Mirage my inherited legacy.

Gloat in a bloated way.

I’m going to cut and paste you into my heart.

I’m in a shambles

All astray

Gone AWOL

I’m not on my way

Which way backward

Or which way forward

Goodness I’m too

Shambolic today.

Melinda Jane – The Poet Mj is the author of eight books, two CD’s. And works published in thirteen anthologies and a total of one hundred and eighty three individual works published by fifty publishers mainly in the USA. Also a poem nominated for ‘Best of the Net’ in 2019. And a spoken word artist with sixty live performances.

Forthcoming 2026

Published three of my poems and three sayings titled ‘Candle and Cicadas’, ‘Origami Shadows’. ‘Float’, ‘Over Rocks’, ‘The Act’ and ‘Levitate’ in swifts & slows Anthology 2026

https://www.arteidolia.com/swifts-slows/

September 2023 Published

Published five of my poems and four sayings titled ‘Candle and Cicadas’, ‘Origami Shadows’. ‘Float’, ‘Duo Coffee / Swamp’, ‘Over Rocks’, ‘The Act’, ‘Longitude’, ‘Barb’ and ‘Levitate’ in swifts & slows an online literary journal

https://www.arteidolia.com/swifts-slows/

https://www.arteidolia.com/swifts-slows-the-poet-mj/

March 2023 Published

Published three of my poems titled ‘Frames’, ‘Pillow’s Rim’ and ‘Gardening’ in swifts & slows an online literary journal

https://www.arteidolia.com/swifts-slows/

https://www.instagram.com/arteidolia/

https://www.facebook.com/arteidolia

https://www.arteidolia.com/swifts-slows-melinda-jane-the-poet-mj/

Kelp Journal

October 2025 Published

Published my two poems titled ‘Pans’ and ‘Tectonic Love’ in The Wave, Kelp Journal an online literary journal

https://www.kelpjournal.com/

https://www.kelpjournal.com/thewave

https://www.kelpjournal.com/post/poetry-two-poems-by-melinda-jane-the-poet-mj-1

June 2025 Published

Published my poem titled ‘One must have a mind for Summer’ in the Kelp Journal, Ocean Poetry Anthology: Vol II, 2025 paperback book

https://www.kelpjournal.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1964880041/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2KWJNMX1QSHDS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PIqNPR_yupA668L7ZLeFHpvfEWJKAq7aSCBWHdYs7Us.3TiL3MT7UcTWAzaT2Mbi_8CVmW07nZX8pQY1P17Nr3o&dib_tag=se&keywords=am+larks+ocean+poetry&qid=1749445393&sprefix=am+larks+ocean+poetry%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-2

February 2024 Published

Published my prose titled ‘The Mighty Southern Ocean’ and poem titled ‘Uncharted Waters’ in The Wave, Kelp Journal an online literary journal

https://www.kelpjournal.com/thewave

https://www.kelpjournal.com/post/poetry-two-poems-by-melinda-jane-the-poet-mj

Tap into Poetry

September 2025 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Smashed Avocado Dreams’ in Tap into Poetry edition 9, an online literary journal

https://tapintopoetry.wordpress.com/

https://tapintopoetry.wordpress.com/2025/09/20/tap-into-poetry-9/

Magpie Zine

February 2025 Published

Published my Creative Nonfiction Short Story titled ‘Pavlova’ in the Winter 2025 Issue Two entitled ‘Navigation’ of Magpie Zine online as a flipbook or downloaded as a printed PDF

https://www.magpiezine.com/

https://www.magpiezine.com/issue-two

https://www.magpiezine.com/words/category/ISSUE+TWO

https://www.magpiezine.com/words/pavlova-the-poet-mj

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/64ceda3292c26b03d9d5bf9f/t/67b10637c1649f690b89b080/1739654738818/Magpie+Zine+Winter+2025+Issue+Two+Final.pdf

Coffee People Zine

December 2024 Published

Published four of my poems titled ‘Imbibing’, ‘Her View’, ‘Enticements’ and ‘Middle Age’ in Issue 25 / FUTURE of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

March 2024 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Jettison Perennial One’ in Issue 23 / PAST of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

