Launch insights…

A book launch gives the audience the wonderful opportunity to hear about the book from someone who has read the work and reflected and crafted their thoughts to share. Here are highlights from some of our launches – pics and speeches and readings to enjoy.

Big thanks to our authors for their poetry, and MASSIVE thanks to all those poets and readers who have gifted us the enjoyment of launching and celebrating these books.

 

Ross Gillett launches 'The Thing I Came For'

Ross Gillett launched Susan Bradley Smith’s amazing new book in the magical book den that is Blarney Books and Art at the Port Fairy Literary Weekend.…Celebrating ‘The Thing I Came For’ Sep 26

Jo Langdon on Cath Kenneally's 'The Green Room'

Winter evening in Melbourne – where better than surrounded by books in Readings Carlton to launch a collection of poems by an ocean swimmer, celebrating all things water…Ambience and camaraderie – all in the swim Aug 26

Emilie Collyer and Jen Webb launch 'Alight on all things precious' by Sarah Rice

Two wonderful events have launched Sarah Rice’s new collection ‘Alight on all things precious’. We heard great insights from Emilie Collyer (in Melbourne) and Jen Webb (in Canberra) and were treated to Sarah’s reading and totally ‘on brand’ enthusiasm for philosophy, art and poetry​. Two launches, MLB and CBR. Mar 26

Poetry of Flight, launched by Rae White

“Wrapped in a velvety blanket of poetry” – last night we launched ‘Poetry of Flight’ – the anthology of the Longlist from the 2025 Liquid Amber Poetry Prize. Rae White did the honours – declaring the book itself taken flight, and we heard many of the poets read us their fantastic poems. Poetry is indeed taking flight Nov 25

Jen Compton launches 'Intents' by Anne Elvey

‘Intents’ – Anne Elvey’s new collection was launched today by Jennifer Compton. A celebration of an important book of and on bayside Bunurong Country ‘Intents’ – a myriad of meanings Jun 25

EA Gleeson's 'The Deepest Thing' launched by Maryanne Diamond

EA (Anne) Gleeson’s wonderful new book was launched today by Maryanne Diamond AO, with family, friends and poetry community celebrating. ‘The Deepest Thing’ – reflections on a life of triumph May 25

'The Heart of the Advocate' by Angela Costi launched by Alana Kelsall

The Old Magistrates’ Court in Melbourne was standing room only when Alana Kelsall launched Angela Costi’s new book ‘The Heart of the Advocate’. Our day in court Mar 25

Anne M. Carson launches 'Poetry of Change'

A great online celebration – to launch the anthology ‘Poetry of Change’ – the collection of poems in the Longlist from the 2024 Liquid Amber Poetry Prize. Rose Lucas hosted the evening, Anne M. Carson honoured the poets, declaring the book out there in the world, and many of the poets read us their wonderful poems. Currents of shift – poems on the nature of change Nov 24

'Invisible Wasp' flies

Emilie Collyer launched Stephanie Powell’s wonderful new collection ‘Invisible Wasp’ at the Spark! Poetry Festival. Steph read some of her fabulous poems and discussed her poetic craft with Emilie. Watch Emilie and Steph (on the day), or enjoy reading Emilie’s wonderful insights. ‘Invisible Wasp’ flies Oct 24

'A Hill to Die On' - launch and rap

A packed crowd enjoyed a fabulous afternoon when Nick Lanyon launched Nathan Curnow’s new book ‘A Hill to Die On’, Nathan read AND there was a creative live music response by guest artist Geoffrey Williams (singer, songwriter, choir leader and national busking champion). Launched to a great beat. Aug 24

Clarion unfurled

A full crowd at Gleebooks, Glebe in Sydney, heard Judith Nangala-Crispin and Mark Tredinnick launch this important new book. Jenny Pollak talked about and read from ‘Clarion’. And we all watched with glee as she unfurled a 5 metre image of one of trees of the book. A wonderful eco-poetic suite of words and images  Jun 24

Angela Costi launches Cathy Altmann's 'Stars Like Salt'

