Lani Wendt Young's Blog, page 6

The Mother of All Giveaways from a Mad Mother

I'm taking part in the Summer Splash Blog Hop where a group of fabulous authors are teaming up to give tons of stuff away on their blogs. You can read all about it at this link and visit lots of other blogs and enter to win super stuff...Enjoy! 


The Hot Man brought me a dozen roses today. No reason. Just because. As I sit and smile at them, I am reminded of how much I have to be grateful for.
1. A patient, supportive partner who loves his wife and children above all else.
2. Five children who alternately amaze, empower, inspire and annoy me.
3. A home where we can all alternately play, laugh, cry, squabble, and learn stuff from each other. Yes, the roof leaks. Yes, I hate having to queue up for my turn in the shower. Yes, the yard looks like a primitive wasteland. But it's a home. And it's ours. And I'm grateful for it.
4. The opportunity to live my writer dream. In the last eleven months, I have published three novels. My TELESA books have made it onto various Amazon fabulous book lists and onto bookstore shelves. Amazing readers in Auckland, Wellington, Apia, Brisbane (and Otara!) have hosted amazing book events. Which brings me to number five...
5. YOU. I am thankful for you. The readers, the blog followers, the fellow bloggers, the FB team, the Twitter Crew...those of you that rave about the books and the blog. Those of you that quietly lurk and read along with a smile. Those of you that recommend this site to your friends and buy copies of the books for your family. Those of you that put up reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. Those of you that take the time to email me your encouragement, or come up to tell me in person on an airplane...in a store...at a nightclub...in a restaurant...at the mall. You make this journey a much less nerve-wracking one. You are fabulous, thank you.
I wish I could give you ALL flowers - but I'm going to do the next best thing. Here now, today, I'm having a Massive Mother of All Giveaways ( cos I'm a little high on gratitude right now...) There's books, designer gifts from Samoa and bucketloads of stuff from the Telesa Trilogy shop - like t.shirts. jewellery, keyrings, and more. How to join the Gratitude Party? Just tell me one thing YOU are grateful for today. A blessing in YOUR life that you're happy and humbled to have.
On August 1st, I will choose TWENTY-ONE winners who will then receive one of the fabulous gifts on display here...
                     ONE Pacific Designer bag from Plantation House, Samoa.  $35.95 NZD

ONE Pacific Designer Organza Elei Printed Scarf from Plantation House, Samoa.  $24.95 NZD
ONE Telesa Trilogy Charm Bracelet. "Unleash the Fire Within"  $16.50 USD
ONE Telesa Trilogy Water Bottle.  $8.40 USD TWO  Telesa Trilogy Keychains.  $8.40 USD ea. THREE Print copies of 'When Water Burns'.  $35.00 NZD ea.
ONE copy of the 2013 'Sexy Samoan Men Calendar' by the amazing Jordan Kwan.   $35.00
SIX E-Copies of the first Telesa Book, The Covenant Keeper.    $3.99 USD ea.
ONE 'Team Simone' Telesa Bracelet. "Embrace the fierceness within for then you fly." $18.00 USD
ONE Telesa Trilogy Tank Top.  $19.00 USD
TWO Telesa Trilogy Tile Coasters. $5.40 USD ea. ONE Pacific Design Trapezoid Bag, Plantation House, Samoa.  $21.50 NZD

Fierce Awesomeness. "Preserving Samoan-ness through Popular Fiction. A Researched Analysis of Hybridity in Telesa The Covenant Keeper"

You write a book. You send it out to agents with a hopeful heart. It gets rejected. Your hopeful heart gets a little bruised. You publish the book yourself. You send it out to the world with a terrified but hopeful heart. Some people read it. Some people like it. Some people hate it. You rejoice because your book is real. And its being read. And then your book is chosen as a literary text of study at a university. Or two. Wow. You reel with the shock of it. As an English Lit degree graduate, you can't believe that there's actually enough literary 'stuff' in your book for real University students to discuss, analyze and write about. And then, you get sent a copy of  a final essay paper written by a fierce, brilliant woman. An essay she wrote on your book. An essay she got an A grade for. You read it. You are stunned. ( You are also feeling kinda dumb because you're trying to follow the discussion and realizing its been a LOOOOONG time since you were in University, writing and reading critical lit stuff. Wow.) You try not to fall on the floor with the awesomeness of it all. Because its really real. Its truly true. Jessica J.Perez-Jackson studied my book Telesa at the University of Guam, wrote a paper on it for her 'Pacific Women Writer's' course. It's long. It's fiercely awesome.  And I am honored and beyond thrilled to share it with you here.
Thank you Jessica.
  “Preserving Samoan-ness through Popular Fiction”:A Researched Analysis of Hybridity in Lani Wendt Young’s Telesā: the Covenant Keeper 
In partial fulfillmentof the requirements for the coursePacific Women Writers. EN461 “Riding/Writing In the Eye of a Typhoon”
Dr. Evelyn Flores, ProfessorUniversity of GuamMangilao, Guam July 21, 2012  “Preserving Samoan-ness through Popular Fiction”:A Researched Analysis of YA Literature in Lani Wendt Young’s Telesā: the Covenant KeeperSubmitted by Jessica J. Perez-Jackson
In her paper, “Experiencing Samoa through Stories: Myths and Legends of a People and Place,” Samantha Lichtenberg writes that “language is the lifeblood flowing through the veins of a culture. It is the holder of cultural knowledge and preserver of tradition” (10).  In her book, Telesā: the Covenant Keeper, Lani Wendt Young preserves a bit of Samoan legend, culture, and language, and provides a refreshing take on Young Adult (YA) literature.

