To-do list:
✓ Accept that Nannan is dead.
✓ “Find myself” (whatever that means).
✓ Get killer thighs.
✓ Learn the Camino de Santiago life lessons.
We're very happy to say that Hiking for Her is now out in the world – and honestly, what an opening! I have to admit, I smiled from the very first page.
Around the Valley Press office, we started calling Hiking for Her “Bridget Jones in Big Boots.” It never made it onto the cover, but the nickname stuck!
Amy isn’t (wasn’t!) a seasoned adventurer. She’s grieving the loss of her beloved Nannan Jean, wildly underprepared, and about to walk the Camino de Santiago – an ancient pilgrimage route across northern Spain – with more determination than technical know-how.
What follows is funny, tender, chaotic and deeply moving – a story of grief, friendship, unexpected kindness, blistered feet, and discovering that sometimes the only way through is one step at a time.
And the book had its own pilgrimage too.
We first met Amy’s manuscript during our 2023 submissions window. Since then, it has been carefully shaped, edited, refined, proofread and polished into the finished book we’re so proud to share now.
Will Kemp’s editorial eye played a huge part in that process, helping Amy refine the structure and bring the story into its final form. It was a proper team effort – slow, careful and full of belief in the book.
Even the title had its own little journey.
First it was Hiking for Healing.
Then Walking for Her.
Eventually, we arrived at Hiking for Her.
Sometimes the right title takes a while to find.
The cover is inspired by the iconic Camino waymarkers that guide pilgrims across northern Spain. As with the title, it took its time to evolve – and Jamie couldn’t resist adding one tiny twist of his own. Can you spot it?
One notable detail is that the very first pre-order arrived back in September 2024. Whoever that very patient reader was – thank you. We hope you think it was worth the wait.
We certainly do.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, move you, and maybe even make you want to lace up your own walking boots, Hiking for Her is ready for you.
Available now from the Valley Press bookshop.
I hope you've enjoyed this little peek behind the pages. See you again soon for another story from the Valley Press bookshelf.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.