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Courting Light
Our days were numbered but precious.
Courting Light is the story of Josie, an eighteen-year-old about to leave home to start university in London. She volunteers at a summer camp for disabled children. When Josie is paired with the autistic teenager Lucian, she faces intense experiences that are truly eye-opening. To her surprise, Lucian is not the only one who captures her attention. Over the weeks, Josie develops powerful desires evoked by the camp’s enigmatic young leader with a shaved head and tattoo on her skull.
Part of Seasons of Love Anthology.
Courting Light is the story of Josie, an eighteen-year-old about to leave home to start university in London. She volunteers at a summer camp for disabled children. When Josie is paired with the autistic teenager Lucian, she faces intense experiences that are truly eye-opening. To her surprise, Lucian is not the only one who captures her attention. Over the weeks, Josie develops powerful desires evoked by the camp’s enigmatic young leader with a shaved head and tattoo on her skull.
Part of Seasons of Love Anthology.
ebook
First published July 31, 2018
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
A. Zukowski
7 books43 followersI am a London-based British writer who grew up in the gay village and red light district of Manchester.
I was trained in screenwriting at the University of the Arts London; National Film & Television School and Script Factory, UK, followed by various misadventures as a film journalist, and writer and producer of short films.
My stories are based on personal and emotional experiences, and feature strong LGBTQ-identified characters.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/saszazukowski
Blog: http://azukowskiblog.wordpress.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/a.zukowski.353
Tumblr: http://azukowski.tumblr.com
I was trained in screenwriting at the University of the Arts London; National Film & Television School and Script Factory, UK, followed by various misadventures as a film journalist, and writer and producer of short films.
My stories are based on personal and emotional experiences, and feature strong LGBTQ-identified characters.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/saszazukowski
Blog: http://azukowskiblog.wordpress.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/a.zukowski.353
Tumblr: http://azukowski.tumblr.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 3, 2018
This story brought me back to my years working as a traveling summer camp counselor. It puts a voice to the feeling in young adulthood of total invincibility and independence combined with vulnerability and wariness of the future. I won't spoil it, but the ending is, in my mind, perfection. What a beautiful story.
June 15, 2022
A strangely moving tale of first love, an 18 year old finding her feet in an adult world and autism. Short story so only 4* but could be expanded. Don't usually do this on a short story: but recommended.
August 13, 2018
This is a beautiful story about coming of age and first love.
Josie is a young woman who is on the brink of some big changes in her life: finishing High School, going off to college, looking for something to bring a bit of meaning to her last summer before real life kicks in.
She decides to volunteer at a summer camp for children and young people with special needs.
Here she meets Lucian, who is the young person she is assigned to look after for the fortnight. Lucian is autistic and has some very challenging behaviours to deal with. Josie handles them with hesitancy at first, and then growing confidence.
Josie also meets the camp leader, Sam, who she immediately deveolps a crush on, calling into question everything she thinks she knows about herself.
I loved this story for lots of reasons. My personal and professional experience with autism made me a little sceptical about reading about a character with that condition. However, even though Lucian is a secondary character, he was beautifully and sensitively written.
The main story was also very sensitively handled. The conclusion very satisfactory, and a little heart rending. This is not a romance, however, it is a coming of age story with the main character’s own voyage of self-discovery as the focus.
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a lovely summmer read about some beautiful characters in a very picturesque setting.
This story is available on its own, or as part of the Seasons of Love Anthology: A Beaten Track Anthology from Beaten Track Publishing.
Other titles in the Anthology are:
The Year of the Guilty Soul by A.M. Leibowitz
Out of Season, by Bob Stone
Winter Blossoms, By Paul Iasevoli
Seashell Voices, by Alexis Woods
The Great Village Bun Fight, by Debbie McGowan
Once Around Seven, by Ofelia Gränd
Tourist Season, by Deven Balsam
Machete Betty and the Office Sharks, by Neptune Flowers
And my own story:
A Springful of Winters
Josie is a young woman who is on the brink of some big changes in her life: finishing High School, going off to college, looking for something to bring a bit of meaning to her last summer before real life kicks in.
She decides to volunteer at a summer camp for children and young people with special needs.
Here she meets Lucian, who is the young person she is assigned to look after for the fortnight. Lucian is autistic and has some very challenging behaviours to deal with. Josie handles them with hesitancy at first, and then growing confidence.
Josie also meets the camp leader, Sam, who she immediately deveolps a crush on, calling into question everything she thinks she knows about herself.
I loved this story for lots of reasons. My personal and professional experience with autism made me a little sceptical about reading about a character with that condition. However, even though Lucian is a secondary character, he was beautifully and sensitively written.
The main story was also very sensitively handled. The conclusion very satisfactory, and a little heart rending. This is not a romance, however, it is a coming of age story with the main character’s own voyage of self-discovery as the focus.
