Booknotes summer issue is out!

The alarm clocks, earplugs and nosebleeds behind writers’ writing; new poetry from Bill Manhire; how much literary collectibles can fetch online; an essential reading list for the forthcoming New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week; and Steve Braunias’ encounter with the madding crowd of a literary gig.

All this and more can be found in the latest issue of the New Zealand Book Council magazine Booknotes, which makes a perfect Christmas gift subscription.

Designed for the New Zealand book lover, Booknotes offers a lively mix of news, views, and discussion about books, writing and writers in New Zealand. It is mailed as a free subscription to all New Zealand Book Council members and is available to read online at the council’s website www.bookcouncil.org.nz.

Here are some of the highlights from the summer issue just published:

Alarm clocks, earplugs and nosebleeds:
Ashleigh Young attempts to answer one of the questions most often asked of writers: ‘How do you write?’

Soapbox:
Steve Braunias (pic left) wonders where all the writers are at this year’s New Zealand literature showcase event.

Abroad 2009:
C K Stead recounts his travels to Edinburgh, the English Lake District, London and Menton.

Masterclass:
Montana New Zealand Book Award-winner Emily Perkins takes a look at point of view in writing.

New poetry:
A new poem from Bill Manhire, ‘After Class’ appears in Booknotes, ahead of its March 2010 publication in his new collection The Victims of Lightning.

From True Crime to true crime:
Ahead of her New Zealand visit in March, Australian writer Chloe Hooper (pic right) discusses her telling of dark tales in two genres.

Searching the bookshelves:
New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week manager Laura Kroetsch picks out the best books to read in preparation for the March literary extravaganza.

Literary collectibles:
How much do notable New Zealand editions sell for online, and what are the factors that influences the value of second-books?

A Booknotes subscription makes a perfect Christmas gift. Subscription comes as part of membership to the Book Council. To purchase a gift membership, visit www.tmmc.co.nz/nzbookcouncil.

Booknotes can also be viewed in pdf form at www.bookcouncil.org.nz.