Elixir & Star Press

Elixir & Star Press Aotearoa New Zealand is a small, independent publisher based on the West Coast of southern Aotearoa New Zealand, and founded in loving memory of Reuben Samuel Winter (1994 – 2020).

ESP* is a dedicated creative space for the exploration and expression of grief in Aotearoa New Zealand. Please note: ESP* does not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

ESP* will reopen for submissions to the 2026/2027 grief almanac a liminal gathering 2 in April 2026. If you’d like to submit work, details will be available in early February 2026.

Our Publications

In the shape of his hand lay a river (2024) Iona Winter (poetry).

Written as part of a body of work after her son, Reuben Winter, took his life in 2020, Winter’s poetry and incantations weave through bodies of water, while speaking to the coexistence of pain and love.

Limited edition $25 RRP

The inaugural Elixir & Star Press Grief Almanac a liminal gathering was launched in November 2023.

With over 100 contributing multimedia artists, a liminal gathering contains poetry, essays, short fiction, photography, visual art and music.

$ 32.99 RRP

ESP* books are stocked at several independent bookstores and in public libraries nationwide. If your library or bookshop doesn’t have copies, please email: books-elixirandstar@proton.me

Reviews/Media

In the shape of his hand lay a river

Landfall Review Online: https://landfallreview.com/she-was-driving-a-scream-into-distance/#more-6294

NZ Poetry Shelf: https://nzpoetryshelf.com/2024/05/29/poetry-shelf-review-and-reading-iona-winters-in-the-shape-of-his-hand-lay-a-river/

Rewild Grief with Hannah: https://fb.watch/scJDDr1Jrx/

Otago Access Radio: Write Spot https://tinyurl.com/IonaWinter

a liminal gathering

Landfall Review Online: https://landfallreview.com/our-freshly-decorated-emptiness/

takahē magazine: https://www.takahe.org.nz/a-liminal-gathering/

Flash Frontier: Writing the last taboo. https://flashfrontier.com/writing-the-last-taboo-alex-reece-abbott-talks-with-iona-winter/

The Guardian, Motueka: https://nelsonapp.co.nz/news/sharing-grief-with-words-music-and-art

The Otago Daily Times: https://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/books/new-zealand-shares-its-grief