It’s time for a weekend get-away, and She Who Must Be Obeyed and I decide the other side of the Tasman is, once again, the place to be. Sydney is one of our favourite get-away destinations, cheaper to reach than parts of New Zealand and alive with a vibrancy that underscores its place as one of the … More Fun, sun and the usual Spinal Tap hilarity on the other side of the ditch
I am often intrigued by the unlikely ways history has conspired to make the world we know today – the connections, often unlikely, that link the world. Take the US Declaration of Independence, for instance. I figure that it was thanks to a combination of this document and the fact that too many Englishmen were caught poaching … More New Zealand and the American Declaration of Independence
It’s Waitangi Day here in New Zealand – the 174th anniversary of New Zealand’s founding as a Crown Colony, when Hone Heke became the first of around 40 Maori to sign a treaty with the British government at Waitangi (‘Weeping Waters’). Copies of the Treaty were subsequently taken around the country, and about 540 Maori subsequently … More Arguing about New Zealand’s founding Treaty
A week or so back my publicist at Penguin sent me the reviews of my book Convicts: New Zealand’s Hidden Criminal Past, that have been published since that title came out. They got me thinking about reviews and reviewing. I write such things myself for New Zealand newspapers and magazines. And at that professional level, reviewers are … More How professional book reviewing works – ideally
I’ve fielded a couple of reviews of my book Convicts: New Zealand’s Hidden Criminal Past, which I’d like to share: ‘Wright has done a great job of exposing activities which society had considered best forgotten, and made it interesting reading to boot’ – Graeme Barrow, Northern Advocate, 23 July 2012. ‘…great reading, full of specific … More First reviews of ‘Convicts’ – and a couple of radio interviews
What a month. My book Convicts – New Zealand’s Hidden Criminal Past was published. The city I live in was shaken by a larger-than-usual quake the same week. My blog blew up. Our internet connection kept going on the fritz. And I was embroiled in a promotion frenzy. The key way to push books in New Zealand, … More Wrapping it all up – blog meltdown, book launch, radio promos and earthquake
The winner of my ‘Convicts Contest’ – prize, a copy of my book Convicts, New Zealand’s Hidden Criminal Past – is Helen McMullin. Helen’s great-grandfather was a missionary here in New Zealand, back in the 1880s. You can check out Helen’s blog at http://www.conantstation.com/2012/07/09/of-new-zealand-and-my-bucket-list/ And a big thank you to all who entered – with special mention and shout-out … More Convicts Contest – we have a winner
Get in quick to win Convicts – New Zealand’s Hidden Criminal Past. The contest closes at midnight 28 July NZT. Check it out. It’s been a hectic month since the book was released. I’ve had radio interviews, an interview with the national Sunday paper, a request to guest-post on a blog, and lots of visits … More Last chance to win ‘Convicts’
Those of us who write and publish books know what a lottery it is actually getting them featured in the bookstores. So it made my day when I found this in the window of Wellington’s biggest bookstore today. Kinda hidden at the bottom, behind some balloons…but yes – that’s my book Convicts – New Zealand’s … More A wonderful discovery, hidden behind balloons
I’ve been reading Hamish Clayton’s novel Wulf, which Penguin published last year. It’s his first novel, and a few weeks back won the New Zealand Society of Authors award for best first novel of 2012. I can see why. Fantastic stuff. The story pivots – creatively – around a real episode in New Zealand’s history; … More The lure of temptation and history as novel
Matthew Wright 
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