In this week’s Jen’s Jewels column, I have the pleasure of chatting with the talented Ann Garvin about her latest novel, BUMMER CAMP. This heartwarming and humorous story is set in a quirky, family-run theater camp that serves as a haven for artistic souls—and a unique “rehab” for anxious adults seeking a place where they can belong without judgment. As Garvin delves into the complexities of sibling relationships and the search for personal growth, she introduces us to a cast of lovable misfits who are as endearing as they are relatable. Through laugh-out-loud moments and touching insights, BUMMER CAMP explores the idea of home as not just a place, but a feeling of acceptance and support. If you're in the mood for a read that blends humor with heart, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to write about a family-run theater camp?
Ann Garvin: It seemed like the perfect backstory for a camp that was a great place for a certain type of person, artistic, focused - but maybe wasn’t the biggest money maker. So, that when a “grifter” got a hold of it, we could feel it was realistic and sad.
Jen: The concept of a “rehab” for anxious adults is unique and humorous. What led you to create this quirky element of the story?
Ann: I wanted to invent a place to belong no matter what ails us. A place where your resume isn’t part of the conversation. Where nobody is really very good at anything except maybe when playing Two Truths and A Lie. A place where a camp counselor says, “Good Job,” and maybe you believe them, and maybe you don’t, but it doesn’t matter because they treat everyone the same.
Jen: Did you base Cat and Ginger on any real people, or did they evolve purely from your imagination? And who would you cast in their roles?
Ann: I created these characters based on the question I wanted to delve into. What happens when you try to distance yourself from something you love but also, something that might not be the best for you. How do you create boundaries and change so that you land somewhere you can love and live with. I wanted to write convincing characters that really embody that tug of war.
Jen: How do the interactions between Cat and Ginger reflect the complexities of sibling relationships, and what do these dynamics add to the overall narrative?
Ann: They love each other so much and they even like each other. But, they have such different approaches to life. I think it’s the classic situation in sibling bonds and it’s such a difficult thing to navigate. Love and hate, like and dislike are mirror images of each other. It’s through respect, trust and growth that – the very thing that has to happen in the book overall – a real resolution and coming together can happen.
Jen: The supporting characters, described as “lovable misfits and underdogs,” play an important role. How did you develop these characters, and what do they add to the story?
Ann: They sprouted when I needed them. I can’t explain where they came from, but they popped onto the page almost fully formed. I want readers to feel deeply about the complex characters and see the various characters in themselves. If we have empathy for others, we can have empathy for ourselves and our humanity. The characters in this book represent all of us. I want readers to love them and in turn love our own individual differences and difficulties.
Jen: The novel explores themes of responsibility, family ties, and the idea of home. What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from the story?
Ann: That home can be anywhere if you feel supported, seen, and valued. And sometimes you know where it is, and sometimes, you are still trying to find it. I want people to stick with the idea that home is a discovery, and a place all wrapped into one concept.
Jen: Let’s shift gears. How can readers stay connected and follow your latest news and updates?
Ann: My newsletter, which you can subscribe to on my website, is the best place but I only write one email a month. Instagram is the easiest and you’ll see a lot of messy hair and my beloved dog Peanut.
Jen: What’s currently on your end-of-summer must-read list?
Ann: I’m reading Tosca Lee’s epic The Long March Home and re-reading Lorrie Moore’s classic Who’s Going to Run the Frog Hospital.
Jen: What’s your current work in progress?
Ann: I’m working on a new book that is part thriller, part funny and part sad. If I can pull it off, I think it will be a roller-coaster ride.
Jen: Thanks for joining us to discuss Bummer Camp, a touching story filled with humor and heart.
Ann: I’m so grateful for this chance to chat with you. Thank you so very much!
Two sisters scramble to save their family’s legacy in a funny, huge-hearted novel about grandiose plans and summers to remember by the author of I Thought You Said This Would Work.
Cat McCarthy has spent years extricating herself from the family business—an increasingly run-down theater camp—and all the drama contained within it. At thirty-seven, she’s putting the final touches on a new life as she renovates her dream cottage and awaits her first child. Does it worry her that the McCarthy legacy is in the hands of her disastrously irresponsible sister, Ginger? Sure. But the camp’s not Cat’s problem anymore.
Then a series of frantic text messages pulls Cat back to center stage. Ginger has handed the reins to a crackpot motivational speaker, Bob Durand, and his scheming wife, Elaine. The couple’s plan to rebrand the camp as a “rehab” for anxious adults has nearly bankrupted the McCarthys. And now the Durands have skipped town days before investors arrive for a fundraising gala that could determine the camp’s future.
As Cat and Ginger wrangle a cast of lovable misfits and underdogs to save the camp, the sisters rediscover the importance of family, belonging, and holding fast to sweet summer memories.
Women's Fiction Contemporary [Lake Union Publishing, On Sale: September 1, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781662518560 / ]
Ann Garvin, PhD, is the USA Today bestselling author of I THOUGHT YOU SAID THIS WOULD WORK, I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around, The Dog Year, and On Maggie’s Watch. Ann writes about women, with a good sense of humor, who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. She teaches at Drexel University Masters of Fine Arts program and has held positions at Miami University and Southern New Hampshire in their Masters of Fine Arts program.
Ann is the founder of the Tall Poppy Writers where she is committed to helping women writers find readers. She is a sought-after speaker on writing, leadership and health and has taught extensively nationally and internationally.
Jennifer Vido writes sweet romances set in the Lowcountry, earning acclaim as the award-winning author of the Gull Island series. Her debut novel, "Serendipity by the Sea," secured the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Vido's talent garnered further accolades, with Baltimore Magazine readers naming her Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore poll, while the Baltimore Sun acknowledged her with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category. When not writing fiction, she interviews authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column, leads water exercise classes, and directs a legal nonprofit. Currently residing in Maryland, she and her husband are proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp.
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