David's Writing
KickArts Radio Interview on The Road to Madhapur
18/12/22 21:58 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
I chat to Stephen Dallow and Emma Bishop about The Road to Madhapur on the KickArts radio show on Planet FM 104.6.
Listen to the interview here:
The Road to Madhapur Book Launch
05/12/22 19:23 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
We had a highly successful book launch for The Road to Madhapur at the Business Hive in Oamaru on Tuesday.
Placement is everything!
13/12/22 19:13 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
The Road to Madhapur remains high profile in bookshops, this week strategically positioned between James Paterson and J.D.Robb in Paper Plus at Oamaru. Fantastic to be in such distinguished company!
Sandwiched between John Grisham and James Patterson
04/12/22 14:00 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
I am delighted to see my book The Road to Madhapur sandwiched between John Grisham and James Patterson at Paper Plus in Oamaru!
Chek out the latest media on The Road to Madhapur
19/11/22 15:59 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
With the official book launch just ten days away, media interest in The Road to Madhapur has taken off. Following the Radio New Zealand broadcast, I gave a far-reaching Q&A interview with NZ Booklovers:
David Whittet talks about The Road to Madhapur.
NZ Booklovers have also reviewed The Road to Madhapur:
The Road to Madhapur by David Whittet
Flaxroots have posted an in-depth review:
Author’s experience makes a believable novel
And if you haven't already, check out my article on achieving our life goals as we grow older.
It’s Never too late to follow your dreams - David Whittet - Grownups
The Road to Madhapur Book Trailer
13/11/22 17:37 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
Check out this dramatic book trailer and experience The Road to Madhapur in sixty glorious seconds!
Join us for The Road to Madhapur Book Launch
13/11/22 16:40 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
Join us for The Road to Madhapur book launch at The Business Hive in Oamaru on Tuesday 29 November at 7pm. I will be signing books and reading from The Road to Madhapur.
All welcome. Register you interest here.
The Road to Madhapur on Radio New Zealand
06/11/22 17:35 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
I talked about The Road to Madhapur and my author journey on Radio New Zealand’s Standing Room Only show this afternoon.
Listen to the interview here:
Listen to the interview here:
The Road to Madhapur Giveaway at Grown Ups
27/09/22 14:24 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
Grown Ups, the social magazine that connects New Zealand’s 50+ community are giving away two signed copies of The Road to Madhapur. If you’re fifty or over, sign up here! The Road to Madhapur Giveaway
While visiting the Grown Ups site, check out my article on following your dreams. It’s Never to Late to Follow your Dreams
The Road to Madhapur Cover Reveal
26/09/22 18:47 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
Over the past month, I have worked with the extraordinarily talented Holly Dunn on the cover design for The Road to Madhapur. The process has proved a fantastic journey of discovery. From Holly's initial concept art to the finished product, each stage brought fresh vitality and a true reflection of the spirit of my story.
You're terrific, Holly! I am proud to have your work on my cover.
Gang Girl Teaser Trailer
15/05/22 19:14 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
Watch this short teaser trailer and get the Gang Girl experience in twenty-six glorious seconds!
Gang Girl Audiobook Trailer
Check out this cool trailer for the Gang Girl audiobook, available now on all major audiobook platforms worldwide.
A fresh stock on Gang Girl at Oamaru Paper Plus
23/04/22 19:58 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
For my lovely local readers, there’s a fresh stock of Gang Girl at Paper Plus in Oamaru.
And what an honour to be on the same shelf as my guru, Fiona McIntosh!
More Gut Punch in the Gang Girl Audiobook Pre-Masters
I have discovered my book anew while listening to the pre-masters for the Gang Girl audiobook. Romy Hooper brings even more gut punch to Alicia’s story as she captures the heart and soul of this ‘kick-arse woman’. While Romy possesses Alicia, Paul Harrop gets under the skin of her childhood friend turned nemesis, Mickey.
Romy and Paul are consummate artists, and their engagement with my story is legendary. I can’t wait to bring you this gripping audiobook.
'Gang viewpoints inform Gritty Writing' - Oamaru Mail Feature
22/12/21 13:06 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
'When Dr David Whittet is not writing prescriptions, he is writing scripts and making films.' That's what Ruby Heyward wrote in today's Oamaru Mail.
https://www.oamarumail.co.nz/community/gang-viewpoints-inform-gritty-writing/
Words from the Bubble Interview
This interview with Rachel Doré for the Words from the Bubble radio show was a marathon and a full mental workout!
KickArts Radio Interview on Planet FM 104.6
My interview on the KickArts show went out tonight on Planet FM 104.6. Listen to the journey that inspired me to write Gang Girl.
A gut punch tale about a kick arse woman!
‘A gut punch tale about a kick arse woman.’ That’s how Romy Hooper, the narrator of my audiobook, described Gang Girl. Every writer dreams of finding a voice talent as deeply engaged in their story as Romy.
Romy totally owns the voice of Alicia, the kick-arse hero of my book! Equally, Paul Harrop inhabits the voice of Mickey, the damaged and conflicted boy groomed to be the next gang leader.
With two further novels in the Gang Girl series in development, I hope Romy and Paul will reprise their roles for future audiobooks. I promise even more gut-punching tales as Alicia and Mickey’s story continues.
My sincere thanks to Theo Gibson at AudiobooksNZ for his expertise in producing the audiobook. Theo and the team are now hard at work mixing and proofing the recordings. Keep watching for the release date.
If you can’t wait for the audiobook, you can grab the print version here!
Read Romy Hooper’s post here: https://www.facebook.com/574296966/posts/10160188239861967/?d=n
NZ Booklovers review Gang Girl
01/12/21 13:29 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
NZBooklovers describe Gang Girl as a 'visceral read' and 'thought-provoking'.
