For most aspiring writers the idea of releasing their first book is often a far-off dream that will ‘one day’ come to fruition, but for Huia Publisher’s newest writer, Jacquie McRae, success came a lot sooner than she thought.
Jacquie’s young adult-novel, The Scent of Apples, will be launched at this year’s Pikihuia Awards for Māori Writers on 27 August at Te Papa, Wellington.
Coincidentally, it was at the 2008 Pikihuia Awards where Jacquie was first discovered as a writer, publishing her short story ‘Dream Weaver’ in Huia Short Stories 8. Jacquie commented that, ‘being selected as a finalist in the Pikihuia Awards is the ultimate but then to have a novel published in less than two years is wonderful.’
After becoming a finalist in the 2008 awards, Jacquie was then selected to take part in the Māori Literature Trust’s Te Papa Tupu programme where she was mentored by established Māori writer and playwright Renée. Te Papa Tupu programme is one of the initiatives designed to develop and grow new Māori writers.
In her debut novel, Jacquie looks at adolescent anxieties and addresses the issue of teenage grief, depression and self-harm. The story centres on the friendship of two girls and how their different home environments shape them. The story is loosely based on experiences Jacqui had as a girl corresponding with her friend, ‘we always thought that each other had the ideal family life,’ Jacquie stated.
The Scent of Apples will be available in bookstores in early September and will retail for $20
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