In 2004 broadsheet editor Mark Pirie published his first publication using The Night Press imprint.
The book, The Bet, was a tribute to the late American rock singer, Jim Morrison, who had been an influence on Pirie’s early work. The poems date from 1992-1993, written between the ages of 18 and 19 years. Mark was doing a tribute to The Doors for his 2004 Winter Readings poetry series at Tupelo bar in Wellington when the book was printed. The book was hand-made and only a limited number of copies were printed for his friends who had an interest in The Doors’ music and Jim Morrison’s lyrics and poetry. A drawing of Jim by Michael O’Leary appears in the book.
Most of the allusions in Pirie’s poems are to specific Morrison lyrics and poems and are best enjoyed by those already acquainted with Morrison’s work.
You can download or view the book for free here:
The Bet Poems in Memory of Jim Morrison by Mark Pirie (1.06MB)
A printed copy of the book is held in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
———————————-
In 2013, a small pamphlet, Retreat to Dunkirk: An Officer’s Account, was printed on Anzac Day 2013 to commemorate Captain Arthur Lawn who died in World War II. Lawn was the great uncle of The Night Press editor Mark Pirie.
The pamphlet includes Lawn’s letter home about the Dunkirk retreat and a poem by the editor, ‘The Snow Goose’ for Paul Gallico.
You can download or view the book for free here:
Retreat to Dunkirk (378KB)
A printed copy of the book is held in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2013, a small chapbook of rugby poems was published, Sidelights. Featuring poems about the All Blacks, Super Rugby, and the author’s rugby family, the book was dedicated to the author’s rugby playing Grandpa Tommy Lawn.
The cover was printed letterpress by Tony King at The Works, Cobblestones Museum, Greytown, Wairarapa, New Zealand.
You can download or view the book for free here:
Sidelights (258KB)
A printed copy of the book is held in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2014, The Night Press published the debut collection of poems, Fallen Grace, by Wellington writer and artist, Mary Jane Thomson.
The book comprises a sequence of 24 poems and several of the author’s own photographs (including the cover image) selected and arranged by The Night Press/HeadworX editor Mark Pirie. These form a selection of her latest poems.
The poems, thought provoking and powerful, bristle with energy and evocative lines, richly layered. Thomson works by the process of thought construction, often using opposite images juxtaposed to build her poems. She offers an original insight in to society.
You can download or view the book for free here:
Fallen Grace (531KB)
A printed copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2014, The Night Press published a collection of Mark Pirie’s poems for his father.
Poems for my Father is a collection of Mark Pirie’s poems for, concerning, or relating to his father.
The poems form a sequence written between 1993 and 2008 and cover a range of subjects from childhood travels to family portraits and reunions.
Leo the lion, American President George Washington, poets Allen Curnow and James K Baxter, and the Great Diviner of the Pyramid in Uxmal, Mexico, form unlikely starting points for Mark Pirie’s experiences. His father is ever in the picture.
You can download or view the book for free here:
Poems for my Father (52KB)
A printed copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2015, The Night Press published a collection of Mark Pirie’s netball poems.
12 Netball Poems is a collection of poems celebrating the game of netball and its players. Included is a sequence of poems ‘Five Silver Ferns Portraits’ in honour of some of New Zealand’s finest netball players.
An addenda by Napier poet, former scientist and politician Bill Sutton celebrates Irene van Dyk, a Silver Fern great.
You can download or view the book for free here:
12 Netball Poems (286KB)
A printed copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2019, The Night Press published a collection of Margaret Jeune’s children’s poems written under her maiden name as Margaret Webb (aged 12-14 years old).
A printed copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2021, The Night Press published a collection of Margaret Jeune’s cat poems, Cat World, written over many years as a cat owner and carer.
A printed copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2021, The Night Press also published a short story by the Otago writer Jeanne Bernhardt, who has recently been published by Tangerine Press in the United Kindom. The front cover photo of an American landscape is by the author.
A printed copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2021, The Night Press also published a poetry collection Meditations by the Wellington poet Alex Jeune available in print and eBook at the Lulu.com Bookstore.
A printed copy and digital copy of the book will be held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
————————————
In 2022, The Night Press published a book of love poems, Songs for Her, by Mark Pirie.
A free eBook copy of the book will be online at Lulu.com Bookstore and held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
broadsheet: new new zealand poetry 