Broken console, dusty dashboard. He pauses to belch before worming the key into the ignition. Outside the pub they stumbled into stained bucket-seat relief – escaped provocations, skins safe against …
Ogres are like Onions (Kyle Leong)
The stars saved my life, it’s true. I had the whole thing planned out. There is a table by the lake. Sort of. It’s either an uncomfortable piece of picnic …
Down the Main Trunk Line (Denise Young)
It’s seven o’clock on a newly minted Auckland morning when I step on board the Overlander for the twelve-hour journey to Wellington down the Main Trunk Line. The announcements begin …
Peaks from Start to Finish: Blemish Books' Triptych Poets Issue Three
Review by Mark William Jackson A year ago I was sitting here telling you about Triptych Poets Issue 2 from the good people at Blemish Books. I told you about …
A FULFILLING BURDEN: an interview with Craig Cormick
Ever met someone who’s had over 100 short stories published? No, Verity La hadn’t either – until we met Craig Cormick. Not only has Cormick been prolific with the short …
The Cold Submission (Paul Adkin)
Dear Mr Collector, I am sending you this unsolicited package containing my latest work, with the hope that you will deem it worthy for display in your museum. That you …
Solution (Susan Austin – we follow a sparkling review with sparklingly fresh-as-fresh poetry)
He doesn’t follow when she dances in her room. She moves with rhythm through the special confusion reserved for housemates who develop affection at different paces. They sit outside playing …
Deftly Anchored in Experience: Susan Austin’s Undertow
Review by Lucy Alexander Walleah Press is mining the rich seam of poetry that runs through Tasmania and out onto the mainland. In 2012 they will have produced 10 volumes …
Photocopier (David Cohen)
An accountant – call him Accountant A – occupied a modest office in a modest accountancy firm. Even though Accountant A’s office was one of the smaller offices, the Boss …
THE 2012 VERITY LA READERSHIP SURVEY: what you told us
In October 2012 we sought feedback on what’s working with this whole Verity La caper and what we could do better. To this end, we designed a very simple, ten-question …