Ready for the splash?

On Thursday, July 1, 2010, with your help, we’ll launch my newest book, Cape Cod Surprise, at the Sail Loft in Boston’s North End. The invites have been sent out, the raffle prizes are coming together, the books are waiting to be signed… and the early summer weather has us all ready for another adventure with Oliver.

Best of all, proceeds from all books sold at the event will go to support Piers Park Sailing Center, a community organization in East Boston that provides the transformative experience of sailing to more than 1000 youth each year. I’ll be working with the kids at PPSC during the day on Thursday, reinforcing a shared goal: to teach life skills through sailing. I plan to approach that philosophy from a slightly different angle – by encouraging kids to go sailing inside their heads.  We’ll see how that goes; with the harbor beckoning, they may be as anxious as I am to go sailing with their bodies instead.

Thanks to all of you who have shared with me the process of bringing this project to press… writing and editing through the fall and winter, revising and finalizing a cover in the spring… until that delicious moment a few days ago, when I held the first book in my hand.

Gary Jobson once said that there’s nothing like seeing your own book in print for the first time, and I know that won’t change whether it’s book #2 or book #20.  We’re hoping to see Gary Thursday night; if so, compliment him on his blurb.

Thursday night will be a great chance to introduce my sailing world to my writing world, since both will be well represented.  Literary Guerillas, meet Frostbiters and Snipe sailors!  If you are struggling for a common language, remember you have one verb in common (“To Launch”). And you’ll all enjoy the video, as well as Sail Loft chowder, appetizers, and beverages.

Special offer:  If you can’t make the party but still want your signed copy of Cape Cod Surprise to support PPSC, post a comment below or email me directly:  carolncronin AT gmail DOT com.

Thanks to Oliver for bringing us all together, and see you Thursday night.

Launch party details

Directions/Map

Now for the fun part! The launch party for Cape Cod Surprise will take place at the Sail Loft in Boston’s North End on Thursday, July 1.  The event will be a chance to meet some new characters, reunite with faces familiar from Oliver’s Surprise… and best of all, raise money for a great cause.  Proceeds from every book sold will go toward the educational programs at Piers Park Sailing Center.

PPSC in East Boston gives over 1000 local kids the chance to go sailing every summer.  They also offer adaptive sailing programs for people living with disabilities, including a remarkable technology that enables motion-restricted sailors to control the boat’s direction with a “sip” or “puff” of breath. PPSC teaches life skills through sailing… just as Oliver and the other characters in my books learn about teamwork and self-reliance while grappling with their fictional adventures.

On July 1 I’ll spend the day at PPSC, sharing my enthusiasm for reading, writing, and sailing.  Hopefully the kids will help me create a few new stories.

That evening, the official launching of Cape Cod Surprise will include book signings, a teaser from the new story, introductions to a gold medalist, prize drawings for books and sailing delights, harbor views, and food and beverage.  We may also show a few videos courtesy of WhiteCap Video.  And both sailing and writing friends will have a chance to learn the ‘other’ meaning of the verb “to launch.”

Please put this “Surprise” party on your calendar. I look forward to celebrating with you all!

To read an excerpt, or RSVP, visit my author website.