...no it's not a misprint, it's 'a Poem Proem'. All will become clear when you know the meaning of Proem, as I did not: 'proem /’proh–em/ noun formal 1. a preface or introduction, esp to a book or speech. 2. a prelude.'

So: this Thursday night the NZ Book Council has organised the abovenamed event so that Auckland poetry aficionados can whet their poetic appetites for Montana Poetry Day the day before the big event, at a gala launch of AUP's gorgeous forthcoming book Classic New Zealand Poets in Performance (scroll down).

Join illustrious poets C K Stead, Anne Kennedy, Riemke Ensing, Kevin Ireland, Alistair Paterson, Sonja Yelich, Richard von Sturmer and Pamela Gordon at this event, chaired by Jack Ross and hosted by Auckland University Press. Classic New Zealand Poets in Performance (2006), (RRP $45) edited by Jack Ross and Jan Kemp, brings together 27 of New Zealand’s most celebrated poets including Janet Frame and James K Baxter, and features a double CD of the poets reading their works. Pop along or risk being decidedly unproetic.

Venue: Hobson Room, Jubilee Conference Centre, 545 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Time: Thursday 20 July, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Book Council members $10, Students/unwaged $12, Non-members $15.
Bookseller: Parsons Bookshop

Door sales will be available. For further information please contact Polly Greeks at the New Zealand Book Council: 04-499 1569, communications@bookcouncil.org.nz

While we're on the subject of poetry, (hard to avoid at this time of year) some very new writers this time: the ten finalists in the Bell Gully National Schools Poetry Award (organised by Victoria University’s Institute of Modern Letters) were announced yesterday by Bill Manhire, Elizabeth Knox and Hinemoana Baker at a do in Wellington.

This year’s competition pulled in 180 entries from Year 12 and Year 13 students throughout New Zealand. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Wellington on 18 August, but I strongly urge you to check out these ten young bards whilst you're waiting, at http://www.vuw.ac.nz/modernletters/activities/winning-poems.aspx

Some really yummy stuff here... well done to all the finalists, and good luck.