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Trump Meets Crump in South Auckland Sci-Fi Satire
A South Auckland author who mixes sci-fi with satire has released his fourth book, tackling the topics of the day including corporate culture, immigration, environmental concerns and the election of Donald Trump.
Keith Fenwick of Totara Park,… View moreTrump Meets Crump in South Auckland Sci-Fi Satire
A South Auckland author who mixes sci-fi with satire has released his fourth book, tackling the topics of the day including corporate culture, immigration, environmental concerns and the election of Donald Trump.
Keith Fenwick of Totara Park, Manurewa, said his books – following the exploits of a Northland farmer named Bruce who is abducted by aliens - are “a bit like The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.” In the latest book in the Skidian series, The Colonists, Fenwick said Bruce has grown from being “a bit of a hoon to someone having a moral centre.”
“In the first book he starts as a Barry Crump-ish character who is trying to work out what the aliens want of him after his abduction.”
Fenwick said his writing ties in with a vein of Kiwi humour first tapped into by Barry Crump. In the same way Crump wrote about larrikins he knew in his real life, Fenwick’s followers eagerly await each new instalment to see if he has lampooned some of them.
“The readers I am in contact with – particularly those in my workplace – are looking to see what’s going to happen, to see if I have included them as a character or a caricature – and yes, sometimes I do,” Keith said. “In the latest book there is a conspiracy theorist character, he is the sort of person who puts a sticking plaster over his computer camera so Microsoft can’t see what he’s doing and tap into his conversations. The real-life person he’s based on read the last book and enjoyed it – so I’m waiting to see his reaction.”
Fenwick has grown a steady audience since releasing the first Skidian Chronicle in 2012, and delivers his material through Amazon, Goodreads, Kindle, LinkedIn, as well as his Scifibookshop.co.nz website.
Working for a large organisation in Auckland, Fenwick said corporate business machinations are a frequent source of inspiration, as well as sales - often to his colleagues.
Fenwick, like many authors, wrote his first novel then placed it in a drawer for years, unsure what to do with it.
“I wrote the first two novels in my early 20s. I’m 56 now. Early on I had a good crack at trying to get them published, but got discouraged. I tucked them away in a drawer, pulling them out from time to time to have another crack. A few years ago I was introduced to a Kindle by my wife, who would get me back on the road to writing. I was reading some of the cheaper sci-fi books on Amazon and I thought ‘Some of the books I’ve got tucked away are as good as this.’”
“I then tidied the original books up, updated them, got them copy-edited and decent covers and the rest is history. I thought if I don’t give this a crack, I’ll never get anywhere.”
Skidian Chronicles instalments were published in 2012, 2014, 2016, and the most recent book will have its official launch at the Writers Read bookshop in Lower Hutt this winter. The Colonists is already available on Amazon and Smashwords.
Skid – The First Chronicle – was partly inspired by the culture shock he observed when working as a Methodist Church volunteer in the 1980s in Western Samoa.
Fenwick said his books use science fiction as a storytelling device to get people to look at the world. “For example, looking at what happens if you don’t take care of global warming. Also, my books examine frustrations which may come up with working in corporation, and subjects like asking how a dork like Donald Trump could become president of the USA?’
“I try to pick holes and take the piss out of things… I use sci-fi as a vehicle so I don’t have to be specific about what I was taking the piss out of originally.”
“Some of the humour is quite spontaneous. A big part of it is therapeutic. I’ve got a story I want to tell and I’m letting the pen guide me. I’m also taking things happening in the world around me from work life, personal and planet and adding those things in. I find things that are absurd and poke fun at them.”
Find out more at www.Scifibookshop.co.nz...
Our top tips for starting a pest-control group in your neighbourhood.
Hi neighbours,
More than 400 homeless people have been helped off Auckland streets and into houses in the past year, thanks to a Manukau-based housing initiative. While the numbers are great, those involved say there's still a lot more work to be done.
What are your thoughts on the … View moreHi neighbours,
More than 400 homeless people have been helped off Auckland streets and into houses in the past year, thanks to a Manukau-based housing initiative. While the numbers are great, those involved say there's still a lot more work to be done.
What are your thoughts on the initiative? Is it helping people in your community? Let us know in the replies!
In some emergencies you may be stranded in your vehicle for some time. A flood, snow storm or major traffic accident could make it impossible to proceed.
What emergency supplies do you have in your vehicle?
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Check out Get Growing subscriber Clare Strange's genius hack for a gardening apron. It was made from a pair of jeans from an op shop. "All of my gardening clothes come from op shops," she says. "Large men's shirts make good cover-ups to keep sun and insects off my arms. For… View moreCheck out Get Growing subscriber Clare Strange's genius hack for a gardening apron. It was made from a pair of jeans from an op shop. "All of my gardening clothes come from op shops," she says. "Large men's shirts make good cover-ups to keep sun and insects off my arms. For the apron, start with a smaller size than you would wear so it doesn't wrap around too far. Check that it has a lot of pockets." So tell us if you've got similarly fashionable, exclusive-for-the-garden glad rags, and if yes, why not post a photo in the Reply space too!
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Selling as … View more173000KM $8300 ONO
Automatic Nissan Vanette NV200 for sale.
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Good interior and exterior conditions except for a couple of scratched at the back.
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Wof Expires in January 2019
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Have you thought about your future? Why not enrol to study in a career that is rewarding and respected.
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We are currently taking enrolments for Foundation (beginners) up to level 5 (fluency) over the five campuses (Queen Street, Albany, Botany, Mangere and New Lynn).
We have classes in the morning, afternoon (3 days per week) and Evening (Monday to Thursday).
NZQA approved course, The … View moreWe are currently taking enrolments for Foundation (beginners) up to level 5 (fluency) over the five campuses (Queen Street, Albany, Botany, Mangere and New Lynn).
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Hi is anyone gifting any baby girl things plz. Baby blankets . Mittens socks clothes or baby things plz I'm due to have my baby next month... and this would be of much help. Thank u so much.
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I post regularly on numerous social media sites in numerous groups/communities. I also know numerous people who deal with people through social media so this is just a HEADS UP for those who may come across a post of his as he has numerous BE CAREFUL. The photo of the house in this … View moreFACEBOOK ALERT
I post regularly on numerous social media sites in numerous groups/communities. I also know numerous people who deal with people through social media so this is just a HEADS UP for those who may come across a post of his as he has numerous BE CAREFUL. The photo of the house in this post IS NOT a job done by him it was done by the company Vibrant Sensationz The Painting Specialistz (Link below to confirm, I also know as I took the photos)
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I've also confirmed he has used other peoples images of their work previously as his own. DO NOT TRUST OR DEAL WITH HIM. SPREAD THE WORD before he rips someone off. I commented on this post in question and he blocked me so I have no response from him or no way to contact him!
Hi.
Two months ago Wesley College introduced a one on one literacy programme for some of its Yr 9 & Yr 10 pupils.
It is a fun and enjoyable way for people who have a one or two spare hours a week to engage with young folk, make a difference and meet other interesting locals.
You … View moreHi.
Two months ago Wesley College introduced a one on one literacy programme for some of its Yr 9 & Yr 10 pupils.
It is a fun and enjoyable way for people who have a one or two spare hours a week to engage with young folk, make a difference and meet other interesting locals.
You don't have to be worried about being trapped by this commitment. A tutor coordinator (me) will make sure that when you are unable to make it, or away on holiday, another tutor will take your spot so that the pupil doesn't miss out.
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Science offers hope, and you can help by taking part in a citizen science project - link to Kauri Rescue in the story.
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