Philip Armstrong lives in Lyttelton and teaches literature, writing and human-animal studies at the University of Canterbury. In 2011 he won the Landfall Essay Prize for his essay ‘Tenuous Grounds’, an account of the Canterbury earthquakes. His previous books include Sheep and A New Zealand Book of Beasts (co-authored with Annie Potts and Deidre Brown).

"Sinking Lessons is an accomplished, engaging collection that displays literary skill and a sharp intelligence at work. The poems range easily from the personal to wider issues like the environment and history. There’s a great affection for life of all kinds – human and the natural world – coupled with an awareness of the fragility of existence. About a homeless person, the poet writes: ‘His heart maketh a noise in him.’ It’s a noise we should be hearing and taking notice of." – Jenny Bornholdt, Judge of the 2019 Kathleen Grattan Poetry Award.