Queensland State Final APS '26, Australian Poetry Slam – Story Week 2026

Queensland STATE FINAL – AUSTRALIAN POETRY SLAM Story Week 2026 Poets Run Queensland! With millions of metaphors to choose from, what is a poem to you? A window framing a flaming forest. A lens pulling your iris into focus. Your friend’s sandalwood embrace. Queensland poets from country towns and urban centres spark new dreams, clear out cobweb memes and offer audiences a sturdy branch with a clearer view of the cultural storm. Word Travels, the non-profit organisation bringing you the Australian Poetry Slam (APS) since 2010, asks you to ignore that wrinkled cushion begging your bum to curl into couch. Be spellbound by writers slamming live on the Queensland Multicultural Centre stage for a place in the 2026 APS National Final at Sydney Opera House on October 25th! There will be tears and cheers as they electrify your imagination in this nation-wide search for the people’s poet. APS stages creative democratic forums. We annually elect a National Poetry Slambassador: A cathartic champion. A geiger counter clicking out the country’s true anthems. The ultimate prize is about $20k worth of publishing and gigs at Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Singapore Writers Festival and more. HOST: Huda the Goddess FEATURING: The Australian Poetry Slam 2026 Queensland Finalists Doors 6.30pm | Start 7pm Support new and emerging performing writers by making a tax-deductible donation with your ticket purchase. See the full Story Week 2026 program at Word Travels when it is announced later this year. Huda the Goddess is an internationally recognised spoken word poet, educator, and activist known for her powerful improvised poetry. A proud Black Sudanese Muslim woman, she uses her work to challenge narratives, spark conversation, and build meaningful connections through storytelling. A national poetry slam champion, Huda won the Australian Poetry Slam (2021) and made history as the first spoken word poet invited to the World Slam Poetry Championship in Belgium. She has performed on major stages globally, blending poetry with dance and performance to create immersive, multidisciplinary work. Beyond the stage, Huda is the founder of Black Ink, a Brisbane-based open mic centring Black artists, and the creator of She Is, a national exhibition empowering women of colour to share their stories. Her work sits at the intersection of art, activism, and community.in Krakow's Audio Art Festival, and writers' festivals in Bali, Beijing, Vancouver and Calgary. - Australian Poetry Slam is presented by the non-profit organisation Word Travels. Word Travels transforms lives through great writing, powerfully performed. Donors to Word Travels support diverse performing writers to engage and inspire communities across Australia and the world. With your support, we create inclusive activities, performances and professional development that helps communities feel seen and heard. Please consider becoming a supporter today. Make a tax-deductible donation with your ticket purchase or at the Word Travels website. This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW. Also supported by Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Mumbai LitFest, Singapore Writers Festival and Byron Writers Festival. 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. Before booking your tickets, please read the information on our website regarding any health safety measures. APS 2026 Queensland State Final artwork features performing writer Huda the Goddess. Artwork design: APS 2026 artwork design: Rachel Stone Designs, DEFNE and Adara Enthaler. Concept: Miles Merrill and the Word Travels team. Poem excerpt in design: APS Champion 2025 – Arantza Garcia Ferrand. Photo: Huda the Goddess – photo credit @sooky_princess_studio Amber Joy. Word Travels acknowledges that we work, live, and tell stories on the unceded lands of the Gadigal People. We pay respect to their Elders past and present. Always was, always will be First Nations land.