Psychic senses great things to come

ALMOST FAMOUS: Masterton's own "spirit messenger" Craig Wright, fresh from his Hawke's Bay show, will be writing a book about life as a medium, and may also be performing in the US.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Life is getting busy for Masterton's very own "spirit messenger".

Craig Wright, who says he is able to communicate with the dead, first launched his New Zealand career as a medium with a show at Master Bowl in May this year, where he performed for a full house.

Since then, his working life appears to be going from strength to strength - with a successful Hawke's Bay show behind him, the former checkout operator has now secured a book deal and the possibility of some US gigs.

"I've been so busy," he said. "But it's all very exciting."

Last month, Mr Wright performed in his hometown of Hastings at the Hawke's Bay Opera House Ballroom, where he passed on messages from the deceased in front of an almost 200-strong crowd.

He said he was nervous leading up to the show but was received warmly.

"The applause at the end was huge," he said. "The place was packed out. In the end, I was able to do readings for 12 people."

Mr Wright was happy to bring "peace and answers" to audience members whose loved ones had died tragically - but said there were also some laughs on the night.

"There was a woman in the audience who'd had three husbands and their spirits all came through to talk to her," said Mr Wright, who did readings via an Australian Facebook page before launching his career in New Zealand.

"I asked, 'who has been married three times?' And she put up her hand and got all embarrassed.

"A mother also came through wanting to talk to her daughter, and she revealed all these funny childhood memories she thought her mum didn't know about.

"There were some comedic moments, but there were lots of tears, too."

Since returning to Wairarapa, Mr Wright has started penning an autobiography about his experiences as a spirit messenger - starting with his earlier years, when he first began conversing with spirits.

He has met with Masterton-based publishers Di and Ian Grant of Fraser Books, who have agreed to eventually publish his manuscript.

"I was approached by their daughter after the Hastings show and she suggested I write a book," said Mr Wright, who is hoping to finish his autobiography within 12 months.

"I've written the first five pages. Di and Ian will help with proofreading as I go along."

He was excited to report that, following the Hawke's Bay show, he had received an email from a representative from the US film industry who offered him the opportunity to do live shows in New York and Las Vegas.

"I was completely shocked," he said. "She even offered to fly me over there. Nothing's set in stone yet but it's still amazing."

Back in Masterton, he will be working on a collaborative project with one of the crew of psychic detective show Sensing Murder later in the year.

Mr Wright said his friends and family had been supportive of his chosen career, and thrilled about the recent developments.

"My friends keep saying, 'I knew you were going to be famous'," he said.

Mr Wright will be doing a second show at Master Bowl on October 3. Tickets are $20 and will be available from My Mojo or Master Bowl.