Well, we are definitely winding down our month of challenges. Today, we’ve arrived at one of the unsung heroes of the alphabet, the twenty-first letter, U. Think of it. U words include usual, unique, ubiquitous, unanimous universal, united, uranium and other ultimately useful words, but the letter U is probably most famous for what it changes. Think about it. You can become upset, unhappy, unusual, uninspired, ungrateful, and even unloved. Doesn’t that make this seemingly mild letter powerful? During this year’s blog tour, I’ve come to realize that it’s not only the words we say and use that matter, it’s the individual letters that can make or break them.
Today my focus is on another “new to you” author, Young, with a truly unusual and unique story to share with you–his memoirs.
I am always amazed to discover the paths different people take to becoming authors. I was a high school teacher. Some are doctors, nurses, lawyers, ranchers, salespeople, farmers, clergy members–basically people from all walks of life and all socioeconomic levels. Some are lucky enough to discover their passion for writing at a young age. Others, like myself, embark on our careers as authors later in life. We writers are a little like unicorns, a rare breed of mythical creature, searching for ways to please and entertain our readers and maybe find that magic spot on the elusive bestseller list. Until the moment when your pen or pencil touches the page or your finger depresses a key, you can be anything you want to be, but once it does, you become a writer, and that is a wonderful thing. Today’s author has led a truly eclectic life. Many thanks to Christine Maynard, screenwriter and novelist, for this biography, from which I’ve taken this information.
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Young, alias Bernard Foong, is first and foremost, a sensitive man who finds nuance in everything. To experience the world he inhabits is an adventure which is mystical, childlike and refreshing. He has a rare ability to create beauty in a unique fashion. His palettes have been material, paint, words and human experiences.
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the age of 8, he was assisting his aunt and cousin, learning the art of sewing and fabrics/colors matching. He attended an exclusive private boarding school in the United Kingdom before obtaining his Diploma in Fashion Design at the Harrow College of Art & Technology in London, England. He went on to complete his Master of Design at the Royal College of Art & Design, London, England. During his college years he won several international fashion awards and was already retailing bridal and evening dresses to several well known department stores in England. His Royal College of Art graduation wedding/evening wear collection was sold to Liberty of London and displayed in their store windows for the entire month of June that year.
For four years, he worked for Liberty’s bridal department as their in-house designer until a trip to Hong Kong, where he was recruited by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as their Fashion professor for the next 6 years. Working for Keys Far East Hong Kong as chief lingerie designer – travelling extensively to the United States, he was recruited as an Associate Fashion Design/Illustration Professor to the University of Wisconsin, Madison and also lectured at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design for a couple of years.
Foong was then appointed as the Fashion Development Manager by an established department store – Parkson Grand (22 stores in Malaysia and one in Shanghai, China). Producing under the label, Natural Life by Bernard Foong, he designed casual-wear collections for the Parkson Grand’s flagship store in Kuala Lumpur. He was invited by the Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore to join their design school to establish a Fashion Design department.
The Fitzgerald Theatre Department, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Oahu, Hawaii awarded a full scholarship for Foong to complete his second Master of Art in Theatre Costuming. Now a resident on the Island of Maui, he has assisted many charity organizations in their fund raising events with his extravagant fashion and performance shows/presentations. In 2005, he and his partner, Mr. Walter Jay Bissett opened Fire Dragon Bistro Orient & Design Shop. He also designs costumes/fashions for numerous theatrical productions in Hawaii and abroad.
Appointed as chief lingerie designer for Cerie International Limited – Hong Kong, his lingerie designs can be found in major department stores in Canada and the United Kingdom.
I could go on, but you can see he is an incredibly talented artist and has added author to his portfolio. Foong, writing as Young, is in the process of completing Metanoia – book V of his autobiographical book series A Harem Boy’s Saga: A Memoir by Young.
