The PJP AGM is on
TUESDAY 10 November 2009
to be held at
The Ink Table
118 Commercial st Merbein
It's that time of year again and the AGM notice is in the Sunraysia Daily today (Tuesday) under public notices.
Everyone interested in PJP, its direction, leadership and running is invited to attend.
See you there!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Our first workshop at The Ink Table
Our first workshop at The Ink Table was a beautiful way to spend a Saturday.
Begining with some warm-up writing exercises led by Sophie and Clare and a walk around Merbein to gather inspiration from life everyone settled in for the main event.
Altered book poetry.
Similar to magnetic poetry where you are given a pre-determined set of words to create a work from, in this exercise people were given a page to cut into single words and re-construct as a piece of writing.
Everyone got right into it and afternoon tea was forgotten.
We are thinking to make a 'zine from the work from the event, we'll let you know how we go.
By the way, comments should now be open to anyone, google account holder or not!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Writing workshop!
It's been a long time since we posted here but as we're blogging more we'll try to keep it up-to-date.
There's a writing workshop tomorrow at 2pm in our new home,
The Ink Table.
118 Commercial St
Merbein 3505
It will be held by Clare and Sophie and fun fun fun!
So put on your writing hat and while you're here, check out the newest place to be on The Ink Table's blog,
theinktable.blogspot.com
There's a writing workshop tomorrow at 2pm in our new home,
The Ink Table.
118 Commercial St
Merbein 3505
It will be held by Clare and Sophie and fun fun fun!
So put on your writing hat and while you're here, check out the newest place to be on The Ink Table's blog,
theinktable.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Poetic Licence @ Mildura Writers Festival
Our Poetic Licence event at the Mildura Writers Festival was a huge success.
The Art Vault was the perfect venue, the jazz singer was brilliant and the musicians (violin and flute) were beautiful.
Here is one of the poems I performed:
Double Stacked Shelves
My torn pair of Dunlop shoes
Walks over cobble stones
Slippery from a misty, lazy rain
My meat pie stained denim jeans
Rub against a lamppost
That may or may not
Lead to lands of Narnian persuasion
My Target brand T-shirt
Sporting curry stains and chip oil
Catches on a spiked door handle
Sporadic air vents warm my bristling arms
That laments a forgotten jumper
That laments a forgotten jumper
Book mould fills my nostrils
Building mould fills my pores
Pipe smoke fills my hair
My eyes fill the room
Braying for a bargain that will not break my budget
Braying for the mystery
That the hunter and the collector
Search for each time they leave shelter
The grey LCD display on my K-mart watch
Tells me to take my time
Tells me to take my time
I fall to my knees
Beneath double stacked shelves
Where old boxes that once held cans
Spill postcards on the hallway carpet
Of my misspent adolescence
Praying at the altar of bowed shelving
I know my time has come
To make a suitable offering
To the leprechaun bookstore owner.
© 2009 Barrie Janson
Now, as a bonus "extra" I will include the story that goes with that poem:
Postcards
Gloucester/ England/ 1998
There was a light misty rain making the cobble stones slippery.
It had become a habit for me to walk the long route home via the old wharf. The industrial days of smithing and ferrying are past. The cobble stones by the jetty now hold the weight of tourists; the lamp posts are used to shine light on their maps and the buildings house antiques. As the rain thickened I began to look for somewhere to shelter.
Walking quickly amongst the myriad of converted warehouses I discovered a secluded bookstore, as one so frequently does walking the back-blocks of old English towns. Every time I find one of these stores I can not contain the excitement that quickens my step even further.
Inside, the store was unremarkable. The entrance was forced beneath a stairwell, the carpet was old hallway carpet, the shelves were makeshift, the books were double stacked and the air was thick with cigar smoke.
It was the perfect place to rest and wait for the rain to ease.
I found a particular bookshelf that had several titles that piqued my interest. Grabbing a handful of books a sat down beneath the shelf to skim read for a while.
It was then that I noticed an old box tucked away on the bottom shelf. There is nothing more enticing that an old box hiding itself on the shelves of a second hand bookstore. Pulling out the box I discovered that it was full of most amazing postcards. They were elegant, periodic and something that I simply must own.
Turning to man at the overflowing ramshackle store counter I asked him how much they were. The man looked liked an ex-wharfie. He had a side beard/moustache of mammoth proportions, his clothes looked like they had grown on his body, his cap was eschewed and his pipe like it had been in the belly of Moby Dick himself.