Works Cited
Articles
Colley, Ann C. "Robert Louis Stevenson's South Seas Crossings." Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 48.4 (2008): 871+. Questia. Web. 25 Mar. 2012.
Cote, James E. "A Social History of Youth in Samoa: Religion, Capitalism, and Cultural Disenfranchisement." International Journal of Comparative Sociology 38.3-4 (1997): 217+. Questia. Web. 12 May 2012.
Haapoja, Margaret A. "Samoa's Rain Forest Savior - Looking for a Cure for Breast Cancer, Paul Cox Harnessed the Wisdom of Women in the Forest He Loved and Discovered a Promising Anti-HIV Compound Instead." World and I Sept. 2002: 118. Questia. Web. 12 May 2012.
Lichtenberg, Samantha, "Experiencing Samoa through Stories: Myths and Legends of a People and Place" (2011). ISP Collection. Paper 1057.
Books
Avia, Tusiata. Bloodclot. Wellington: Victoria UP, 2009. Print.
Leonard, Scott, and Michael McClure, eds. “The Female Divine.” Myth and Knowing: An Introduction to World Mythology. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2004. 102-22. Print.
Young, Lani Wendt. Telesā: The Covenant Keeper. Auckland, N.Z.: L. Wendt Young, 2011. Print.
Online Sources
"U.S. Department of State." Diss. SIT Graduate Institute. U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. .
"U.S. Religious Landscape Survey - Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic." The Pew Forum On Religion and Public Life. The Pew Forum, Feb. 2008. Web. 13 May 2012. .
“Why Zita Martel Rocks.” One Samoana - Worldwide Samoan Community Online. Manaui Media: Samoa Mo Samoa, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 May 2012. .
Young, Lani Wendt. "Lani Wendt Young @Sleepless in Samoa. Thoughts from the Quiet Side of Midnight..." Weblog post. : My Books. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. .
"Zita Martel Speaks about Nafanua." YouTube. Forsamoa, 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. .
Other
Flores, Evelyn. “Pacific Women Writers. EN/WS/MI 461/EN561 ‘Riding/Writing In the Eye of a Typhoon’.”  University of Guam, 2012. Print.

The BackYard Dealer of Stolen Merchandise

Watch out - Little Son might come after YOUR tent next.There's a lot of debate about "excessive" airport security and to what lengths governments should be allowed to go to "spy" on their citizens in the name of safey and terrorist crackdowns. In my humble housewife opinion, if you aint got nuthin bad to hide - then you've got nuthin to be scared of. Take this as an example:
Little Son was outside playing in the yard. I caught sight of him chatting with his friend over the back fence. And then, Little Son threw a decidedly shifty look over his shoulder back at the house and then he took his conversation to the side of the house. Out of my view. What's he up to?

I leapt up from my seat and bolted from the living room, headed for the bedrooms on that side of the house. The Hot Man was startled, "What's happening? Where are you going?" I shushed him and crept into the bedroom that overlooks the side fence. I stood on the bed, eased the window open and put my very bestest listening ears on. Quietly. Quietly. Big Daughter went past the doorway, stopped. Demanded. "What are you doing?"

"Shhhh! Your brother is talking to his friend Trevor over the fence. I'm trying to listen to their conversation."
She looked disgusted. "You mean you're spying on him?!"
"It's called being a mother. Now be quiet."
Big Daughter was oblivious to the vibes in the air that shouted at her: YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHAT MOTHERS HAVE TO DO TO IN THE NAME OF EFFICIENT PARENTING. GET OUT RIGHT NOW OR ELSE...
She said, "You shouldn't spy on your children. There needs to be trust and mutual respect in a family blah blah blah..."  Self-righteousness.
I ignored her. Because there was something much more interesting to listen to from outside. Little Son was attempting to conduct a business transaction with Trevor. One that involved his big sister's iPod, his little sister's army toys and a Barbie foldup tent thrown in for good measure.
Little Son - "You got any Spiderman toys? I'll give you the iPod for that toy."
Trevor mumbles something illegible.
Little Son - "I'll let you have the iPod AND the army trucks AND the Barbie tent for that spider man."
The negotiating continued. Trevor was driving a hard bargain for his mangled old SpiderMan from last Christmas. Little Son was adding more treasures to sweeten the deal. His big brother's broken cellphone, "You can try to fix it." His sister's art set, "Only the yellow marker is missing from it."

I listened and I was triumphant. I shut Big Daughter up with a gesture, "If I didn't spy on your little brother, I wouldn't have known that he is at this very minute, giving away YOUR iPod in exchange for a crappy Spiderman toy."

Outrage. "What?!"

Outside a deal had been struck and Little Son dashed inside to collect the merchandise. I was waiting for him, ready to unleash wrath and destruction. Big Daughter was pretty upset too.

