There's no earth-shattering news around at the moment, but a little package arrived the other day that demonstrated a thoughtful touch.

Victoria University's Bill Manhire reached the ripe old age of 60 last Thursday, and to celebrate, VUP and Sport presented him with a surprise: a paperback called Manhire at 60: A Book for Bill.

It's a bona fide production, complete with cover by Sarah Maxey (who else?), and edited by Fergus Barrowman and Damien Wilkins.

Manhire at 60 is loosely based on Anthony Thwaite's Larkin at 60, released by Faber & Faber in 1982, and just 500 copies have been published. You might find one in your local bookshop if you're lucky, priced at $25, and it's worth hunting down.

There are contributions from writers of all ilk, including Jenny Bornholdt, James Brown, Vincent O'Sullivan, Gregory O'Brien, William Brandt, Hinemoana Baker, Paula Morris, Iain Sharp, Elizabeth Smither, Catherine Chidgey, Barbara Anderson and even Keri Hulme.

There are no heavyweight essays, but plenty of poems and reminiscences from some of VUP's most celebrated and talented alumni.

A lovely thought, and a fitting subject for the first post of 2007. We're off to Napier for a few days now, so enjoy the rest of your holidays and we'll see you again soon.