This page lists and summarises books of poetry, short-stories and plays either as collections or individual works. Listed books have been published by Top of the South writers and are available for purchase.

To find out where to buy the book and learn more about the author, click on the author's name. 

Poetry

A Liminal Gathering
Iona Winter (editor) (2023)
With over 100 contributing multimedia artists, A Liminal Gathering contains poetry, essays, short fiction, photography, visual art and music.
Celestial Promise
Hayley Solomon (2017)
Winner of the International Proverse Prize 2016 Supplementary Prize.
Written over half a lifetime, these poems focus on the pursuit of excellence and immortality achieved through love in all its forms, and social justice. Poems include lyrical ballads, sonnets, elegies, haiku, snippets of nonsensical verse; all blended with a dose of existential philosophy and social comment.
Gaps in the Light
Iona Winter (2023)
A collection of Iona's poetry that "burns with fierce emotion; multiple voices float in and out until the whole text becomes hypnotic and taut … revealing the depths, nuances and complexities of love in all its forms with an utterly-earned intensity."
In the Shape of His Hand Lay a River
Iona Winter (2024)
Written as part of a body of work after her son, Reuben Winter, took his life in 2020, this collection of poetry and incantations weave through bodies of water, while speaking to the coexistence of pain and love. ​
On Her Journey
Megan Bell (2022)
A collection of poems based around Megan's observations and experiences as a woman navigating her way through life, relationships, societal ‘norms’ and expectations and, most pivotally, her relationship with herself. The poems challenge modern culture and encourage a return to presence in self, in nature, in life and one's own truth. 
Reflections
David Briggs (2016) - with  JF Robert
Rooted in the landscape, David’s poems tease you with the small jokes and ambiguities that life and the world may play. Through the medium of water, JF’s pictures (each one wholly natural and untouched) take you to the borderland between the abstract and the real, and invite you to look beyond the surface to search for deeper understanding.
The Tasman Journey
W F Stubbs (2018)
Written across the years of 2017 and 2018 while living in the Motueka region of the Tasman District in the South Island, this collection reflects the poet's journey in finding his balance in life. Dispensing with past attachments, the pursuit of work and an income to pay bills, his singular vision manifested in the greatest moments of peace and contentment in his life.
Two Left Feet
W F Stubbs (2023)
Presented in snapshots of poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction, this candid but heartfelt collection takes the reader on a literary journey from the sunny hills of Tasman to summer rain in Central Otago, down to Invercargill and back up again to the sandfly-ridden West Coast, as two  travellers explore the struggles and joys of a close-knit relationship in an L300 van.

Plays

West Coast Plays
Paul Maunder (2020)
Ten plays, published for the first time, covering the history of the militant coal miners, the controversial use of 1080 poison, the explosion of the Pike River Mine, race relations on the Coast, the treatment of madness, early environmental heritage, the transition economy, native logging and dairy farming.

Short Stories

Cor Blimey Mate
Marion Day (2010)
A book of action stories and poems that will thrill the hearts of young and old, with tales about experienced and not so experienced hunters, their dogs, wild pigs, helicopters and guns. Many of the 18 short stories are based on true happenings and are told in the language of the hunter, reflecting the hunter’s life and beliefs and demonstrating the loyalty and love they have for their dogs.
Gemma's Companion
Sue Perkins (2023)
Gemma starts life anew when she leaves prison and goes to live in Deden. Ruby, her support dog is her only companion. She finds it difficult to get people to accept Ruby as necessary for her wellbeing, especially when her next door neighbour accuses the dog of attacking his cat. Other people in the village are more friendly, but it is still difficult for Gemma to accept her new life. (A short story)
Hexed: A Purr-fect Catastrophe
Wendy Jayne (2018)
A year ago, an unknown assailant heart-hexed Cassidy. A year of enforced celibacy is grating on her and things get worse when she falls for the very sexy warlock. Sparks fly when they kiss, but these sparks are the type that burn. The only way they’ll be able to make progress is by finding who cast the hex and convincing them to remove the curse. (A short story)
In Control
Angela Woolf (2022)
The second 10 minute story in a series called ‘Interactions’, this is a story of perspectives and how people think differently. A minor car crash in a small town brings two strangers together and we can only guess how it ends. People pass us by every day and these minor interactions have an effect, sometimes in the smallest of ways.
It Started With Midnight
Angela Woolf (2022)
This ten-minute story is the first in a series called ‘Interactions’.The story covers a series of events seemingly separate but intertwined in a way none of the characters realise. The tickle at the end might make you want to re-read the story more closely!
Long Head and Hold
Garrick Batten (2021)
​Eighteen short stories about farmers  and their experiences with land, sheep, cattle and crops. Their struggles and successes with weather, markets, money, other people and outside influences. Districts, localities, communities, farms, issues and opportunities seen through eyes of farmers, their families and people who live and work with them. Views of young and old, from outside in, and inside out. 
Phelice
Sue Perkins (2020)
Phelice of Ardon marries widowed Jariss of Noor without even seeing her betrothed. When she arrives at the sky castle of Noor, Jariss keeps dashing off and she wonders if he is regretting his marriage or is still pining for his dead first wife. To gain a happy future Phelice must convince Jariss thatshe can be the wife he needs.​ (A short story)
Ripples
Wendy Scott and 6 others (2016)
Whether you like sweet meetings or racy romances, poetry or short stories, this book caters to every flavour.Twelve members of the Nelson chapter of the Romance Writers of New Zealand have brought together their favourite pieces for you to enjoy. Whether it’s a sunny summer day or a rainy winter afternoon, you will find something in here for you to read over and over again.
Short Head and Yard
Garrick Batten (2017)
Eighteen stories (five minutes each to read). Set in a sheepdog trial framework, with three stories gathered into a themed pen to represent three sheep used in each trial run, this collection resonates with the challenges faced by farmers and those living and working in rural New Zealand, mixing nostalgia with harsh reality.
Strangers Intersect
Angela Woolf (2022)
This ten-minute story is part of a series called ‘Interactions’. In this story, the two main characters never meet or interact but are affected by the actions of others. One character pays a very heavy price for his dishonesty and the other may never know his actions caused someone’s death. People 
pass us by every day and these minor interactions have an effect, sometimes in the smallest of ways.
Tequila Rose
Wendy Jayne (2018)
Tequila Rose may have met the man of her dreams but she wakes up unable to remember a thing about the night before. Jack may be the cure for her jaded heart, but Tequila’s wary as friends warn her that he hangs out with the local drug dealer. Thrust together at a speed dating event, their chemistry sizzles, but is Jack after a different kind of fix?  (A short story)
The Well of Truth
Elizabeth Gould (2022)
​Twenty-four short stories, telling of significant moments in the adult life of the heroine, Grace, as she garners insight and inspiration from mythic figures who skilfully guide her in creating a meaningful and authentic life for herself. The book is filled with reflections on feminine wisdom, power and agency. . .
Under the Shade of the Feijoa Tree
Hayley Solomon (2019)
A representative sample of Hayley Ann Solomon’s particular brand of high quality, emotionally resonant short stories. The styles and intensities vary extensively, but the common denominator is humanity in all its complexity, woven with philosophy
Vapour Trails - Tales from Rural Thailand
Tarmo Rajasaari (2006)
​These short stories reflect various facets of life and memorable characters that populate Thailand's rustic north-east region of Isaan - a land where existence is defined by hardship and toil. The author wrote these stories while living among the people of the region.