Young Kiwi go-getter will knock on every door in NZ selling his novel for $1.

New Zealand has so often been at the height of innovation. America’s Cup yachts, opening with spin bowlers in Cricket World Cups and not to mention the famous bungee jump.  Once again, it is in the centre of what is believed to a world first– this time in literature.

Young Kiwi author, Jaime Savage, is set to walk the length of the country knocking on every door from Cape Reinga to Bluff selling his debut novel, 'A Hero Needed Tonight' for a gold coin with all profits generated being donated to charity.

Savage is under no illusion that his journey is going to be a walk in the park.

‘It’s certainly unconventional. Some say it’s madness. It’s a story to tell the grandkids, that’s for sure. I’ve always wanted to see the country. What better way to see it than to knock on every door. It will be an adventure'.

The Kiwi writer who has a background in business and law is modest…shy even. When pressed on speaking about himself and promoting his book on a national scale he very humbly at the first instance speaks about loyalty to his friends and family instead.

‘Exams come and go. Work colleagues come and go. The average person works something like twelve jobs in a lifetime so they come and go as well. When it all comes down to it, your friends and family are what you hold on to until the very end. That’s all that matters at the end of the day; nothing else matters’.

The young man is raw, remarkably honest and seemingly contempt. His answers are philosophical. His realness is enduring.  He showcases a remarkable level of maturity for someone his age. He admits he doesn’t drink or smoke like other writers do. All his energy has seemingly been pushed into the relentless pursuit of creative writing.    

‘I see people going out clubbing and frequenting bars. I’m happy for them. They’re enjoying themselves. It’s not me though. I’m enjoying myself getting lost creating new worlds, new stories, and new characters. I’m having fun’.

As he speaks about creating, his face beams for the first time. His face may beam more once he accepts the fact that his stocks have been rising since the release of his debut novel ‘A Hero Needed Tonight’. The novel is set in an uncertain date in the future–the only reference to the time period is that it’s set in the Year of the Snake–and focuses on a young couple who embark on a journey of a lifetime across a world lying in social and political ruin. It’s a well crafted coming-of-age story set in a very realistic take on the future.

‘It’s been one helluva ride…I’ve been writing this since 2013. What happens next remains to be seen. I’ll give it everything I have, that’s all I can do; it’s all anyone can do’.

For someone so young to be speaking so despondently is confusing. Savage explains his realism is often mistaken for pessimism.

‘I’m not negative about myself. I’m just doing what I’m doing–writing my stories. People have a tendency to hype things up. I don’t like them hyping me up to the world; it only ends up letting people down. If only a handful of people cherish my story then I have done my job. I mean some people will hate it…a few may even love it. I hope they both can agree that it’s original’, says Savage.

Savage’s novel, ‘A Hero Needed Tonight’ has gone though a preliminary release earlier this year and has already been downloaded in over 35 countries. It is a wide ranging list of countries including all the English speaking countries to far flung places such as Slovenia, Malaysia and Lithuania. 

‘At the end of the day I will look back on this as an experience. If my book is a hit so be it. If it’s a flop it’s just another chapter in my life. I’ve lost before; I will lose again. When I’m on my deathbed I want to look back and say that I gave it everything I had. Everybody’s clock is ticking. Don’t be naïve, don’t be complacent, nothing is guaranteed in this life. There are many things I want to do; this is just one of them. I’m in the driver’s seat. I’m having the greatest time of my life’.