Trish Anderson, singer-songwriter with local band Mrs Wainwright, will be performing at the heats and cheering on daughter Felix.

Felix, 13, is among 24 contestants vying for the title of Melbourne Poetry Idol.

"It's exciting for the west to have a poetry idol heat," Ms Anderson said. "There's always room for rhyme and rhythm, but a poem can also be an extremely small story that tells you a lot."

The competition is open to any style, age or topic. Poetry Idol's heats six and seven will be held at Fitzroy and Box Hill respectively.

Four winners will be chosen - two selected by judges and two by the audience.

The finalists will perform at Federation Square in August with the overall winner receiving $2000 and two runners-up each getting $500.

Winners from each of the seven heats will have their work published in Paradise Anthology.

The poets battle it out at Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre from 2.30pm on June 14. For information or to book a place in the audience, call 99323020. Information: www. lparadiseanthology.com