On  27 April 2017, the ninth Proverse Spring Reception took place at the Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central Hong Kong. Five books were launched: Gillian Bickley's selected, collected poems, "Over the Years", Birgit Bunzel Linder's second collection of poetry, "Bliss in Bewilderment", Dragoş Ilca's debut novel, "HK Hollow", Laura Solmon's play, "Brain Graft" and the inaugural International Proverse Poetry Prize (2016) Anthology, "Mingled Voices".

As announced at the Proverse Publishing Parade held in November 2016, the inaugural International Proverse Poetry Prize was won by Proverse author, Vaughan Rapatahana, for his poem, 'tin yan don' and Vaughan was present from New Zealand to receive his award. The second prize winner, Maria Elena Blanco, sent a message from Austria, hoping to be present on another occasion. All three third-prize winners were present to receive their awards: Joy Al-Sofi and Luisa Ternau of Hong Kong and Gili Haimovich, who travelled from Israel (sponsored by the Israeli Consulate-General in Hong Kong SAR and Macau) to be present. All entries are judged on a level playing-field and the judges do not know the identities of entrants at the time of making their recommendations.

Also present from Estonia (sponsored by Cultural Endowment of Estonia) was Mathura (Magnus Lattik).

We particularly thank those who travelled from a distance to be present, as also those who returned early from overseas to attend.

Apart from those already mentioned, several Proverse Poetry Prize Entrants who also won a place in the Poetry Prize Anthology were present: Sam Downey, Akin Jeje, and Susan Lavender; and all read their entered poem.

We congratulate all these poets and writers!

Also at the Proverse Spring Reception, winners in the international Proverse Prize for unpublished fiction, non-fiction or poetry, 2016 competition were announced.

Congratulations to Ivy Ngeow, winner of the Proverse Prize, for her novel, "Cry of the Flying Rhino", and to Hayley Ann Solomon, winner of a Supplementary Prize for her poetry collection, "Celestial Promise".

(Later note: both Ivy and Hayley joined us in Hong Kong in November 2017, from London, UK and New Zealand respectively and their books, along with others, were launched at that event.)

About the Images

The photographs above were mainly taken by Reception guest, Helen Davis, some by Reception guest, Elizabeth Grobler, and some by Proverse publisher, Gillian Bickley, or with her camera. One or two were taken by Simon Overton, who is very kindly editing a video of the programmed event. The photo of Akin Jeje is by Owen Shaefer. Thank you to Helen, Elizabeth, Gillian, Simon, Owen, and Gillian's camera! See also Proverse Spring Reception, page two.

More Information

The International Proverse Prize for unpublished fiction, non-fiction or poetry 2018 (book-length works) opens for entry on 14 April and closes on 30 June. Details and entry forms from: https://proversehongkong.submittable.com

The International Proverse Poetry Prize (single poems) opens for entry on 7 May and closes on 30 June. Details and entry forms from: https://proversehongkong.submittable.com