Sean West (he/they) is an Autistic poet, support worker, and workshop facilitator based in Meanjin. Their debut chapbook is Gutless Wonder (Queensland Poetry, 2023). In 2024, he was runner-up in the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize. Sean is the founding editor of Blue Bottle Journal and moonlights as Mariah for Ruckus Slam Brisbane.
Follow them @glitter_bish or @bluebottlejournal
Sean West (he/they) is an Autistic poet, support worker, and workshop facilitator based in Meanjin. Their debut chapbook is Gutless Wonder (Queensland Poetry, 2023). In 2024, he was runner-up in the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize. Sean is the founding editor of Blue Bottle Journal and moonlights as Mariah for Ruckus Slam Brisbane.
Published Work:
Literary Journals:
StylusLit, Review, Issue 17, Mar 2025
The Suburban Review, Poetry, #36: DISABILITY, Dec 2024
#EnbyLife Journal, Poetry, Jul 2024
Sunder, Poetry, Issue 2: TANGLE, Jul 2024
Plumwood Mountain, Poetry, Volume 11 Number 1: Queering Ecopoet(h)ics, Apr 2024
The Suburban Review, Poetry, #33: HYPE, Mar 2024
Cordite Poetry Review, Poetry, Issue 111: BABY, Feb 2024
Rabbit, Poetry, Issue 38: Archive, Dec 2023
The Saltbush Review, Poetry, Issue 4: Fracture, Nov 2023
Cordite Poetry Review, Poetry, Issue 110: POP, Sep 2023
StylusLit, Poetry, Issue 14, Sep 2023
Jacaranda, Poetry, Online, Jul 2023
foam:e, Poetry, Issue 20, Mar 2023
foam:e, Poetry, Issue 19, Mar 2022
Meniscus, Poetry, Vol 9 Issue 1, Jul 2021
Mantissa Poetry Review, Poetry, Issue 1, May 2021
Riverbed Review (US), Poetry, Vol 1, Apr 2021
Honey Literary (US), Poetry, Issue 1, Feb 2021
Lite Lit One, Poetry, Issue 5, Nov 2020
Antithesis Journal, Poetry, Vol 30, ‘Mental,’ Oct 2020
The Night Heron Barks (US), Poetry, Fall Issue, Oct 2020
Authora Australis, Poetry, Issue 1, ‘Empty Spaces,’ Sep 2020
Bareknuckle Poet, Poetry, FIGHT: Round 3, Jul 2020
The Ekphrastic Review (CA), Poetry, Jun 2020
Ghost City Review (US), Poetry, May Issue, 2020
The Ekphrastic Review (CA), Poetry, May 2020
TEXT Journal, Poetry, Vol 24 No 1, Apr 2020
StylusLit, Poetry, Issue 7, Mar 2020
Stilts Journal, Poetry, Issue 6, Dec 2019
Baby Teeth Journal, Poetry, Nov 2019
Concrescence Online, Poetry, Feb 2019
Slink Chunk Press, Poetry, Nov 2017
Freezeray Poetry (US), Poetry, Issue 13, Jun 2017
Magazines, Chapbooks & Anthologies:
Australian Poetry Anthology, Poetry, Vol 10, Aug 2023
Gutless Wonder (Queensland Poetry, 2023), Poetry, Apr 2023
Mantle: the South Coast Writers Centre Anthology of Writing, Poetry, Dec 2022
Writing Queensland (WQ) Magazine, Poetry Prompt Article, Issue 279: Poetry, Dec 2022
Westerly: Caretaking, Poetry, Online Special Issue, Sep 2022
Grieve Anthology: Stories and Poems of Grief and Loss, Poetry, Vol 10, Aug 2022
Urinal Mag, Poetry, Issue 2, Aug 2022
swim meet lit mag, Poetry, Issue 1, Jan 2022
fourW, Poetry, anthology thirty-two, Nov 2021
Litoria Press, Poetry, ‘Poetry for the Planet: An Anthology of Imagined Futures,’ Oct 2021
Hyades Magazine, Poetry, Issue 1, Aug 2021
Westerly, Poetry, Vol 66 Number 1, Jun 2021
Sunday Drawing Club, Poetry, Issue 2, May 2021
Voiceworks Magazine, Poetry, Issue 121, ‘Root,’ Jan 2021
Red Room Poetry, Poetry, ‘Writing Water’ chapbook, Nov 2020
Glass Magazine, Poetry, Issue 8, ‘Uncharted Waters,’ Jun 2020
Glass Magazine, Interview, Issue 7, ‘Breaking the Stigma,’ Feb 2020
Jawbreaker Zine (US), Fiction, Dec 2019
Lithium Magazine (US), Fiction, Dec 2019
