Back with the Human Condition Nick Ascroft, Victoria University Press, 2016

John Campbell couldn’t make Nick Ascroft’s book launch but sent a letter for Ashleigh Young to read out. It made me laugh out loud and want to stop my job at hand (writing my book) and get reading Nick’s new poems. Be warned: it might have you dashing out in traffic to pick up a copy.

Dear Nick,

Hello, it’s John Campbell here.

I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there tonight. I’m in a coma. Or hosting Checkpoint, which, depending on who I’m interviewing, may feel like the same thing.

Ashleigh kindly invited me. And I would have loved to have come. I think your book’s fantastic, not withstanding the inexplicable mystery of why you didn’t help that Chinese grandmother with her shopping bags?

for the complete letter

for the book details