2021 Guidebooks

[wisepilgrim]

I wanted to make a short post here for the benefit of future pilgrims still uncertain of when they will get the opportunity to walk, and for those who like to live vicariously by flipping pages and planning.

Like most business related to the camino, the small list of guidebook authors and publishers have experienced a difficult year. In ordinary times, we would be sending new files off to be printed right about this time of year. We would be hunkering down for what is usually a quiet time after a summer of researching updates.

This year is a bit different for all of us. On top of the financial stresses, the very practical part of our job/passion has been thrown into disarray. With so many uncertainties about travel restrictions, albergues are unable to say today whether they will be open in May. Some may stay closed to protect the health of their owners, some may stay closed for the benefit of privately run albergues in their town. Some albergues are switching to private rooms only until the pandemic related restrictions are removed.

With this in mind, many (if not all) of the major guidebook authors are planning a different strategy for 2021. Rather than reprint new editions for 2021, the more sensible approach will be to keep selling the 2020 edition alongside a printable pdf update. I am certain that we will all have a different approach to it, but the basic idea is that the changes will be added to pdf as they become known. If 2021 is anything like 2020 I can say for certain that the pdfs themselves will change from month to month.

I have spoken with Ivar about it, and he has confirmed that his shop will also keep up to date with individual publishers updates.

So if you are the planning and or dreaming type, there is no harm in ordering 2020 guidebooks for your future camino... whether that be 2021 or probably even 2022. I can only speak personally for the Wise Pilgrim Guides, since I am the author/self-publisher, but have it on good authority that the other well-respected books will be about the same.

Keep safe everyone and as always a big thanks for the support.

Best regards from Santiago,

Michael

 

[biarritzdon]

Thank you Michael for your service to the pilgrim community. Good luck in 2021, it is sounding more and more like a condensed version of the 2020 guide will be more than enough next year. It is not going to be the banner Holy Year everyone was thinking about, for sure.

 

[Tom Quinn]

Michael thank you for your update. We had a saying when I was an active duty Marine officer... FUBAR! Time and common sense will eventually prevail.