Let me be perfectly clear. This post is not an attempt to avoid people asking me about my new book, The Death Swing at Falcon Lake. That is one of my favourite things to talk about. Please, if I am ever lucky enough to meet you, ask me anything you want about the book. This is a “just in case" kind of thing. Just in case I am not lucky enough to meet you at a library, school, or bookstore (or you don’t want to reach out on social media), you can still get the answers you’re looking for.
Here are just a few of the questions that people have been asking and you may also be wondering about.
Is there a real Falcon Lake? Is “The Death Swing” real?
Yes. The one in my story is Falcon Lake, Manitoba. While I have never been there, I hear that it is wonderful, and yes, there is a rope swing there that the locals call “The Death Swing”. I have a buddy whose family has a cottage near the swing and when I first heard the name “The Death Swing at Falcon Lake” I knew I had to write a story about it. That name is just too perfect to ignore.
What do the people of Falcon Lake think of your story?
Well, I’ve heard that they don’t like it. While I have reached out many times to tourist groups and resident associations, I never heard anything officially. I’ve been told that people there are worried that my story might bring unwanted attention to the swing. If that happens, I am sorry, but it’s too late now
Was your first kiss like the one in the story “Zoey: A Summer Camp Love Story”?
While there was a girl named Zoey at a summer camp a very long time ago, that is where the truth of that story ends. My first kiss was with my wife when we were married twenty-three years ago. If there was a kiss before that it was burned out of my memory at that moment.
What is the Italian swear word in the story “Learning to Swear in Italian”
I didn’t think anyone would like to hear a story about a swear word, that never actually uses the word, but people really seem to like that aspect of the story. I had even considered the idea of hiding a definition of that word on the very last page but decided to keep it a secret. Then when I sent the story to the team at Dundurn they made me promise to never tell anyone what “that Italian word” is or means. They even made me sign a contract. If I ever let it slip it will cost me millions of dollars. So I am sorry but I can’t tell you.
Did you go to summer camp?
Yes and I loved it! If you’ve read all my stories about summer camp, you probably guessed that part. I went to a place in the Halliburton's called Camp White Pine. I feel like that is one of the places where I grew up. Even though I was only there for a few weeks out of my life, I feel that is where I started to find out who I was and where I belonged. Every time I came home from a week at camp, I felt like I was a different person. Maybe a little more me each time.
Is the Woldger in this book (The Woldger and the Great Forest) the same as the character in the second book (the Brave Knight and the Quest to Kill the Woldger)?
Yes, and I am so glad that this character was able to return for another story. Yes, that means that The Woldger does not die in the first story. Sorry if you didn’t know that. But I am delighted to tell another story about The Woldger. Not only is this a fascinating character (an animal that learns about the myths the local villagers have created about it and uses that to its advantage), but this story has an interesting problem that the character must face (the humans have started to build a road through its forest home). I really enjoyed writing this one, I hope you enjoy reading it.
You must really love camping?
Nope. I really love what is often called “cottaging”. I like catching sunfish with my kids. Campfires with my wife. Walks with the dog. But at the end of the day, I want a hot shower and a comfy bed.
I sincerely hope this post doesn't answer your questions. In fact, I hope it only makes you want to ask your question even more and I hope I am lucky enough to answer that question for you someday.
Jeremy John is currently ranked as the sixty-second most famous person from Brantford, Ontario. (Look it up. There are a lot.) His broadcasting career has included co-hosting shows on 680 NEWS, KiSS FM, and Breakfast Television. Jeremy lives in Sudbury, Ontario. Learn more here.