It’s a Small World After All

I have discovered that that there are two great things about writing a book. One is that people read it and often will tell you about it. The second, at least if you are from Newfoundland and Labrador is that your fellow compatriots, both home and abroad will find you. Since the publication of my book, “The Walker on the Cape” that has been a great experience as NL’ers from near and far have contacted me to tell me where they’re from and to get a copy of their book for themselves or for someone back home.

I have people email me who were originally from Burgeo, St. Anthony, Lark Harbour, Baie Verte, Burin, Marystown and of course Grand Bank, since that’s where “The Walker on the Cape” is set. That’s not to mention close family, old friends and a ton of well-wishers from my home town of St. John’s. It’s a little overwhelming and a lot humbling to get so much attention.

The best correspondence has been from people who were born on the BurinPeninsula, like St. John’s MHA Dale Kirby who asked that a copy be sent to his father in Lord’s Cove who loves stories and books about Newfoundland. I also had a grand email chat from Steve Warren, whose family still runs Warren’s grocery store in the middle of Grand Bank.

But the best email correspondence came from Dr. Greg Rogers from Ottawa. He wrote:

“Hi Mike.

I read the article on your new book last week last week. I was very surprised to see a picture of the lighthouse from home town in my local Ottawa paper. I was born in Grand Bank and moved to Ottawa in 1984, my father still lives there. I’m very much looking forward to getting a copy of your book and reading your first novel. I will also be sending a copy to my dad in Grand Bank for him to read. It really is a small world.

I thank you for using Grand Bank as the setting for your novel, I hope it will bring some more attention to that lovely part of the province and maybe encourage more people to visit.

Regards,

Dr Greg Rogers”

I of course wrote back to him to thank him because he had given me one of the greatest gifts of all, a re-connection to my home and Newfoundland family. I look forward to my annual trip to “The Rock” this summer and hope to meet many more readers and fellow travelers along the way. It really is a small world.

Mike Martin is the author of “The Walker on the Cape”, the first in a mystery series set in Grand Bank, NL. For more information about the book please visit www.walkeronthecape.com