Gray Locke: The Witch of Clover Hill - AVAILABLE!

Gray Locke: The Witch of Clover Hill is now available on-line at GrayLocke.com and sold exclusively at Papyri Books, Eagle Street, North Adams, Massachusetts.

Gray Locke: The Witch of Clover Hill

Gray Locke ~ The Witch of Clover Hill is now available online!

More news to follow!

UPDATE # 9

Here is the news - an update on the Gray Locke series

The upcoming book, Gray Locke ~ The Witch of Clover Hill, is underway! The book and illustrations are finished, and all is formatted.

Currently, I am waiting on the PCIP data, and on a few clearances. Once that hurdle is cleared, the book will be sent to the printers. Then, I'll review the proof. If it all looks good, then it'll be a go. :)

So, if all goes smoothly, we can expect the book's release by November 22nd, and in select store(s) in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. :)

I'll be sure and keep you all posted. :)

Thrive!

~ Craig

UPDATE # 8

Here is the news - an update on the Gray Locke series.

The upcoming book, Gray Locke ~ The Witch of Clover Hill, is underway! The past week and a half, I have been working on the illustrations. And I am happy to report that I am extremely happy with the results thus far. I have only one touch-up on one illustration, and then create the back cover of the book. There is one illustration that I am still pondering over. It seems to need one more element to be added to it. Other than that, they are all set. :)

Yesterday and today, I have been going through the story itself--making tweaks here and there. I am currently up to the last two chapters, (meaning--the first eight chapters have the green light!). So, it looks like it's going to be a November release. :)

I'll keep you posted.

Thrive!

~ Craig

UPDATE #7

Here is the news - an update on the Gray Locke series.

The upcoming book, Gray Locke ~ The Witch of Clover Hill, is still in edit/proof-reading mode. It has grown to almost 53,000 words - as of this writing.

It was my hope to have it completed by now. However, it hadn't turned out that way. I continue to work on this - daily. Some days are more productive than others. But, I can assure you that, with each tweak, it's gotten better. And as much as I want to share this story with the world - yesterday - I don't want to publish an inferior piece of literature. As with my first book, I'll know when it's time to release it. :)

Thank you for your patience and support.

Thrive!

~ Craig

UPDATE # 6

Here is the news - an update on the Gray Locke series.


Gosh! Much has changed since the last entry.

The second book of the series has been re-titled. It is now titled, The Witch of Clover Hill. It is one story, (rather than the intended four short stories). It is coming along, but still have much work to do with it. It's already now twice the size of The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks, (over 33,000 words). I'm really excited about it and can't wait to share the stories with you. :)

There is now Gray Locke merchandise available on the website! The stock is very limited. It includes autographed copies of the book, bookmarker, and a puzzle. Also featured on the website is the Gray Locke Puzzle for the computer as a FREE download. It's all on the Gray Locke Gift Closet page.

I'll be sure to keep you updated with the progress of the second book.


Thrive!

~ Craig

UPDATE # 5

Here is the news - an update on the Gray Locke series.

The writing is coming along with the second book. However, the process is taking longer than I anticipated. I see - at least - another month and a half before it is finished.

The book, titled Chronicles of Clover Hill - Vol. I, will contain four short stories. The first three are written. The fourth story, however, has changed direction numerous times. I cover some very sensitive and serious issues in the book. And the fourth story (thus far) is the most delicate of the lot.

There are still plans to do an audio book for the first book, The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks. And I am also experimenting with a video-reading of it. More on that as it develops.

The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks, incidentally, has been entered into two book contests. (There were others I would have liked the book to have entered, but the deadlines had already passed by the time I found out about them.) More on this when I hear back from them.

In the meantime, The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks is available at Papyri Books, in North Adams, Massachusetts. They have been VERY supportive of my book. Please pay them a visit for ALL your reading pleasures.

And, of course, it is available online here.

Thrive!

