Auckland University Press decamped to Wellington on Wednesday 7th August to celebrate the launch of two new books of poetry. Helen Rickerby, who launched her fifth book of poetry How to Live, was joined by a trio of ‘new poets’ who make up the line up of AUP New Poets 5 – Carolyn DeCarlo, Sophie van Waardenberg and Rebecca Hawkes. There were two special guests on hand to launch the books. Anna Jackson, Poet and editor of AUP New Poets 5, launched Helen’s book, and Chris Price of the International Institute of Modern Letters, celebrated the abundance of young new voices in NZ poetry as she launched AUP New Poets 5. Helen, Carolyn, Sophie and Rebecca each read pieces from the new books to a crowd boasting a high proportion of NZ poets, publishers and writers of all stripes. Many of the speakers made mention of the familial quality to the NZ poetry community and this was more than evident in the warm celebrations around the signing table which followed.
AUP Director Sam Elworthy introduces the poets
Anna Jackson gives a characteristically enthusiastic launch speech to welcome Helen Rickerby’s How to Live into the world
Anna Jackson and Helen Rickerby
Helen Rickerby gives thanks and reads from How to Live
Chris Price officially launches AUP New Poets 5
Carolyn DeCarlo is the first ‘new poet’ to read
Sophie van Waardenbery shares one of her poems about ‘silly things’
Rebecca Hawkes
signing from the comfy chairs
It was a packed crowd, full of familiar faces on the NZ poetry scene
Chris Tse with Pip Adam catch up before the speeches
Sam Duckor-Jones takes a moment to enjoy the latest picture books
How to Live and AUP New Poets 5 are available to purchase in-store and at unitybooksonline.
