The River Writer, Jean Louise Allen author of Bitty by the River and River River Raupo Rye is coming to the Kaukapakapa Library with her new book River at War - the sequel to River River Raupo Rye and featuring the book cover chosen at the market competition last year.
Jean will be reading excerpts from River at War and will be available to sign copies of books purchased from her on the day.
Jean was born on the Northern Wairoa River, the fifth daughter of a Riverman of Scottish lineage and a wonderful warm hearted Woman of Irish/Welsh descent, became a Primary School Teacher and married Jim also a School Teacher and had four children. They now have an extensive family of children, grandchildren and latterly, two great-grandchildren.
In her early years as a writer Jean had non-fiction magazine articles and a school reader published.
In 1993 she won the Novice Section Katherine Mansfield BNZ Fiction Award with The Flatty, published in the NZ Listener. She brought out Bitty by the River, a novelette type book of thematic Short Stories in 2008 of which The Flatty and Fancy Work were broad-cast on Radio NZ. In 2013 she published her first Novel, River River Raupo Rye set 1912 to 1932 and has now written the sequel to that book - River at War set 1936 to 1946. Called to River Courage is not long of its final edit and After that ~ everything goes on hold until she finishes her family History! PLUS Jim Allen will be there with his fishing books - popular guides for both adults and children.
Enquiries to Sarah 0274 831542 or email sarah1@maxnet.co.nz