Book Launch: i'm still growing by Josiah Morgan

Join Dead Bird Books to celebrate the launch of Josiah Morgan's latest book i'm still growing.

After publishing his first four books in the United States, i’m still growing brings the poetry of Josiah Morgan (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Maniapoto) into print in Aotearoa for the first time. i’m still growing is a book of identities that shape-shift among the darkening landscape of mundane, suburban New Zealand. It pairs violence with sexuality, and sexuality with catharsis. This book is a eulogy to dead friends, a eulogy to a dead self, and a promise of what is to come.  

This reading will be supported by special guests to be announced.

“i’m still growing tackles the violence and trappings of desire with frenetic energy, queering language towards new and uninhibited meanings….This book heralds the arrival of a unique voice in Aotearoa poetry.” 

—    Chris Tse, New Zealand Poet Laureate, 2022-24

"For those that have forgotten that the body is wet meat, that the ate is the seat of affection both because of and despite it being a dark dark organ, here is your reminder. For those that don’t need the reminder, that feel Hine-nui-te-pō’s touch upon our lives at all times, this book says both despite and because of that fact; let’s have some fun with it."

—    essa may ranapiri, author of Echidna

“Josiah Morgan has written a beautiful, sticky, queer cacophony. It speaks to the difficult work of staying alive when those around you don’t always choose to. The shifting voices and tones and rhythms are like dipping in and out of scenes. More is more is more. I am pleased to see this book so packed to the brim with the entire world. No safe critical distance, just every page all up in the gooey, painful, and funny grime of growing up.”

—    Emma Barnes, author of I Am In Bed With You