Meow Gurrrl Mary Macpherson launched her excellent new collection ‘Social Media’ (published by The Cuba Press) recently. Here she is reading from it at Unity Books. Pix here.
This is tomorrow! Weds 23rd October 2019 6pm. Poet and photographer Mary Macpherson is launching her book of poetry, ‘Social Media’ at Wellington’s Unity Books. See you there!
Here I am reciting Meow Gurrrls poetry again, this time side on 🙂
It’s a little strange watching yourself from the side; this is not a view one normally has of oneself. It’s almost like being in an exhibition. I used to hate hearing recordings of myself. I didn’t like the sound of my voice. It didn’t seem like me. But these days, I really don’t mind; it is me after all. The poem I’m reading, ‘At the Window’, was first published in The Glass Rooster.
In other news, a little while ago, the lovely Paula Green posted a reading of my poem ‘Requiem‘ on her blog…
… and my poem ‘Mikey’ (that recently won the Geometry/Open Book Award – yay!) can be found here.
Lots of poetry coming up next week! First up there’s this on Monday (that I will be reading at if my cold has disappeared by then)
NZSA Poetry Reading + Open Mic (warm-up event)
Join the New Zealand Society of Authors, Wellington branch, as we celebrate Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day 2019. We’re inviting poets from our branch to read their poetry, and will also feature an open mic on the night.
Entry details: Koha. Everyone welcome!
Date/times: Monday, 19 August, 6pm – 8pm (Socialising from 5.30pm)
Location: Vic Books, Pipitea campus, Rutherford House (27 Lambton Quay, Wellington, near the railway station)
Contact: wellington@nzauthors.org.nz
Further info: Facebook/wellington.writers.9 | authors.org.nz/about/branches/wellington-branch
Then there are lots of fabulous events all around the country on National Poetry Day which you can find out about here: http://www.nzbookawards.nz/national-poetry-day/calendar-of-events/#wellingtonregion
And next Sunday, I will be reading at the Open Book on Ponsonby Road in Auckland. This is from the Open Book website:
Celebrate National Poetry Day with Geometry and The Open Book.
Come along to hear the winner and the judges’ selection from submissions to our poetry competition. Plus snacks and maybe a glass of wine if you are lucky.
With readings of work by:
Janis Freegard (the winner!)
and (the Judges’ list):
* Dadon Rowell
* Hannah Lees
* Jordan Hamel
* Paula Harris
* Rebecca Hawkes
Sunday August 25, 3pm
Winner published in Geometry Issue Six. Judges’ selection published here.
Time to catch up on the latest offerings from the Meow Gurrrls. Here we have Roadside, Bodhgaya by Kirsten Le Harivel
’Timing’ by Abra Sandi King
and ‘Basket of Seeds’ by Sudha Rao.
Enjoy!
In an alternative future, climate refugees struggle to New Zealand in the face of torpedoes and gun-toting shore patrols. Tim Jones’ exciting novella ‘When We Land’ is being launched this Tuesday 16th July 2019 at 5:30 pm at the Pipitea Campus of Vic Books (the one near the railway station). This is the first in The Cuba Press‘ new novella series. It was first published as “Landfall” by Paper Road Press in 2015. See you Tuesday!
Tim Jones writes novels, short stories and poetry and the blog Books in the Trees.
The Meow Gurrls are heading up to Carterton for Wai Word next month and we’d love to see you there.
Check out the latest Meow Gurrrls videos from fantastic poets Mary Macpherson, who is unwilling to click ‘I forgot my password’ and Mary-Jane Duffy, who tells us about the hallways of love or browse through our catalogue. We’d love you to subscribe to our channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOy99S1t-ZH1dW12RIy4tRQ
Very excited to see that the AUP New Poets series is cranking up again. This is such a great poetry series and I’m delighted to be a part of it (I was in AUP New Poets 3, back in 2008). It’s a great way to get to know new voices and I’m so pleased Auckland University Press is relaunching it. There’s a New Poets 5 coming out later this year (with a fresh, new look) and a New Poets 6 in the making too! The wonderful Anna Jackson (who featured in AUP New Poets 1) is editing.
Carolyn de Carlo, one of the AUP New Poets 5 authors, has arranged a reading of past and present “New Poets” at Millers O’Brien gallery in Victoria St. in Wellington (1/85 Victoria St, upstairs, near the Lido) this Tuesday 18th June 2019 at 6:00pm. I’d love to see you there. Here are the deets from Food Court:
“Food Court is proud to present their latest event, an evening of readings by Auckland University Press writers who have been featured in the New Poets series, relaunching with Vol. 5 in August 2019. Consider this a sneak preview of what will be on offer in Vol. 5 and beyond, and a look back at some absolute bangers from over the years.
Current Lineup:
Carolyn DeCarlo
Sophie van Waardenberg
Rebecca Hawkes
Chris Tse
Janis Freegard
Anna Jackson
+ a few surprises!
There is a working lift at the gallery, but there will be limited seating available (8-10 chairs). Please arrive early if this applies to you, or let us know ahead of time, and we will do our best to accommodate all needs and circumstances!”
Here’s the list of AUP New Poets to date:
AUP New Poets 1: Raewyn Alexander, Anna Jackson, Sarah Quigley
(currently listed on Amazon for $149.50 for a used copy (!!!), so clearly a collector’s item)
AUP New Poets 2: Stu Bagby, Jane Gardner, Sonja Yelich
AUP New Poets 3: Janis Freegard, Katherine Liddy, Reihana Robinson
AUP New Poets 4: Harry Jones, Erin Scudder, Chris Tse
AUP New Poets 5: Carolyn de Carlo, Sophie van Waardenberg and Rebecca Hawkes
One of the first poems I ever had published was ‘When You’re Not Here’. It originally appeared in ‘Eat These Sweet Words: the New Zealand Anthology of Lesbian and Gay Poetry’ by Publishing Giant Press in 1999. Next, it appeared in my collection, ‘The Glass Rooster’ (AUP, 2015). Now, here’s a clip of me reading it on the Meow Gurrrls Youtube channel. Please feel free to like, share, subscribe to our channel. (Mask by Sally of Masquerade; bird claw earrings by Tomas Richards)
The latest Meow Gurrls video features the wonderful Sudha Rao with her poem ‘Manuhiri’. ‘Manuhiri’ contains a special mihi prepared for Sudha by Matt Gifford. Here’s the English translation:
“Mihi
The bird sings
The morning has dawned
The day has broken
Ah! There is life.
This manu (bird) has descended as a manu (bird), as a visitor, as a dancing visitor
Through its dancing feet and its flowing words
Its heart cries, the tears of love
For you the home people, this is your land.
My mother as a feather, my father as a feather
And it’s by their feathers this manu (bird) takes flight
Taking flight to the day, and flight to the night
From its own home land
Where the home fire burns, and gives this manu (bird) life.”
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