I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a lovely summmer read about some beautiful characters in a very picturesque setting.
This story is available on its own, or as part of the Seasons of Love Anthology: A Beaten Track Anthology from Beaten Track Publishing.
Other titles in the Anthology are:
The Year of the Guilty Soul by A.M. Leibowitz
Out of Season, by Bob Stone
Winter Blossoms, By Paul Iasevoli
Seashell Voices, by Alexis Woods
The Great Village Bun Fight, by Debbie McGowan
Once Around Seven, by Ofelia Gränd
Tourist Season, by Deven Balsam
Machete Betty and the Office Sharks, by Neptune Flowers
And my own story:
A Springful of Winters
August 9, 2018
Editor's Review:
I more or less went straight from editing A. Zukowski's upcoming novel Liam For Hire to editing Courting Light. Silly me for thinking I knew what I'd be getting. Or, at least, I did in the sense that I knew I was in for an emotional ride; A.'s style sits between literary and contemporary, making for a deep sensory experience, and yes, I cried. The characters are so real, the events so natural, this is full-immersion reading. And Lucian...I loved his humour, his insights.
The romantic themes are clear, but this is not a 'happily ever after' romance. It's a young woman's coming of age, her first crush, her first taste of responsibility - those bittersweet youthful moments that underpin who we are and will always be.
I more or less went straight from editing A. Zukowski's upcoming novel Liam For Hire to editing Courting Light. Silly me for thinking I knew what I'd be getting. Or, at least, I did in the sense that I knew I was in for an emotional ride; A.'s style sits between literary and contemporary, making for a deep sensory experience, and yes, I cried. The characters are so real, the events so natural, this is full-immersion reading. And Lucian...I loved his humour, his insights.
[Lucian] stared at the table next to me for long moments. He wasn't smiling but there was a rare inflection of his lips. "I saw you and her, and the way you always follow her with your eyes. You two are like these people on television. My mum said they're love stories."
The romantic themes are clear, but this is not a 'happily ever after' romance. It's a young woman's coming of age, her first crush, her first taste of responsibility - those bittersweet youthful moments that underpin who we are and will always be.
February 12, 2020
An eye open and interesting story!
Josie heads out to a summer camp for disabled children for two weeks, learning not only about herself but the children in her care, and her fellow volunteers. She forms a few meaningful friendships, and the effects of those relationships with very special people mean life will never been the same again.
This was a very coming of age, experience based, and emotional story. A Zukowski took a quite delicate subject and managed to make it something truly beautiful. That understanding you need to have in life of other people, patience, tolerance, we all need to feel accepted and loved, and even though Josie is there in the capacity of volunteer carer, she is very much experiencing the camp as if she were in attendance as a guest for the summer too. That contrast gave the story an edge, deep meaningful glances into how beautiful the world and people can be if you just spend time getting to know them, without judgement.
Sam, who quickly becomes an object of Josie’s affections is like a key. The whole story focuses on Josie, a bit like an awakening of senses, and coming out story. Sam is vital to Josie coming out of her shell, embracing true feelings. One thing I really took from their relationship though was that realism that someone can really touch your life, your heart, and one thing is for certain, they will always hold a piece of you, and you will never be the same again. There was so much truth in that, and I loved A. Zukowski’s take on that.
A lovely story about how literally 14 days can change your life. I would recommend this story, especially for those who like YA, or just something a little bit different; insightful.
Josie heads out to a summer camp for disabled children for two weeks, learning not only about herself but the children in her care, and her fellow volunteers. She forms a few meaningful friendships, and the effects of those relationships with very special people mean life will never been the same again.
This was a very coming of age, experience based, and emotional story. A Zukowski took a quite delicate subject and managed to make it something truly beautiful. That understanding you need to have in life of other people, patience, tolerance, we all need to feel accepted and loved, and even though Josie is there in the capacity of volunteer carer, she is very much experiencing the camp as if she were in attendance as a guest for the summer too. That contrast gave the story an edge, deep meaningful glances into how beautiful the world and people can be if you just spend time getting to know them, without judgement.
Sam, who quickly becomes an object of Josie’s affections is like a key. The whole story focuses on Josie, a bit like an awakening of senses, and coming out story. Sam is vital to Josie coming out of her shell, embracing true feelings. One thing I really took from their relationship though was that realism that someone can really touch your life, your heart, and one thing is for certain, they will always hold a piece of you, and you will never be the same again. There was so much truth in that, and I loved A. Zukowski’s take on that.
A lovely story about how literally 14 days can change your life. I would recommend this story, especially for those who like YA, or just something a little bit different; insightful.