Read their full review here: https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/post/gang-girl-by-david-whittet
Q&A with NZBookovers
28/11/21 12:45 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
I've just finished a Q&A with NZBooklovers. The interview reminded me of some colourful anecdotes while researching the novel. You can read the full article here: NZBooklovers Q&A with David Whittet
Preorder your copy of Gang Girl!
21/11/21 16:03 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
I am delighted to announce that Gang Girl finally launches on 30 November 2021. This project has proved an extraordinary journey over the past decade, and I am eternally grateful to my loyal supporters for their patience.
A book launch amid a pandemic is a challenge. Nevertheless, we are planning several events to celebrate publication, including a local function in Oamaru. We hope to have more media exposure in the New Year. Keep watching this blog for more news!
In the meantime, you can order an advance copy of the book today at David's Bookshop, personally signed for you by the author!
Keep those Pencils Sharpened - Threepence on the Carpet is here!
Keep those pencils sharpened! Before the rewrite of Gang Girl, I had begun work on my next major novel, Threepence on the Carpet. Now, the excitement of starting Blood Cousins, the second novel in the Gang Girl series, threatens to delay Threepence on the Carpet further.
I first drafted Threepence on the Carpet in January 2018, and I started work on the manuscript, full of enthusiasm. Then came the inspiration for The Road to Madhapur. Guided by advice from early reviewers that medical dramas were in high demand, The Road to Madhapur took precedence.
Threepence on the Carpet is the story of an aspiring Kiwi musician on his big overseas experience in London. Stuck in a dead-end job in a bank, he dreams of making it as a rock star. Caught in the swinging sixties with a new age hippie girlfriend, he writes protest songs for the ban the bomb movement.
Both Threepence on the Carpet and Blood Cousins are bursting to get out of my head and into print! I need to hone my multitasking skills and write them back to back!
Sharpen the Pencils - The Gang Girl story continues!
Sharpen the pencils! The rewrite of Gang Girl proved an enormous challenge and brought me face to face with a new cast of characters and a new setting. With Alicia and Mickey, Ronnie and Reggie all so firmly in my mind, I couldn’t resist the urge to start working on the second book in the series.
While Blood Cousins continues Alicia and Mickey’s story, the story begins with Aaron, Alicia’s son, now a successful CEO in the power industry.
I’m beyond excited to see the story take shape and share these iconic characters’ journey in another explosive adventure.
Meet Alicia: The New Face of Gang Girl
27/08/21 16:23 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
Times change, and of necessity, so too has my story. When Gang Girl finally launches next month, the book will be different from its previous iteration, with an immigrant gang on the West Coast of the South Island.
What remains is the spirit and resilience of New Zealand’s rural people. And despite the new setting, the heart of the story is unchanged. Alicia is a strong woman, determined to break free from the gang and take charge of her own destiny.
Linger Means Longer
04/07/21 19:03 Filed in: Novel Writing | The Road to Madhapur
My brilliant manuscript assessor, Caroline Baron, invariably urges me to 'linger' and 'go deeper' at critical points in the story. I have just finished a complete rewrite of The Road to Madhapur following Caroline's assessment. Linger definitely does mean longer. Before Caroline's review, the manuscript stood at 110,000 words. Now it's up to 140,000 words!
Caroline forever challenges me, and her enthusiasm for my work and inspiration has made me a better writer. Going deeper has undoubtedly made The Road to Madhapur more compelling. I just have to figure out how to get the word count down!
Gang Girl Book Launch Postponed
20/06/21 18:47 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
I regret to announce that the launch of Gang Girl has been postponed. The book will relaunch in a few months time with a new setting on the West Coast of the South Island and a new cast of characters. And a new book cover.
Unfortunately, this means losing the stunning artwork I commissioned from the extraordinarily talented Renata Curtis. So in the meantime, let's celebrate Renata's brilliant artwork. The original will always hold a place in my heart as well as a place on my wall.
It all started at the Rere Falls
06/09/20 17:55 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
During the fifteen years I worked as a rural doctor at Te Karaka in the Gisborne Region of New Zealand, I spent many happy weekends with my family picnicking at the nearby Rere Falls. My children loved to venture behind the cascading curtain of water and glide down the giant rockslide on a boogie board.
As I watched my children play, my mind began to wander. What if someone wanted to exploit the unique, magical properties of the water at Rere? Turn the iconic waterfalls into a water bottling factory? What if the Gang got involved?
Gang Girl was born.
Researching Gang Girl
08/03/20 14:58 Filed in: Novel Writing | Gang Girl
Researching Gang Girl proved an adventure in itself. I shall never forget the day I fronted up to a notorious gangster’s house hoping for an interview during my fifteen years as a rural doctor in the Gisborne region.
My heartbeat was even louder than my banging on the door. Eventually, a nine-year-old boy gingerly put his head around the doorframe.
‘Is your father at home?’ I asked.
‘I’ll go and ask him,’ the boy answered.
A loud voice boomed in the background. ‘Is it the cops?’
‘No,’ the boy replied. ‘It’s the doctor.’
‘The doctor? We didn’t call the doctor. Nobody’s sick. Are you sure it’s not the cops?’
‘Positive. It’s the same dude that stitched my hand.’ He shot me an evil look. ‘And it bloody hurt.’
The gangster eventually emerged, his bold, full facial tattoo radiating an immediate presence. He told me how he was forced to have the tā moko at a ceremony as a teenager. The tattoo was his gang patch. He described the pain then the bone chisel pierced his flesh. I had my opening scene.