Experience Threepence on the Carpet in 60 Glorious Seconds!
28/01/26 13:14 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
Experience Threepence on the Carpet in thirty glorious seconds with this teaser trailer, now airing worldwide!
Threepence on the Carpet hits the air!
27/01/26 14:08 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
Threepence on the Carpet hits the air with this exciting radio commercial now playing on iHeart Radio and all major networks worldwide!
'Some lives don't fall apart all at once. It happens slowly until one moment changes everything …'
Threepence on the Carpet Giveaway on the Say What NZ Book Club
25/01/26 17:53 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
Two lucky readies of the Say What NZ magazine book club will win free copies of Threepence on the Carpet.
I appreciate Jo Belgrave's insightful review in the upcoming issue of the Say What NZ magazine.
Books Aloud Interview on Coast Access Radio
22/01/26 17:20 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
I had an in-depth conversation with Catherine Scullin on the Books Aloud show on Coast Access Radio. We talked about the inspiration for Threepence on the Carpet. The project dates back to childhood memories of Punch and Judy shows on the beach. The idea resurfaced in an independent film I made in the mid-1980s, before coming to life in the current novel. I’m beyond excited to share this passion project with the world!
Threepence on the Carpet on More FM Book Club
20/01/26 10:25 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
Threepence on the Carpet featured on the Radio FM Book Club this morning. Karen McMillan gives a beautifully succinct introduction to my book!
Threepence on the Carpet Launches Today!
19/01/26 19:33 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
A Kiwi musician. London in the swinging sixties. A hippy girlfriend. How did it all go so wrong?
Tommy Trevelian shot to fame as a singer-songwriter during his eagerly anticipated overseas experience in London at the heart of the 1960s counterculture. His protest songs were a rallying call for demonstrations in Trafalgar Square and fuelled the Aldermaston marches. Life was a kaleidoscope of love, truth and passion until it all came crashing down in a haze of smoking incense and bitter betrayal.
Fast forward to the 1980s, and Tommy is back in New Zealand, ready to throw it all in. Folk music has fallen out of favour. Kiwis were into rugby and wanted cheerleaders with happy jingles, not protest songs. He’s on the verge of despair when he receives an unexpected inheritance from a long-lost uncle. Could this be the lifeline he needs, or a Pandora’s box about to implode?
Threepence on the Carpet is available from all good book sellers and Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Threepence-Carpet-David-Whittet-ebook/dp/B0GGYGN7S8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
31/08/25 22:12 Filed in: David's Writing | The Doctor Who Knew Too Much
Medical school didn’t teach Dr Dominic Dreyfus how to deal with gang lords, nor did his time as an army doctor in the New Zealand Defence Force prepare him for the violent threats that forced him to flee his homeland …
I'm beyond excited to announce that I'm working on a new thriller series, The Doctor with Knew Too Much. Inspired by completing a course on writing thrillers by Lee Child, I conceived the idea of an ex-army doctor whose life is constantly under threat and he’s perpetually on the run—the Jack Reacher of the medical world.
So how did a humble GP in a remote, rural practice end up on a notorious gangster’s hit list? Find out when the first book, No Time to Heal, hits bookshops this summer!
Meet Tommy - An Ageing Hippy Musician Still Stuck in the Sixties!
08/07/25 14:20 Filed in: David's Writing | Threepence on the Carpet
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of completing a project and preparing to launch it into the world! It’s even more exciting when the work is a long-cherished dream that’s been in the making for many years.
The idea for Threepence on the Carpet began during my childhood, while watching a puppet show at the beach during a seaside holiday. While the other children roared with laughter at Punch and Judy’s wild antics, I was captivated by the puppeteer’s flamboyant facade. After the show, when he emerged from the puppet booth to take his bow, he invariably had tears streaming down his face. Who was this mercurial character? Why did he look so sad when he put the puppets away? What was he like when he wasn’t performing?
My imagination ran wild, and I imagined the puppeteer as a musician, down on his luck and trying to scrape a living from entertaining the children. This germ of an idea would eventually grow into the long-awaited project.
Writing Threepence on the Carpet has been an absolute blast, especially reliving my childhood memories of the swinging sixties. The Aldermaston marches, the ‘Ban the Bomb’ movement, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the scandals, The Beatles—this was the decade that shook Britain and the rest of the world.
With the final round of copy editing complete, I can’t wait to share Tommy’s extraordinary journey with my readers!
2025 and Beyond: The Road to Mumbai
With the publishing industry’s obsession with book series, I have yielded to temptation and decided to continue the story of The Road to Madhapur. In 2025, I will begin working on a new novel that follows Zac and Rajani’s adventures in Bollywood. The Road to Mumbai will also continue Theo’s journey as he grapples with life after Elisha’s passing. The story has been crystallising in my mind since the publication of The Road to Madhapur in 2022. I can’t wait to start working on the project and spend more time with these remarkable characters. They are all close to my heart, and I hope my readers will also enjoy sharing their onward journeys with me.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to everyone!
Where did 2024 go? Life got in the way of my writing last year, but I’m now raring to get going with my projects!
Threepence on the carpet is now almost complete and ready for my editor. I can’t wait to see what magic she will bring to the manuscript. This project has had the longest development time of any of my books. I wrote the first draft before starting on Gang Girl.
