For those of you who wonder what exactly it is that writers do (when they do whatever it is that makes them writers), this Sunday will provide you with the chance to see three of us discussing our work, our (writing-related) play and our preferences in the high tea department. Yes, I’m talking about the …
Five years on … and a badly kept secret
Five years ago today that the earth decided it was time for a change, and went off exloring the surrounding areas. Five years since sleepy, flat, boring Canterbury became an altogether too exciting place to try and and do anything like "settle". Five years since phrases like "terra firma" (I can't be the only person …
A difficult day
Today I took possession of Helen Bacand’s books and poetry files. It was a difficult thing, and I had to have a few moments of sitting in the car, staring at the the windscreen wipers before I was able to pull myself together enough to drive safely. The papers were hard, but the thing that …
The trouble with … giving feedback
One of the things that people ask me quite often in workshops is Why don’t editors give feedback (more often)? And it’s a peril of editing that I feel inclined to waffle about today. But first, a quote to put us all in the right frame of mind: The only thing to do with good advice …
Takahē poetry comp closing soon!
Just a quick reminder to everyone that the takahē poetry competition closes at the end of this month, so you need to get your poems in soon! The judge for this year is the delightful Riemke Ensing, who will be awarding a first place ($250!), a second place ($100!) and two runners-up (a year’s subscription to takahē …
A Dark Feathered Art 