New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards 2006, shortlisted

Avenues and Runways introduces an exciting new voice to readers of Australian poetry. An imagist of striking originality, Aidan Coleman captures moods and moments common to us all, revealing the inexhaustible depth of our everyday lives. With generous, sympathetic attention to detail, these poems explore the joys and vagaries of adolescence, student life and married love. Emotionally engaged yet artistically detached, Coleman both immerses himself in his subjects and brings to their resolution the highest and most objective standards of craftsmanship. This debut collection will surely take its place at the forefront of the work of a new generation of Australian poets.

“Avenues & Runways introduces a poet of luminous clarity and exemplary precision. Aidan Coleman writes of the Australian everyday in an extraordinary manner. This is a book to be welcomed and celebrated.” – Kevin Hart

“Aidan Coleman is already one of the finest young poets in the country, and easily the most hair-raising imagist, the most piercing epigrammatist.” – Peter Goldsworthy

“Dizzying imagery, executed with utter control. Coleman’s artistry puts in the forefront of young poets anywhere.” – Les Murray