Poetry New Zealand Yearbook is New Zealand’s longest-running poetry magazine; the esteemed home of exciting new writing from talented newcomers and established poets. Continually in print since 1951, when it was established by poet Louis Johnson, this annual collection of new writing, reviews and poetics discussion is mandatory reading for poetry fans.
Proudly published by Massey University Press, Issue #52 of Poetry New Zealand Yearbook features 130 new poems by 87 poets, including Alistair Paterson, Jennifer Compton, David Eggleton, Sue Fitchett, Ted Jenner, Bob Orr, Albert Wendt and Mark Young.
“More than 300 submissions were received for this issue, making the selection particularly difficult,” says editor Jack Ross. There are also six essays and reviews of 30 new poetry collections.
Issue #52 is notable for a skew towards younger writers, some still in their teens. This issue also publishes the three winning entries in the 2018 Poetry New Zealand Poetry Prize. Claiming first prize is University of Otago medical student Fardowsa Mohamed; Semira Davis from north of Wellington takes second prize; and Nelson-based poet Henry Ludbrook receives third prize.
About the editor
Dr Jack Ross is a senior lecturer in creative writing at Massey University’s Auckland campus. He is the author of five books of poems, including City of Strange Brunettes (1998), Chantal’s Book (2002), To Terezin (2007), Celanie (2012) and A Clearer View of the Hinterland (2014), as well as three novels, a novella, and two collections of short fiction. He has edited a number of books and literary magazines, including (from 2014) Poetry New Zealand.