I am not advanced enough NOT to gloat. I told Big Daughter, "You see? This is exactly why parents need to spy on their children. Ha. But don't worry, I agree that trust and respect are very important in a family. You can trust me to always spy on you respectfully."

Side note - Little Son really needs to up his game. If he's going to be a savvy businessman (aka - crook) then he needs to learn that trading an iPod, army set, Barbie Tent AND a faulty cellphone for one measly old spiderman toy is NOT a good deal. 

Why Authors Require Assistants on Book Tours.

I went to Samoa for a four day whirlwind book tour that included school and library visits, a book signing, writing workshop, and more. I took Big Daughter with me. She was my designated "tour assistant." My helper. My photographer and video documenter. My right hand. My bestest buddy. That friendly, smiley, personable young woman who helps her author mother to promote her new book.
Standing in line at Auck Airport and she complained profusely about how heavy her bag was. (She had to put all her clothes into her carry bag because none of us had any real luggage. Instead of suitcases, we checked in boxes of books.) Her Dad had to carry her bag. And his bag. So she could meander along. Looking for books to buy to read on the plane. (Correction - looking for books that her father could buy for her to read on the plane.)

Ezra Taylor is on the same flight as us. He greets Big Daughter. She barely notices because she is submerged in a book. Reading. Reading. Reading. There is no sign of that 'friendly, smiley, personable' young woman who is suppposed to be acccompanying me on my book trip.

On the plane and half-way to Samoa, the Hot Man reminds her she's supposed to be taking photos of the trip. She exclaims, "Oh, I forgot the camera at home." She doesnt look very sorry at all. Back to reading, reading. If you hoped to see some photos of our trip? We don't have any.

We arrive. First on the program is a television interview at TV3 Samoa. Big Daughter is helpful and interested. But later that night when the interviews screen she tells me - "You talk too much. You look funny on TV. Why cant you answer questions like Ezra does?  His interview was very good." Thank you Assistant for your assistance.

Next on the program is a radio interview early in the morning at Magik FM. Big Daughter is helpful and interested. Until radio staff want to take pictures and talk to her. Then she gets surly and tries to disappear. "I dont want to be in any photos.Why do they want to talk to me for?" There is no sign of friendly, smiley, personable-ness.

We go to Samoa College. My puletasi skirt is held up with lots of safety pins because it's too big for me. (Thank you Jenny Craig.) The skirt keeps threatening to fall down. I have visions of it falling down - right when I stand up to speak to an assembly of students - and me being way too nervous to even notice that I'm skirt-less. I ask Big Daughter, "Can you please keep checking that my skirt isn't falling down? Just in case?" She says, "Why do I have to do that for? Besides, Im standing at the back of the hall, filming you guys. I'll be too busy. Why are you wearing a skirt that doesnt fit you properly anyway?" Thank you Assistant for our assistance.  I ask Mr Taylor to please let me know if I have a wardrobe malfunction during our presentation. He looks vaguely alarmed at the prospect. I think he even moves several more feet away. Probably wondering how in the heck he ended up here talking to students with this wacky woman and her safety-pinned skirt. Wondering how can he escape from this nightmare. Thankfully nothing malfunctions. After our speeches, we chat with students. They want to chat with Big Daughter. Especially since I told them all that she helps me write the Telesa books. They're excited. Big Daughter isn't. Surly face. She whispers fiercely, "I dont want to be in any photos or talk to anyone."

We go to the book signing. Four hours on a hot Samoan afternoon, greeting people, signing their books, chatting about the Trilogy, taking photos. The team at Samoa Stationery Bookstore is very helpful. They bring cold drinks. They smile. Big Daughter sits inside the whole time. In the air condition. Reading, reading. The bookstore staff tell me "Don't worry, we are taking care of her. She has drinks and snacks and we told her to choose whatever books she wants to have from the shop." I am so glad that my Assistant is having a lovely time. Thank you Assistant for the assistance. When the event is done, friends and family try togreet her with hugs and kisses. She is submerged in a book. Reading reading.

It continues over the next two days. The girl who is so clever she's in the gifted program at her school looks vacantly at me when I ask her to write invoices, because she's trying to read a book. Asks "How much is the total for six books at forty tala?" For some strange reason, she is not interested in listening to her mother speak at another school. Or make a presentation of books at the public library. She flat out refuses to go to the High Tea at Plantation House. Because she says "thats so boring". Instead she sits in the house and reads. Thank you Assistant for the assistance.  Then, to top it all off - my wonderful Assistant accidentally deletes all the footage from the book tour off our video camera. Just. Great.

I am not very impressed with my Assistant's assistance.I am annoyed and frustrated with her.  The Hot Man patiently mediates between us. Tells me to be more patient, more nicer to our daughter. The two of them get lunch and chat and have great times together. Wthout me. The meanie mother. I meet up with a friend of mine who comments, "I met your daughter at the book signing. She is EXACTLY like you when you were her age." Huh? "She didn't like it when I hugged her. She didn't want to be disturbed from her book. She didnt like smiling. She hides shyness with a distant, almost stand-offish expression. You were like that at school. I remember. And you still dont like lots of socializing or hugging either. And when you're reading a book, nobody can connect with you at all." I thought about it and realized that my friend was exactly right.

Big Daughter is A LOT like me. And the things that are the most like me? Are the things that irritated me the most on this book trip. How can I expect Big Daughter to be the epitome of friendliness, sociability, and cheerfulness - when I sure as heck aint?

