Australian Poetry Slam Workshop at Burnie Library

Learn how Poets Run Burnie!

Ever wanted to tell your story with oomph, perform your poems with power or just deliver a speech without a slide-show clicker?

Word Travels presents Australian Poetry Slam (APS) Wordshops to help you select from the thousands of metaphors running through your head. Learn how to slam your poetry – how to move a live audience with your words.

Word Travels’ spoken word artist Dylan - NXT PhaZe inspires you to get your thoughts on paper and ignite them on stage.

APS Wordshops empower you to do more than stream other people’s creativity. This is your chance to make your stories matter; to transform your introspective ideas into crowd roars and finger clicks.

Write new stuff or re-shape your existing work before you hit high scores from the judges in your local Australian Poetry Slam heat.

Whether you’re a quiet dreamer or an outspoken wordsmith, answer the call of a mic on a stand that’s been whispering your name since you were a kid. Join APS Wordshops and show the world how POETS RUN THIS!

Want to sling your verse skills or watch local poets on the mic? Check out the Burnie 2026 APS Heat: APS Heat Burnie.

Feeling inspired by all moments poetic and spoken word? There is an expanded program of workshops, heats and Tasmania APS 2026 events to experience! APS 2026

Dylan – NXT PhaZe is a storyteller and poet from Burnie, Tasmania. His work lives in the spaces between pain and perseverance, turning lived experience into verse that doesn’t flinch. Dylan writes about fatherhood, addiction, grief, and survival - not to perform suffering, but to name it, carry it, and set it down. His words are heavy, honest, and built to be felt. There’s rage in them, and tenderness. There’s darkness, but also the stubborn will to keep going. NXT PhaZe uses poetry to break cycles, to speak for the parts of himself that were silenced, and to reach the people still fighting in the dark.

Content Warning: Most Poetry Slams are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.

See www.australianpoetryslam.com for full 2026 details.

Head to www.wordtravels.info to find out more about how you can get involved with the not-for-profit organisation presenting the annual APS.

Australian Poetry Slam is presented by Word Travels. This project is supported by the Libraries Tasmania. Also supported by NSW Government through Create NSW, Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival.

APS 2026 artwork design: Rachel Stone Designs and DEFNE. Concept: Miles Merrill and the Word Travels team. Poem excerpt in design: APS Champion 2025 – Arantza Garcia Ferrand.

FAQ – Burnie Library

Will I need to print my ticket?

No, a physical ticket is not required if you have your ticket on your phone or have photo ID.

Where can I park?

There is metered parking outside the entrance of the library on Alexander Street. Varying Times -Easy Park App available

King Street carpark has early bird parking rates before 10am. Varying Times - Easy Park App available

Civic Centre Carpark - Varying Times - Easy Park App available

Are there disabled parking spots?

There are 2 signposted disabled spots directly in front of the library. You will need to display your permit to park here.

Is the library accessible for wheelchairs?

There is a wheelchair ramp at the front entrance to the Burnie Library and an elevator located inside the library at the back of the building.

Are there baby feeding and changing facilities?

There is a unisex public toilet adjacent to the children’s playroom with a baby change table. We also have a small room near the children’s area for feeding.

Are there toilets in the library?

There are public toilets on the ground floor of the library with both public and private cubicles.

For more information contact Burnie Library on 6477 7400 or email burnie.library@libraries.tas.gov.au

#LibrariesTasmania #AustralianPoetrySlam