Jawbreaker Zine (US), Art/Poetry, Nov 2019
Lithium Magazine (US), Art/Poetry, Oct 2019
Jawbreaker Zine (US), Non-Fiction, Oct 2019
Lithium Magazine (US), Fiction, Oct 2019
Lithium Magazine (US), Art/Poetry, Oct 2019
Jawbreaker Zine (US), Non-Fiction/Poetry, Sep 2019
Verses Magazine (US), Poetry, Issue 1, ‘Ghost,’ Sep 2019
Jawbreaker Zine (US), Non-Fiction/Poetry, Aug 2019
Voiceworks Magazine, Poetry, Issue 110, ‘Immunity,’ Dec 2017
Veronica Literary Magazine, Poetry, Issue 2, Jun 2017
The Redlitzer Anthology, Flash Fiction, Oct 2013
Zines & Blogs:
Grieve Mixed Media Gallery, Poetry, Dec 2024
HNDL Mag (US), Poetry, Issue 6: Dream, Oct 2024
Red Room Poetry, Poetry, ‘The Disappearing’ project, Feb 2021
A ( ) Zine, Poetry, Issue 2, Nov 2020
Bluepepper, Poetry, May 2020
Neptune Archive, Dream/Poetry/Non-Fiction, ‘COVID-19 Collective Dream Journal,’ Apr 2020
The Tundish Review, Poetry, Issue 11, Nov 2019
Gulp!, Flash Fiction, Issue 3, ‘Crime,’ Sep 2019
The Tundish Review, Poetry, Issue 10, Aug 2019
Concrescence Zine, Poetry, Issue 1, Mar 2019
Gulp!, Flash Fiction, Issue 1, ‘Sci-Fi,’ Mar 2019
Pinstriped Zine (US), Poetry, Issue 10, Dec 2018
PASTEL Magazine, Poetry, Issues 2, 3, 4 and All-Stars, Apr, Aug, Nov & Dec 2018
PASTEL Magazine, Fiction, Issue 1, Nov 2017
The Tundish Review, Poetry, Issue 4, Nov 2017
QUT Inklings Zine, Poetry, Issue 2, ‘Wild Things,’ May 2017
The Tundish Review, Flash Fiction, Issue 2, Apr 2017
IBIS Zine, Poetry, Issues 6 and 7, Mar & Aug 2017
Antipodeans Abroad, Blog, Sep 2015
Features, Awards, Workshops and Community Involvement:
Founding editor of Blue Bottle Journal, 2020-present
Creative intern for Ruckus Slam Brisbane, The New Globe Theatre/The Zoo/Lefty’s Music Hall, 2017-present
Co-curator/MC for ‘The Last Word’ by Blue Bottle Journal x The Braddyton, Can You Keep a Secret?, Jan 2025
Guest workshop facilitator, Upbeat Arts, State Library of Queensland, Dec 2024
Runner-up for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript, 2024
Feature poet for Enough Said Poetry Slam, Halloween Slam at The Forge, Oct 2024
‘Synaesthetic Poetry’ workshop facilitator for Enough Said Poetry Slam at Society City, Oct 2024
Guest workshop facilitator, Upbeat Arts, State Library of Queensland, Oct 2024
‘Late Night Tea Party’ feature poet for The Braddyton, Sep 2024
‘Young Poets@Yuulong’ feature poet for Calanthe Collective, Tamborine Mountain, Sep 2024
Digital festival program coordinator for Red Dirt Poetry Festival, Jan-Aug 2024
‘Getting Published in Poetry’ workshop facilitator for Red Dirt Poetry Festival, Watertank Cafe, Aug 2024
‘Mixtape Memoirs’ feature poet for Red Dirt Poetry Festival, Gap View Hotel, Aug 2024
‘Developing a Poem: From Planning to Publication’ panelist for QPoetry! Festival, Judith Wright Centre, Aug 2024
’Pop-Up Salon #1’ MC/Facilitator for QPoetry! Festival, Judith Wright Centre, Aug 2024
Shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award, 2024
Longlisted with Simon Kindt for the 2024 Grieve Project (spoken word/audio category) for our piece ‘Signs → Yes’, 2024
Feature poet for Sunder, Issue 2: TANGLE, Zoom/online, Jul 2024
Sessional academic for QUT, EUB357 - Poetry: Responding and Composing, Apr-Jul 2024
Shortlisted for the Red Room Emerging Poets Residency 2024
Freelance full line edit/proofread of Jacklyn Irwin’s posthumous collection, Messages from the Universe, Nov 2023
Freelance poetry workshop facilitator for Ormiston College, Oct 2023