~ Craig

"An Everyday Hero"

North Adams native pens his first children's book

By KELLY BEVAN

Posted: 02/24/2010

For The Advocate

NORTH ADAMS - Children's books and adult novels are rife with heroes and heroines, but rarely are we given the back story as to what led that character to become heroic.

In local author C.A. Chicoine's self-published children's book "The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks," the first in a planned series of twelve, the reader gets to experience the back story of Gray Locke - a 30-something character from Chicoine's online blog story "Lonely Satellite" - and discover the childhood events that prepared Gray for his "hero status" later in life.

In November 2008, graylocke.blogspot.com introduced the Internet world to an adult Gray, a technician on a satellite orbiting the Sun in the year 2019.

"Stressed, and with little money," the first entry reads, "Gray left Earth to take a job on Satellite 2. This opportunity gave him space and time to reflect upon life, family and friends."

According to Chicoine, something falls into the adult Gray's lap at his new job that tests his capacity for heroism.

"He has no choice; he can either go with the flow or he can do something to help humanity," Chicoine explained.

Naturally, like most heroes would, Gray chooses to do something.

"That's just the kind of person he is. You learn that in these (children's) books," said Chicoine, who is currently at work on the second book in his Gray Locke children's series.

"The series is the journey of a hero," he added, but "not the kind of Hercules hero, but an intellectual, spiritual kind of hero."

Set in western Massachusetts at Gray's grandparents' house, inspired by the home of Chicoine's childhood friends Laurie and Bobby DeBlois in North Adams (Chicoine's hometown, and inspiration for many other locations in the book), "The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks" introduces readers to a day in the life of 10-year-old Gray.

"Gray is very imaginative and very inquisitive and he is very determined to find out something," Chicoine said.

Readers get a glimpse of these character traits early on in the story as Gray, after overhearing his uncle discussing some "weeping rocks" with his father and grandfather, quickly becomes entrenched in a quest to find these so-called rocks. Along his journey to find the rocks, Gray chats with garden gnomes, hides from pirates in a nearby cave and encounters some mysterious characters (maybe even a ghost or two) in the brook by the quarry.

But Chicoine doesn't consider this book a ghost story - "I don't really believe in ghosts," he said.

He does, however, believe in encouraging children's curiosity and inquisitiveness, which is what he hopes the first book in the Gray Locke series will do.

"I try to leave things open to interpretation and encourage people to ask questions about local history," Chicoine said.

That is why many of the mysteries Gray encounters in the book are left unanswered to both himself and the reader. (Hint: A little knowledge of the history of Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, where many of Gray's adventures occur, may help answer a few.)

The real mystery, though, which begins to unfold in the first Gray Locke book, is how a seemingly ordinary 10-year-old boy develops the characteristics necessary to perform various acts of heroism later in life.

"Anybody can be a hero, and that's my point," Chicoine said. "Under the right circumstances or conditions, anyone, I think, can perform a heroic duty."

The first book in C.A. Chicoine's Gray Locke series, "The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks," can be purchased for $12 at Chapters Bookstore in Pittsfield, Papyri Books in North Adams, Water Street Books in Williamstown or online at graylocke.com.

Source: http://www.advocateweekly.com/ci_14461518

Update # 4

Here is the news - an update on the Gray Locke series.

The last two short stories for the next book are coming along. I had to make some changes, of course, due to the timetable I have for the stories and the events surrounding one of them, (it'll make sense once you read them). All is well. I'm very excited about the new stories. :)

In regards to the interview I had with the Advocate, (mentioned in Update #3), it wasn't published. It was to be featured in their newly revamped "Family Beat" insert, (a quarterly extra). The "Family Beat" was revamped - but no feature. I can only assume that they have other plans for the interview. Maybe it'll be in their weekly edition? Maybe it'll be the next quarter edition of "Family Beat"? Maybe it won't be featured at all? I'll post answers to those questions when/if I find out. :)

I am considering releasing The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks as an audiobook. I hope to experiment with that this weekend.

No further readings, appearances or interviews are scheduled at this time. My focus is on the next book.

