On June 10, my book Audition comes out in the United States with Coffee House Press and Canada with Strange Light

To celebrate this, and with massive support from Laura Graveline at Coffee House Press, I've recorded three special episodes of Better off Read which feature three of my favourite writers published by Coffee House Press.

In this first special episode I get to talk to Danielle Dutton whose astounding Praire, Dresses, Art Other was published by Coffee House Press in 2024. I love Danielle's work so much. There is this astounding hum to it that chimes with all the things I love - formal experimentation, language made new, visceral and emotive rendering of land and art. Danielle is always doing something interesting and she is one of my favourite people in the world to talk to. I was really grateful to get to talk to her here.

Danielle brought an amazing sculptural work by Eileen Agar as a starting point for this discussion about Danielle's work and writing in general. The work is Marine Object by Eileen Agar and you can see it by clicking this link to the Tate website

The next podcast will be out this time next week.

Action: KILL THE BILL! The closing date for submissions on Regulatory Standards Bill is 1.00pm, Monday, 23 June 2025

The point of the RSB is to try to make all future governments follow a rigid set of ideological “principles” handpicked by David Seymour when they are making laws.

These principles would:

Exclude Te Tiriti o Waitangi entirely.
Require the government to pay corporations if new rules impact their property, even if those rules are to stop pollution, protect nature, or prevent harm to people and communities.
Prioritise private property and “individual freedom” over environmental protection, public safety, and indigenous rights.

You can make a submission here

You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee

Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.

Ep 150: Danielle Dutton and Pip chat about Marine Object by Eileen Agar

Better off Read

Ep 150: Danielle Dutton and Pip chat about Marine Object by Eileen Agar