‘Broken Time: Reinventing Understandings of Time and Productivity’ panel speaker, National Young Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Library, Oct 2023
‘Ocean Bards’ feature poet, National Young Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Beach, Sep 2023
Highly Commended for a 2024 Varuna Residential Fellowship, Sep 2023
Masterclass workshop facilitator/MC, Australian Poetry Slam/Queensland Poetry, North Lakes Library slam heat, Aug 2023
Shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award, 2023
Feature poetry set, Gather Round: Chapter 5 at Cinnamon & Co., Jul 2023
‘Synaesthetic Poetry’ workshop facilitator for Queensland Poetry, Zoom/online, Jun 2023
Poetry workshop facilitator and MC for Queensland Poetry’s SlammED! at Runcorn State High School, May 2023
Feature poet for SpeakEasy Poetry Open Mic Vol. 9 at Cinnamon & Co., May 2023
Guest feature poet, Arts Queensland XYZ Prize for Innovation in Spoken Word Finals at QPF Story/Verse, SLQ, Apr 2023
‘And the Winner Is…’ feature poet and chapbook launch at QPF Story/Verse, SLQ, Apr 2023
Runner-up for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript, 2023
Co-curator for Queensland Poetry’s ‘Volta’ in partnership with #EnbyLife Journal and swim meet lit mag, Brisbane Square Library, Mar 2023
Feature poet for Calanthe Collective’s ‘POETS@ZAMIA’ series, Zamia Theatre, Mar 2023
Co-MC for Ruckus Slam at Yonder Festival, Nov 2022
‘If Anything Happens…’, feature poet, Singapore Writers Festival, Zoom/online, Nov 2022
‘Meet Me Here if the World Ends’ feature poet/panel speaker, Singapore Writers Festival, Zoom/online, Nov 2022
Freelance poetry workshop facilitator for Bray Park State High School, Oct 2022
Freelance full line edit/proofread of Gran Slam’s group chapbook, Oct 2022
‘Getting into Poetry’ workshop facilitator, National Young Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Library, Oct 2022
‘Beach by the Poetry’ feature poet, National Young Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Library, Oct 2022
‘Antislam’ feature poet, National Young Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Library, Oct 2022
‘Scribble Slam’ feature poet, National Young Writers’ Festival/Big Picture’s Block Party, Playstate Curate, Sep 2022
‘Rhythm, Metre, and Sound’ panel speaker, National Young Writers’ Festival, Newcastle Library, Sep 2022
MC for Gran Slam Open Mic, Zoom online session, Sep 2022
Editing workshop facilitator for Gran Slam, Zoom online sessions, Sep 2022
Highest-Placed QLD Entry with Simon Kindt in the Arts Queensland XYZ Prize for Excellence in Spoken Word for our piece ‘Signs → Yes’, 2022
Highly Commended for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript, 2022
Longlisted for the 2022 Grieve Project for my poem ‘Birthday Girl,’ 2022
Feature poetry set, National Young Writers’ Festival Program Launch, Miss Demeanour, Aug 2022
Masterclass workshop facilitator/MC, Australian Poetry Slam/Queensland Poetry, North Lakes Library slam heat, Aug 2022
Shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Young Publishers and Writers Award, 2022
Arts admin/scorekeeper for Queensland Poetry’s SlammED! Finals, Jul 2022
Producer/MC/Poet for Blue Bottle Journal ‘Fragility’ Salon at Handle With Care art exhibition, S.P.A.C.E at Kenmore, Jul 2022
Shortlisted for the inaugural Born Writers Award for my poems ‘Renaming Rites’ and ‘Every Lucky Name Needs a Boat,’ 2022