Such revelations are most unwelcome.

I'm going to go read a book now. And practise smiling. And on the next book tour? I might have to take Little Son who is friendliness personified. The child who tells random women in airports, "I like your hair. You're so pretty....do you have any lollies?" Yes, Im sure his approach will go down very well with readers. Except I will tell him to ask for donuts and Hostess cupcakes instead. 

Can you see Big Daughter in this picture? No. Neither can I. She's not in this one either.

Or this one.

 Aha! there she is.
As you can see, she's happy to smile when she's with her super awesome Dad. Huge thanks to the Hot Man for keeping the peace between me and Big Daughter!

You can read more about our trip to Samoa to release 'When Water Burns' at the following links:
The Samoa Observer
. Talamua Online News

How Much Attention Should Writers pay to Bad Reviews?

"Do me a favor and don't waste your time reading this book...the story line is awful."
 "I wish someone else had written this book because I think it could have been great if written by a better storyteller."
"The writing and dialogue were VERY bad."
"The main character completely ruined the book for me. She's bipolar, jumping from one emotion to the next like its nobody's business. If I had been the male lead I would have punched her in the face and never talked to her again."  (A selection of less than stellar reviews for Telesa.)

Book reviews. Bad book reviews. They're inevitable for an author. Especially in this electronic day and age when anyone can read a book and then tell the world what they think about it. Right away. All over the internet. The first rule of wanting to be an author is - make sure you are tough enough to handle it when people hate your writing. Remember that, If there aren't any peope that hate your work - then you arent reaching enough people. Embrace the haters. The second rule is - make sure you are strong enough NOT to respond/react publicly to a bad review. Don't rant, rave, scream or hunt down that reviewer and kill them. (Can you tell these are Lani Young's rules and very unlikely to be found in any writing manual?) The third rule is - make sure you are objective and discerning and grateful enough to look at each bad review and find the constructive bits in it. Ask, how can that crappy review be helpful?

I am a new author. I have four published books in the universe and lots of short stories in the universe. But I am still very new and have lots to learn. About writing. Publishing. Distributing and promoting my books. I am new enough that every review of my writing - gets read. Every review - either makes me happy. Or sad. (Especially reviews that say I don't know how to speak or write English properly. Ouch.) I have read a couple of hundred reviews of my books thus far. Every time someone takes the time to write their feedback, I am grateful. EVEN IF THE FEEDBACK SUCKS. Because I am now experienced enough to realize that there can be value even in the haters.  Particularly when you take the time to be constructive / specific in your feedback about WHY you enjoyed the book. Or WHY you hated it.

There are over 100 reviews on Amazon for the first book in the series, Telesa:The Covenant Keeper. 129 of them are 4-5 star. 3 of them are 2-star. I found the reviews to be extremely useful while writing the second book. Many people also write to me with suggestions and helpful hints about typos, characters, plot and more. Your reviews and feedback help me write. Some examples:
* Simone. I never expected there to be so much overwhelming response to this character. A common thread in book feedback was how much you all loved Simone and wanted to see more of him in the next books. Another reviewer contacted me with suggestions about Simone using fa'afafine specific language terms to help make him a more realistic character. You spoke and I listened. The reason why Simone has a bigger part to play in When Water Burns  is because you wanted him to.
*Leila. You found her to be a frustrating character at times as she struggled with issues of identity and trust. Some of you were understanding and said that "she's a typical teenager and has been through a lot so I could understand why she behaved the way she did" while others just wanted to beat her up, eliminate her from the scene and then step in to "comfort Daniel." I hope readers will find that in book two, Leila shows more maturity and development as a character. (and no, sorry Daniel doesnt need any comforting from any helpful volunteers...lol)
*Pace of action/plot/storyline. While some luxuriated in the detailed build-up to the Covenant Sisterhood powers and plot, others felt that the book was "slow" Particularly  in the beginning. I did lots of writing research on how to make books flow faster. Make the action more gripping and intense. I wanted book two to be a book that you could NOT put down. Big Daughter warned me somewhat apprehansively, "you better be careful Mum, theres so much explosive stuff happening in every chapter that readers are going to complain the book is too fast..."

I dont know about other authors, but I'm very glad that readers can instantly put up book feedback online. Your reviews, emails, FB and twitter messages help me in this writing journey. I hope you will enjoy the second book (and the third...) And please, keep those reviews coming. Even if they suck.

You Made Me Cry

What a week it has been. It's Saturday night and I'm sitting here, exhausted and just a little bit stunned.

1. The electronic book version of 'When Water Burns' was released on Amazon on Thursday. I asked for your help with getting this book into the rankings and you responded. You bought 380 books in a single day.  I woke up on Friday morning to find that 'When Water Burns' was number ONE on Amazon's Movers and Shakers List - which tracks books that move the most on the listings in a single day. Overall ranking, #379 out of 1, 190, 929 books. Number 1 on the People and Places Fiction List, Number 1 on the Mythology List, Number 5 on the Children's Hot New Releases List. You made history for a book written by a Pacific author. You did that.

