Students contribute to book of war poems
Karina Fitch didn’t quite realise just how much goes into writing a book.
The author has just released Anzac War Poetry. The book of poems was edited by her teenage son Ronan and also features poems by Matamata Intermediate students Ella Veltman and Anika Hoko.
Her son Danny also contributed an illustration.
The poems are based on World War I and each tells a different story of the Great War, Karina said.
The collection of work is dedicated to her great greatgrandfather John Couper, who was in the Scottish Cycle Corps, and to Robert Louis Stevenson.
Karina said it took nine months to write and put together the book.
‘‘A lot of research went into it. I visited museums and libraries,’’ she said. ‘‘I haven’t glossed over anything.’’
A glossary has been included to help the reader with war terminology.
Poetry started as a hobby, Karina said.
‘‘But I kept writing poems. I’ve never done anything like this before.’’
In completing the book, Karina has ticked off another item on her bucket list and she’s very pleased with the way it turned out.
‘‘It was a team effort,’’ Karina said on the inclusion of student work.
The book was printed by Inhouse Design and Print and is available from Matamata Paper Plus.