“Two pound,” he gruffed.
“Two pound for the lot?” I replied incredulously.
“That’s right, me lad.”
Without hesitation I bought them and without hesitation I give one to you.
The Art Vault was the perfect venue, the jazz singer was brilliant and the musicians (violin and flute) were beautiful.
Here is one of the poems I performed:
Double Stacked Shelves
My torn pair of Dunlop shoes
Walks over cobble stones
Slippery from a misty, lazy rain
My meat pie stained denim jeans
Rub against a lamppost
That may or may not
Lead to lands of Narnian persuasion
My Target brand T-shirt
Sporting curry stains and chip oil
Catches on a spiked door handle
Sporadic air vents warm my bristling arms
That laments a forgotten jumper
That laments a forgotten jumper
Book mould fills my nostrils
Building mould fills my pores
Pipe smoke fills my hair
My eyes fill the room
Braying for a bargain that will not break my budget
Braying for the mystery
That the hunter and the collector
Search for each time they leave shelter
The grey LCD display on my K-mart watch
Tells me to take my time
Tells me to take my time
I fall to my knees
Beneath double stacked shelves
Where old boxes that once held cans
Spill postcards on the hallway carpet
Of my misspent adolescence
Praying at the altar of bowed shelving
I know my time has come
To make a suitable offering
To the leprechaun bookstore owner.
© 2009 Barrie Janson
Now, as a bonus "extra" I will include the story that goes with that poem:
Postcards
Gloucester/ England/ 1998
There was a light misty rain making the cobble stones slippery.
It had become a habit for me to walk the long route home via the old wharf. The industrial days of smithing and ferrying are past. The cobble stones by the jetty now hold the weight of tourists; the lamp posts are used to shine light on their maps and the buildings house antiques. As the rain thickened I began to look for somewhere to shelter.
Walking quickly amongst the myriad of converted warehouses I discovered a secluded bookstore, as one so frequently does walking the back-blocks of old English towns. Every time I find one of these stores I can not contain the excitement that quickens my step even further.
Inside, the store was unremarkable. The entrance was forced beneath a stairwell, the carpet was old hallway carpet, the shelves were makeshift, the books were double stacked and the air was thick with cigar smoke.
It was the perfect place to rest and wait for the rain to ease.
I found a particular bookshelf that had several titles that piqued my interest. Grabbing a handful of books a sat down beneath the shelf to skim read for a while.
It was then that I noticed an old box tucked away on the bottom shelf. There is nothing more enticing that an old box hiding itself on the shelves of a second hand bookstore. Pulling out the box I discovered that it was full of most amazing postcards. They were elegant, periodic and something that I simply must own.
Turning to man at the overflowing ramshackle store counter I asked him how much they were. The man looked liked an ex-wharfie. He had a side beard/moustache of mammoth proportions, his clothes looked like they had grown on his body, his cap was eschewed and his pipe like it had been in the belly of Moby Dick himself.
“Two pound,” he gruffed.
“Two pound for the lot?” I replied incredulously.
“That’s right, me lad.”
Without hesitation I bought them and without hesitation I give one to you.
Monday, March 23, 2009
PJP Writing Workshop 28th March
Get out those pens and dust off those notebooks, the first of our PJP writing workshops for the year is only a few days away!
After our very successful workshop late last year at LaTrobe University we have decided to give our monthly writing workshops a bit of a face lift and an exciting new format. If you would like to join us for some writing, workshopping and inspiring moments of creativity here are the details of the afternoon.
After our very successful workshop late last year at LaTrobe University we have decided to give our monthly writing workshops a bit of a face lift and an exciting new format. If you would like to join us for some writing, workshopping and inspiring moments of creativity here are the details of the afternoon.
PJP Creative Writing Workshop
Saturday 28th of March
2:30 - 4:30pm
Chivell House, Cnr Tenth Street & DeakinAve, Mildura
Cost: $5
Bring a pen, some paper,laptop, quill and parchment and even a friend to join in the fun.
Just leave a comment if you would like more info on the workshop or to RSVP.
Write your heart out!
Saturday 28th of March
2:30 - 4:30pm
Chivell House, Cnr Tenth Street & DeakinAve, Mildura
Cost: $5
Bring a pen, some paper,laptop, quill and parchment and even a friend to join in the fun.
