Author(s): Luke S. Kennedy

Biography

'Dying in the back of a screaming ambulance, my main concern was to live, not because I loved life but because I wanted to be around to hear the story of my survival. This was all just a popularity contest. The fights, the crews and the graffiti were all just ways to be talked about. That was my life.' At the age of 15, Luke Kennedy, an overweight kid from Sydney's southern suburbs, fell into graffiti tagging. Soon he'd dropped out of school to spend all his time with his crew, bombing trains and train lines, thieving, drinking, taking drugs and - Luke's specialty - street fighting. Nothing could stop 'Punchy' (Luke's tag and nickname). He was notorious for taking the biggest risks, drinking the most and fighting anyone who dissed his crew. Punchy was stabbed in the chest and glassed in the head. Some of his friends ended up in jail; others ended up dead. When he was busted bombing a train in Melbourne, a prison sentence looked certain. But a judge gave Punchy one more chance. This time, he took it. Luke quit graffiti, drugs and alcohol and lost 47 kilos. His journey from overweight, drunk street thug to fit, sober and successful business owner whose focus is on helping others turn their lives around is gripping, powerful - and absolutely inspiring. Selling points * powerful, true story that shines a light on topical issues of tagging, alcohol and violence * topic sure to attract media coverage * promotion by PR and media consultant Deb McInnes * highly motivated and promotable author * ongoing program of author visits to schools planned