Taranaki poets encouraged to submit their work around the topic of housing

Poets and want to be poets are invited to submit their work for a planned anthology. Photo / NZME

Landing Press is calling for poems about housing for its next collection.

"We want poems about every aspect of housing – owning, renting, homelessness, memories of houses, houses lived in in other countries, political, funny, nostalgic, painful," says Adrienne Jansen, Landing Press publisher.

"And we don't just want poems by experienced poets. We want poems from people who maybe have never written before but have a story to tell about housing. If you are a first-time writer, with a story to tell, keen to get involved, but in need of a little help getting started, please get in touch."

Adrienne says housing is a topical issue.

"Housing is a huge issue in New Zealand. It has an impact on everyone. And although much has been written on housing, we believe poetry is a great way of giving new insights – a fresh look into worlds many of us don't normally see."

Landing Press is running small workshops for those keen to write but wanting some help, in partnership with social/community housing providers.

It plans to publish the anthology in October this year. All writers included in the anthology will get a complimentary copy of the book.

Landing Press is a small not-for-profit Wellington publisher of poetry that can be enjoyed by many people.

Need to know:
Submissions of up to three poems (each a maximum of 40 lines) should be emailed to Landing Press by June 18 for experienced writers, and July 31 for those needing help to get started. Each poem should be on a separate page along with name and contact details (email address, postal address and phone number).

Poems and requests for help should be emailed to landingpresshousing21@gmail.com.