Witi Ihimaera (born February 7, 1944)

Witi Tame Ihimaera-Smiler, DCNZM, QSM (born 7 February 1944), generally known as Witi Ihimaera, is a New Zealand author, and is often regarded as one of the most prominent Māori writers alive.

Ihimaera was born near Gisborne, a town in the east of New Zealand's North Island and is of Māori descent (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) and Anglo-Saxon descent through his father, Tom. He attended Church College of New Zealand in Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand. He was the first Māori writer to publish both a novel and a book of short stories. He began to work as a diplomat at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1973, and served at various diplomatic posts in Canberra, New York, and Washington, D.C. Ihimaera remained at the Ministry until 1989, although his time there was broken by several fellowships at the University of Otago in 1975 and Victoria University of Wellington in 1982 (where he graduated with a BA). In 1990, he took up a position at the University of Auckland, where he became Professor, and Distinguished Creative Fellow in Māori Literature. He retired from this position in 2010.

In 2004, his nephew Gary Christie Lewis married Lady Davina Windsor, becoming the first Māori to marry into the British Royal Family.

Most of Ihimaera's work consists of short stories or novels. He has written a considerable number of stories, with the most notable being works such as Tangi, Pounamu, Pounamu, and The Whale Rider (the last of which became a film of the same name). His stories generally portray Māori culture in modern New Zealand. His work often focuses on problems within contemporary Māori society.

( Read more... )

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witi_Ihimaera

Further Readings:

Nights in the Gardens of Spain by Witi Ihimaera
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Raupo Publishing (NZ) Ltd; 3rd edition (January 17, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0790004062
ISBN-13: 978-0790004068
Amazon: Nights in the Gardens of Spain

David Munro has everything a man could want - a beautiful wife, two adoring daughters, a top academic position and a circle of devoted friends. But he also has another life, lived mainly at night and frequently in what he comes to know as 'The Gardens of Spain', the places where gay and bisexual men meet. Now he must choose which of these two lives to follow ...Now in its fourth edition, Nights in the Gardens of Spain takes us along the precarious divide between sexuality and social mores, exploring dilemmas of contemporary gay culture with anger, laughter, sensitivity and honesty.

More Spotlights at my website: www.elisarolle.com/, My Lists/Gay Novels

New Release: Breaking The Habit by J.P. Bowie

Breaking The Habit, sequel to Dumping Las Vegas, by J.P. Bowie
Link: http://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-romance/breaking-the-habit/#.VNXnMi6slqh

Mike Peterson is determined to break the gambling habit that resulted in two failed marriages, no money, no job, plus almost getting himself and his brother killed when loan sharks came looking for their money. In addition, he’s recently been having some doubts about his own sexuality. When his gay brother suggests he get in touch with an old friend, recently out police officer Larry Bertoli, Mike is at first leery of the idea, and their first meeting isn’t exactly ideal.
They decide to meet again and this time more of what they are and what they could mean to one another is revealed during their time together. They begin a tentative friendship that graduates to a first, fumbling attempt at romance. Can they find the secure relationship they both want, or will Mike’s addiction and lack of self-esteem hinder what could possibly be salvation for both men?

( Excerpt )

About J.P. Bowie: J.P. Bowie is originally from Aberdeen, Scotland but has made the US his home for the past 30 years. Migrating between California and Nevada for some time he and his husband Phil have finally come to nest in San Diego, Ca. The author of over 50 stories, novels, novellas and anthology contributions, J.P. is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. “Dumping Las Vegas” is his first offering from Wilde City Press and he considers it an honor to be associated with Ethan Day, Geoff Knight and the host of talented authors at WCP.