Author’s expectations exceeded at launch

NELSPRUIT – “Looks like it's standing room only,” Tony Park joked at the launch of his new novel, The Prey.

Park's 10th novel is set in the region and has received tremendous support from residents.

A few rows of chairs were arranged in a corner of Exclusive Books at Riverside Mall on Monday evening in preparation for the handful of people who had confirmed their attendance.

Management, however, had to organise more chairs as more and more people showed up.

At the start of his speech Park expressed his surprise and joy that so many people had pitched.

He entertained the crowd with anecdotes of his experience in Africa and said that people had asked him if he ever got writer's block.

“It's impossible to get writer's block if you write about South Africa. There is so much happening here.

“You just have to open a newspaper or switch on the television,” he said.

Park, an Australian native, spends half of his time in South Africa, travelling the country and writing. The Prey looks at the problem of illicit mining in a fictitious mine in Barberton.

The mine is being overrun by illegal miners and the manager is fighting a losing battle to control them.

Park visited a real gold mine in Barberton and was given a great deal of help by the mine manager and his staff.

Iconic Lowveld locations such as the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Kruger National Park and the I'langa and Riverside malls also feature in the novel. He thanked friends and locals who helped during his research and Exclusive Books Riverside Mall, which has been a huge supporter since his first book was published in South Africa.

The evening concluded with food and drinks, conversations with the author, and his signature and personalised message in fans' brand-new books.