BOOK LAUNCH: Spellbound by Francis Aschoff

Name: BOOK LAUNCH: Spellbound by Francis Aschoff
Start: 2025-11-19T08:00:00+13:00
Location: Unity Books Wellington

Schedule

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025 at 08:00 am

UTC+13:00

Location

Unity Books Wellington | Wellington, WG

Please join 5ever books from 6pm on Wednesday, 19th November at Unity Books Wellington to celebrate the launch of Francis Aschoff’s debut poetry collection “Spellbound.”
All welcome, free nibbles and drinks provided.
Books will be available for purchase on the night for $35.00
From 6pm Wednesday 19th November
Unity Books Wellington
To launch the book, Francis will be joined by poets Kris Girven and Kieran Trainor, and they will all read from Spellbound.
We hope to see you there!
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About the book:
"Once I sink my teeth in, I have to nurse myself into letting go
I feed the ugliest pigeon in Midland Park because what does it say about my humanity if I don’t? Why do 10-year-olds have to run cross country? What choice do I have? When is love staying, and when isn’t it? At what age does a lamb become a sheep? Do you like it like that? Is it enough? How will I ever know if I’m doing it right? What if I don’t know it when I see it?"
Francis Aschoff’s debut poetry collection is a time machine trip from the heights of first love to the yellow days of infancy, from crying in club bathrooms to a future not yet known. These poems are a magnifying glass, a tender eye and a flame thrower. They are love poems to the difficulties of love – love that is absent or which can’t be felt even when it’s there. Spellbound zings with surprising images that will make you see, and feel, differently.
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Praise for Spellbound:
"These poems are beautiful like muscles moving under skin. Read them when you need to feel something. They will pick you up and toss you to the ground.” - Always Becominging
"Spellbound is a feast of raw-hearted morsels. It’s hot pink nostalgia with attachment issues. It’s packed with feeling, sharp as teeth. It opens its mouth and consumes you.” -Dani Yourukova
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About the author:
Francis Aschoff is a Pākehā, queer writer from Te Whanganui-a-Tara. They have background in theatre, campaigning, and community organising. Francis was selected as the Elizabeth Brooke-Carr Emerging Writer in residence for 2024. They have poetry published in Starling, Turbine | Kapohau 2024, Takahē, The Spinoff, bad apple, and Tarot Journal. @francis_aschoff
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About the readers:
Kieran Trainor is an artist and writer. They run a blog called Sun Guts, which explores queer ecological thought and anecdotal experience. Both their art and their poetry explore place, light, and belonging. They live in Te Whanganui-a-Tara where they amble between museums and the oceans.
Kris Girven is a takatāpui artist, currently studying acting at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. As a writer, they have published poetry with bad apple, Rat World Magazine, PŪHIA, and Folly Journal, and in 2024 created their debut zine ‘MY MOUTH IS AN ASSHOLE AND I WANT YOU TO EAT IT’ published by 5ever books.