Simon Sweetman

Poem: You CAN Step In The Same River Twice A poem about footsteps and water

A poem about footsteps, and water…

I’m making a rare DJ appearance this weekend, as “DJ TAKE THE POWER BACK”, to be the opening act for a Rage Against The Machine Tribute band. At Valhalla. In Wellington. None of this is a lie. All of this is good. (All of which are American dreams. All of which are American dreams. All of which…)

The book's front cover is shown, in front of a blue background. The book cover is black. White text across the top says 'GIVING BIRTH TO MY FATHER'. There is a portal in white lines, represented by a malu pattern that is a white diamond on its side. A river in blue tapa cloth pattern flows into the portal, and a red va'a/vessel is on the river. The bottom right corner of the book says 'TUSIATA AVIA' in white text.

Giving Birth to My Father by Tusiata Avia is coming 6 November 2025 and is available for preorder now on our website.

This is a compelling new work about grief, renewal and hope from one of New Zealand's best literary voices.

teherengawakapress.co.nz/products/giv...

Can.Not.Wait!

The Autism Diaries?! (Part 64) A new occasional series here at “Sounds Good“

It’s Vol. 64 of The Autism Diaries?! Or thereabouts…

1200 Years Of Women Composers: From Hildegard To Higdon #playlist www.spotifyclassical.com/2010/04/1200...

Twenty Years Of CLACK CLACK CLACK Wednesday is about books and writing, and reading. Today, a little bit of memoir — in that I realise I’ve largely been at this and in this way for 20 years now. CLACK CLACK CLACK.

I learned a long time ago that you need to celebrate your own anniversaries — so here’s to Twenty Years of CLACK CLACK CLACK from me, for me, by me. Etc.

Good title too! The whole thing, perfect. Could be a Godspeed You! Black Emperor! Album

Writers on Mondays: Ōrongohau — Best New Zealand Poems 2024 (Monday, August 18, 2025) I’m actually in this one. BOOYA! As the poets all say… (Seriously though, a curated selection of the poets represented in 2024 Best NZ Poems).

Next week’s Writers on Mondays is a pack of poets that published in Best NZ Poems 2024. I can’t wait. I’m nervous/can’t wait/nervous. What an incredible lineup of talented writers. And then me also. Yay!

Also the day the first blossomsappeared on the tree outside the workshop room: auspicious! We are rehearsing for the Next Page readings tomorrow…

Ditto. I love that the show gives us both, gives us all!

Nope. I love it. Might almost argue it’s the best. But S2 and S1 exquisite too. I def think S3 is the deepest though. For now. Haven’t started 4.

Poetry Shelf celebrates The Venetian Blind Poems with a collage conversation with nine poets The Venetian Blind Poems, Paula GreenThe Cuba Press, 2025 Later in the year I am planning a number of Poetry Shelf live events to celebrate poetry voices in Aotearoa. This month I have a new poetry…

Perhaps one of the most special things I have done with other poets. Thank you. nzpoetryshelf.com/2025/08/12/p...

Much-loved Hard to Find Books store on brink of closure Owner Warwick Jordan is hoping for a miracle to find a home for more than 200,000 books.

This is sad news about Hard to Find in Auckland… www.rnz.co.nz/life/books/m...

Poem: Exhale On Main Street A poem about the absurdity of vaping

A new poem about vaping, no good can come from vaping:

Theatre Review: Cringeworthy — 90s! (Circa Theatre, Wellington, until September 6) A review of the latest musical revival at Circa — a celebration of all things nineties!

If you’re in Wellington between now and Sept 6 you should consider seeing “Cringeworthy - 90s!” It’s a really fun blast of nostalgia that will warm your heart if not your bones on these cold, cold nights. Great cast, talented and high energy and lots of sweet humour too.

"Developing a project can feel like being lost in the middle of the ocean" Duncan Sarkies on the joy of discovery Two years ago this month RNZ National's Culture 101 was launched. And a guest on our very first show, introducing comedy radio drama series The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium was writ...

'Developing a project can feel like being lost in the middle of the ocean.' Here's Duncan Sarkies on Culture101, talking about the joy of discovery.
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly — Mini Film Festival Monday is about movies, sometimes TV. Today, the little film festival I made for myself on the fly last week — taking in the good, the bad, and the ugly, as readers here would of course expect…

I curated my own mini film festival for myself this weekend

An excerpt from This Compulsion in Us by @tinamakereti.bsky.social

Poem: 528 Hurts A poem of summer nostalgia

A poem of/about summer nostalgia:

From One To Another… A Sunday morning essay about learning to read and write and share poems

Sunday morning essay about learning to share poems

TAPE Me Back To The Future — MADE For Tape # 38: Mick Jagger , “She’s The Boss” (1985) An occasional series here that celebrates the cassette-tape format in all its glory. Wobbles

I’m a fan of cassette tapes — and also Mick Jagger’s debut solo album (perfect on that format):

Writing Advice and Literary Wisdom from the Great E.B. White E.B. White, beloved children’s author (Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan), innovative and revered essayist, and co-editor of the indispensable The Elements of Style, celebrate…

'If you are at the moment struggling with a book, what you should ask yourself is, Do I really care about this particular set of characters, this thing I am doing? If you do, then nothing should deter you. If you are doubtful about it, then I’d turn to something else.' - E B White

The secret diary of .. Don Brash

Inside the Hobson's Pledge billboard fiasco.

Deep Diving Into Live with Diving Deep Live Friday is about music, so links and playlists. Today, a new Tori Amos Live album. I’m excited! You should be too!

New/ish Tori Amos live album — so good !!

Poem: The World To Me A poem about mail order music. The world to me at one time (and another).

New poem about something that meant the world to me:

R.I.P. Terry Reid A eulogy for the great ‘forgotten superstar’ of rock

R.I.P. the legendary Terry Reid. Somehow still so underrated. If you’ve never heard his album ‘River’ get to it immediately. It’s one of the magical musical statements of the 70s. A must.

July Poetry Dump Wednesday is about books and writing. (And reading). Once a month or so I share the latest poems I’ve written. Here’s the poetry reflections from the middle of 2025; July’s poems.

Here’s all the new poems I wrote in July, now all in one handy-to-ignore place, it’s the July Poetry Dump!

Theatre Review: Revelation Valley (BATS Theatre, Wellington, until August 9) A review of a live poetry performance featuring the words of Lisa Maule and the music of Michelle Scullion

Revelation Valley, combining poetry and music, is on at BATS Theatre in Wellington this week only. And you should see if you can. I did. I liked it: