Mervyn Noel Whitley Jnr

I am a writer who sees risk as a mere distraction to my want of attaining pure authenticity in my writing.

Though my background is in restaurants and teaching English as a second language, I decided to write, and then place, my debut novel, 'They of Star', into the the world proper.

It took me eight years to craft my novel, rewriting it six times so that I was able to attain a consistent and melodic rhythm within the story, and to the ways and words of the characters. 'They of Star' does not adhere to the conventional thought of storytelling or layout, instead keeping to the integrity of the rhythm that lies within a song. If a moment is needed to reflect and to ponder, a moment within this book is given. If clutter is sought, then clutter in the writing is created to convey that exact chaos, so as to confuse or confine your mind. If a time of love is found between characters, then love is reflected in the words, the layout, and the poetic verse that is offered upon the page.

‘They of Star’, is written in a contemporary style reminiscent of old English prose. It tells the story of a family that is born from The Stars, but has decided to live in a world called The Land. An evil presence that is kin to the family of The Star, has started to make his presence known upon The Land and all prepare for the inevitable battle that they know will come. All the while they must protect a powerful secret that will determine the fate of all those living upon The Land, a secret that can save or destroy their future and all those alive, a secret that, depending on who is the possessor of this most honoured and sacred of secrets, will bring either freedom, or will bring death. 

It took me eight years to place every single word of the entirety of the story exactly where I wanted that word to be placed on each and every page, nothing within this novel is random, every moment is intentional.

This unique method of placement of words, the rhythm of the story, and the honesty of each breath breathed, makes the reader authentically and naturally fall within the moment with the character themselves. 

With the print novel, I have also produced a 12-hour audiobook packed with sound design and an original soundtrack of music.

Additionally, I perform my live book readings, while the original soundtrack is playing, in the exact rhythm that I wrote the book in, to invite and immerse the listener into the world that I have created within 'They of Star'. My unique style of readings entwined within my original soundtrack of music has become a powerful method of emotive conveyance.

Additionally, I have written many spoken word pieces and a selection of poetry, which is an ongoing form of expression I am innately drawn to. My second novel is currently in the works, hopefully being released in 2024.

A small moment from 'They of Star',

'Fragile are lovers' ways,

When rhyme and verse are one,

Broken are vows when fought with fire,

And charm invokes what comes...'

I am about to launch a Kickstarter campaign at the end of September 2023 with this as my goal:

I intend to raise the funds to stage a series of international showcase book reading performances of ‘They of Star’ in Australia, North America, and the UK/Europe, with the aim of finding international representation and distribution. 

This is me, this is who I am and what I am currently working on, and if you see interest in the authenticity of my world, I would love to be a part of your podcast to share what I am trying to share with the world at large.

Thank you,

Mervyn Noel Whitley Jnr