Our humblest apologies for such a despicable no-show over the last few weeks. What happened? Too much, that's what. Simply trying to do tooooo much. There have been murmers of LeafSalon dropping off the twig but no! We’re going nowhere – we’ll just have to ask you nicely be a little patient from time to time that’s all. Now – a little less conversation, a little more action, as The King liked to say.
Lots going on out there: where to start. A good place would be the fact that the voting has begun on NZ Book Month – who will be the Readers Choice for The Six Pack 2007? This new annual anthology of NZ writing enjoyed its inaugural publication last year and this year the judges were deluged with double the entries. It’s now down to 15 finalists, excerpts of which are online for a month from today to be read and voted upon. Lots of info there about judges and judging too, subjects which we know are dear to our readers’ hearts… As with last year, the rumour is that there are big names and unknowns too, so have a read and see if you can spot anyone you know. While you’re there, check out some of the latest blogging. Iain Sharp should be considering a career in comedy and LeafSalon contributor Mary McCallum’s latest blog has much food for thought as regards the art of storytelling.
Next up: the $65,000 Prize in Modern Letters (only the biggest in Australasia thanks very much Mr Schaeffer) requesting nominations from ‘emerging writers’. What are they emerging from, I ask. A cave, ennui, the grip of the muse? Certainly poverty, if they score this baby. By July 28 please if you have someone in mind. A certain Mrs Jones’ little boy springs to mind, or is he having far too much fun already, packing for Jamaica and Berlin?… go here to fill in the forms.
Industry matters: Noel Murphy is the new head of The NZ Book Council in the wake of Karen Ross. ‘But he’s only been at HarperCollins for two minutes’ said one bemused person. It'll be very interesting to see what he does with The Book Council, which has been going from strength to strength. Those girls Polly Greeks and Charlie Holland are towers of strength when it comes to the events co-ordination, I must say.
Hmm what else is pressing? Definitely this: a last-minute call to arms for all you performance poets yearning for the big stage. This Friday night in Auckland the auditions are being held for Poetry Idol, part of the Auckland Writers and Readers festival. The auditions start at 1pm at the London Bar (corner of Queen and Wellesley Streets in central Auckland). You’ll get five minutes each. The judges will be scary, so take some big cojones with you – they’ve got Penny Ashton, Graham Brazier, Jo Randerson and Canadian high-priest of performance poetry Shane Koyczan. To register, email Penny Ashton at mel.awrf@xtra.co.nz with your name and phone number by – eek! today – to be sure of a place. The main event will be the following Friday May 25 at the same venue. No bookings, just turn up on the door 8pm, $5 gets you in.
And finally for this rave, Huia Publishers will be doing a double launch of two new books.
If they do get the gals in they’ll certainly sex up the much more sober Beyond Biculturalism – The Politics of an Indigenous Minority by Dominic O’Sullivan ($45.00), launched at the same event, which will be at Waipapa Marae, University of Auckland this Friday evening.
Both books are available from bookstores nationwide or online at Huia Publishers.
There you go – overdue catch-up sort of accomplished. We’ll certainly do our best to do better than this in the coming weeks.
15 May 07 | Filed by Kathy | Add your comment (1 so far)
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Comment by pjkm ~ May 16, 2007 2:38 AM
Lloyd Jones isn't eligible for the Prize in Modern Letters: he's published too many novels! There's a two-novel maximum - hence the 'emerging writers' tag.
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