Mark Chamberlain

Mark Chamberlain is an award winning author. He was short listed for the Writers’ Digest International award for Best First Book: Lawrence of Arabia: Desert Wolf. In 1998 the Catholic media in Australasia gave him their Best Feature Award for that year. In total, he has written twelve books, and his work has featured on Radio New Zealand. Mark’s writing presentations for teachers have featured in conferences both in Europe (ECIS) and the Middle East (TARA) and (NESA). He has presented as an author in international schools in the Middle East and schools in New Zealand (LNNZ) and Australia. He is available as a speaker and a presenter for schools (students and teachers) and writing groups. He has worked as a truck driver, a fisherman, a dishwasher, a probation officer, a drain digger, a factory worker, a poker machine attendant, a scrub cutter, a drug and alcohol abuse counsellor and one night as a bouncer. Since marrying Eleanor and settling down, most of his jobs have been in teaching or journalism and other forms of writing. He lives hidden away in the Far North of New Zealand and divides his time between fishing, hunting, planting trees and spraying for gorse

Genre:

Skills:

Branch:

Northland

Location:

Kaitaia

Publications:

Too Right Boy

Too Right, Boy is a classic New Zealand road trip story. Old Harry hasn’t enjoyed the best of reputations: a former foreign correspondent with a love of whiskey and gambling, he sets out to redeem himself by taking his grandson, Brad, on a road trip while Brad’s parents are on a forced leave of absence. He attempts to take good care of the boy, while imparting some much needed character training. Despite Harry’s best intentions, the road trip only confirms the parents' worst fears. But in the end, a lesson lived is a lesson learned, and the road trip goes a long way to exorcising familiar demons.

With a Father Like Mine

“As a child I watched these fits of temper and believed that was what a man did…But when Dad’s dark side turned on Mum I knew that should never happen . . .” This is a story of a man who grew up in provincial New Zealand, in a poor home, with family addiction threatening to seal his fate. In this sweeping memoir, M.O. Chamberlain tracks the consequences of the wild, unpredictable nature of family life with a problem drinker. He lays bare those unexamined scripts that drive people to repeat the same addictive cycle, even when they have vowed it will never happen to them. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, love and loss, struggle and success. It takes place across numerous continents and relates adventures such as sailing the Atlantic and hitch-hiking around the Americas while revealing insights into New Zealand’s criminal underclass and life in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With a Father like Mine is a book that stirs the soul and provides inspiration and a ray of hope to all those suffering from family addiction. “Engrossing. Chamberlain writes fluently and has an ear for what is entertaining . . . He knows how to hustle a narrative along. It certainly is a rattling good read”. MATT TURNER “Written in a style that holds the reader through the tragedy of his parents’ lives and the many influences that fashioned his father”. LLOYD EDWARDS

Releasing Reluctant Writers

Offers a simple, workable formula for teaching writing in the classroom that has been tested and proven with students from all over the world, transforming even the most reluctant students into avid writers. Honest, comprehensive and entertaining, this book is a must read for teachers looking to make writing an exciting event. "Tried, tested and true. I highly recommend it." Norma Hudson, Superintendant, International Schools Group.

Lawrence of Arabia Desert Wolf

Lawrence of Arabia: Desert Wolf is the story of an extraordinary man who became a legend in his own lifetime. Based on fact, this historical novel traces the whole of T.E. Lawrence’s life from the secretive days of his childhood to his untimely tragic death. This is a story of friendship, adventure and monumental genius. Lawrence’s childhood and the secret that haunted him is told by a school friend, Scroggs Beetson. His heroic feats in the Arabian Desert are witnessed and recounted by a Bedouin boy and the final fugitive years are revealed by the son of a journalist, who eventually hunts him down. Full of action and insight this book makes available one of the most amazing war stories ever told. Men have wondered and will continue to wonder how the events retold here were ever possible. “A magnificent piece of biographical, historical fiction . . . We should be grateful to Mark Chamberlain for a book that combines meticulous research with a lively and interesting style of writing. Masterfully written, the book brings to life a complex, brilliant, and ambitious character.” Vargie Johnson: Author of Historical-fiction Novels Kiwepublishing.com