The Way Way Back interview
I’ve spent the last few weeks in Hawaii lazing in the sun doing bugger all. On the flight home Juno and Little Miss Sunshine were two of the available movies, the latter of which was being watched by the bloke …
Is this the best quote ever?
Edmund Hillary was the first person to climb Mt Everest. He built schools in Nepal. He was one of New Zealand’s most famous people until his death in 2008. During all that time his name, address and number were in …
Bestseller Bowling Through India – for free
The story: Five Kiwi blokes choose to drive across India and play cricket with street kids who ultimately whip their ass. They are, after all, The Black Craps. I’m pleased to announce that Bowling Through India is now an ebook …
Tim Balme from The Almighty Johnsons
Actor and screenwriter Tim Balme visited us this week promoting the third season of the Almighty Johnsons. It’s the season that almost didn’t make it, but thanks to fans who went ‘troppo’ when they heard their favorite show might be kicked …
Sometimes it’s a good thing your first book was never published
I think I was seven when I wrote BOMBARDED – The Maggot Adventure. Plot: two maggots get drunk on ‘flies eyes wine’, throw on Superman costumes and play car tennis using houses as racquets. And no one published it! Not …
Why the *&ck do I write?
Everyone loves John Irving – and here is one of his quotes I’ve been trying to track down for a long time. If you’re a writer and you’ve ever asked yourself, why the hell do I do this, the last …
#Winning with Books For Change
Last year I was appointed Ambassador for Cottonsoft Books for Change. This involved visiting Indonesia and speaking to kids in learning centres in the Sumatra region. Due to the lack of reading materials in those centres, a campaign was set …
Why every writer needs a trampoline
Some authors say writer’s block is just flat batteries. I agree, but sometimes, no matter how hard you try, those damn words glue themselves to the inside of your head and refuse to play ball. When this happens thank your lucky …
There’s a funny smell in here
I spoke to a great group at Stanley Bay Primary yesterday. As usual, kids this age (years 4,5 and 6) are full of life, energy and awkward questions. I told them about Malcolm McGarvy (the bully in my novel ‘Shot, …
The Dog That Ate The Bathroom
The idea for this e-book started out as a joke. My daughter (Sophie) and I were bored, so decided to think up ridiculous things. Once finished, she took the story to school and her class loved it, as did the …