The Successful Launch of My New Poetry Collection

Hi Everyone

Last Sunday (9 Dec 2018), the wonderful poet and mentor of Melbourne poets, Alex Skovron, launched my second poetry collection, Libation. Elly Varrenti, friend and colleague from my teaching time at Box Hill Institute, kept things on schedule for the almost 70 people gathered for the celebration.

Alex Skovron launching the book

My Thank You speech/Reading my poems (photo by Pheroza Rustomjee)

The order of events included a Welcome to Country, a welcome to all those gathered in the room, Alex’s speech, my Thank You speech, and my reading of poems from the collection. Below are some comments from messages sent to me after the launch:

•  ‘a lovely festive atmosphere…’
• ‘all your friends and supporters seemed to enjoy the afternoon immensely…’
•  ‘so much goodwill in the room…’
• ‘Everything just went absolutely perfectly. It was flawless…’

And here are more photos from the launch (in no particular order):

People listening to the speeches

A tercet of Melbourne poets: Susan Fealy, Alex Skovron, Tony Page (left to right)

The nibbles

A triplanetary of Spec Fic writers: Sean McMullen, Joel Martin, Luke Manly (left to right)

Celebrating with my oldest friend, Michael (from primary school, 1961)

Chatting with fellow poet/writer Kevin Bonnett, with KEEN member Nadine in the background

There are a number of people I want to thank again for their help in the preparation and publication of Libation and for organising and running the event:

• Elly for her excellent MC work
• Alex for his insightful, humorous and comprehensive launch speech
• Catherine Bateson and John Jenkins for their back cover blurbs and also their feedback during the preparation of the manuscript, along with Nick Engelmann, Ray Liversidge, Robin Rowland, and the late Max Richards
• Veronica Calarco (introduced to me by my ex-student and fellow Welsh practitioner Elizabeth Corbett) and her artist residency at Stiwdio Maelor in Wales, a quiet and inspirational place for working on my various writing projects
• Stephen Matthews of Ginninderra Press for publishing the book
• City of Boroondara Libraries for allowing me to use the community room at Balwyn Library
• Joel Martin for acting as the usher
• Phil Maas for being the official photographer (unless stated, all photos in this post are by him)
• Belinda Wells and Jan Dumbrell for running the sales table
• Astrid, Bill and Jason Bahr, Joe Roberts, the Diegmanns, the Farrars and many others for setting up, running the drinks table, and cleaning up afterwards
• Anne’s Pantry and Nina Farrar for supplying the delicious and bountiful food
• All my friends, colleagues, ex-students, members of my various writing groups (especially KEEN: Catherine, Elly, and Nadine Cresswell-Myatt), and family members for helping make the book the best it can be and the launch a great success
• And my wife, Jo, for her unstinting support, encouragement, and love.

And still more photos:

Ray Liversidge, fellow poet and friend, and I debating something or other (photo by Terri Redpath)

Philip Oakes and Bill Bahr (my brothers-in-law) ready to serve drinks (L to R)

The queue for getting copies signed

People enjoying themselves after the speeches

For those who were unable to come to the launch and wish to buy a copy of Libation, various procedures are set out below:

• For a printed copy from the publisher, see here.
• For those who prefer their books in digital form, a Kindle version is available from Amazon (Australia) here.
• For international buyers, the Kindle edition is available here.
• For those who would like a signed copy, contact me at elivings@optusnet.com.au and I’ll send it to you. The price is $20, with postage around $3 for Australian addresses. 

Photo by Elizabeth Corbett

My thanks also to all of you who have been sharing my creative journey in various guises.

Cofion Cynnes (Warm Wishes)

Earl