2. Today I went to Otara Market in South Auckland for a book signing event organized by Rasmus Pereira and the Shop Samoa team. I had never been to Otara Market before. (Rasmus is pretty sure that this was a first for Otara Market as well - a book signing.) Many companies and individuals worked together to sponsor the event and make it happen. Like SUGA Magazine, Levi Plumbing, DJ Meex, Keila Records, Yolande Ah Chong, Tatau Dance Group, the Te Ariki Vaine Dance Group, Miss Samoa-NZ - and more.  I was expecting a low-key morning with a few people in attendance - and the chance for me to check out the market shops and sample some of the food that Otara Market is (in)famous for. That's not what happened. From start to finish, I was overwhelmed. There were masses of people wanting to get books signed. Wanting to have photos taken. Wanting to meet the cover models. Wanting to share their excitement and enthusiasm for the books and the characters. Not only that, but the organizers had worked together with different sponsors to host a great array of gifted Pacific artists. From dance groups to music artists and radio hosts and more - the day was one that celebrated Pacific talent and creativity. But the day was truly about you. It was possible because of you. The readers. The supporters. You that have embraced these books and these characters and gone out of your way to encourage a Samoan writer that is trying to write and publish her books on her own. Today was about YOU. You made it memorable. Special.

Mothers, daughters and grand-daughters celebrating a book together.
A professional athlete and an actress giving of their talents to bring a book to life.
A beautiful couple. 
A mum bringing her children to meet an author.

A community coming together.

Connecting with great friends.

Dancers sharing their talents ( and tattoos) with a captive audience.
Dancers sharing their fiery flair and beauty.  Inspiring examples of Pacific women.
The next generation of readers...and writers?
A rugby superstar making the time to support a Pacific author - and our youth.
Dedicated fans showing their enthusiasm for the book (and for Daniel) via their T.Shirts.

                                         Laughter.
Family.
Thank you for all that you do to make this writing and publishing journey possible. The last few days have shown me just how much you love these books. Just how much you are willing to do to encourage and uplift a writer of fiery Pacific stories. I'm humbled and grateful for every day that I can be living my writing dream.  Thank you for all that YOU do to make it happen.

(Ok, and now, I'm going to cry. Thank goodness you can't see me. It's past midnight, I'm really tired, looking at the pictures from the Otara event and I'm crying because you all blew me away with your support. I had no clue you were going to make a day like today happen.) 

And yes, in answer to those who have already begun asking me about book three...I am going to get serious about finishing work on the next book. 'The Bone Bearer' is in the works. And so is the Daniel novella - much of book one retold from Daniel's perspective. Your support of my books makes it possible for me to write more. It's that simple. This week, YOU made history. Today, YOU made my very first visit to Otara Market - an absolute joy. And tonight, reflecting on it all - YOU made me cry.

Thank you.

I'm Going to Otara. Do You Want to Come?

Press Release28/06/2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LANI WENDT YOUNGAuthor of the ‘Telesa Trilogy’ is signing her new book ‘WHEN WATER BURNS’
 Fans of the novel ‘Telesa’ will have a chance to meet the lauded author at a book signing event this Saturday June 30.  ‘When Water Burns’ is the second book in the Telesa Trilogy by Samoan author Lani Wendt Young and she will be on site at the Otara Market in Aucklandto sign the latest instalment.
The first book Telesa: The Covenant Keeper, the first of its kind to come out of the Pacific, debuted on Amazon.com in October 2011 and by December it was number one on the Top Rated Fantasy Romance List. Since then it has featured on the bestseller lists for Mythology and Fantasy Romance. It is available as both an electronic book and a print book.
The young adult fantasy series follows the story of Leila – a young woman who returns to Samoain search of family and wanting to learn more about her mother’s heritage.  Instead she discovers that local mythology about ‘teine Sa’ is more than just scary stories and she is in fact heir to a fiery ancestry. The author has reinterpreted Samoan legends of ‘spirit women’ so they are contemporary elementals that wield the powers of nature. The love interest, a rugby-playing tattooed ‘Chunk-Hunk’ called Daniel – has stolen the show (and the hearts) for most readers who are flooding social media network sites with avid discussion about why they are “Team Daniel”.
The response from readers globally has been phenomenal. Pacific communities worldwide have embraced this story and its characters and Western readers are falling in love with Samoavia this book. American book reviewer at ‘Beckoned By Books’, Sherre Leach, writes – “Not since Twilight have I felt this way after reading a book. Just as I have this feeling that I MUST visit Forks, Washington, I now MUST go to Samoa. There’s so much culture, legend and myth. This is a book you can read over and over and never tire of.”
"What started out as a cult interest fan base has spread," says Lani. "It's one of those things that seems to be having a massive crossover appeal. Young people are falling in love with the characters and it's a guilty pleasure for the not-so-young as well."
Lani published the Trilogy herself after her manuscript was rejected by more than thirty book agents and publishers. Since the release of the first book there have been launch events held throughout New Zealand, Samoa and also in Brisbane, Australia.
Lani now balances work on the next book in the trilogy with guest appearances at schools and libraries where she talks to young people about the importance of education, nurturing a passion for reading and having the courage and determination to pursue one’s dreams.
“Maybe you’re not meant to manipulate fire the way I do. Maybe sparks are all you’re ever going to make.” He snarled, “Or maybe you just need to be a better teacher and give me more.” Before I could reply, he grabbed my hand, twisted and pulled me into a restraining lock. Body pressed against my back, he held me in a chokehold. I struggled. Kicked.Fought. Pain knifed me as I tried to free myself. He spoke and his breath was hot in my ear. “Now, fire goddess let’s see if I can make more than sparks.” Rising panic chokBook signing will be held at Otara Market (Shop Samoa Stall - outside the recreation centre) on Saturday June 30 2012 from 10am-12pm. There will be live entertainment provided by the Keila Records crew, DJ Meex, Te Ariki Vaine dance group, Tatau dance group, Miss Samoa NZ and our MC Yolande Ah Chong. Fans will have the opportunity to also meet the Telesa cover models, Ezra Taylor and Faith Wulf who will be assisting with the book event.
Buy a copy of When Water Burns & Telesa: The Covenant Keeper at a special price of $30.00 each or both for $49.00 at the book signing only.
‘When Water Burns’ will also be available for sale online via www.shopsamoa.co.nzFREE shipping NZ Wide.
Contact: Rasmus Pereira+64275161125ras@shopsamoa.com
A huge thank you to Rasmus Pereira, the Shop Samoa team and all the sponsors for organizing this event that will profile a host of Pacific talent. 

