New release 'When Fate Called Their Name' tells a tale of youth, loyalty, and the hidden cost of war

News provided by

Nov 21, 2025, 02:00 ET

Dan Mulvagh exposes Australia's Vietnam War conscription — and the fate of those lives changed by a lottery draw

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Author Dan Mulvagh returns to the literary scene with the release of "Ballot: When Fate Called Their Name" (published by Xlibris NZ), a thought-provoking novel that sheds light on the personal struggles of a generation caught between opposing political and philosophical worldviews.

Set in the late 1960s, the story opens as four young men — Mitch Masters, Jay Petrovich, Greg Sunderland, and Kiwi Parata — watch their birth dates tumble from a televised lottery barrel, sealing their futures as conscripts in Australia's Vietnam War. What begins as a test of courage in the jungle evolves into a mystery that stretches across decades and continents. When Jay, the son of Russian refugees fluent in his parents' language, is captured and handed over to Soviet forces, rumors of Australian prisoners in the USSR ignite questions no government dares answer.

Combining historical accuracy with fast-paced storytelling, "When Fate Called Their Name" examines how ideology, identity and allegiance collide when choice is stripped away. "It's not a war story per-se," Mulvagh describes. "It goes beyond the horror of combat, and explores the oscillations of xenophobic and patriotic pressures experienced by a generation in the 60s and 70s and 80s, the collisions of ingrained world-views, of allegiance and identity, of mateship that transcends decades, continents, and opposing political and social philosophies. It entertains and provokes simultaneously."

"When Fate Called Their Name" is a deeply human exploration of fate, friendship and resilience that resonates far beyond its time and place. It is an invitation for readers to confront the uneasy parallels between past and present — from the Cold War to today's geopolitical rifts. The book is available in print and digital formats and may be purchased directly through https://www.xlibris.com/en-nz/bookstore/bookdetails/868235-ballot.

About the Author
Dan Mulvagh was born in Cornwall, England, raised on the Channel Island of Guernsey, and now resides on the rural fringe of Auckland, New Zealand. A lifelong traveler who has lived in Australia, Hong Kong, and Papua New Guinea, Mulvagh draws on rich global experiences and a deep interest in military history to craft stories that entertain and provoke reflection. Known for his meticulous research and cinematic storytelling, he is also the author of "Where the Truth Was Buried." For more information, visit www.danmulvaghauthor.com.

Xlibris Publishing New Zealand, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider dedicated to serving the needs of Kiwi authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibrispublishing.com.au or call 0-800-008-756 to receive a free publishing guide

Your Web-Optimized Edition Press Release service helps to increase your press release's visibility on the internet. Keywords within your press release will be linked to high-profile websites and/or to websites where your book can be purchased.

Your final media tracking report will be available to you one month from your date of distribution.

Keyword 1. Ballot: When Fate Called Their Name
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Ballot-When-Fate-Called-Their/dp/1669882756/

For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Marketing Services
Tel: 0800 008 756, +64 9801 1905 (from outside New Zealand)
Fax: (09) 353-1455
Email: MarketingServices(at)xlibris(dot)co(dot)nz

SOURCE Xlibris Publishing New Zealand