It has been a creative and wonderful whirl for the last three weeks.
My first book, Grief’s Shadowed Path: Poems of Loss and Healing was published by EV Books, Napier, Aotearoa New Zealand on 5th October at one of the country’s most iconic bookshops, Beattie and Forbes.
I am so appreciative that two amazing women, the Rev. Erice Fairbrother and Valerie Thompson, who are EV Books (Erice is the ‘E’ and Val is the ‘V’) believed that my writing was worthy of being shared and brought this collection of poetry to publication.
It was providential or serendipitous that my book was launched in Napier. The city’s current beauty and creativity was born out of a devastating earthquake in 1931, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. A new city was imagined in the Art Deco style of 1930’s America and has become architecturally unique. In 1933, Napier was called The City Beautiful. It still is.
The story of this place is one of loss, grieving, finding solace and the tending of grief in the companionship of family, friends and strangers. It is a story of healing in the midst of woundedness and imagining new beginnings.
The launch of Grief’s Shadowed Path: Poems of Loss and Healing in Napier was a very special evening. The Rev. John Fairbrother, poet, priest and former Director of Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre, Auckland was a gracious MC and after some readings from my book, everyone enjoyed wine and cheese and shared cherished stories.
A subsequent book launch was held at Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre in Auckland on 12th October. It was a lovely occasion with old friends, colleagues and new friends attending. The staff organized a wonderful event.
A second launch gathering was held on 9th November at St. Peter’s Willis in Wellington. Wellington, the capital of Aotearoa New Zealand has to be the coolest wee city in the world. A convivial evening was enjoyed by all.
Copies of the book can be purchased from Amazon, Book Depository, the publisher EV Books, Beattie and Forbes www.beattieandforbes.co.nz, and Vaughan Park Anglican Retreat Centre www.vaughanpark.org.nz..