Friday, October 07, 2011

Springbok rugby tour led writer to flee country

“One of the reason’s I fled New Zealand in 1981 was because of the Springbok rugby tour’” said author Mark Sweet of soon-to-be-released, Zhu Mao.

In 1981 Mark was active in the anti-Springbok rugby tour and was so astounded by the re-election of Rob Muldoon that he couldn’t stand being in the country any longer and took a job in Hong Kong.
It seems a little ironic that amongst the 2011 Rugby World Cup hype with South Africa as a major contender for the Cup that Mark will be launching his novel.
However, through his experience in Hong Kong and travels throughout China, Mark was able to capture the setting for his story.

The book launch will be held at Clearview Estate Winery and Restaurant in Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay on Thursday 13 October, 5.30pm with guest speaker Carla Crosbie from the Hastings District Libraries.  Books will be available to purchase on the night from Beattie and Forbes Booksellers.
About the author:
Born in Napier, Mark has lived overseas for a number of years but returned to the Hawke’s Bay to pursue careers in the property sector and restaurants.
In 2010 Mark was selected to take part in the Māori Literature Trust’s Te Papa Tupu program where he was mentored in the development and refining of his Zhu Mao manuscript. 
Te Papa Tupu programme is one of the initiatives created by the Māori Literature Trust to develop and grow new Māori writers.
After his success in publishing, Portrait & Opinion with photographer Richard Brimmer, and then a story in Huia Short Stories 9 (HUIA 2011) and now the launch of debut novel, Zhu Mao, Mark plans to work as a full time writer.

The book will be available in bookstores from Friday 14 October, rrp at $30 - Huia

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