November 2023 Published

Published four of my poems titled ‘Ode to the Rain’, ‘Inflections’, ‘Uncharted Waters’ and ‘Salty Lips’ in Issue 22 / WATER of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

July 2023 Published

Published six of my poems titled ‘Winter Days’, ‘Fire, Fire’, ‘Koalas’, ‘Inhale’, ‘Fireworks’ and ‘Cham(pagne – pain)’ in Issue 21 / FIRE of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

March 2023 Published

Published five of my poems titled ‘Coffee’, ‘Rankle the Streets’, ‘Sunday Lunch’, ‘Overlay’ and ‘Searing’ in Issue 20 / EARTH of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

September 2022 Published

Published five of my poems titled ‘Belladonna’, ‘Pulse’, ‘Anon’, ‘21.05.2022’ and ‘Beating Wings Too’ in Issue 18 / COMPLEX of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

June 2022 Published

Published three of my poems titled ‘Coffee Floral Winter’, ‘Hinting at Reality’ and ‘Unisexual’ in Issue 17 / FLORAL of Coffee People Zine a magazine

https://coffeepeople.org/

mindshare Creative Writing Awards 2024

October 2024 Published

Published my prose titled ‘‘Blue Boy’’ for mindshare Creative Writing Awards 2024 on their website and social media

https://mindshare.org.au/

November 2022 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Peptides Fit’ for mindshare Creative Writing Awards 2022 on their website and social media

https://mindshare.org.au/

https://mindshare.org.au/writing/peptides-fit/

ACU – Australian Catholic University

October 2024 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Mustard Seed’ in the 2024 Anthology and short-listed for the 2024 ACU 2024 Prize for Poetry

https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/news/2024/october/the-oxenbridge-king-author-christine-paice-wins-10000-prize-for-elegy-for-late-mother?redirect=%26PageNumber%3d1

https://www.acu.edu.au/faith-and-values/office-of-the-vice-president/acu-prize-for-poetry/chapbook-order

WILDsound Writing Festival

September 2024 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Velvet’ online as part of the WILDsound Writing Festival

https://festivalforpoetry.com/2024/09/02/crime-poem-velvet-by-melinda-jane-the-poet-mj-ghazal-poem/

Pennsylvania English

June 2024 Published

Published my short story titled ‘Jane and I,’ in Spring 2024 Issue 44 of Pennsylvania English

https://www.pcea.online/pennsylvania-english

Ginninderra Press

March 2024 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Australian Banyan’ in ‘Telling Australia’s Truth Anthology’

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

December 2021 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Brumal Calling’ in ‘December Issue of The Crow’ journal online

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/crow.html

September 2021 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Tuned-out’ in ‘Milestones Anthology’

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/2332/Stephen+Matthews+%28editor%29+%2F+Milestones

April 2021 Published

Chapbook of poems ‘Bite Me’ written by Melinda Jane

ISBN 978 1 76109

Published my chapbook of poems titled ‘Bite Me’ with twenty poems.

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/chapbooks.html

https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/8560547

September 2020 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Desecration’ in ‘September Issue of The Crow’ journal online

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/crow.html

April 2020 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Ad Break’ in ‘I Protest Poems of Dissent Anthology’

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/2108/Stephen+Matthews+%28editor%29+%2F+I+Protest%21+Poems+of+Dissent

August 2019 Published

Poetry book ‘Nature’s Nuptials’ written by Melinda Jane

ISBN 978 1 76041

Published my poetry book titled ‘Natures Nuptials’ with twenty four poems.

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?catalog/all/-/date/1

https://www.ginninderrapress.com.au/store.php?product/page/2000/Melinda+Jane+%2F+Nature%27s+Nuptials

https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/237048524

https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/8065340/Details

Meniscus Literary Journal

November 2023 Published

Published my prose titled ‘Arcadian’ in Meniscus Literary Journal an online literary journal

https://www.meniscus.org.au/

https://meniscus.org.au/current-issue

June 2023 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Stewing’ in Meniscus Literary Journal an online literary journal

https://www.meniscus.org.au/

https://meniscus.org.au/current-issue

June 2022 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Ash Wednesday’ in Meniscus Literary Journal an online literary journal

https://www.meniscus.org.au/

https://meniscus.org.au/current-issue

RABBLE REVIEW

November 2023 Published

Published my poem titled ‘SA’s Summary Offences Act’ in Issue 7 of RABBLE REVIEW online

https://rabblereview.com/

Molecule Magazine

September 2023 Published

Published my short story titled ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ in Fall 2023 Issue of Molecule Magazine online

https://moleculetinylitmag.art.blog/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ4FJPZ3

