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Here’s a clip of me reading at the launch, from the Wellington City Library’s Youtube channel. Always a bit weird to watch oneself!
A few people have asked me where ‘Reading the Signs’ is available. You can order directly from the publisher, The Cuba Press, at or look out for it in indie bookshops, like Food Court Books, opening soon in Newtown.
I started writing this book while I held the Ema Saiko Poetry Fellowship at NZ Pacific Studio in 2014. Now it’s becoming a real thing, thanks to The Cuba Press. The poetry sequence in the book deals with loss and recovery, climate change and gender fluidity. Images (including this remarkable cover) are by the inimitable Neil Johnstone, who will also be playing music with Steve Burridge on the day. The launch date coincides with the last day of Neil’s ‘Chalk Dogs Have No Names’ exhibition – great opportunity for art, music, poetry and a drink in convivial company. 1pm 24 October 2020 at Potocki Paterson in Dixon St. I’d love to see you there. Bring your friends!
So – the Pegasus Books poetry readings are back on in Wellington and this Friday 9th October, I have the great pleasure to be reading with Dinah Hawken, Helen Heath and Sam Duckor-Jones. Hurrah!
6:30pm Friday 9 October 2020
Pegasus Books, Left Bank, Cuba St, Wellington, NZ
Hope to see you there!
https://www.facebook.com/pegasusbooksnz
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.
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
Poets for Peace and Planet, Saturday 3 November
Poets for Peace and Planet, Saturday 3 November
Peace Movement Aotearoa
Join us on Saturday afternoon at Poets for Peace and Planet, featuring · Maata Wharehoka (Parihaka) · Janis Freegard ·Harvey Molloy · Carina Gallegos · John Howell · Maria McMillan · George Watterson · Helen Rickerby · Tim Jones ·Reading of ‘Remember the Brave’ (the new children’s book about World War One conscientious objectors), and more …
Poets for Peace and Planet will be happening at St Andrew’s Conference Centre, 30 The Terrace, Wellington on Saturday, 3 November, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
All welcome, entry by donation, please RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/286740918636253
Poets for Peace and Planet is part of the ‘Peace, Peoples and Planet’ weekend, which begins on Friday night with a screening of ‘Tātarakihi:The Children of Parihaka’, with Maata Wharehoka, https://www.facebook.com/events/2224626401195701 and includes sessions throughout the weekend – full details of the ‘Peace, Peoples and Planet’ weekend are available athttps://www.facebook.com/events/273862176558630
Who are the Meow Gurrrls, I hear you cry?
The Meow Gurrrls are a group of Wellington & Kapiti Coast poets who have been meeting for some time now to share poetry, wine, food and fine company, sometimes at Meow cafe in Wellington.
So, what’s new?
The Meow Gurrrls are launching a YouTube channel, whereby you can access quality short poems delivered by a Meow poet on the device of your choice any time you goddamn please. New poems will be added over the weeks and months to come. You’ll love it.
This is cool. what can I do?
We would love you to subscribe to our channel, like and share our posts, and tell your friends.
Do the Meow Gurrrls really need all those rrr’s?
Why, yes we do.
Are there any actual cats?
Sure. Meet Polly. Don’t be fooled by those fluffy good looks. Hobbies include destroying door frames and random savage attacks on her staff.
But she looks so sweet. Anyhoo, where is this alleged YouTube channel involving the Meow Gurrrls of which you speak?
Here you go. Meow Gurrrls Youtube channel
And here’s me, with a love poem. Because, you know, poetry. The poem also appeared on the Wellington City Library blog on National Poetry Day 2018. http://www.wcl.govt.nz/blog/index.php…
How come your lipstick looks crooked?
Because our bathroom mirror looks like this:
Thanks for stopping by.
Would love to see you at the Thistle next Monday (3rd September 2018 at 6pm), if you can make it, where there will be readings from this little beauty from Canterbury University Press – an anthology of flash fiction (very short stories), prose poems and things in between. I have two pieces in there and am delighted to find myself in such fine company. I’ve been dipping in and out of my copy since it arrived and it’s full of gems. There are some interesting essays in there too – from Tim Jones and others, some of whom will be discussing the “small form” on the night. Congratulations to editors Michelle Elvy, Frankie McMillan and James Norcliffe, and all the contributors.
Hope to see you there!
Fancy some Brooklyn-inspired writing? Next Friday 25th November 2016, I will be reading from ‘The Year of Falling’ along with the excellent Maggie Rainey-Smith and the fantastic Jenny Bornholdt at the Brooklyn Deli (199-201 Ohiro Rd, Brooklyn, Wellington, NZ). There will be music from Wellington band The Brooklyns and wine & food from the Deli. Hope to see you there!
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