Interlitq to honour undertaking to publish NZ authors

Peter Robertson states: “Over coming weeks, now that Interlitq has resolved logistical problems and is publishing on a daily basis, we can honour the undertaking we have made to a goodly number of gifted authors from New Zealand to publish their work in the review.”

In this short interview with Ana de Biase, Peter Robertson, the President of Interlitq, discusses his continuing commitment to New Zealand’s literature and his vision for Interlitq’s future.

Ana de Biase: Peter, it has been some months since the news that Arts Council England had decided not to fund Interlitq. Has this development by now been fully taken on board?

Peter Robertson:  We have moved on.  This decision was reached by individuals who have a different mindset.  It is easy to pick holes in what we are doing with Interlitq, certainly easier than to found a review. So far as I am concerned, considering the posture of Arts Council England, primacy was not given to the quality of the artistic offer.  

Ana de Biase: How do you now consider the future for Interlitq?

Peter Robertson:  Extremely promising!  We have now migrated from www.interlitq.org to www.interlitq.wordpress.com . In retrospect, I can see that it was limiting to publish every three months. Now we can be a more fluid review, engaging with our readers by publishing every day, in all genres, alongside updates on Interlitq’s Consulting Editors and Contributors. We will continue to evolve—if you don’t evolve you die.

Ana de Biase: Last week you published five poems by New Zealand poet, Siobhan Harvey. Does this bear witness to the fact that you are once again keen to promote New Zealand’s literature?

Peter Robertson: Considering her talent, Siobhan (left) is relatively unheralded. Yes, and over the last few weeks, Interlitq has also published fine work by Jane Seaford and Karen Zelas, both New Zealand writers. As I say, over coming weeks, now that we have resolved logistical problems and are publishing on a daily basis, we can honour the undertaking we have made to a goodly number of gifted authors from New Zealand to publish their work in Interlitq.