Patricia Sykes is a prize-winning poet and the author of the acclaimed collection, Wire Dancing (1999). In 1996 "river salvages" won the John Shaw Neilson Poetry Award and "death, passion-fruit and roses" was a finalist in the 1995 AUNTECH Poetry Prize. Two of the poems in Modewarre have been awarded prizes. "Modewarre -- ways you might approach it" was Highly Commended in the Josephine Ulrick Poetry Prize and "Sanctuary: Swan lake, Phillip Island" won the Tom Collins Poetry Prize. Wire Dancing was shortlisted for the Anne Elder and Mary Gilmore Awards. In addition to her poetry, Patricia Sykes is also a professional storyteller and performer.