 The Telesa Trilogy series author, Lani Wendt Young South Auckland was on fire last Saturday as a new book in the Telesa Series by Lani Wendt Young, was launched at an event hosted by the Samoa Business Network Incorporated at the BNZ Manukau which was a fun family day/event celebrating Pasifika creativity and artists. ‘The Bone Bearer’ is the third and final book in the trilogy of Leila and Daniel and fans have been eagerly awaiting the fiery conclusion to their epic story. Crowds gathered to watch performances of dance and song and to browse a stunning array of Pacific crafts and a variety of products from various businesses within the Network, as well as to meet the author Australia. Definitely worth the trip,” said Katie Mauga. The launch was an example of how the business world can nurture and promote Pasifika arts and creativity. BNZ Manukau was a main sponsor and generously hosted the event in their bank and outside in the carpark. President of the Samoa Business Network and BNZ Manukau staff-member, Laura Keil-Hall explained, “BNZ is passionate about promoting Samoan entrepreneurs and fostering close networks with the community here in South Auckland. We also feel that literacy and creativity are very important so we were delighted to host the launch because today’s event was about all those things.” Bluesky Samoa was the other key sponsor, proudly showing its commitment to Samoan youth and talent even all the way in South Auckland. The event was organized by the Samoa Business Network and many other businesses, members of the Samoa Business Network themselves, lent their generous support to make it a success. The Telesa series books are all available for purchase online via Shopsamoa.com and have their books signed. The event started at 9am and finished at 2pm. There were activities to entrance young and old alike with everything from face painting to non-stop vibrant dance numbers from groups like Ariki Vaine, the Kelston Kweens, Tatau Dance Group and more. Samoan divas Rosita Vai and Marina Davis wowed the crowd with their powerful performances, along with Tribal State band, youth band Divine Rhythm, Niuean vocalists the Asekona sisters and graduates of the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts (P.I.P.A). “It’s important to me that any Telesa book event be a showcase for Pasifika talent and creativity,” explained Lani. “I’m thrilled so many artists and performers were able to share their gifts with us today.” People were able to relax, sample the Pacific food delights, browse the assorted crafts and merchandise and enjoy the show while their children made the most of the bouncy castle and festive balloons. Fans of the Telesa series waited patiently in line for a chance to chat with the author and have their books signed. Many had already purchased the electronic copy of the new book but were insistent on wanting to get signed copies of the paperback for their collections. Angela Lalovao of Auckland said, “I absolutely looooove my Telesa collection, all signed by the lovely Lani Young herself. Just had to get my hands on a copy with the official covers. I’m excited to read the last book of the series , there’s now a Telesa marathon in progress, please do not disturb!” One dedicated fan came all the way from Australia to attend. “Loved the event! Always good to come home for some culture... Awesome casually sitting and talking to some of our famous Pacific people.... You don't get that in
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 Rosita Vai to perform at The Bone Bearer Launch Party at BNZ Manukau "Lani Wendt-Young’s novel has an intriguing story behind a story that I relate to as a Young Pacific Woman. I challenge myself to be different and on my journey I live with fear of that journey…regardless I still travel the road and I am reassured by the stories of the loved ones that came down this road before me.
I cry…I laugh…The emotion drives my passions and this reflects in my music. If there is a story that defines a journey for me, this is it. This is a story of rediscovery and recovery of what has always been within me. …Call me Defined" ROSITA VAI Bio: Rosita Vai is a professional singer and songwriter who combines her classical training with her polynesian heritage creating a unique and individual sound. She has worked alongside many musicians & artists in New Zealand. Was nominated Best Female artist at the Pacific Music Awards in 2006 and won a Tui award for Best selling single the same year after she was crowned NZ Idol in 2005. Currently working on new music and her EP yet to be released. Her recent releases "So High"and "Miss you" are currently playing on Niu FM. Generating new songs to inspire the truths of life, faith, love and her journey to engage and encourage young people the importance of identity and of being yourself.  01/08/2013 PRESS RELEASE The Bone Bearer Book Launch Party, Auckland The much awaited release of Lani Wendt-Young’s third book in the Telesa Trilogy series has finally arrived. THE BONE BEARER is set to be launched in Auckland, on Saturday 17 August 2013 at BNZ Manukau. Thanks to the vital support of major sponsors, the BANK OF NEW ZEALAND at Manukau, BLUESKY SAMOA, 531PI RADIO STATION, TALOFA NEWSPAPER & SHOPSAMOA.COM; the SAMOA BUSINESS NETWORK INC (SBN) invites you to the OFFICIAL Auckland launch of THE BONE BEARER. “It is massively exciting for the Samoa Business Network to host this launch in partnership with the Bank of New Zealand Manukau”, said spokesperson, Rasmus Pereira. “BNZ Manukau have been staunch supporters of the Samoan Business Network right from the beginning and they continue with their support of Pacific entrepreneurship, with the launch of Lani Wendt Young’s third book in the Telesa Trilogy.” The launch is a fun family day