Google Loves me More than My Mum Does.

What Big Son is wearing this week. 
You know what I hate? The law of the universe which dictates that your child
* will only ever have a volcanic raging fever - in the middle of the night. Play all day, run wild outdoors then clock strikes twelve? Pumpkin coach explodes. Fever, crash and burn.
* will only ever be mortally wounded - in the middle of the night. Climb a tree in the moonlight because they think 'it's fun' and rip their leg open bad enough that they need emergency surgery.
* will only ever suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction to their pain meds - in the middle of the night. Play X-box all afternoon. Sleep. Eat. Play more X-box. BAAAAAM, 'I'm dying, help me.'

I also hate that secondary law of the universe which dictates that all of these bad things will only ever happen to your child when your partner is an ocean away in Samoa/Australia/NZ.


Last week, Big Son had his wisdom tooth extracted. There was crying involved. From me. There was pain, suffering and swelling. For him. He was doped up with 3 different types of medication. By the second day, he was feeling worse than the first. I soothed him and told him 'this too shall pass. Be strong. Be patient.' By the third day, he was feeling super worse than the second. I was a little irritated with him. Because of course, I am a busy multi-tasking mother who has way more important things to do than coddle a seventeen year old who's practically a MAN already. I brushed him off and told him 'you're exaggerating. Get over it.' He went and played X-box. An hour later he came to tell me "I feel really weird. Dizzy. Breathless." I told him, "X-Box has that effect on people. Its a scientific fact. Go away. I'm very busy." Night time comes. Big Son staggers over to me and shows me a google page printout. "I think you should take me to the emergency room. According to Google, I'm having an allergic reaction to codeine." 


I am ashamed (now) to tell you that I rolled my eyes. And complained loudly. All the way to the afterhours A&E. And I muttered words like...'hypochondriac...bloody Google...giving sooky teenagers ideas...' as I thought about all the writing that I WASNT doing because I was taking this kid to the doctor. My annoyance  continued right up until we got to reception and I noticed that Big Son's face now resembled that of a lopsided blowfish. And he was red in the face. And struggling to breathe. And doctors rushed him down the hall, hooked him up to machines, pushed the panic button, loaded him into an ambulance and drove away.  Huh? 

"What's happening?" Your son is having an allergic reaction. We need to get him to the hospital immediately. Just like that, Big Son went from being 'Annoying Big Sook Son who is Fiapoko enough to google imaginary illnesses' - to Big Son who Might Die and All Because His Horrible Selfish Mother didn't Look After Him Properly. 


Some hours later, Big Son was alright. Disaster had been averted. And I had to deal with the next awful challenge. Telling his faraway-father-in-Samoa what had happened.  Saying, "But he was playing X-Box all afternoon and he looked just fine dammit!" was a little bit helpful for my case. But not much. Especially not when Big Son tells his Dad on the phone ( in a very weak, sad voice) "It's so lucky I turned to Google." Because my mum ignored me. Google loves me more than my own mum.  "It's a good thing I kept asking mum to take me to the doctor and didn't give up." Because my mum is a cruel heartless creature. I could have passed out on my bedroom floor and she wouldn't have noticed I was dead until rats started gnawing on my body.


I want the universe to witness that I have apologized profusely to my son. All this week, I have been creeping in to his room when he's asleep to check that he's still breathing. (I havent done that since he was a little boy that believed I was the smartest, bestest person on the planet.) I have also stopped complaining about how much I miss living in Samoa. Because I'm feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for excellent medical care in NZ. I am also very appreciative of the majesty and wonder of Google.

Can I just say though, that it's been a week now and Big Son is STILL workin that guilt trip? "It would be nice if you bought me some ice cream/gave me an extra ten dollars/excused me from chores...you know I could have died last week? Remember how you didn't listen to me? You didn't care? Remember that?"

Parents everywhere, let this be a lesson for you - Never ever be too busy to pay attention to your sick kid. Because if he has to end up Googling his own symptoms? Then he will NEVER let you forget it.

You are Not Famous. You are not Cool.

