Coffs Harbour Australian Poetry Slam: Audience or Performer Registration

Poets Run This!  
 

Whether you're performing or joining the live audience Yarrila Place is the place to be on Tuesday 11 August. Experience the thrill of competition and powerful performances. You've got to be in it to win it and experience it.   

DETAILS

Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026 

Time: 6.00pm-8.00pm (Poet Check-In from 5.30pm)  

Location: River Oak Room, Level 3, Yarrila Place  

Participation or Attendance Fee: Free! 

Participation Rules: 2026 rules here: www.australianpoetryslam.com/rules  

Registration: Pre-register to secure your competition spot or book your seat in the audience.   

Calling All Poets: 

Have you ever wanted to change the world with your words? 

You are invited to share your words for two minutes on the mic. By throwing your ideas into the slam-storm, you could be chosen as the 2026 Australian Poetry Slam-bassador and offered an international writers’ festival tour worth about $20K. 
Use your poems to spark new dreams, clear out cobweb memes or offer listeners a sturdy eucalypt branch with a better view. This is your call. 

Get up. Gather at the Coffs Harbour slam. Share with the community. 
Jump on the mic or listen, cheer and hold-up scorecards as part of the audience in this international celebration of spoken wordsmiths.  Electrify us. Show the world how POETS RUN THIS! 

This APS Heat audience will send two writers to represent Coffs Harbour in a performance at the NSW State Final. The top 16 in the country make it to the National Final at Sydney Opera House on the 25 October. 

MEET YOUR HOST: Miles Merrill 

Originally from Chicago, Miles Merrill is a writer, performer, facilitator and event coordinator who combines poetry with theatre, experimental audio, hip-hop beats, stand-up and, occasionally, political confrontation. Miles introduced poetry slam to Australia, co-wrote and co-directed 'Slamming for the Sydney Festival' and performed with UK DJ Billy Bizniz at the Sydney Opera House. Internationally, Merrill has performed in Krakow's Audio Art Festival, and writers' festivals in Bali, Beijing, Vancouver and Calgary. 

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. 

Australian Poetry Slam is presented in partnership with World Travels. 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.