out celebrating Pacific literature, art, music, dance, creativity & entrepreneurship and showcasing an array of Pacific and local businesses in South Auckland. Lani Wendt-Young, has made huge waves internationally with the release of her first two books in the Telesa Series in 2011 and 2012. Thanks to the books availability in both print and digital format worldwide, this fiery adventure series has found a global audience. The author’s passion for nurturing literacy in our Pasifika youth and sharing the richness of the unique Samoan culture via her writing, has led to her making the first TELESA e-book free for students, with over 50,000 people grabbing a copy this way. All the TELESA books have featured on the Amazon bestseller listings for Young Adult fiction. This has resulted in an explosion of interest in Pacific literature, particularly from young Pasifika readers - which her uncle, Albert Wendt, would no doubt be proud of. The BONE BEARER is the final chapter of Leila and Daniel’s epic story and one which draws in characters and elements from many other Pacific nations in an explosive and fiery conclusion. All the books in the TELESA Series will be available for purchase on the day and the good news is that Lani will be personally signing copies of the BONE BEARER, with the first 50 customers receiving a complimentary poster as well! When: Saturday 17 August 2013 Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm Where: BNZ Manukau, Cnr of Great South Road and Cavendish Drive, Manukau (across from Manukau McDonalds) Contact: Laura Keil Hall – 021659072 / Rasmus Pereira – 0275161125 Email – [email protected] Website(s) www.thebonebearer.com & www.samoabusinessnetwork.com about lani wendt young Author of the Telesa Trilogy, Lani Wendt Young Lani is a Samoan/NZ writer who blogs as a (slightly Demented) Domestic Goddess at Sleepless in Samoa,. Her award-winning short fiction has been published in collections in NZ, Australia and the UK. In 2009, Lani was commissioned to research and write her first book, a narrative account of the disaster which devastated the islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Northern Tonga. The printing of ‘Pacific Tsunami – Galu Afi’ was funded by the Australian government and all proceeds from the book go to survivors who shared their stories for the project. A qualified teacher who has taught at the secondary and tertiary level in Samoa, Lani is a frequent guest speaker at schools, libraries and writing events. Lani is married to Darren Young (who is probably the most patient man alive) and when she’s not writing, blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking and living in other worlds of adventure and mythological fantasy ( in her head) - she’s the full-time mother to her five fabulous children. (Who are also very patient people)  The Telesa Series: Romance Pasifika Style Lani published her first novel ‘Telesa: The Covenant Keeper’ as an electronic book in October 2011 – a first for a Samoan author. Telesa is the first book in a Young Adult contemporary Fantasy series set in Samoa and within two months, it had reached number one on the Top Rated Fantasy Romance List on Amazon, the world’s largest e-book distributor. On June 10th 2012, the second book in the series, ‘When Water Burns’ was launched on Amazon, making it to Amazon’s ‘Hot New Releases’ listing within the first 24 hours and is an Amazon bestselling Mythology and Children’s Fantasy book. A third book in the series, a novella entitled, ‘I am Daniel Tahi’ was released in December 2012. ‘The Bone Bearer’ will be the concluding book in the series which tells the story of Leila and Daniel. All the Telesa books are available globally in both electronic copy and print from Amazon.com. ‘Telesa: The Covenant Keeper’ is now a required text for Pacific Literature courses in several universities around the world and has been the inspiration for other Pacific creative artists in the fields of fashion, music, art, bone carving and dance. The series has a dedicated global following and it encourages reader engagement via social media. There are Telesa and author fan pages on Facebook with a combined 10,000+ followers. The TELESA audience is a global one with readership divided between the USA, NZ, Australia and Samoa. 80% of her readership is female and between the ages of 18 to 45yrs. The recent cover reveal for the upcoming TELESA book reached over 46,000 engaged Facebook users, with even the author of Fifty Shades of Grey, E.L James – liking and sharing it with her followers.
In NZ, the books are available from Paper Plus stores, Shop Samoa outlets, various University Bookshops and selected retailers. Schools and libraries can acquire Lani’s books from Shop Samoa Books. Worldwide, the books can be purchased in both digital format and print from Amazon. Awards 2011 USP Press Fiction Award, ‘Sleepless in Samoa.’ Short story collection. 2010 Commendation Award, Commonwealth Short Story Competition. ‘The Beast that Came from the Sea.’ Winner of the 2002 Telecom/National Univ of Samoa Short Story Competition. ‘A Sister’s Story.’ In the Media: Lani and her writing has also featured in - · Drive Time with Waleed Aly, ABC Radio National, Australia . ABC Radio Australia with Geraldine Coutts. . Radio NZ . Spasifik Magazine, NZ . TV One NZ The Good Morning Show · Campbell Live, TV3, NZ. . TV3 Samoa . TV1 Samoa . STARCH – NZ Literary Journal · Tagata Pasifika · JAAM Magazine, NZ · Samoa Observer Newspaper. · Samoa News, American Samoa. · School Journal Series, Learning Media, NZ · Newsline, Samoa. · Commonwealth Foundation Short Story Winners. Recorded for worldwide radio broadcast. · Event Polynesia Online News· Various USA and UK Book Blogger Review sites. |
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