Elixir & Star Press Aotearoa New Zealand is a small, independent non-profit publisher based in Te Waipounamu, southern Aotearoa New Zealand – founded in loving memory of Reuben Samuel Winter 1994-2020 (Waitaha / Te Aupōuri / Te Rarawa / Ngāti Kurī).
ESP* is a dedicated creative space for the exploration of grief in New Zealand. Our focus is on the creation of a purposeful literary community, centred on diversity of personal expression, in an often overlooked and under-recognised area of the arts.
ESP* relies on support from those who believe in the importance of grief-related books as a way to serve humanity, rather than being a profit-driven entity. We appreciate any support with sharing our publications and submission windows, and welcome donations or bequests that support this vital work.
As a non-profit indie press, ESP* doesn’t have the resources for online payments for books. We’re old-school and believe in the importance of slow media. Simply send us an email and we’ll get back to you with a courier price and payment details: books-elixirandstar@proton.me
ESP* does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, and work received outside of submission windows will not be accepted.
Our Publications
a liminal gathering 2
is open for preorders now.
PREORDER $40 RRP + Courier within New Zealand
a liminal gathering 2 traverses grief through the visual and written art of 107 New Zealand artists.
Grief is universal and flows beyond labels, boundaries and division. The expression of grief through creative practice seeds connection, community and ultimately life. Here, is a vital and potent space for the bereaved to gather.
The book launch will be held online on November 24th. a liminal gathering 2 was created entirely by humans in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In the shape of his hand lay a river (2024) Iona Winter.
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.
SOLD OUT
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
FlaxFlower Review http://www.flaxroots.com/flaxflower/welcome-first-in-a-new-venture