September 2021 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Cutbacks’ in Issue 5 of Molecule Magazine online

https://moleculetinylitmag.art.blog/

The Groundup

August 2023 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Metal Pot’ in ‘Percy Bysshe Shelley Remembered Poetry Contest Runners-Up’ in The Groundup an online literary journal

https://www.thegrounduppublication.com/post/percy-bysshe-shelley-remembered-poetry-contest-runners-up

Spineless Wonders

April 2023 Published

Published my prose piece titled ‘Glam Runners’ in the Play anthology by Spineless Wonders and finalists for the 2023 Joanne Burns Microlit Award

https://shortaustralianstories.com.au/2023-nwf-joanne-burns-microlit-award/

Gems zine

August 2022 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Orbiting’ in Issue 22 in a magazine zine

https://gemszine.com/

Brushfire Literature & Arts Journal

December 2021 Published

Published my poem titled ‘UFOs’ in Brushfire Fall edition 2021 – Brushfire Literature & Arts Journal online magazine

http://unrbrushfire.org/

December 2018 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Mobile’ in Brushfire Fall edition 2018 – Brushfire Literature & Arts Journal online magazine

http://unrbrushfire.org/

Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review

June 2021 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Travel-worn Satchel’ in Issue 53 being released in Summer 2021 of Borderlands: Texas Poetry Review

https://lambdaliterary.org/2020/05/borderlands-texas-poetry-review/

Disquiet Arts

January 2021 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Smitten Aeronautics’ online

https://disquietarts.com/smitten-aeronautics-by-melinda-jane/

https://disquietarts.com/

Poets Choice

October 2020 Published

Published three of my poems titled ‘Tree-of-Wrath’, ‘Limpets and Koala Bears’ and ‘Changing Climates’ in the book titled ‘Global Warming – Compiled Collection of Poems’ at Poets Choice

http://www.poetschoices.com/

October 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Baboon Lived in a House of Bees’ in an E-Book from Poets Choice

http://www.poetschoices.com/

The Voices Project

September 2020 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Fervorless Yoga’ in The Voices Project journal online

http://www.thevoicesproject.org/

http://www.thevoicesproject.org/poetry-library/fervorless-yoga-by-melinda-jane

Thirty West Publishing House

June 2020 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Magical Word Potion’ in Tilde V journal online

https://www.thirtywestph.com/tildelit

May 2018 Published

Published my spoken word piece / poem titled ‘Arlines’ in The Weekly Degree journal online

https://www.thirtywestph.com/column/

AROHO – A Room of Her Own

May 2020 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Disturb’ on their website

https://aroomofherownfoundation.org/a-gift-to-the-silenced/

Camas Magazine

May 2020 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Shepherd’s Pie Recipe’ in Camas print anthology and on their website

http://www.camasmagazine.org/

Canberra’s Write On Festival 2020

April 2020 Published

Published my prose titled ‘Admella’ in Canberra’s Write On Festival – Anthology 2020

https://writeonfestival.org/

Dime Show Review

January 2020 Published

Published my ten word story titled ‘Murdoch’ online and print publication

https://www.dimeshowreview.com/murdoch-by-melinda-jane/

https://www.dimeshowreview.com/?s=murdoch

January 2019 Published

Published my ten word story titled ‘Peter Rabbit’ online and print publication

https://www.dimeshowreview.com/peter-rabbit-by-the-poet-mj/

The Anti-Languorous Project

January 2020 Published

Published my spoken word piece / poem titled ‘The Five-clawed Dragon’ in their soundbite volume 4 online @ 25:40 minutes in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGoU45Qr04&feature=youtu.be

January 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Kit’ in their annual print edition

