New book for Taupo¯ author
One of Taupo¯ ’s most prolific authors, Doug Wilson, is at it again with a new book to add to his fast-growing list of publications.
Doug is a former professor of medicine and a medical and scientific consultant who has headed major research and development groups working on a wide range of new drugs.
But his other passion is writing for children and it’s something he came to late, publishing his first books at the age of 76. Since then he’s racked up 12 books and all but one have been for children.
His latest one, Zeke Battle: Earthquake Boy which has just been released, is aimed at a slightly older age group than usual, with the target market the teenager/young adult group.
It tells the story of Zeke, a young homeless boy who lives in a junkyard with an alcoholic older man, but is also extraordinarily gifted at maths and science. Across the world earthquakes originating in the Ring of Fire are causing devastation and chaos. Zeke comes up with a controversial global plan to try to disrupt them. But not everybody supports his outside the square thinking and the stage is set for a showdown.
Doug says the story of Zeke Battle was one that just came to him and while there have been fantasy elements in some of his previous books, this one is set in the real world. However, he admits he had to take some liberties with the science as Zeke comes up with his theories.
In a parallel with some of the anti-science rhetoric being seen in recent times and conspiracy theories spread by social media, Doug has Zeke’s plans opposed by activist groups. There’s also a series of themes young adults will identify with, including bullying, pressure to fit into the mainstream and the struggle to make yourself and your ideas heard.
Zeke Battle: Earthquake Boy follows an earlier disaster book by Doug, Taupo Blows ,an imagining of what might happen if the Taupo¯ supervolcano blew up.
He says after writing Taupo Blows he started thinking about earthquakes and, given his frequent work trips to Wellington to the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, what would happen if the city was hit by the big one.
His other children’s books include four in the Tom Hassler fantasy series, a stand-alone novel Don’t Mess With These Kids, inspired by discussions with a classroom of kids at a Hamilton school, and four more that have been published offshore and will be relaunched in New Zealand next year.
As well as writing for children, Doug has published an adults’ book, Ageing for Beginners, and is working on a successor, a book about longevity and healthy longer living.
Now 82, Doug describes his writing for young people as “a bit of light relief” from his busy life in medical research and as a pharmaceutical company director. He usually writes for the 7 to 10 year age group because, as he says, “I like the small kids who do stuff”.
■ Doug will be at Paper Plus Taupo¯ for a book signing on Saturday, November 30 from 10.30am to 11.30am.