August 4, 2018
First, the end was absolutely great, considering things. It described so well how young first love feels like at that time. Second, Lucian was such an incredible kid, it was really nice reading something with an autistic child involved, there's not enough things written with kids on the spectrum. Speaking on a personal level, since I have a family member with Aspenger's, I thought the writing was really good involving this character. They are so special, people just don't give them enough credit, their minds are just brilliant. And I really liked that there were LGBTQ+ characters as well, and it was so natural. I really liked this story.
August 31, 2018
This coming-of-age story, set in fourteen short days of summer, transports the reader to unexplored places. Josie and Lucian are so well-drawn that the reader leaves the story feeling as if they have been privileged to look into the characters' emotions. If only we could be all more like Lucian, close our eyes, and truly listen to the world. And a little more like the eighteen-year-old Josie, let ourselves accept others as they are, and savor the moment for what it is.
Want to read
October 20, 2018Courting Light was graciously provided to me by the author for an honest review. Review to follow.
September 4, 2018
Going to a summer camp as a helper for disabled. There she catches the eye of one before she sees someone else. She now has two men she likes but now it is all going to end? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 4, 2018
The book is a good storyline that is interesting and intense. The characters are engaging and well developed. I did like reading this book.
October 11, 2018
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Josie volunteers to help at a summer camp for disabled children. But it's the camp leader, Sam, who draws Josie like a moth to a flame.
Something must have piqued my interest with this one because it came with a young adult tag and I said yes, I would read it. And I did like! Not love but I liked it.
Josie, by her own admission, only at camp to have something else on her CV other than school. Paired with Lucian, an autistic teenager, she learns a lot about herself and her life; and that of those around her.
The draw to Sam, the camp leader, is instant and powerful, and Sam fights it a long time before they finally give into each other.
At the end of camp, though, Josie is in for a surprise, as were we! And I did like the ending. From what Josie was saying, about what she thought in years to come, I really wasn't sure which way it was gonna go!
BUT only Josie has a say and ya'll know what I think about that! AND it IS young adult, very much so. What Josie does say, is well written and well delivered. I quite liked Josie!
It's a lovely, easy read, great for young adult fans, and for LGBT fans alike. Just maybe not one for me.
3 good solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Josie volunteers to help at a summer camp for disabled children. But it's the camp leader, Sam, who draws Josie like a moth to a flame.
Something must have piqued my interest with this one because it came with a young adult tag and I said yes, I would read it. And I did like! Not love but I liked it.
Josie, by her own admission, only at camp to have something else on her CV other than school. Paired with Lucian, an autistic teenager, she learns a lot about herself and her life; and that of those around her.
The draw to Sam, the camp leader, is instant and powerful, and Sam fights it a long time before they finally give into each other.
At the end of camp, though, Josie is in for a surprise, as were we! And I did like the ending. From what Josie was saying, about what she thought in years to come, I really wasn't sure which way it was gonna go!
BUT only Josie has a say and ya'll know what I think about that! AND it IS young adult, very much so. What Josie does say, is well written and well delivered. I quite liked Josie!
It's a lovely, easy read, great for young adult fans, and for LGBT fans alike. Just maybe not one for me.
3 good solid stars.
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
August 14, 2018
I have to admit, I couldn't finish this. By halfway through, I had reached my limit.
A word, to those who want to write about disabled or neurodivergent people.
You don't have to hammer home every single page or two how exhausting we are, how emotionally draining we are, how our routines and sensory and dietary needs are an inconvenience, how our bodily functions disgust you, how much our families need a break from us because we're basically vampires sucking the life from them.
We know. You never let us forget it.
And referring to parents watching their disabled children being driven away to summer camp with a parallel to the Gestapo - you don't get to do that, when the Nazis killed thousands of disabled children as the test run for the Final Solution. I bet you probably didn't know that, but it's available for anyone with access to Google. They murdered us so that we wouldn't be an inconvenience.
A word, to those who want to write about disabled or neurodivergent people.
You don't have to hammer home every single page or two how exhausting we are, how emotionally draining we are, how our routines and sensory and dietary needs are an inconvenience, how our bodily functions disgust you, how much our families need a break from us because we're basically vampires sucking the life from them.
We know. You never let us forget it.
And referring to parents watching their disabled children being driven away to summer camp with a parallel to the Gestapo - you don't get to do that, when the Nazis killed thousands of disabled children as the test run for the Final Solution. I bet you probably didn't know that, but it's available for anyone with access to Google. They murdered us so that we wouldn't be an inconvenience.
October 25, 2018
This story engaged me from the outset, so much so that I devoured it in a single sitting. There’s something magical about the summer holidays when you’re young—that sense of the days stretching ahead of you, full of potential and untapped possibility. Courting Light captures this magic beautifully, interweaving it with the wonder of self-discovery, of uncovering a previously unexplored part of yourself, and the heady intoxication of falling in love for the first time.
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews