A Big Thank You and an Announcement

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We’re coming to the end of a road. And I thank you.

Camino Child, my first novel (first under my name), should see the light of day this fall. 

And there are people I want to thank for their inspiration and suggestions, coaching, training, and for sometimes just plain humoring me. 

“No one accomplishes anything in this life on his or her own. Even when we stare in awe at what might appear to be a solitary feat – like climbing to the top of a mountain alone – there is invisible support. There are loved ones at home who cherish the adventure. A mentor to teach. A colleague with whom the experience can be shared. And unseen magic too.” – Allan Hamilton 

Camino Child, the story of fifteen-year-old Summer Darling’s first worldly adventure, would not have come about without the gift of her story to me by Mike Addis. During a long backpack trip in 2018, Mike had heard me talking—incessantly, I imagine—about my newfound passion for writing and my love for walking the Camino de Santiago, a series of ancient pilgrimage routes in Europe. One day, he gave me the one-sentence concept for this novel. Thank you, Mikey.

Since that moment, I have lived the story you can read this fall.

About the novel:

SUMMER DARLING’S life had an unusual start. She was born in an apple orchard. By her teenage years, she was living in a commune on the Olympic Peninsula, where her father grew pot with his friend, Paul, the leader of The Camp. When Paul, a lustful man and controlling leader, began to notice Summer’s beauty, she was whisked off to southern California by her Grandma Pat.

When Grandma Pat receives the first few pages of a travel journal written in 1982 by her older and now deceased sister, Georgia, Pat and Summer follow the diary to Spain and the famed El Camino de Santiago. They wonder who sent those journal pages, and why the mystery. The ancient pilgrimage route stretches out 500 miles ahead of them. More of the journal pages are received then forwarded from home. The mystery unfolds as Summer negotiates a path through tragic loss, shyness, weather, blisters, and boys.

What will Summer discover about her family and herself as she treks across an entire country?

During a trek across the north of Spain in 2019, I came to know and experience the scenes, much of this story, many of the characters, and some of the trials and tribulations Summer would endure during her journey.

To discover some of the backstory to Camino Child, you can download a free copy of a novella I wrote called Georgia & Patricia. Georgia is the elder sister and a veteran traveler. She took her sister Patricia to Europe in 1982. Many years later, Pat becomes Summer Darling’s grandmother. This story sets the groundwork for Camino Child. (Ask me to tell you a funny story about Georgia.)

Let the thanking begin:

I shall begin by thanking you, dear reader. I love to write; I finally found my artform. But far more, I love to write for you. You are the real world where my fictional characters can live.

Members of the critique group I have the great fortune to be part of have read early pieces and later versions of the manuscript. Marta Randall, John Williams, Marion Deeds, Mark Schynert, Margaret Speaker-Yuan, and Terry Weyna, thank you. These folks have suffered my missteps and garbage writing yet continue to smile and help me grow as a writer. 

As I muddled in the middle of Summer’s tale, I enlisted the assistance of author Amber Lea Starfire as writing coach and developmental editor. Amber is a member of the Napa Valley Writers Group, where we met. We’ve had many discussions and sent scads of emails back and forth as the outline came together and the chapters mounted. 

I must also thank my mother, Del Crothers, who said, “Publish it already; it’s perfect.” 

And Kathey Crothers (no longer a rookie in the real estate business) for putting up with my moods when I struggled with passages—or whole chapters.

I’d especially like to thank my good friend Steve Watkins, author of Pilgrim Strong, for all his encouragement, advice, and friendship. Steve knows how to build a platform, how to write a proposal, how to write great stuff, and is happiest when sharing his bounty.

And I want to thank members of my beta reader team. Their suggestions and feedback were invaluable and led to further improvements to Camino Child. These amazing folks include Meg Maloney, author of Slow Your Roll: Ruminations & Reflections On My Walk Across Spain; Janice Hinterman, teacher and all-round good friend; Sarita Lopez, president of Napa Valley Writers; Layla Wall, my favorite globetrotting teenager; and, LaDonn Morgan-Garcia, a good friend, enthusiastic cheerleader, and an extraordinary artist. Thank you all.

And through a social media connection, Kevin Craig author of The Camino Club and other great books, offered to give Camino Child a read. His insightfulness as a published author and Camino pilgrim, suggested edits, and his extreme kindness blew me away. 

I’d also like to thank members and moderators of pilgrim related social media pages for their quick replies to my Camino specific questions. (i.e., Where does the meseta officially begin and end?) These groups include Camino Authors, American Pilgrims on the Camino and the Northern California chapter, Camino Pilgrim International Discussion Group, and Pilgrimage in Place.

As I continue to learn about publishing and marketing, there are Thomas Umstattd, Jr. and James (Jim) L Rubart to thank. As well as members of this year’s Book Launch Blueprint course created and facilitated by Thomas and Jim. These two are big guns in the industry. I wish I could remember half of what they have shared with me. Both are authors, teachers, mentors, and men cut from the finest cloth.

There are also the many people I met and discussed my project with at this year’s Inspire Christian Writers Conference (now Vision Christian Writers) at Mt Hermon. Top of that list are S.E. Clancy, author of Victoria Grace, the Jerkface; Linda Howard, Tyndale House Publishers; Blythe Daniel, author and literary agent; Leann Barna, filmmaker, Cynthia Ruchti, author of dozens of books, and so many more wonderful people.

A big thank you to top Camino podcasters Dan Mullins at My Camino – the podcast, and Leigh Brennan at The Camino Café. Dan interviewed me earlier this year (I was nervous, but I heard good things about the episode). And Leigh has offered to have me on her show while I’m in Santiago.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone. I thank you, too.

The future of Camino Child, an announcement: 

Over the next few months, through a traditional publishing or self-publishing route, final edits will be completed, cover art shall be unveiled, and backmatter will be finalized. 

Presales for this new novel should open in September.

Then comes launch day. To have a successful book launch, there must be a launch team.

What a Launch Team is:

The Launch Team’s goal is to create as much buzz about Camino Child as possible. A successful book launch can create a buying frenzy that can lead to a book becoming a best seller.

A launch team is a group of people who will ensure there is a successful BLAST OFF when the book launches. 

They are a group of people who are passionate about helping spread the word about this book.

We will build a platform to shout out the launch of the new book to the person farthest out there in our world who desperately wants to read this kind of story.

For more on the book’s launch, visit https://briencrothers.com/launch-team/

My strategy:

This fall, I will be walking portions of the Portuguese Camino and the Camino Francés. During those days and weeks, I plan to record and post videos from the trail. I will tell you bits about the book (no spoilers) and show you some of the marvelous Camino scenery. 

I plan to be in Santiago three separate times. During those visits, I will be a guest on Camino podcasts, meet up with friends, and have at least one big launch party. The launch team will help with these and spread the word. 

So, my friends, follow along, join in the fun, buy your copy of Camino Child this fall, and leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Thank you all.

One last thing:

If you have any interest in walking the Camino de Santiago, click here.

For more information about this free resource handbook, check out my home page.

Questions or comments, give me a call at 707.809.5888

Or, leave a comment below.

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