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Welcome to Zealandia Press Hub!

Where You Can Find Everything You Need to Sound Like You’ve Read the Book!

About the Author

James Lovell is a New Zealand-born author with a passion for storytelling and creativity in all its forms. He wrote Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp while completing his Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Politics, and International Relations at the University of Auckland.

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James started crafting the world of Zealandia at 18 years old, during the pandemic, inspired by the power of escapism and the need for adventure when reality feels heavy. He believes books aren’t just stories—they’re friends, portals, and safe havens.

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About the Book

Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp

 

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy (Ages 10–14)
Themes: Magic, adventure, friendship, mystery, escapism

Published: January 24, 2025
Publisher: Zealandia Publishing

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Blurb:

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For twelve-year-old Tom Walker, life on his grandfather's remote farm on New Zealand's South Island is safe but stifling. Lonely days stretch into lonely years, with only his neighbour Victoria and his Gramps to keep him company. But as Tom's thirteenth birthday approaches, the quiet isolation he's come to know begins to unravel.

 

A shattered mirror, a crushed truck, and eerie growls in his favourite forest. These are only the first signs that something is wrong-and that Tom's world is far bigger than he ever imagined.

 

When Tom learns that his parents were part of Zealandia, a magical society hidden beyond the Southern Alps, his world explodes with colour and wonder. At its centre lies the Dreadstones Grasp, a powerful necklace tied to his parents' deaths. Now, the dark sorceress Thallium is hunting for its power, and shadows threaten everything Tom holds dear.

 

With Victoria and new friends by his side, Tom must leave behind his quiet, lonely life and step into a vibrant world of magic and danger. Along the way, he'll discover that the family you choose can be just as powerful as the family you've lost-and that even in the darkest times, you don't have to face the shadows alone.

 

Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp is a spellbinding story about friendship, magic, and discovering that the things you've always been missing may be closer than you think. At approximately 77,000 words, this immersive tale will captivate readers of all ages.

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About Zealandia Publishing

When James Lovell set out to publish Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp, he knew he wanted full creative control over the world he was building. Instead of going the traditional publishing route, he founded Zealandia Publishing—a home for all things set in The Magical World of Zealandia.

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Zealandia is a world James intends to spend a long time exploring. Alongside the main book series—planned as a five-book pentalogy—he creates free weekly short stories set in this magical universe, expanding its lore and adventures.

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At its heart, Zealandia Publishing is about escapism. Just as James remembers losing himself in Coolmath Games and online worlds as a kid, he hopes Zealandia Publishing can be a place where young readers find adventure, friendship, and a world that feels like home. He wants Kiwi kids to have something truly their own—a fantasy world that reflects New Zealand’s unique magic, from summer Christmases to green fields and lush forests—and to share that magic with readers across the globe.

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Zealandia Publishing is the one-stop shop for all things in The Magical World of Zealandia—from novels and free short stories to the hidden histories of a world waiting to be discovered.

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Sample Interview Questions

About the Book & Story
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  1. What inspired Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp?

  2. Can you describe Zealandia in one sentence?

  3. What makes Zealandia different from other fantasy worlds?

  4. The book blends adventure, humour, and mystery—was that intentional from the start?

  5. The book has a very New Zealand feel to it—why was that important to you?

  6. How does magic work in the world of Zealandia?

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About the Writing Process
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  1. You started writing this book at 18. How has your writing changed since then?

  2. What was the hardest part of writing Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp?

  3. Do you have a favourite scene or moment in the book?

  4. Were there any big changes from the first draft to the final version?

  5. What’s your writing routine like? Do you plot everything or just go with the flow?

  6. Did anything unexpected happen while writing the book?

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About Zealandia Publishing & Your Vision
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  1. Why did you decide to publish Zealandia independently instead of going the traditional route?

  2. What do you hope Zealandia Publishing will become in the future?

  3. You’ve mentioned wanting to create an escape for young readers—how does Zealandia do that?

  4. Why do you think New Zealand needs its own fantasy world?

  5. You create weekly short stories in the world of Zealandia—what can readers expect from those?

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Future Books & What’s Next
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  1. Zealandia: The Dreadstones Grasp is the first in a five-book series. What can you tease about the next book?

  2. If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring young writers, what would it be?

Let’s Work Together

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