I'm delighted that 'Wabi-sabi' by Helen Lehndorf has been included in Best New Zealand Poems 2011, as selected by Bernadette Hall.

'Wabi-sabi' is the opening poem of The Comforter, Helen's debut poetry collection which Seraph Press published last year. It's fantastic that Helen's poetry is getting the appreciation it so deserves. I'm especially pleased because 'Wabi-sabi' is probably my favourite single poem in the collection, which is full of poems I love.

Congratulations Helen!

_Vivienne Plumb was interviewed by Sonia Sly on National Radio's Kiwi Summer show this morning. You can listen to it here: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/kiwisummer/20111229.

She talks about dreams, diaries, The Cheese and Onion Sandwich and other Icons: Prose Poems, and how to make cheese and onion sandwiches. She also reads a couple of poems.

Seraph Press author Vivienne Plumb has just been announced as one of next year's Randell Cottage fellows. Vivienne's most recent publication is The Cheese and Onion Sandwich and other New Zealand Icons: Prose Poems, which was published in October.

The Randell Cottage in Thorndon, Wellington, hosts two visiting writers each year; one from France and one from New Zealand. Vivienne, who will take up the fellowship in July, will use the time to research and write a novel with political themes, which is set in Wellington.

For more information, see the announcement on the Randall Cottage website: http://www.randellcottage.co.nz/?p=739.     

The Comforter is launched, and launched!

We had our first launch, or opening ceremony launch as I came to think of it, in Palmerston North City Library on Friday evening. On Saturday, in the most gloriously sunny afternoon, we had our 'closing' launch at Buttercup Cottage in Aro Valley, where a couple of my lovely friends live.

Both launches were magical and kind of love fests for Helen and her poetry, with a good dose of lovely words for me and my books. And I've been overwhelmed by the buzz this book is generating - especially on the web, which is appropriate as that's where I first got to know Helen and her poetry, and where she has made so many connections.

Helen has blogged about the launches here: http://helenlehndorf.com/2011/12/05/the-comforter-launches-1/, and there are some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15278633@N08/sets/72157628283741267/with/6457100141/.

If you missed the launch and would like to buy a copy, you can order directly from me, or you can order them via a good bookshop. And hopefully soon they'll be stocked by lots of good independent bookshops.

The Comforter, the debut poetry collection by Helen Lehndorf, is back from the printer and is ready to be launched! (It also has its own proper page on this website now: http://www.seraphpress.co.nz/the-comforter.html

It's looking gorgeous, resplendent in its Sarah-Laing-designed cover, featuring embroidery by Melissa Wastney. (And that's only the start – for the full effect you need to see the back cover, cover flaps and inside cover!)

Because Helen lives in Palmerston North, we're having not one but two launches — one in Palmerston North and one in Wellington.

The Palmerston North launch will be at the Palmerston North City Library on Friday 2nd December,  beginning at 6.30. There will be refreshments and general book related frivolity. All welcome!

The Wellington launch will be on Saturday 3rd December. Because it's at a private home, email me for the details if you want to come.

Copies of The Comforter will be on sale for $25 at both events (cash or cheque only).

The cover was designed by the super-talented Sarah Laing, and the embroidery is by Melissa Wastney.
The Comforter will be out at the end of November, and we'll be launching it early December. If you want to pre-order, email seraphpress@paradise.net.nz.

Hot on the heels of some large sporting event where New Zealand tried to show the world who we are (in our best light) comes a new book of prose poems by Vivienne Plumb, which shows a New Zealand I recognise as authentic. She celebrates and satirises such New Zealand icons as ferry crossings, sly grogging, crockpots, whitebait, weather, gambling, tramping, motels and cheese and onion sandwiches.

An essential guide to New Zealand as it really is.

The cover was inspired by postage stamps from New Zealand's past, such as these ones from 1898, while the image of the kiwi was taken (with permission) from a detail of a 1935 10-shilling note.

The Cheese and Onion Sandwich and other New Zealand Icons: Prose Poems has a recommended retail price of $20. You can order directly from Seraph Press, or you can buy it through your local bookseller.

For more about The Cheese and Onion Sandwich, and to read some sample poems, visit its page on the site: http://www.seraphpress.co.nz/cheese-and-onion.html.

Vana Manasiadis talked to Kim Hill on Radio New Zealand National's Saturday Morning show about the situation in Greece at the moment. Vana has lived in Crete for the last few years, but is currently spending time in Athens. She talks about what it's like in Athens at the moment and gives a background to Greece's economic troubles. Most interestingly, she talks about the grassroots movement, the 'Aganachtismeni', which has been holding general assemblies around the country, and particularly in Athens. You can listen to the interview on the Radio New Zealand website: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/20110709.

Vana's poetry collection, Ithaca Island Bay Leaves:  A Mythisitorima, which imaginatively examines links between Greece and New Zealand, was published by Seraph Press in 2009.

Chance two: Poetry Society, Monday 18 July
Sounds like it will be a fun evening at the Poetry Society in July:

'The New Zealand Poetry Society, in association with Otago University Press, is pleased to present the  launch of Jennifer Compton's new collection, This City. At the usual starting time of 7.30pm, we will have our AGM, followed by a reading from Guest Poet (and playwright, short story writer, and general renaissance woman) Vivienne Plumb.'

There will be no open mic  or entry charge.

Thistle Inn, 3 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon. Starts at 7.30.