This provocative story, spanning 4 decades and 3 continents, is about a boy who was sent to a very exclusive English boarding school in the 1960s where he was initiated into a clandestine sexual society and then spirited away to serve in wealthy and elite Middle Eastern harems. Only from such a gifted man can come a heart-filled rendering of a life I never knew existed. I’ve read the first two books in this series and can attest that Young’s life has indeed been a unique and unusual one.
Young is an Internationally Best Selling Author on amazon.com His books include,
A Harem Boy’s Saga – Book I – Initiation (a memoir by Young), A Harem Boy’s Saga – Book II – Unbridled (sequel), A Harem Boy’s Saga – Book III – Debauchery (3rd volume in the series), A Harem Boy’s Saga – Book IV – Turpitude (4th volume in the series)
A Harem Boy’s Saga series is published by Solstice Publishing and is available in print and E-books internationally. A Harem Boy’s Saga (series) – Film Option Agreement has been signed with a U.K. Film Production Company. Congratulations! Book I – Initiation is currently in film pre-production.
So today, we look at U is for Unbridled
Unbridled is the sequel to Initiation – A provocative story about a boy who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.
It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother’ and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperones and mentors during the boy’s Harem services.
This book follows the boy’s erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at his 2nd Arab Household Harem, the Sekham. He was an apprentice and model, for the household patriarch’s controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places”.
The author’s experiences present facts that are truthful. Through these truths, which are often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnations and negativity which relate to his experiences.
There are 5 – 7 volumes in A Harem Boy’s Saga series.
Buy Links:
UNBRIDLED: myBook.to/UNBRIDLED
A Harem Boy’s Saga – 4 books: http://amzn.to/1FMlHVY
Contacts:
A Harem Boy’s Saga – Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aharemboysaga/
In The Harem blog url: http://bernardfoong.typepad.com/ in_the_harem
Website: http://aharemboysaga.com/wp/
Unbridled Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J4ewXGxl-U&t=129s
Please stop by the A to Z blog’s site to visit other bloggers. A to Z Challenge Blog
Living the Dream 
I had not heard of Young, or Bernard Foong, before your post but clearly he has lived an extremely unique life and has much talent. It sounds like an interesting book series. WeekendsInMaine
It is. More graphic than I was used to, but totally awed me.
After I read your post I googled Bernard Foong Designs…I finally found my dream wedding dress. Alas, it’s come close to 40 years too late.. It’s a vintage 1980 wedding dress and it’s absolutely breathtaking (well, to me anyway). I am sure this very talented man will soon add successful author to his resume.
Plucking Of My Heartstrings
I know. I’m trying to find some of his lingerie since it’s sold in Canada, but in a small town like I live in, that would be a no.
You’re right, ‘U’ changes everything.
Very interesting. I will have to add this one to the reading list.
Wow! A fascinating person and life. An artist talented in many styles.
Susanne, I like your label for authors who aspire or become with no former training. I once considered myself a unicorn but these days I wonder if that’s the direction I should go or not. That being said my art sketching has promoted a new interest for me to illustrate my next children’s book. This challenge has unified a new direction within me. Thanks for visiting, Art Sketching Through the Alphabet “U” (Unicorn) on Curious as a Cathy. Happy a2zing!
Thanks for dropping by.
Very interesting, Susanne! Foong has led a fascinating life and his autobiography must be equally so. Thanks for the introduction.
Thank you Susanne for the delectable article. Mush appreciated! As we say in Hawaii – MAHALO! (Thank You). May all your writing, books and the endeavours you embark on every success. ALOHA! (The breath of Life in Hawaiian).
MAHALO!
Foong has led an interesting life. The book isn’t something I would read though. Girl Who Reads
A fascinating life, designing for the rich and famous.
Interesting story. Not a book I would naturally be inclined to pick up, but the background of the author helps me to understand where he is coming from with the writing of this book. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
With Love,
Mandy
It definitely won’t be everybody’s cup of tea, but while I found the book disturbing, I certainly could understand why he would see it as “normal’ for him and those he knew