Joan Rosier-Jones (at the lectern) with some of the writers who feature in her book Literary Whanganui.
PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS
Writers and readers turned out in force on Thursday night to honour local author Joan Rosier-Jones at the launch of her book Literary Whanganui.
The launch was conducted in the Whanganui District Council Chamber by Mayor Hamish McDouall.
He features in Literary Whanganui, as do many writers who have an association with
Whanganui.
The book is written as a tour of the city and tells the story of the writers and authors who have been or still are part of the community.
A good many of the present batch were on hand to see the launch of the book.
After an informal mix and mingle, Gayelene Holly of Tangerine Publications spoke before introducing the mayor.
"I'd like to acknowledge the writers in the room here tonight because you've actually put Whanganui on the map as a centre of literary excellence," she said.
Gayelene referred to the mayoral portraits around the wall, pointing out the writers among them, including Hamish, and then mentioned poet James K Baxter and Mother Mary Aubert, who are both represented in the chamber's stained glass window sequence, Whanganui Story.
The mayor acknowledged the importance of the occasion by wearing his chain of office over his rabbit and ermine-trimmed robes.
He talked about writers who have called Whanganui home, like Robert Burchfield, who edited the Oxford English Dictionary, Ian Cross, author of The God Boy and Robin Hyde, poet and author.
"This book gives us the opportunity to walk through the landscape that these writers existed in. You can go to Castlecliff, go down to the wharf and you can see The God Boy.
"I love this book because it acknowledges some people I've known and who have passed away. I want to acknowledge four of them: John Auret, Wendy Pettigrew, Morvin Simon and my friend Derek Round.
"I want to acknowledge on a personal level the writers of Whanganui, because when my wife and I arrived home from Auckland in 2008, it was the artists and writers who welcomed us."
He mentioned other writers resident in Whanganui and his respect for them and their work.
"But particularly Joan Rosier-Jones, and that's why I'm wearing this [the robes and chain], for what she's done for Whanganui."
He officially launched Literary Whanganui, and Joan thanked those who helped and supported her work with the book.
She invited the writers mentioned in the book to join her for a group photograph.
