There was an atmosphere of anticipation at the Eastern Star Gallery Museum last Friday, where more than 50 people gathered for Aerial Publishing Company’s latest book launch. “The launch was really exciting!" said Carol Leff, member of the Aerial publishing committee. "The atmosphere was lively and vibey."
There was an atmosphere of anticipation at the Eastern Star Gallery Museum last Friday, where more than 50 people gathered for Aerial Publishing Company’s latest book launch. “The launch was really exciting!" said Carol Leff, member of the Aerial publishing committee. "The atmosphere was lively and vibey."
The book launch featured two poets – Marike Beyers, author of "On Another Page" and Anton Krueger, author of "Everyday Anomalies". The works are two of 12 books the company has published over the last six years. “I think they were great book choices,” Leff said. “People shared nothing but positive comments about the event.”
During the launch, silence fell as all eager eyes were on the poets while they read and shared their personal connections to their poetry. Beyers selected several pieces to share to the large crowd, including “question”, “on such a day”, and “in the end.”
Krueger read one of his poems, “Falling Between the Lines,” with music by musician Gerard Machoma playing in the background. The poem analysed and appraised his grandmother’s life and circumstances.
“Falling Between the Lines” brought out great emotion, leaving Kruger to end the piece with tears streaming down his face. Audience members also cried, affected by his emotional reading. “I don’t know what happened, but it felt like the spirit and energy in the room went really great,” Krueger recalled. “The music and the right balance of elements moved me.”
Leff said Anton’s poetry performance went against previous beliefs about poetry: “There has been this idea that poetry is boring and uninteresting but over the last two years, people want it. The performance poetry, like how Anton did, has helped.”
The exhilarating book launch also marked two great milestones for Aerial Publishing Company. The company not only had record book sales at the event, but it has also had record sales within the last few years, according to Leff. “I think Grahamstown is one of the few places where you can have a collection of people who like poetry,” Leff said. “It's growing in Grahamstown, and it is very encouraging.”
Leff said the proceeds from the books will go towards publishing authors in the upcoming year. She hopes Aerial will continue to grow. Interested buyers can purchase “On Another Page" and "Everyday Anomalies" at the National English Literary Museum.