September 2018 Published

Published my spoken word piece / poem titled ‘I pause, while you breathe’ in their soundbite volume 1 online

https://antilang.ca/

September 2018 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Kit’ in Issue 2 online magazine

https://antilang.ca/

Poets Reading the News

November 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Flaming’ in Poets Reading the News – Journalism in Verse and email weekly bulletin to members

http://www.poetsreadingthenews.com/2019/11/flaming/

June 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Gweilos’ in Poets Reading the News – Journalism in Verse and email weekly bulletin to members

http://www.poetsreadingthenews.com/2019/06/gweilos/

June 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Alphabet Soup’ in Poets Reading the News – Journalism in Verse and email weekly bulletin to members

http://www.poetsreadingthenews.com/2019/06/alphabet-soup/

May 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Koala Bears’ in Poets Reading the News – Journalism in Verse and email weekly bulletin to members

http://www.poetsreadingthenews.com/2019/05/koalas/

April 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Whom do I address?’ in Poets Reading the News – Journalism in Verse and email weekly bulletin to members

http://www.poetsreadingthenews.com/2019/04/thepoetmj-address/

Rattle

October 2019 Published

Published my spoken word piece / poem titled ‘Cubism Day’ online YouTube Open Mic | Rattlecast #15, Time @ 1:10:30 to 1:17:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzLYvEbJ0w8

September 2019 Published

Published my spoken word piece / poem titled ‘Arlines’ online YouTube Open Mic | Rattlecast #7, Time @ 1:30:00 to 1:34:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvW_AAYTPfM

The Blue Nib

October 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Filigree’ in The Blue Nib magazine Issue 40

https://thebluenib.com/

cahoodaloodaling

September 2019

Nominated for Best of the Net in 2019 for my poem titled ‘Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Kookaburra’

http://cahoodaloodaling.com/2019-best-of-the-net-nominations/

October 2018 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Kookaburra’ in Issue 27 – Joy Sticks online magazine

http://cahoodaloodaling.com/thirteen-ways-of-looking-at-a-kookaburra-by-melinda-jane-the-poet-mj/

The Paragon Press

September 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Whom do I address?’ in Snollygoster: A Conversation About Politics in magazine online

https://issuu.com/theparagonjournal

https://issuu.com/theparagonjournal/docs/snollygoster

August 2018 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Cubism Day’ in The Martian Chronicle: Issue 002 in a magazine online

https://issuu.com/theparagonjournal

https://issuu.com/theparagonjournal/docs/the_martian_chronicle__1_-merged

July 2018 Published

Published two poems titled ‘Oranges’ and ‘Hamzeh – A Jordan Bookseller’ in K?an – Publishers Journal Online

https://issuu.com/theparagonjournal

https://issuu.com/theparagonjournal/docs/koan_magazine

Genre: Urban Arts

September 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Bespoke Spoke Applecart’ in Genre: Urban Arts’ No. 8 Print

https://www.genreurbanarts.com/

Reality Break Press

July 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘The Long Rain’ in Reality Break Press – Inaugural Issue 2019

http://realitybreakpress.com/

Hunter Writers Centre

July 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Galloway’ in Hunter Writers Centre – Grieve Anthology 2019

https://hunterwriterscentre.org/

The Book Smuggler’s Den

May 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Rosemary Summers’ in The Book Smuggler’s Den in a magazine online

https://booksmugglersden.com/portfolio/rosemary-summers-melinda-jane/

Entropy Magazine

April 2019 Published

Published six of my poems titled ‘Piano Quintet’, ‘Vivify’, ‘The Swan Bell Tower’, ‘Mellifluous bud’, ‘An overture of’ and ‘’Rock of Ages’ ease’ in Entropy Magazine – Theme Variations on an online

https://entropymag.org/variations-poems-from-the-poet-mj/

The Mozzie

April 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘A kaleidoscope flutter swarm of Butterflies’ in Volume 27 Issue 3 paper pamphlet

July 2018 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Left Undone’ in Volume 26 Issue 6 paper pamphlet

May 2018 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Wardrobe’ in Volume 26 Issue 4 paper pamphlet

January 2018 Published

Published three of my poems titled ‘Tides of Us’, ‘Figure Out’ and ‘Seven cups of chá (tea)’ in Volume 26 Issue 1 paper pamphlet

July 2017 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Schubert Impromptu No 3 Piano Played On’ in Volume 25 Issue 5 paper pamphlet