Angela Costi has launched the wonderful new collection ‘Stars Like Salt’ by Cathy Altmann. “… ‘Stars Like Salt’, carry us both near and far, which is how we exist. Stars and salt are elemental in humans. Our bodies are part of the universe, and part of the sea…. ‘ziplines of joy’  Apr 24

Jennifer Harrison launches 'Poetry of Home'

A launch celebration for the anthology ‘Poetry of Home’ – the collection of poems in the Longlist from the 2023 Liquid Amber Poetry Prize. Jennifer Harrison reflected on all the nuances of home and how these poems explored them, and many of the poets read their work. finding home in poetry Nov 23

Kevin Brophy on 'Ways to Say Goodbye' by Anne Kellas

‘Ways to Say Goodbye’ is out in the world. At our Poetry Zoom Kevin Brophy provided a wonderful introduction to Anne Kellas’ new collection and Anne shared her some of her work. Watch the feature again, or catch up if you missed it on the evening. “criss-cross trails of observation, memory, silence, and grief.” Sep 23

‘Remarkable’ launch at Willy Lit Festival

Thanks so much to Jennifer Harrison for her enthusiastic launch of ‘Remarkable as Breathing’ the Willy Lit Festival last week. Congratulations to Rose Lucas on a fine collection of contemplative insights. ‘Remarkable as Breathing’ celebrated  Jun 24

Ross Gillett launches Diane Fahey's 'The Light Café'

Watch and listen to Ross’ reflections on this wonderful book. And hear Diane read and comment on her poems. A celebration of light  Jun 23

Mx Carson, in the library, with the pen ...

Our latest event – ‘The Detective’s Chair’ by Anne M. Carson and illustrated by René Carrasco was launched by Andrea Goldsmith in the wonderful Athenaeum Library in Collins St, Melbourne.

Andrea drew out the clues – the connections between poetry and crime……  May 23

Poetry of Encounter launched by ali whitelock

At our last Zoom Poetry night for 2022, ali whitelock launched ‘Poetry of Encounter: The Liquid Amber Prize Anthology’ and many of the poets read their poems. A stellar night.  Dec 22

“What a wonderful launch it was last night – readings impressive, speeches superb and the whole feeling was so uplifting. Ali’s speech was rousing …. it goes to the heart of what poetry is, or can be” – Denise O’Hagan

Angela Costi launches Rose Lucas' collection 'Increments of the Everyday'

Yay, finally, an in-person launch post Covid. Great to get together with Angela Costi guiding us through reflections on all Rose’s work, and Rose herself reading each wonderful poem. A collection of poems not afraid to be still. Oct 22

Eco-poetic gala to launch 'Leaf' by Anne Elvey

At the launch of Anne Elvey’s wonderful new collection ‘Leaf’ we heard some of the world’s most esteemed eco-poets. We were honoured to welcome Peter Larkin (from UK) and John C Ryan (in New York) to each read their poetry, and Shari Lynelle (in Naarm) to do the honours and launch the book. Listen and breathe in what transpires with the poetry of plants. Sep 22

Dominique Hecq's 'After Cage' launched by Marion May Campbell

We had a rich and exciting launch for the 2nd edition of Dominique Hecq’s experimental poem, ‘After Cage’ when Marion May Campbell did the formal honours, Dominique read to us powerfully from sections of the poem, and together in discussion, they opened up the nuances of this important work – a ‘masterclass in poetry’. Jul 22

Anne Elvey launches 'This Shuttered Eye' by Rose Lucas

‘When I think of Rose’s poetry, I think of intersections between poetry, breath, voice and the poetics of space/spacing’ …[it] is a journey across centuries and landscapes, where attention to the present opens out to care beyond the self’. Read Anne Elvey’s reflections melding light, material presence, human and otherwise  May 22

'Undercoat: Poems about Paintings' by Mark O'Flynn launched by Peter Minter

Listen or read – Peter Minter’s launch of Mark O’Flynn’s latest poetry collection ‘Undercoat: Poems about Paintings’ plus Mark reading his poems and showing the images that inspired them – what’s not to love? ‘Life’s undercoat close to the fabric’  Mar 22

Introducing the Liquid Amber range

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