A sudden inheritance from a long-lost uncle could be the lifeline Kiwi musician Tommy needs … or a Pandora’s box about to implode. Living in the UK in the swinging sixties, life was a kaleidoscope of love, truth, and high hopes for Tommy—until everything up in a puff of smoking incense and bitter betrayal.
Also coming in 2025 (hopefully!) is Godzone and the Gorillas, the final book in the Gang Girl series. Mother and son must unite to defeat the gang that tore them apart in the gripping series finale!
Author for Today on the Global Girls Online Book Club
15/12/23 19:46 Filed in: David's Writing | Gang Girl | The Road to Madhapur | Threepence on the Carpet
Today has been a blast as Author of the Day on the Global Girls Online Book Club
Author of the Month on UK Talk Radio
I am thrilled to be selected as Author of the Month on UK Talk Radio. It's an honour to work with such an inspiring team.
Check out this feature, and my on-air interview will be available shortly.
Author of the Month David Whittet
Goliath Goes Global!
21/11/23 15:30 Filed in: David's Writing | Goliath and the Gang
Goliath goes global! Check out my in-depth interview with the Independent Author Network.
Read the full Q&A here.
KickArts Radio Interview
14/11/23 11:06 Filed in: David's Writing | Goliath and the Gang
Great to catch up with Emma and Stephen again on the KickArts radio show. Guess I will have to practice my singing before next year's show!
Goliath and the Gang on the KickArts readio show
12/11/23 19:06 Filed in: David's Writing | Goliath and the Gang
I will talk Goliath and the Gang on the KickArts radio show tonight at 8.40 pm at PlanetFM 104.6FM. Tune in to learn more about my new book!
NZ Booklovers Interview on Goliath and the Gang
17/10/23 18:44 Filed in: David's Writing | Goliath and the Gang
The book launch for Goliath and the Gang is finally here. I just completed an extensive interview with NZ Booklovers, where I discussed the inspiration behind the book and shared insights into my future plans. It has been a busy year with three new books on the horizon!
Check out the interview here: NZ Booklovers Interview
Goliath and the Gang Book Trailer
17/10/23 18:01 Filed in: David's Writing | Goliath and the Gang
Take a forty-five second rollercoaster ride with this stunning book trailer for Goliath and the Gang!
The Joys of being an Indie Author
15/10/23 14:42 Filed in: David's Writing
For me, the greatest joy of being an indie author is the ability to choose my own publishing partners. I have pitched my work to major publishers, but they all wanted to make radical changes to the manuscript. Changes that would irrevocably alter my story. Then I found Copy Press.
A Nelson-based publisher, Copy Press has helped authors publish their books for over twenty-five years. Their service is unique and custom-designed to suit the needs of today’s indie authors. Dave MacManus and his team of talented designers produce gorgeous books, all locally printed in Nelson. And it doesn’t stop there. Their distribution networks have made my books available to bookshops across New Zealand and major booksellers worldwide.
Dave MacManus introduced me to my editor, Renell Judais, at Proof Perfect NZ. Editing can make or break a book—and an author’s career. Finding the right editor is essential for every writer. It is their most important professional relationship. I’m glad I found Renell. I have learnt so much from her. Her expertise and eye for detail have proved invaluable in perfecting my manuscripts and sharpening my skills as an author.
Likewise, Copy Press introduced me to my proofreader, Stephanie McConchie, at Focus Proofreading. Stephanie is an ace at sorting timeline issues and has shown a remarkable commitment to the project beyond simply proofreading.
Establishing an author brand is crucial for independent writers. With so many books published every day, how can we make our work stand out? Choosing the right cover designer is essential to raise our profile. With her vast knowledge of the publishing industry and exceptional design skills, Holly Dunn’s cover designs perfectly capture the essence of my written words. Holly is an extraordinary talent, and I am proud to have her work on my books.
I am immensely grateful to everyone in my publishing team, who have all played a vital part in helping me realise my dreams.
Medicine, Movies and Manuscripts
08/10/23 14:43 Filed in: David's Writing
Medicine, Movies and Manuscripts. All three can change the world in their different ways. They have certainly changed the course of my life. Check out my article on the Grown Ups website, where I reflect on how my passion for family medicine has inspired me as a filmmaker and an author.
To celebrate the launch of my new book, Goliath and the Gang, Grown Ups are running a giveaway promotion. Three lucky winners will get a personally autographed copy of Goliath and the Gang. As a special bonus, they will also receive a signed copy of Gang Girl, the first novel in the series, relaunched with a gorgeous new cover.
Medicine, Movies and Manuscripts article at Grown Ups
Book Giveaway at Grown Ups
NZ Writers Read
17/06/23 14:12 Filed in: David's Writing | The Road to Madhapur
I recorded this reading from The Road to Madhapur for the New Zealand Society of Authors series NZ Writers Read. This programme began during the pandemic and allows New Zealand authors to showcase their work.
This video introduces us to Theo, an idealistic Kiwi doctor who wants to change the world. Along the way, I reveal some of the inspiration behind the story with some breathtaking images of family medicine and village life in India and Uganda.