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The literary and literal launch of ‘Upside Drowning’
August 21, 2021 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
This is the book launch of Cameron Semmens’ beautiful new book:
Upside Drowning – poems from the edge of the ocean
It’s a literary launch – celebrating the power of considered words; and ‘literal’ launch, ‘cause Cam’s literally going to launch his book off St Kilda pier in a sealed bottle for someone to find in the future.
THE PLAN: Award-winning poet Cameron Semmens will share a number of the book’s poems in the rotunda, and then as a group, everyone will walk up the pier and toss the ‘book in a bottle’ into Port Philip Bay. All those online will have front-seat views to it all, and a few specific moments of question-time and response.
LIVE AT: the Rotunda in Catanni Gardens, St Kilda, VIC. Send the words ‘Lock me in for live’ to [email protected] to register, so we can track numbers.
ONLINE: send the words ‘Zoom me in!’ to [email protected] to receive the link.
BUY NOW: $20 + postage at www.webcameron.com
ACCESSIBILITY: Rotunda at Catani Gardens has 5 stairs.
Upside Drowning – poems from the edge of the ocean
Oceanic poems, coastal quotes, watery words from the far shores of language – all are floating beneath the covers of this book. If you wonder what mysteries lurk beneath the surface of the sea (and your self) – come. If you love to listen to the endless conversation between waves and sand; between breakers and boulders – come. If you turn to the sea, and return to the beach, for fresh air and fresh perspectives – come. Jump in. Dive in. Soak yourself in the wonder of words and the splendour of the seashore.
“As a landlocked bodyboarder this book reminds me of the beach that called me every day, to where lightning hit the headland and gannets divebombed to feed. Out there amid the force and flow of the oncoming waves I was pulled into fear, released into joy, then paddled back out for more. Upside Drowning speaks of the oceanic within us all. Semmens speaks of wreckage, repair and the small foreshore fire that just might make us whole. With a raw power all his own we’re offered a heartfelt deep dive, plus a way to resurface, gasping, uniting ‘with that one big breath of the sky’.” – Nathan Curnow, poet.