Mike Ladd
Author's name:
Mike Ladd
Author description:
Mike Ladd is currently producer and presenter of ABC Radio National’s Saturday afternoon poetry program Poetica. Born in Berkeley California in 1959, he grew up at Blackwood in the Adelaide Hills. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy at Adelaide University, he began to publish his poetry widely in Australia. He has published six books of poetry and has collaborated extensively with musicians including the groups The Drum Poets and newaural net. In 2006 he was awarded the Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship at the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature and was a guest of Venezuela’s World Poetry Festival in Caracas.
Latest book:
Transit
Five Islands Press, 213 Farmborough Rd, Farmborough Hts 2526, 2007
In a combination of free and more formal verse, Mike Ladd’s new book of poems “Transit” deals with crossings and journeys through both place and time. Starting at dawn and moving to late-night poems, the collection observes key transitional moments in life: the transition from childhood to puberty, young love, ageing and death. Ladd takes us on physical journeys as well: on the highways of Australia, and to foreign cities like London, New York and Port Moresby. The collection includes a CD of a remarkable performance of his Rhapsody in Port Moresby recorded with saxophone, bass and drums.
Sample bibliography:
Shacklife
Picaro Press, Warners Bay, 2006
Rooms and Sequences
Salt Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 2003
Close to Home
Five Islands Press, Melbourne, 2000
Picture’s Edge
Friendly Street/Wakefield Press, Adelaide, 1994
The Crack in the Crib
Friendly Street/Wakefield Press, Adelaide, 1984
Genres:
Essays/articles, Film/TV, Internet/Web, Literary fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Radio, Travel
Contact author:
Mike Ladd
Email: mikeladd@netspace.net.au
Available for:
school visits, workshops, mentoring, assessments, speaking engagements
The SA Writers' Centre is assisted by the South Australian Government through Arts SA, and the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory bodies.