I had the privilege of working with the author Chris Scotton last year for a book project. He needed a portrait for his upcoming novel. It was his first novel (and my first book jacket!), and being a very humble man, he wasn't as excited about this part of the project. I promised it would be painless.
His story is a very inspirational one in that he had always wanted to write a book, but made excuses along the way, as most of us do when it comes to following our dreams. As an accomplished and very successful businessman here in Annapolis, he said it would have been his biggest regret if he had not written this book. So with this determination and mindset he approached it like he would his business and set out to do it.
The novel, The Secret Wisdom of the Earth was released early this month and is receiving rave reviews across the country to include the likes of O Magazine…“Christopher Scotton's pulse-quickening debut has elements of such classics as 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and 'Deliverance'.”
[….Wait, do you think this means that Oprah saw my photo of Chris on the book jacket?]
Sorry, I digressed…and this review “Scotton can stand proudly among Harper Lee, Leif Enger, John Knowles, John Irving and Mark Twain…a classic for our time.” from Dan Radovich, Barnes & Noble (Naperville, IL)
And finally from my sister who just finished the book..."So I finished the book- and I am hungover with the sadness of it being finished:). Truly a modern day 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'. It's not so much what the author says- but more of what he doesn't say that makes it a timeless work of art. It is ageless. I am in love with each of his characters. It has everything- love- loss- prejudice- justice- ignorance- intelligence- it just kinda settles into you.
If you ever talk to the author - please give him my thanks- haven't read anything this good in a really long time."
The praise goes on and on. To read more of the reviews, click here. If you are interested in purchasing the book, click here. To book an outrageously overpriced book jacket photo, click here (as it must have been the photo that propelled this books status :). Seriously though, it has been dubbed a new american classic and I cannot wait to follow along.
Meet Chris Scotton. "Carpenter, bouncer, kite flyer, amusement park ride operator and CEO of a few technology companies" and now AUTHOR.