The Criterion

February 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Honey’ in The Criterion: An International Journal in English Vol. 10, Issue-I

http://www.the-criterion.com/V10/n1/Melinda.pdf

Mekong Review

February 2019 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Meandering’ in Mekong Review – February-April 2019 Vol 4, No 2 – Southeast Asian Literary Magazine and on an online journal

https://mekongreview.com/

The Felt

January 2019 Published

Published two of my poems titled ‘Orange Blossoms’ and ‘Smoking’ in ilylali – Anthology of Forests – Literature Journal online magazine

www.ilylali.com

Hawai’i Review

July 2018 Published

Published two of my spoken word pieces / poems titled ‘Tokens of Beauty’ and ‘Paper Heart’ on an online journal

http://hawaiireview.org/

‘Spicy Tongue’ by Mj

April 2018 Published

Spoken word CD self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/230620136

Backstory

June 2017 Published

Published three of my non-fiction historical poems / prose titled ‘At the Assassin’s Hands’, ‘Sunday 11th July 1875 – Just before 8ish!’ and ‘Helen Mitchell Photography 1873’ in Issue 3 on an online journal

http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/category/issues/issue-three-issues/

‘At the Assassin’s Hands’

Elegy Poem

http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/2017/06/17/assassins-hands-melinda-jane/

‘Sunday 11th July 1875 – Just before 8ish!’

Prose Poem

http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/2017/06/17/sunday-11th-july-1875-just-8ish-melinda-jane/

‘Helen Mitchell Photography 1873’

Ekphrastic Poetry

http://www.backstoryjournal.com.au/2017/06/17/helen-mitchell-photography-1873-melinda-jane/

Rambutan Literary

June 2017 Published

Published my poem titled ‘Liko – protected by Buddha’ on an online journal

http://www.rambutanliterary.com/issue-four-melinda-jane.html

Fellowship of Australian Writers

National Literary Awards 2016

Di Cranston Script Section

March 2017

Highly Commended for my play titled ‘The Farmer’s Wife’

http://www.fawvic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/aFAW-National-Literay-Awards-2016.pdf

Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival – Music Concert

Penola, SA

May 2016

Self-published three of my song lyrics titled ‘Spring at Bool Lagoon’, ‘Life is mostly froth and bubble’ and ‘Rain on Me’ with music composed by Pamela Walker (OAM) performed at the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival and recorded by the ABC Radio

‘Sleepy Dreams and Poetical Tales’

Written by Melinda Jane and Photography’s by Melinda Jane

April 2016 Published

Picture book of lullabies for children self-published

KNWG Writing Competition 2015

October 2015 Published

Awarded second place for my poem titled ‘Tokens of Beauty’ and published on their website

https://knwgwriters.net/writers-on-parade/competition-2/

https://knwgsite.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/the-poet-mj-e28093-tokens-of-beauty-e28093-2nd-place-open-poetry.pdf

‘The Currawong and the Owl’

Written by Melinda Jane, Illustrated by Hamish

August 2015 Published

Picture book for children self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/198060606?selectedversion=NBD55475322

The Border Watch

29th May 2015 Published

Published my poem titled ‘At the Assassin’s Hands’ in the newspaper

‘The Spoken Word’

May 2015 Published

Spoken word & audio soundscape CD self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

‘Words By Me – a selection of poems’

May 2014 Published

Poetry Book self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

The Written Room – Writing Project & Exhibition

March 2014 Published

Esther Gallery, Beachport, SA, Australia

Entered my poem ‘Bleak Room With Views’, Exhibition then the pages will be collected / collated and bound into a single hard-cover one-off fabric-wrapped book; this book can be reprinted and sold as a limited edition

‘My Halo – a collection of poems’

September 2013 Published

E-book Poetry self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/6381045

‘Compact – a collection of sayings’

September 2013 Published

E-book Sayings self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/6381045

The Poet Mj Website

September 2013 – Current

Weekly writers blog, sale of products and publication list

http://www.thepoetmj.com/

‘Chairman Mel’s Poetry – a collection of poems’

October 2011 Published

E-book Poetry self-published and sold product

(Submitted to National and SA State Libraries)

http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/154106822?selectedversion=NBD47684369