Thanks For Coming

by Rodney Strong

17 year old Levi Collins has been able to joke his way out of most things in life. Until he's diagnosed with terminal cancer. Faced with something so terrifying he does the only thing he can think of. He decides to track down Fear and tell it to get lost. His only clue, a whisper of a myth, and a drawing.

His best friend Mel thinks he's crazy, but it's not the first time she's thought that. And she's still going to help him. Along the way he discovers some things about his friend, and himself.

Thanks for Coming is a bittersweet tale of friendship, fear, and working out what's important.

241 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2021

About the author

Writing is one of those things that I have always done. I vividly remember spending most of an English exam writing a complicated adventure story as the answer to an exam question. I passed the exam, either because of, or despite the answer.

I tend to write the story that comes to mind, regardless of genre.

Reviews

[Craig Brown]

Loved the character arcs in this book. Glorious from Rodney Strong, capturing teenage angst beautifully and the unspoken pain that so many feel when dealing with imminent loss to a terminal illness.
On more than a couple of occasions I caught a lump in my throat and a mote of dust found its way to my eye.
This book was a wonderful way to spend a holiday afternoon.

[Mandy Hager]

This is a truly gorgeous book that deals with loss and grief with a sensitive and light-handed touch. The humour is perfectly pitched and the characters depicted with real empathy. Highly recommend.

[Helen Fletcher]

Incredibly powerful. This novel is heartbreaking, but never maudlin. Beautiful characters - I loved the relationship and the humour between them.

[Vanessa Evetts]

Emotional, poignant, captivating, important. Fantastic addition to a high school senior reading program.

[Jordan Alexander]

Brilliant book - loved it start to finish. I had to keep reading the last chapters well into the night to find out how it ended. Great job! x Thanks for writing ;)