I was answering some questions for an interview with a new Pacific women's magazine that's coming out soon and got stuck on one of them.
                                            "How does it feel to be successful?"
Umm...I don't know. Because I'm not successful yet. Especially not as an author. I'm very successful at making cookies. And teaching lessons. And bribing my children to listen to me. But when it comes to being an author, no. Not successful yet. Take the following as evidence...

Some of you may know that I'm related to a very famous person - and NO Pele/Peta/Josh I'm not talking about either of you. ( Even tho you are each very wonderful siblings and have wonderfulness and university degrees coming out of your ears, you are most certainly not famous.) I'm referring here to my Dad's younger brother, Prof. Albert Wendt - award-winning novelist, poet, artist, academic. His books have been read all over the world, made into movies and are studied by anyone and everyone even vaguely interested in Pacific literature. Now, I don't often mention that I'm related to a famous person. Because I don't want to be jumping on that 'famous relative train'...you know that one where every Samoan tells you that the Rock is their cousin? And their sister is Troy Polamalu's hairdresser? And David Tua is from their village? And that piece of Sonny Bill Williams that's Samoan (most probably his left ab) - is related to their uncle...Yeah, that train...I'm not riding on it. Truly. Because I promise you that I am not related in any way to Troy, David or Sonny. (Especially not Sonny. Alice Burgess knows why.)  No, I'm just related to Uncle Albert,  a man who looks a lot like my Dad...and has family toonai with our fifty cousins every once in a while...and is super cool enough to wear really funky kicks (purple running shoes) when he goes to literary events and can surprise a Twilight addict (me) because he's actually read the Twilight books...


Anyway, last night I went to an awesome event organized by the Auck women of PACIFICA. It was a 'Women of Influence' evening with the theme, Dare to Dream. I was excited about listening to powerhouse Pacific women share their success stories.  But I also wanted to be comfortable while I was listening to them. So I  put on my old denim jeans, a gangster black jacket that the Hot Man got from the nightclub he used to work security for, and my new black Nike shoes. (Which are like...the coolest shoes I've owned since my little sister gave me her old leather boots and I would wear them and pretend I was the chick in Matrix.) 
But Big Son said, 'Don't be ridiculous. Don't you want people to take you seriously? You have to dress up, you're trying to be an author. And you've got a new book coming out next week." Methinks that Big Son was channeling my mother...


 I whined, "But Uncle Albert wears really cool purple kicks when he goes places."  And I thought about Seal's gorgeous red suede shoes that he wears on that Aussie show, 'The Voice.' With black jeans and yellow fingernail polish...


 And Big Son replied, "Yes, but you're not Uncle Albert. He's famous and you're not. He's cool and you're not."  Seal is famous and cool too. And I'm not. 
Ouch. Must teenagers always be so direct? And brutal? Have they no compassion? Apparently not.
I got changed. I put on sensible clothes that I wear to church. I didn't wear the new Nikes. I went to the event with my beautiful cousin Fiona Wendt. It was a fabulous evening, co-ordinated by another beautiful cousin of mine, Sina Wendt Moore.  I had a great time. I met my Twitter friend Moana Leilua and was very jealous of her shoes - zebra print Docs. And at all times, my quiet, restrained, boring shoes reminded me that...'You are not famous. You are not cool.'


What do we learn from this? (because we always have to put this moralizing bit in to justify writing and then reading an inane, fluff-filled piece of babbling) 
1. Lani Wendt Young is related to a very famous person. And  has some very beautiful and talented cousins too. 
2. According to Big Son, Lani Wendt Young is not famous. Or cool.
3. If Lani Wendt Young EVER becomes famous and cool? She will not share her famousness with Big Son. She will most definitely not buy him any super cool shoes with her rich famousness either. 
4. I think I now know the answer to that interview question. I may be wrong, but I think that success feels like red suede shoes. Purple kicks. Zebra print Docs. Black Nikes and second hand gangster jackets. So if you ever see me wearing any? With faded jeans and a gangster jacket? Then you will know that I've done it. I would have achieved the pinnacle of success. That epic moment in history when my children give me permission to dress like that in public. Because they think I'm famous and cool.
                I shall live in hope for that cataclysmic day.

Brown People Don't Read. Much.

We interrupt this program to let you know that Amazon.com has jumped the gun and the second book in my Telesa Trilogy, 'When Water Burns' is now available in a print edition. Right this minute. For $14.65.
 'When Water Burns' - the second book in the Telesa Trilogy.

It’s not easy for a book written by a Samoan author to find a global voice. Thank you to all those readers who took a chance on the first ‘Telesā’ book and then were generous enough to share it – review it, blog it, tweet it, Facebook it, email it, harass their family and friends to read it. The Telesā series has the bestest readers in the world. I am in awe of your passion, enthusiasm, and fiery creativity as you have embraced this Pacific story. It is always a joy to connect with you, whether in person or in the virtual world.
Many people have been asking me WHY did I put out the print book first? What's the delay with the electronic book. Its a long story, but here it goes...

