John Evan Harris, author of The Physician’s Gun, spent two days in Whangarei on a Sibling Retreat with his fellow writers, brother Peter (The Girl and the Guardian), and sisters Penelope (The Adventures of Romy) and Rosie (The Barn Chronicles). “It’s a wonderful privilege being able to spend time with my siblings, encouraging and inspiring each other in our writing projects,” says John.
Physician’s Gun author John Evan Harris pictured at the Takapuna Library for the Children’s Writers’ Festival on 23 September with fellow fiction authors Karen McMillan (left) and Yvette Carol. John focused on historical fiction, Karen on children’s adventure, and Yvette on fantasy.
For an interesting backgrounder on The Physician’s Gun author John Evan Harris, click on this interview from NZ Book Lovers online.
On Saturday morning 23 September, John Evan Harris (The Physician’s Gun) will join fellow authors Karen McMillan (Elastic Island Adventures) and Yvette Carol (The Or’in of Tane) for Children’s Writers Festival at the Takapuna Library.
From 10.00am they’ll talk about their books – and sign and sell them!
Teacher’s lesson plans to be used with The Physician’s Gun have been sent to three dozen schools which have previously received copies of the book. Prepared by experienced intermediate and secondary school teacher Jan Zane MA, the plans are designed to promote discussion in History and English. They can also be used to spark consideration of contemporary ethical issues.
It’s now nine months since we launched The Physician’s Gun. (See photo from Auckland launch.) The book is now available at many 
bookshops around the country, and on Amazon (as an e-book or print-on-demand paperback.)
Copies of The Physician’s Gun have now been sent to more than 40 schools around New Zealand. They will be available for students to find in the school library.
“I believe this book is a great way for young students – especially boys – to be encouraged to read,” said author John Harris. “And when they read of all the exciting and sometimes terrible things that happened in the 1800s, they cannot fail to become interested in learning more about our history.”
Latest positive review comes in the just-published issue of Magpies magazine. “The Physician’s Gun is a lively yarn, with plenty of jeopardies and hair’s-breadth escapes, which will appeal strongly to young males.” – Trevor Agnew
Excited (and amused!) to announce that my book The Physician’s Gun features in Amazon’s best seller lists this week – in the Top 10 Children’s Western Historical Fiction list. American readers have told me The Physician’s Gun has struck a chord with them. Henry Appleton, the hero of the book which is set in Nelson, is a young man who dreams of being a cowboy. Charles Cumming’s sketch from the book shows Henry as he would like to be seen – as a swashbuckling Western hero. (See The Physician’s Gun Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/johnevanharris
The Physician’s Gun is ‘more than an action-packed western,’ says a review in the latest Kete magazine. ‘It has grit, wild spirit and a uniquely compelling story ripped out of Aotearoa’s colonial past,’ says reviewer Cullen Wilson.
PICTURED: Henry Appleton’s fanciful sketch of himself as a Western hero. (Illustration by Charles Cumming, from the book.)
The Physician’s Gun is now available in good bookstores, and also via Amazon, Mighty Ape and Fishpond.
The Auckland launch of The Physician’s Gun attracted 65 booklovers and supporters to the Mt Eden Village Hall on Thursday evening. Author John Evan Harris said he was thrilled with the enthusiastic reception for his book – a story set against the backdrop of the infamous Maungatapu Murders of 1866.
Time Out attended to sell copies of the book. “I’d like to say we sold hundreds,” said John, “but it was possibly more like 30. And I’d like to say The Physician’s Gun is SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOVIE, but I haven’t been approached for the film rights just yet.”
PICTURED: Fellow author Mike Ansari (left) and a bearded visitor from Hawkes Bay pose with the author in front of a blowup of Nelson township in the 1860s.
The Physicians Gun was officially launched on Tuesday at the Page and Blackmore bookshop in Nelson. Pictured with author John Evan Harris, hamming it up in historical hats are Nelson Historical Society members Heather Thomas (President) on the left, and historical researcher-writer Karen Stade.
On Tuesday 15 November, The Physician’s Gun will be officially launched at Page and Blackmore’s Booksellers in Nelson – the town which was the scene of the notorious Maungatapu Murders, which form the factual backdrop to the book. Author John Evan Harris, in town to promote the launch, has been interviewed by Blair Kiddey on The Breeze, and Catherine Hubbard for the Nelson Mail.
The launch is at 5.15pm in the Page and Blackmore shop, 254 Trafalgar Street.
“I’ve had lots of positive comments about Minky Stapleton’s cover design,” says John Evan Harris, author of The Physician’s Gun. The design pays homage to the cowboy movie posters of the 1950s. “I was worried people might think it was too old-fashioned, but its retro feel seems to appeal to readers.”
Although it won’t be officially launched till next month, The Physician’s Gun is already in some bookstores. It is being distributed by the highly-regarded Nationwide Book Distributors.
John Evan Harris’ first book, The Physician’s Gun, is in bookstores now. Inspired by the notorious Maungatapu Murders of 1866, this action-packed novel is the story of a young man who dreams of having his own rifle and becoming a gunslinger like Wild Bill Hickok. But his daydreaming becomes a terrifying reality when he is kidnapped by a ruthless gang of highwaymen. (Illustrations by Charles Cumming, cover by Minky Stapleton, internal design by Martin Taylor, published by Roiall Emerald.)
“I think I’ll write a book. How hard can that be?” Well, actually, VERY hard! But having written and rewritten, listened to the advice of editors and assessors, and rewritten again, I am nearly ready to publish The Physician’s Gun. I have sought the advice and assistance of self-publisher Martin Taylor, and we will shortly begin working together to get the book ready to launch as a hard copy, print-on-demand and e-book. – John Evan Harris