That's all for now.

Thrive!

~ Craig

Update # 3

The next book is coming along. It is titled "The Chronicles of Cloverhill." It takes place in Gray's hometown of Marlborough, Massachusetts. Rather than chapters, it will contain four short stories. I'm very excited about it. :) I am hoping for an early spring release for this one.

I had an interview with Kelly Bevan McIlquham of The Advocate the other day. The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks will be featured in their "Family Beat" section.

Gray Locke ~ The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks is available to borrow from the following libraries: The North Adams Public Library in North Adams, the David and Joyce Milne Public Library in Williamstown, the Adams Free Library in Adams, and the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

The local bookstores carrying it have been updated as well, (Please see sidebar).

I continue to work on either trying to schedule book readings and/or book signings. There is also the possibility of this book being available as an audiobook. More on all that as they develop.

That's all for now. I'll post the article up once it's available.

Thrive!

~ Craig

City native pens children’s book

By Jennifer Huberdeau

North Adams Transcript

NORTH ADAMS -- When city native Craig A. Chicoine was laid off from Sheffield Plastics last year, he didn’t see his departure after 14 years with the company as a bad thing.

"I’ve been using the time to pursue my dreams," Chicoine said Thursday.

One of those dreams was becoming a novelist, and he’ll celebrate the release of his first book, "Gray Locke: The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks," which is self-published, as part of Word Play at Papyri Books this Saturday at 7 p.m.

Set in North Adams, the book chronicles the adventures of a 10-year-old boy (named Gray Locke), who sets off to solve his first mystery while visiting family in the city. Although specific locations are not named in the book, a majority of the story takes place at Natural Bridge State Park.

"I have a special connection with Natural Bridge -- I’ve been going there all my life," Chicoine said. "The rock formations are incredible and something you don’t see anywhere else. Three of the chapters in the book take place there, starting with ‘the blasting rock.’ The characters refer to it as ‘the big rock.’ There’s also a chapter in the quarry part of Natural Bridge, where Gray goes into the field and then finds a cave. He also goes down to the [Hudson] brook, where the mills used to be."

The book is the first in what will be a series of five, with a second book scheduled for release sometime in March, Chicoine said.

"Initially, I was writing an adult novel about the same character," he said. "I was writing it in blog format, which allowed me to write it in entries. It was quite exciting. Frequently, I would write flashbacks as part of the story, and then realized that I should start from the beginning. I hope to finish the adult novel and publish it in a few years."

The first book will introduce young readers to Gray Locke, an inquisitive child by nature, who comes from a loving and supportive family. In the second book, Gray’s adventures will take place in his hometown of Marlborough, and several of his friends will be introduced. Books three and four will return to North Adams, Chicoine said.

"Gray Locke: The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks," is available for purchase at Papyri Books, Chapters Bookstore in Pittsfield and online at Amazon.com. Copies also have been donated to the North Adams Public Library, the Adams Free Library, the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield and Berkshire Arts and Technology Public Charter School.

Chicoine said he has been writing since age 14 and has about 10 different blogs going, along with several other projects.

For more information on Chicoine, visit www.graylockeportal.blogspot.com or www.cachicoine.com.

To reach Jennifer Huberdeau,
e-mail jhuberdeau@thetranscript.com.

Source: http://www.thetranscript.com/ci_14146901

Wordplay with C. A. Chicoine

DownStreet Art and MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center bring you:

Wordplay with C. A. Chicoine

Papyri Books
45 Eagle Street
(413) 662-2099
7pm
FREE

Click here for more information about this book and the author.

Craig Alan Chicoine reads excerpts from his new children’s book Gray Locke: The Mystery of the Weeping Rocks. The setting of the story was inspired by actual locations in North Adams - in particular, the Natural Bridge State Park - interwoven with factual local history surrounding the area.

With refreshments and open mic. Co-sponsored by Inkberry.

Source: http://berkshirevisualarts.org/downstreetart/?page_id=14