poem as idea, observation or emotion; how poems can be improved, and about the New Zealand poetry publishing scene. There will be an opportunity for questions from the floor, and you may send two poems to Jenny ahead of the meeting for her to respond to on the night (info.bravado@xtra.co.nz).

Please book for the seminar by sending your name, e-mail address and telephone number to Leigh Vickridge at leighjean@infogen.net.nz, or phone 07-829 7229.