Writer and musician William Direen has edited an anthology to raise awareness on the issue of the disposal of over 600,000 books from the National Library.  One of my poems, ‘Footnote concerning a vanished book’ is included. You can read or download the anthology here, and a print version will be distributed later in the year.

The Anthology of Love for the Book brings 52 promising young poets, prominent journalists, and several time-honoured poet laureates, winners of Prime Ministers Awards and Robert Burns Fellows together for a massive Hui.

All the writers share deep concern at continuing disposals of books at the National LIbrary of NZ. Every week, thousands of books are vanishing. Among the writers are Dame Fiona Kidman, herself a former librarian, C.K. Stead, perhaps the most respected literary figure in New Zealand, David Eggleton, poet laureate, current Landfall editor Lynley Edmeades; and Associate Professor Peter Simpson, who has written a special essay about Colin McCahon’s use of libraries.

—press release

In association with Book Guardians Aotearoa.

The theme of Fast Fibres Poetry 8 this year is open.

Editors Piet Nieuwland and Olivia Macassey invite poets with a strong Northland connection to submit 3 of your best poems.

Send submissions by email:fastfibres@live.com by June 11, 2021.

Note: Each poem should preferably be no longer than 20 lines single spaced , 12 point Times New Roman. Poems must be submitted as a single Word document with your name in the filename. PDFs and handwritten submissions will not be considered. Please include a two line biographical statement.

Fast Fibres will be launched in print and online on National Poetry Day, August 27, 2021

Website: www.fastfibres.wordpress.com