Author: Brett Chatz (Bcom UNISA)
Title: Mr.
Bio: Brett L. Chatz was born in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. He attended the internationally accredited University of South Africa, where he completed the prestigious Bachelor of Commerce degree, with Economics and Strategic management, as his major subjects. In concert with the primary degree, he completed several Bachelor of Arts courses, most notably English poetry and literature. 

In addition he enrolled at the University of Haifa in Israel to complete a post-graduate year in the Bachelor of Arts discipline. His keen interest in the power of the written word stems from a serendipitous submission of a sports article to a leading South African newspaper in the late 1990’s. He regularly writes on contemporary interest articles, sport and politics. While many of the articles sparked controversy, this did not deter him from continuing his true passion of writing.

The critique he received for his literary efforts encouraged him to take his writing to the next level. Living through South Africa’s transformation inspired the artist within him. He attempted to transcribe his passion, and the emotions related to the changing times, into his literature. The winds of change swept through the old apartheid land and brought with them fresh new hope. They brought with them myriad opportunities to develop new interpersonal bonds and a cultural reawakening.

During the course of his studies, he embarked on numerous overseas trips to the United States in particular. Over a seven-year spell of extensive travel and work assignments in the United States, during which he coached tennis and led group activities, he eventually became involved in the hospitality industry on the East Coast. While living in Ocean City, Maryland, he was inspired to complete his maiden novel. 

Subsequent voyages to the United Kingdom; Israel; Egypt, Morocco, Portugal and the Canary Islands were catalysts in assisting him to better understand and appreciate the diversity of the people of the world. Besides for writing, coaching sports to children has always been of particular interest to him, from the Great Lakes of Wisconsin and the pristine beauty of Somerset county to the wintry embrace of Lancaster in the United Kingdom. He has acted as a mentor and an inspiration to the children he guided.

When questioned about the reasons for having written ‘Serum,’ Brett responds: “The novel is an attempt to predicate the common thread of humanity inherently running through all of us. Diversity in belief, race and persuasion is merely another beautiful flower in the garden of humanity; fear and prejudice are a menace to society and have no place in our lives.”