Guest workshop facilitator for Upbeat Arts, Zoom online session, Jul 2022
Slam winner, Winter Warmer Slam, Ruckus Slam Brisbane, Lefty’s Music Hall, Jun 2022
Poetry workshop facilitator and MC for Queensland Poetry’s SlammED! at Bray Park State High School, Jun 2022
Guest workshop facilitator for Upbeat Arts, Zoom online session, Jun 2022
Feature poetry set with Mike Russell and Mitch Cave, Queensland Poetry’s ‘Volta’ series, Brisbane Square Library, May 2022
Poetry workshop facilitator and MC for Queensland Poetry’s SlammED! at Kelvin Grove State College, May 2022
Co-MC for Ruckus Muckus Slam, Lefty’s Music Hall, May 2022
Co-MC for Ruckus Slam at Brisbane Street Art Festival/Yonder’s Now is Nigh, Superordinary Northshore, May 2022
Mentored by Andy Jackson through Queensland Poetry, Apr 2022
Runner-up for the SCWC 2022 Poetry Award themed ‘Ways to Water’ for my poem ‘How to Breathe Underwater’
Freelance full line edit/proofread of Mike Russell’s collection, About a Boy, Jan 2022
Poetry workshop co-facilitator, Brotherhood of the Wordless, Sandbag Community Centre/Brighton Wellness Hub/Banyo Library, 2019-2021
Mentored by Carmen Leigh Keates through Queensland Writers Centre, Oct-Dec 2021
Feature poetry set, Chrysalis Projects, Hope on Boundary West End, Dec 2021
Self-directed manuscript editing residency on Banksia Beach, Bribie Island, Nov 2021
Poet/Performer for “Fishing, Not Catching” collaboration with Simon Kindt at RuckusFest 2021, The Old Museum, Nov 2021
Producer/Co-MC for “Poetry With Sting!” - A Blue Bottle Journal Showcase at RuckusFest 2021, The Old Museum, Nov 2021
Guest workshop facilitator, Upbeat Arts/School of Hard Knocks, Zoom online session, Oct 2021
Uni Writers Festival ‘Momentum’ panel speaker, The Grove Bar at QUT, Oct 2021
Feature poetry set/online Zoom panel speaker, BLIND(cite) x Mantissa Poetry Review, Sep 2021
Shortlisted for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript, 2021
Recipient of an Arts Queensland Individuals Fund grant, 2021
Volunteer for SlammED! Finals, Metro Arts, Jun 2021
Co-MC for Ruckus Slam at Jungle Love Festival, May 2021
Co-MC for Ruckus Pep Rally Slam, The Zoo, Apr 2021
Freelance full line edit/proofread of Anna Patch’s For the One with Stars in her Eyes, Dec 2020
Co-producer/workshop facilitator/social media manager for Ruckus Youth Brisbane, Just Earth Cafe/Visible Ink, 2018-2020
Feature poetry set, Superlate s01ep02, Superordinary, Jul 2020
Shortlisted for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript, 2020
Feature poetry set with Damen O’Brien, Queensland Poetry’s Couplet Poetry series, Brisbane Square Library, Feb 2020
Poetry workshop facilitator, LOUD (11-17 years), North Lakes Library, Jan 2020
Staff writer for Jawbreaker Zine, 2019
Staff writer for Lithium Magazine, 2019
Co-producer/performer Brotherhood of the Wordless “Hello World” Christmas Cabaret, Sandgate Town Hall, Dec 2019
Feature poetry set, Backbone Festival Closing Party, Backbone East Brisbane, Nov 2019
Guest workshop facilitator, Upbeat Arts/School of Hard Knocks, The Innovation Lab, Oct 2019
Volunteer/Workshop facilitator at RuckusFest, The Old Museum, Oct 2019
Co-producer/reader, Brotherhood of the Wordless at Queensland Poetry Festival, Judith Wright Centre foyer space, Aug 2019
Shortlisted for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript, 2019
Masterclass workshop facilitator, Australian Poetry Slam /Queensland Poetry Festival, North Lakes Library, Aug 2019