* The first Telesa book was released as an electronic book in Oct 2011 on both Amazon and Smashwords. I chose this option as it was the fastest way to get my book out to a global audience. Many, many people chose to buy one PDF or Word document copy of the book from Smashwords and then copy it and email it to all of their friends and family. Twitter and Facebook were filled with people talking about how they shared copies with "everyone at my church...everyone at work...all my cousins..." and more. Our Pacific Islander communities overseas have been superb supporters, talking up the Telesa book in our churches, schools, councils and social networks. As a very new author, I continue to be grateful for the generous support of all those who help to spread the news about my book.

*However, as a Samoan author trying to take a very Samoan/Pacific story to the world - the file sharing severely hampers Telesa's standing on the Amazon bestseller ranking. Back when I was trying to find a publisher for my book, more than 30 different agents and publishers rejected 'Telesa' and a common reply given was, 'There is no market for a Pacific/Samoan young adult book.' And so I published it myself. Mindful that many readers in Samoa etc do not have access to e-books, we took out a mortgage on our house to pay for print copies. It has been a challenge to get the Telesa books into mainstream bookstores in NZ and Australia. I have huge appreciation for the 25+ stores in Samoa and American Samoa that stock Telesa. Huge appreciation for the online book distributors (like Wheelers, Academy Books etc),  University Bookshops, Paper Plus,and other Pacific stores in NZ that support my books by stocking them. (And no love for Whitcoulls that said no, no, no.) Huge appreciation for the libraries in NZ and Samoa that have been so willing to support my books. I am honored that institutions like Auckland University, the Univ of Guam and several high schools have made Telesa a required literary text of study.

* I understand that it is something of a risk for a store/distributor to take on my book. There are no other Pacific authors writing in the Young Adult genre.YET. So how are stores supposed to know if there is a market for such a book? Perhaps the traditional book industry believes that brown young adults don't read much. As an ex-English teacher of Pacific youth, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to get our young people to read - and enjoy it. To some extent, the book industry perception may be right then. But maybe, we all would read more if there were more books available that we could connect with? And more 'brown' books we could actually access easily. I can't even buy a novel by world-renowned Albert Wendt from Whitcoulls here in NZ and he's the mostest famous-est Pacific author on the planet. I can't get a Sia Figiel book from anywhere either. I don't know about you, but I find that disgusting. When literary masterpieces of Pacific fiction can't get on the mall bookshelf, what chance does an easy fantasy read of Pacific storytelling have?

The international response to the Telesa e-books has shown that yes, there is an audience who wants this kind of reading material. And no, it's not just brown people reading it either.

* But  publishers, distributors and stores are not going to know this unless they can see the numbers. The cold hard facts. The stats. They need to see Telesa and other books like it rank on the world bestseller lists. The Amazon listings. The New York Times listings. Only then will they be willing to publish more of our stories, distribute them, put them in libraries and schools worldwide and even make movies about them. This will not happen as long as we file-share and as long as we are content to keep quiet and not make our buying, reading voices heard.  I may be the first Pacific YA writer to publish electronically but I certainly do not wish to be the last. There are others writing great Pacific stories and poetry right now, powerful young writers like Seti Matua, Samantha Peckham-Togiatama, Maryanne Pale, Sita Leota, Nydia Aloaina, James Toma and many more. I look forward to the day when I can log on to Amazon searching for a good book to read and be able to choose from a myriad of Pacific authors writing captivating stories from all the different places and cultures that make up the vibrant fabric that is the Pacific. We all have a part to play in helping to make that happen. We need to support our Pacific storytellers so they will write more AND we need to  harass stores and distributors for ' Young Adult books written about us, for us, and by us. ..'

*I was hesitant to release the electronic version of 'When Water Burns', wanting to first address this issue on my blog and so, I have released the print version on Amazon.This is not a financially wise choice for me. Amazon sells my print book for $14.65 USD. I get $2.30 of that. Compare this with the electronic version which will release for $7.99 USD, I get $5.59 of that. Do the Math. But then, this journey is not just about the money. Since Telesa's release, I have held regular free download promotions and given away more than twenty thousand electronic copies. Everywhere I go, I donate print books to libraries and schools. The most rewarding part of this journey has been the feedback that says, 'I hate reading, but I read your book in two days...I've never read a book before until I found Telesa...Your book has made me want to visit Samoa...This story makes me want to learn more about my heritage...' Yes, I am a writer trying to earn a living with my writing, but I am also an educator who is passionate about nurturing a love for books, fueling creativity and igniting a fire for our culture, legends and ancestry.

 I believe that our Samoan and Pacific stories are powerful enough, good enough and unique enough for the world stage. I also believe that our stories can have a global market that goes beyond Samoans everywhere.People are calling 'Telesa' the "Pacific Twilight". I bow to that as a huge compliment. But I also hold my head high and affirm that this is not some tawdry rip-off of a sparkly vampire series. It's a unique something special all its own, -
'supernatural elements grounded in Samoa of old
the reading and seeding of myths and legends and lores untoldgenealogy and story strung in the integrity of linePacific epistemologies wrapped in passion sublime...
Its ancient mythology meets teenage biology...a kind of Sex in the city meets Hex in the Bush!' 
(Prof Selina Tusitala Marsh)

In two weeks, the electronic version of 'When Water Burns' will release on Amazon. I am hoping for your continued support for the Telesa Trilogy books. Fa'amolemole, I am asking that you purchase your e-book from Amazon. I am asking that you refuse to file-share.

Fa'afetai tele lava.