Just leave a comment if you would like more info on the workshop or to RSVP.
Write your heart out!
Friday, March 20, 2009
PJP at the Big Screen Film Festival
What a wonderful long weekend we had in Mildura a few weeks ago. The Arts festival was in full swing and the town is a hive of activity. We had a fabulous night at the Big Screen Film Festival with hundreds of people turning out to see the film and to check out Poetic Justice Publishing. Our little shop was beautiful indeed and Clare, Moana and I had a lovely time pottering making our little spot under the old homestead look very inviting. We had Moana's beautiful artwork and some of my little brooches and mixed media artwork for sale as well as Clare's lovely journals and other delightful bits and pieces for the crowd to check out.
Our stall in the sunshine
Moana's Artwork
Sophie Isobel Designs brooches
PJP Journals
Clare at our stallWe also had our moment in front of the microphone to a warming crowd who seemed to very intrigued what on earth we were all about. We read poetry and prose about our inspiration from the film Australia, with some beautiful and moving pieces from Janelle, Vjera, Gavin, Heidi, Barrie and Sharlene. We also had the fabulous Don supply some fabulous tunes on the trumpet to entertain the crowd.
Barrie thanking Don
Sharlene telling her tales of AustraliaIt was a fabulous night all round and we are now looking forward to the upcoming workshop on the 28th of March to come together for our next PJP adventure.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Pamphlet Books
PJP's Signature Book
As most PJP veterans will be aware, our signature book is an A6 pamphlet book, with a sample of artwork on the front page and a wax PJP seal on the front cover.
If you are wondering how these are made, I have found a good example of how they are sown.
Enjoy; they are fun to make.
How many PJP signature books do you have?
As most PJP veterans will be aware, our signature book is an A6 pamphlet book, with a sample of artwork on the front page and a wax PJP seal on the front cover.
If you are wondering how these are made, I have found a good example of how they are sown.
Enjoy; they are fun to make.
How many PJP signature books do you have?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Making books in Microsoft Word 2007
Book Making Instructions:
Microsoft Word 2007 in Vista.
Lot's of people would like to know how to make a book in Microsoft word. Well, it is not as hard as you may think; it is just a matter of getting the settings right.
First, we need to understand what a book is.
For this exercise, a book is:
A5 page size.
This is 4 pages per A4 piece of paper (double sided).
Yep, that is right, for every piece of printer paper sitting in your printer at home, you will get 4 pages of your book.
A book is made up of sections of folded A4 paper. To make it easy we will use sections of 12 pages, or 3 pieces of paper.
This means that our book is in multiples of 12 pages. Our book can have 12, 24, 36, 48, etc pages.
Second, we need to tell Microsoft word that this is what we are doing.
Open a new word document. Make sure you pick a blank document.
Go to Page Layout and click on size. Choose a page size of A5. The document size will shrink. Feel free to cut and paste your book into this document, or start writing now!
Next, you need to open up the page setup dialogue box. This is the little square beside the words page setup in Word 2007.
In the tab margins, Pages, multiple pages, you will see a drop down menu. Opening the drop down menu you will see bookfold. Select this. In sheets per booklet choose 12.
Next, choose the tab paper up the top of this page setup dialogue box. Make sure that the paper size is A4.
That's it for Microsoft Word. We have just told it that we are writing on A5 pages, are printing on A4 paper, and are making a book(let) with 12 pages per section.
Thirdly, just when you thought it was over!
We need to make sure we tell the printer what we are doing!
When you decide to print, you will have to click on properties beside the printer name.
You will see that the printer already knows that we are printing on A4 paper.
Good.
Most printers at home wont print both sides, so it is up to you to turn the paper over youself. To make life easy you want the printer to print all of one side of the paper, then you take the stack of paper from the tray and put it back into to printer to print the other side.
Go to the advanced settings of your printer. You will want to select manual duplex (or manual turn over depending on your printer). If you are lucky you will have an option that says, print both sides!
That's it, you are ready to print.
This is only half of your bookmaking journey. All you have done is printed the book onto paper. You will still have to fold the paper, bind (sew) the book together and then choose a cover.
Have fun with your book making. Don't forget to allow for a few test runs when printing. Nobody expects a book to print perfectly the first time. If you are not feeling confident then print a section at a time: choose pages 1 - 12 for example. Perhaps you should try and write a 12 page book to start things going.