Feature poetry set, OutLoud | Here We Queer’s First Year, The Bloodhound Bar, Jun 2019
Guest Poetry workshop facilitator, Brotherhood of the Wordless, Sandbag Community Centre, Jun-Jul 2019
Entertainment facilitator/logistics, Ruckus Presents: Nautical But Nice!, Queensland Maritime Museum, May 2019
Feature poetry set, Canon Ball (Round 2), Betty’s Espresso & Bar, May 2019
Doors/open mic sign up, Ruckus Presents: Who Run the World? (International Women’s Day Event), Vacant Assembly, Mar 2019
Social media manager for Vena Cava Productions, Queensland University of Technology Kelvin Grove, 2017-2018
Feature poetry set, Ruckus Presents: Kudos at The Bearded Lady, Nov 2018
Slam poetry guest workshop facilitator, Senior Drama class, Iona College, May 2018
Front of house, Dinopocalypse, Anywhere Theatre Festival, Backbone East Brisbane, May 2018
Feature poetry set, Ruckus Youth, Just Earth Cafe, May 2018
Slam winner, Ruckus Slam Brisbane, The New Globe Theatre, Apr 2018
Feature poetry set, Kurilpa Poets, Croquet Club Community Hall, Sep 2017
Intern for Queensland Poetry Festival, Queensland Writers Centre/Judith Wright Centre Jul-Sep 2017
Bar work/artist services assistant for Brisbane Writers Festival, State Library Queensland, Sep 2016-17
Public Readings, Broadcasts, Interviews, and Installations:
Interviewed on live radio for Enough Said Poetry Slam for ABC Illawarra, Oct 2024
Interviewed by Elaine Chennatt for Aniko Press in their Indie Editors Series, May 2023
Anti-poetry set, Wham! Bam! Cabaret! Slam! June, The Bearded Lady, Jun 2022
Interviewed on radio broadcast by Heather Hale for ABC Western Queensland, May 2022
Interviewed by Munira Tabassum Ahmed for Hyades Magazine, Aug 2021
Interviewed by Em Readman for Glass Media, ‘Break Some Eggs: An Interview With Sean West of Blue Bottle Poetry Journal,’ Apr 2021
Ruckus Chapbook Slam ‘Slam Chowder’ Poetry Set, Jan 2021
Interviewed by Lauren Hale for Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane, ‘Into the Unknown: Three Brisbane projects born in Lockdown,’ Oct 2020
Antithesis Journal: “Mental” Vol. 30 online launch reading (via Zoom), Oct 2020
Feature poetry set, PASTEL x QUT Lit Salon & Open Mic, The Bloodhound Bar Nov 2019
Gulp! Issue Three (Crime) launch reading, The Bloodhound Bar, Sep 2019
Concrescence “Deep Listening” bumper issue launch at Queensland Poetry Festival, The Bloodhound Bar, Aug 2019
The Tundish Review Issue 10 launch reading, The Third Quarter, Aug 2019
PASplanetary reading (read by Chloe Mills), TAFE QLD Southbank, Apr 2019
Concrescence Zine Issue One launch reading, The Bearded Lady, Mar 2019
Gulp! Issue One (Science Fiction) launch reading, Betty’s Espresso & Bar, Mar 2019
Pazzztel digital radio podcast guest, 4ZZZ Brisbane studio, Dec 2018
These Frozen Moments remount, Flowstate, Nov-Dec 2018
QUT CreateX online performance, Nov 2018
QUT Lit Salon reading, Sabotage Social, Oct 2018
QPF/The Tundish Review reading, The Judith Wright Centre for Performing Arts, Aug 2018
QUT/Bath Spa Fellowship reading, The Menagerie, Mar 2018
PASTEL/PASTEL All-Star launch readings, Betty’s Espresso & Bar, Apr, Aug, Nov & Dec 2018
The Tundish Review various launch readings, Betty’s Espresso & Bar/House Conspiracy, Apr & Nov 2017, Aug & Nov 2019
QUT Lit Salon reading, The Menagerie, Oct 2017
QUT/QPF Lit Salon reading, The Judith Wright Centre for Performing Arts, Aug 2017
These Frozen Moments installation, Metro Arts, Jul 2017