Over the course of any given year we launch a pleasant number of books here at Unity Books. Of those we launch a pleasant number of memoirs. But for my part I don’t think I’ve listened to the launch of a memoir that made me so wish that I knew the writer myself.
Elspeth Sandys’s What Lies Beneath (Otago University Press) was launched on Thursday 18th September, with a crowd of eighty or so coming out despite the most violent rain of the winter. Jacqui Brokenshaw, our Special Orders Diva, opened the evening with a reminder that none of us are birthed fully formed, we become more than the sum of our parts – ‘and so it was with Elspeth.’
Rachel Scott, publisher at Otago University Press, introduced Jane Westaway (co-editor of NZ Books) who explained the web of family and friends in the room that represented the diverse life that Elspeth has led. Proceedings were short and sweet but still induced laughter and tears.
Below are some photos from the evening. Thanks to all who came out for your support of NZ literature and Unity Books.
Photography © Matt Bialostocki
In the background people were already gathering half an hour before we kicked off.
Rachel Scott, publisher at Otago University Press.
Our dear Jacqui Brokenshaw.
Jane Westaway, Wellington Novelist, Editor, Journalist.
Bright-eyed Elspeth Sandys.
Elspeth closed by thanking those that had helped the book come into publication – and those that had contributed to her life so much over the years.
YOU CAN PURCHASE WHAT LIES BENEATH IN STORE OR FROM OUR ONLINE SHOP HERE.
