Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Award-winning author returns to New Zealand for launch of new memoir.


The launch of Martin Edmond’s new memoir, Barefoot Years, marks a return to New Zealand and childhood.

New Zealand-born Edmond, who was awarded the 2013 Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement for Non-fiction, is visiting from Australia this October to launch his latest non-fiction work, a BWB Text published by Bridget Williams Books.

Barefoot Years is a memoir in which the author attempts to re-inhabit the lost domain of childhood. Charting his earliest memories of life near Ohakune, the work represents the first part of a fuller memoir to be published by Bridget Williams Books in 2015.

‘This short book is very special to me and I am delighted to have the opportunity to come back to New Zealand to talk about it,’ says Martin Edmond. ‘Barefoot Years began as a love letter to my parents that became a meditation upon childhood experiences that have influenced, not just how I write, but the way in which I have lived my life thus far.’

During his visit to New Zealand, Martin Edmond will be joining author Kirsty Gunn and Bridget Williams Books publisher Tom Rennie in discussion about Barefoot Years and Gunn’s own BWB Text, Thorndon.

BWB Texts are short books on big subjects from great New Zealand writers. The Edmond and Gunn works form part of an emerging set of BWB Texts focused on childhood memories, including Maurice Gee’s Creeks and Kitchens and forthcoming memoirs from Owen Marshall and other yet-to-be-announced authors.

Bridget Williams Books will be hosting two discussions between Martin Edmond, Kirsty Gunn and Tom Rennie in Auckland and Wellington:
  • Auckland Central Library – Monday 6 October, 5.30pm
  • Unity Books Wellington – Thursday 9 October, 6pm

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