The Space Between: a showcase for Nelson authors and artists
The anthology contains a selection of works published in the 2017 to 2020 editions of the Nelson based literary and arts online journal, kiss me hardy(external link).
Much of the work in the anthology was produced by students on the Diploma in Writing for Creative Industries. Additional works also came from students and staff on the Diploma in Arts and Design and the Bachelor of Arts and Media programmes. All poetry and prose writers, across New Zealand, who submit work to the kiss me hardy online journal must have undertaken a course in creative writing.
There are 58 works from 30 writers and five artists featured in the book. These include 19 prose (essays and short story fiction,) 37 poems and eight artworks.
Four editors, Jenni Komarovsky, Carol Neilson, Lisa Morley-Gray and Angela Zame decided to create an anthology to explore the practice of self-publishing. The project was supported by tutors Kerry Sunderland and Cliff Fell, with NMIT contributing to the printing costs.
“It has been a privilege to edit this anthology; we were kaitiaki to the poetry, prose and images contained within its pages,” says Carol Neilson.
The editors agree the project was a great learning experience for the students – from creation of the pieces through to the design, editing, proofing and printing of the book. It also involved collaboration across three NMIT departments – writing, arts and media design, and information technology.
Cliff Fell, poet and former NMIT creative writing tutor, says kiss me hardy was a wonderful, independent way of showcasing student writing and he hopes it will continue as an online journal, especially with the closure of the creative writing programme.
“This anthology includes writing that has been shortlisted for significant New Zealand literary prizes, and demonstrates the high standards NMIT creative writing students have consistently achieved.”
“It's a work of intelligence, humour and emotional rigour, and I encourage everyone interested in writing to read this marvellous book,” he says.
Freelance writer and editor Kerry Sunderland, who also supported the students to publish the four online editions of kiss me hardy says she is pleased the four editors took the initiative to get the project off the ground.
“It’s testament to their passion for storytelling and demonstrates what they’ve learnt throughout their studies; practising is the best way to learn about writing and the publishing world,” she says.
The editorial team collaborated with 2020 arts and media design students, Muriel Ronen and Elle Ronen, on the cover and book design.
The Space Between features artwork from Kirsten Cooper on the cover, which inspired the anthology’s title. It conveys how words and art fill the spaces or divides between people, enabling them to share their common experiences.
The Space Between, printed by CopyPress Nelson is $25. Copies are available to purchase by emailing kissmehardyanthology@gmail.com.
Invitation to The Space Between launch:
Date: Thursday 8 April
Time: 5.30-6.30pm
Venue: G Block, Atrium NMIT
Please RSVP: events@nmit.ac.nz
