A visit to Bateman Books - my publisher

Here I am in Bateman's foyer. Frank will be on the shelf in October.

I visited Bateman Books this week. Mainly to sign a bunch of books for NZ Deer Stalkers Assn. NZDA have 48 branches throughout NZ and around 8000 members. I'll be visiting some of these lodges and doing talks. And so looking forward to signing bloody truckloads (thank you very much in advance.) I was armed with my pen and after signing a few - a little nervously, don't screw it up Louise! I was on my way and must say, it's a damn fine feeling.

Another book signed

Signing books for NZDA

A very happy author!

30 days to go until Frank hits the shelves! Exciting to see the listing on the Whitcoulls site.

 

1998 -2023 Twenty five years from inception to publication

 

1998 Christchurch and I meet Frank's good mates Brian Farrow on left, and Dave Osmers for the first time. That day Dave gave me the photo of Frank that I'm holding. We lunched in style at the Chateau Regency and talked about the book idea. The photo propped between the salt and pepper shakers. Sadly, both have now passed on, both contributed significantly to Finding Frank, and Dave's beautiful portraits of Frank, including the cover shot.

Finding Frank at Booksellers Conference

Finding Frank at the Rotorua Booksellers Conference in July. Happy to say there's been a lot of interest. In bookshops nationwide from Monday 9 October. Or pre order now at the link below.

https://www.batemanbooks.co.nz/product/finding-frank-preorder/

'Frank was my uncle, he died when I was a pre-schooler, and my one lasting memory is scant and hazy. I grew up knowing very little about his life, he always appeared as a handsome adventurous uncle who died tragically, and of course someone I wished I had known. He was part of my family history, someone that I was driven to uncover and write about.' – Louise Maich

Finding Frank preorder the book

Hello everyone, well its finally happening. The book titled Finding Frank will be out October in a bookshop near you. You can also preorder the book from Bateman Books, heres the link: 

https://www.batemanbooks.co.nz/product/finding-frank-preorder/

This wonderful endorsement from Geoff Spearpoint features on the back cover:

'Finding Frank is an evocative and fascinating book outlining the life of New Zealand hunting legend, Frank Erceg. Frank has featured peripherally in many hunting books, but this is the first time his story has been told. Frank is a major part of our hunting history and outdoor heritage, something that is reinforced by the stories on every page.'

Frank Erceg book to be published in 2023

 

Dave Barton on left, and Frank Erceg outside the Arawhata log cabin, early 1960s.

Fantastic! Awesome! Exciting news to share!!! The book that has been in the making for many years, now has a publisher, and will be out October 2023. So folks, not long now and it will be on your bookshelf! Closer to the book's launch, I'll share more news and where to buy the book! Cheers to everyone for your support of the blog and the book project. 

Gordon Roberts & Angus Thompson

In this 1990 New Zealand National Geographic documentary, (see link below) Gordon Roberts talks about his wildlife photography, of his working in the wilderness and backcountry of NZ as a deer hunter and then moving in to his years as a professional photographer. Alongside Gordon, his mate Angus Thompson reminisces about their deer culling days and reflects on some of those times also.

I like the comment Angus makes when asked about: how did the government shooters cope when heading into town? During the off season or for a weekend of fun. Did they feel different from the city folk. His reply included that one most harrowing things was: crossing the road in traffic - more terrifying than hanging off a bluff, he quips.

In the film Gordon obviously still very fit, trots up the steep mountainside completely in his element, you can tell he's done this for years. the young journalist is keeping up with him, but  is ungainly and struggling a little. There's a stunning sequence of footage a bit further on has Gordon careenes down the mountainside,  flying over the scree, hardly touching the ground, he looks like a human chamois, incredibly fit and agile. It really is a magnificent sequence and for me, encapsulates in one flowing carefree movement all that he puts into words.

I've interviewed both Gordon and Angus, and I'm really honoured to have had that opportunity and their content contributes to other's stories of those times in the Frank book. The book which is how in its final stages of editing and soon on its way to being published. I' ll post updates on progress with publishing here. BUT for now, enjoy this great bit of NZ history. 

NZ National Geographic: A Thing of the Past:

https://www.nzgeo.com/video/a-thing-of-the-past/ 

Angus and Dave Drangsholt's tribute to Gordon Roberts from June 2018 NZ Deer Cullers news letter. And two of Gordon's books.

Gordon recalls a conversation with Frank and Wattie Cameron. From Gordon's book Game Animals of New Zealand.