Wick woman is a hit with international book prize judges

An independent publishing company based in Caithness is celebrating after receiving good news about its latest work.

Susan Crow from Wick had her nature book, Child of the Earth, named as a finalist in the Independent Author Network Book of the Year Award (IANBYA).

Child of the Earth was launched in April by local publishing company Crowvus just after lockdown had started. That setting for the launch provided extra poignancy, as Susan drew on her own history to explore how individuals can find hope and inspiration from the natural world.

The IANBYA is an annual prize based in America and open to writers from around the world. When assessing non-fiction, the judges look for “a descriptive and inviting title with organized, well-researched material on a subject that is timely and/or timeless, unique, or presented in a unique way that appeals to a wide audience”.

Susan said: “The news that Child of the Earth was listed as a finalist in the 2020 Independent Author Network awards came in a weekend when hope for our planet's future has been rekindled. We can't pretend that there is no climate change, and my book illustrates how one family's uncomplicated love of the natural world can make a difference."

Susan said she is very grateful to IANBYA for considering and then rating her "little labour of love".

Child of the Earth reveals a nest egg of memories and anecdotes teased from "a life uplifted by an appreciation of the natural world".

Memories of childhood in rural England, raising a family in Orkney and Lincolnshire, and retirement in northern Scotland are threaded together into a broad tapestry of the natural year. These experiences meet with a view of Earth's uncertain future to illustrate the necessity for respect of all lifeforms and shares a passion for the wellbeing of this planet with all generations. Child of the Earth is described as a "source of inspiration and delight – a literary garland of hope".

Susan has published four books to date – two for adults and two for children. The two children's books are in a series about a girl called Rosie-Jane.

She publishes independently under the family's company Crowvus together with her daughters Virginia, Clemency and Judith who are also prolific writers.

This year Crowvus added another feather to its cap with the signing of its first non-Crow author, Nicol Nicolson, whose book is coming out next April in time for the online John O'Groats Book Festival.

Child of the Earth can be bought directly from the publishers Crowvus at www.crowvus.com/product-page/child-of-the-earth-paperback or on Amazon at www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913182096

Online launch for Susan Crow's Child of the Earth

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