This Saturday 20th June, the young adult fantasy novel ‘Shadows’ is being launched at Ponsonby Community centre, a book based in a fantastical version of Auckland.

Sam Blood started writing the book when he was nine years old. He has spent the last fourteen years redrafting and honing it. Sam grew up in Auckland on the North Shore. He started telling bedtime stories to his Godsister at age nine, about magical creatures called Shadows. He began writing the story into novel form and worked on it through lunchtimes at Belmont Intermediate and Takapuna Grammar School. He says the nature of the story and its characters stayed the same throughout, but the events and plots shifted constantly. His resolve to continue with it was strengthened by encouraging feedback from John Marsden, author of the Tomorrow When the War Began series, and from NZ Post Award-nominated author Brian Falkner.

Completing the final draft last year, Sam resolved to self-publish rather than pursue traditional publishing. “It changes the game,” says Sam. “It means the only reason your book isn’t published is because of you. New writers should be getting their work out there and connecting with readers, not waiting for a publisher to decide if we fit their list.” He adds that he enjoys the creative control of self-publishing and that it gives him direct contact with readers who are passionate about the story.

‘Shadows’ begins in Auckland city before moving to a parallel Auckland both similar and alien to the one we know. The book focuses on a lonely gamer called Griffin, who is sucked into a world of magical creatures called Shadows. Befriending an eccentric dragon-parrot named Cirrus, the unlikely pair are hunted by an Empire that views friendships between humans and Shadows as a dangerous sickness. The book explores the positive and negative relationships we have with ourselves.

Sam’s story is the first instalment in a series of four books, the second of which will be released- considerably sooner than the time frame for the first- in late 2015.

‘Shadows’ launches at 20 Ponsonby Terrace at 5pm this Saturday, 20th June. Paperbacks are available for $25, cash only. Dress up as magical creatures is encouraged, but not required. Experienced children’s author Maria Gill will be introducing Sam at the launch. Kindle copies are available for preorder from Amazon- visit www.amazon.com/author/samblood for more details on purchasing, or www.facebook.com/sambloodauthor.