Next time we will talk about sewing the book together, it is a very satisfying thing to see your book bound.
Okay writers, get writing now!
Leave comments if you would like me to show you more details.
Microsoft Word 2007 in Vista.
Lot's of people would like to know how to make a book in Microsoft word. Well, it is not as hard as you may think; it is just a matter of getting the settings right.
First, we need to understand what a book is.
For this exercise, a book is:
A5 page size.
This is 4 pages per A4 piece of paper (double sided).
Yep, that is right, for every piece of printer paper sitting in your printer at home, you will get 4 pages of your book.
A book is made up of sections of folded A4 paper. To make it easy we will use sections of 12 pages, or 3 pieces of paper.
This means that our book is in multiples of 12 pages. Our book can have 12, 24, 36, 48, etc pages.
Second, we need to tell Microsoft word that this is what we are doing.
Open a new word document. Make sure you pick a blank document.
Go to Page Layout and click on size. Choose a page size of A5. The document size will shrink. Feel free to cut and paste your book into this document, or start writing now!
Next, you need to open up the page setup dialogue box. This is the little square beside the words page setup in Word 2007.
In the tab margins, Pages, multiple pages, you will see a drop down menu. Opening the drop down menu you will see bookfold. Select this. In sheets per booklet choose 12.
Next, choose the tab paper up the top of this page setup dialogue box. Make sure that the paper size is A4.
That's it for Microsoft Word. We have just told it that we are writing on A5 pages, are printing on A4 paper, and are making a book(let) with 12 pages per section.
Thirdly, just when you thought it was over!
We need to make sure we tell the printer what we are doing!
When you decide to print, you will have to click on properties beside the printer name.
You will see that the printer already knows that we are printing on A4 paper.
Good.
Most printers at home wont print both sides, so it is up to you to turn the paper over youself. To make life easy you want the printer to print all of one side of the paper, then you take the stack of paper from the tray and put it back into to printer to print the other side.
Go to the advanced settings of your printer. You will want to select manual duplex (or manual turn over depending on your printer). If you are lucky you will have an option that says, print both sides!
That's it, you are ready to print.
This is only half of your bookmaking journey. All you have done is printed the book onto paper. You will still have to fold the paper, bind (sew) the book together and then choose a cover.
Have fun with your book making. Don't forget to allow for a few test runs when printing. Nobody expects a book to print perfectly the first time. If you are not feeling confident then print a section at a time: choose pages 1 - 12 for example. Perhaps you should try and write a 12 page book to start things going.
Next time we will talk about sewing the book together, it is a very satisfying thing to see your book bound.
Okay writers, get writing now!
Leave comments if you would like me to show you more details.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Babies, Film and Stock
No, that doesn't mean that we are going to film the baby before putting it up for sale.
It does mean that Moana and I are only weeks away from having a child. This is PJP's first baby! I'm sure that it will instantly be a member, and may even be given a temporary committee position.
So where does the "Film" part of the title come into things? The film festival is going to be out last PJP event as DINKS (Double Income No Kids).
I've managed to quit all volunteer work in my life, except for PJP! Life is getting very tiring and hard, and it seems that PJP is the only group that is willing to accept that our priorities have changed and we can no longer guarantee our presence. Well, what do you know, PJP really is family friendly!
Which brings us to "stock". Since we have to make way for the new baby, we are going to move a lot of Moana's artwork out... yes, that's right... OUT! Her work will be available for sale through PJP networks.
LoL. I feel like I am advertising an "everything must go" sale!
Stay tuned on the "stock", the "baby" and see you at the outdoor film festival.
It does mean that Moana and I are only weeks away from having a child. This is PJP's first baby! I'm sure that it will instantly be a member, and may even be given a temporary committee position.
So where does the "Film" part of the title come into things? The film festival is going to be out last PJP event as DINKS (Double Income No Kids).
I've managed to quit all volunteer work in my life, except for PJP! Life is getting very tiring and hard, and it seems that PJP is the only group that is willing to accept that our priorities have changed and we can no longer guarantee our presence. Well, what do you know, PJP really is family friendly!
Which brings us to "stock". Since we have to make way for the new baby, we are going to move a lot of Moana's artwork out... yes, that's right... OUT! Her work will be available for sale through PJP networks.
LoL. I feel like I am advertising an "everything must go" sale!
Stay tuned on the "stock", the "baby" and see you at the outdoor film festival.
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