Camille Pagán celebrates canine companionship with new novel

The inspiration behind Ann Arbor author Camille Pagán’s latest heartwarming novel, “Dog Person” (Delacorte Press, $30), came from a place of grief. 

“I have an aging Brittany-mix mutt whom I adopted 13 years ago, when she was a year or so old. I call her my assistant because she’s always nearby when I’m writing,” Pagán said. “A few years ago, I lost a loved one to suicide, and it was a terrible, complicated grief that was unlike any other loss I’ve experienced. My dog really seemed to sense I was struggling, and I swear she became extra sweet and perceptive during that time.”

Pagán will sign copies of “Dog Person,” her 11^th novel, Wednesday evening at Schuler Books in the Meridian Mall. She will also discuss the book with Lori Nelson Spielman, of Lansing, author of the internationally acclaimed novel “The Life List.”

“I love meeting readers and talking shop with other writers,” Pagán said. “I’ve known Lori for at least a decade, and I got to know her even better after blurbing her last novel, ‘The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany.’ In addition to being incredibly talented, she’s such a lovely person, and I’m so delighted she’ll be joining me for this event.” 

A graduate of Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Pagán earned her undergraduate degree in English and Native American literature at the University of Michigan. Additionally, she completed a post-graduate publishing course, often referred to as “publishing boot camp,” at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University (now held at Columbia University). 

Pagán’s articles have appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times, Allure, Forbes, Time, Men’s Health and Women’s Health, among others. Her first novel, “The Art of Forgetting,” was published by Dutton in 2011.

In “Dog Person,” bookstore owner Miguel grieves the loss of his significant other, Amelia, with whom he shared a dog named Harold. Before she died, Amelia tasked Harold with helping Miguel find love again. Miguel’s bookstore — located in a fictional town somewhere in Southwest Michigan — is in danger of going out of business when a best-selling author doesn’t show up for his event. In a final attempt to save the bookstore, Miguel and Harold set out to find the no-show author and insist he fulfill his obligation. Along the way, Miguel’s sister Fiona (who is not a dog person) gets involved, along with her precocious 11-year-old daughter, whose name is also Amelia. Harold is determined to keep his promise and help Miguel find his own happy ending.

“Camille’s books never fail to evoke emotions, which is why I’m such a huge fan. I find myself choked up one moment and laughing out loud the next, which, in my opinion, is the hallmark of great storytelling,” Spielman said. 

“Dog Person” stands out from Pagán’s other novels due to its unique perspective — it’s told from the dog’s point of view. 

“My novels always start with someone speaking to me. That’s always been a human in the past, but this time, I just had a strong urge to channel an aging dog,” Pagán said. “Two chapters in, I realized I was onto something, so I kept writing. I’m so glad I did, because some of my longtime readers who’ve read early copies have said it’s already their favorite.”

 “I challenge anyone not to fall in love with Harold the dog,” Spielman said. “Camille has captured Harold’s gentle spirit so beautifully, his personality and wry sense of humor. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will see their own mutt in Harold’s wacky and impulsive behaviors.”

Spielman is looking forward to her upcoming conversation with Pagán at Schuler. 

“Camille is both a fantastic writer and an all-around beautiful human being,” Nelson Spielman said. “She’s what I call an author’s author, the first one to heap praise or shine a spotlight on a fellow author’s new release or rave about a book she loves. And she’s a champion for aspiring writers as well, offering guidance as a writing coach and sharing wisdom and personal experience on her ‘Career Novelist’ podcast.”

R.J. Fox, of Washtenaw County, also praised Pagán. The writer, who penned the screenplay to the independent rom-com “Love & Vodka” (and the book of the same name), went to high school with Pagán. However, they didn’t know each other at the time and have since become what he called “retroactive peers.”

“As a fellow local writer and Edsel Ford alum, I look up to Camille as the gold standard of success,” Fox said. “I’m impressed not only with the quantity of books she has published, but even more with the quality of her writing. She’s also a great mentor for other writers, as is evident in her amazing ‘Career Novelist’ podcast. It’s not just helpful for fellow writers, but inspiring to aspiring authors, as well.” 

Pagán spoke about the podcast.

“I’ve spent my whole career in publishing and, like most authors, get lots of requests from people hoping to ‘pick my brain.’ I soon found I was constantly giving career advice in some way, shape, or form,” she recalled. “Six years ago, I decided to get certified as a coach, and I’ve built a thriving practice offering career coaching to novelists. The podcast is where I address some of the most common questions I receive, as well as issues I regularly coach on in individual and group coaching. It’s my way of helping more writers, since so many authors helped me when I was getting started.” 

Before beginning a book, Pagán writes a logline and a loose three-act structure. Usually, it takes her one year to complete a novel, but “Dog Person” took two. She was grateful to type “The End” upon completion. Still, she holds a special place in her heart for the book.

“This one just feels really special to me,” she said. “I know that at the end of my career, it’ll be one of the novels I’m proudest to have written.”