About The Author

Dick Schubert

Dick Schubert writes wholesome, character-driven fiction from Denver, Colorado. The Sweetest Voice in Baytowne is his debut novel, inspired by coastal communities, family bonds, and rescue dogs. His storytelling favors quiet courage over spectacle, the kind of book families want to read aloud, together, more than once.

Dick Schubert writes small-town stories built on kindness, family, and the quiet moments that turn out to matter most. The Sweetest Voice in Baytowne is his debut novel, a story about a rescued dog, a reunited family, and a coastal community that shows up for its own. Dick lives in Denver, Colorado.

Why Families Love This Book

Heartfelt Stories Timeless Themes.

Family Bonding

Daniel Patrick hasn’t seen his grandfather in years. Over one unforgettable stay in Baytowne, a boy who barely remembers his family relearns what it means to belong to one pancakes on a wood-burning stove, an attic full of stories, and a grandfather determined to earn back the years he missed.

Humor & Heart

Between a dog who “sings” to a hidden radio, a make-believe breakfast menu of crocodilians, and a girl who names her new puppy after her teddy bear, Baytowne is never short on warmth or a well-timed laugh, even in its most tender moments.

Memorable Adventures

An abandoned mine, a storm rolling in off the Pacific, and two kids who wander further than they should, it takes a whole town, a sheriff’s search party, and one loyal dog to bring everyone home safe.

About The Book

The Sweetest Voice in Baytowne

The Sweetest Voice in Baytowne is a story to be read to kids, the moment before they close their eyes, or any quiet moment for that matter. Through the words, they are transported to the beautiful Oregon coast, where the winds are cold, and the air smells like clam chowder. Offshore, below the swells, Dungeness crabs lurk and crawl across the ocean’s bottom. This small town makes its living by harvesting these crawling morsels and by shipping them far and wide. These crustations end up on expensive dinner plates many miles from the ocean’s depths. It takes the whole community to make this happen, with many more people than just the brave crews in their boats. Our story involves other townsfolk who also do their part to make life in Baytowne worthwhile. This is a book that is about one story among many that make up town life here. This adventure is about a family who has experienced love and loss. A tale full of life’s changes with separation and regrets, but resolved through renewed growth, connection, and healing. The narrative features a young boy, Daniel Patrick, during a ten-day period, suddenly being reintroduced to his grandfather after years of separation. The young boy has no memory of the community. Added to this experience is an unceremonious meeting with Robin, the bold and brash neighbor girl, and her dog, Woodrow. This storyline follows these three and their adventures in and around the town. Throughout our book, kids can take to heart that kindness can still exist, and communities can work together for the greater good.

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Latest Insights

Stories Inspiration & More

A Lost Dog, a Small Town and a Story About Finding Your Way Home

Sometimes, the best stories begin with something very ordinary: a dog running through.

The Power of Teamwork in Every Challenge

Some of life’s greatest victories are never achieved alone. One of the strongest messages woven throughout Dick

Finding Hope Through Unexpected Journeys

Life rarely follows the path we expect, and sometimes our greatest lessons come from unexpected experiences.

What Readers Are Saying

"I picked this up expecting a light dog story and got so much more. Watching Dennis learn to be a grandfather again, one pancake breakfast at a time, is the part that's stayed with me."

Karen Ellison — Reader Review

"Woody is the kind of animal character you don't forget. The scene where the sheriff realizes the dog led them to the kids gave me chills. This book earns its emotional moments."

Mark Devries — Reader Review

"We picked this for our club expecting a quick read and ended up talking for an hour about grief, family, and what it means to actually show up for people. Highly recommend for group discussion."

Priya Nathan — Book Club Reader

"Baytowne feels like a real place. The descriptions of the harbor and 'The Brothers' rock formation are so vivid I looked up if it was based on a real Oregon town."

Tom Whitfield — Reader Review

"Read this aloud to my kids a chapter a night. They loved Woody, I loved watching Daniel Patrick and his grandfather find their way back to each other. Wholesome without being saccharine."

Alicia Munoz — Parent & Reader

"Old-fashioned in the best sense. This reminded me of the family novels I grew up on — patient, warm, and not afraid to let a quiet moment do the heavy lifting."

Gregory Paulsen — Reader Review

"The mine rescue chapters had my heart in my throat, and then the sandwich scene right after wrecked me in a completely different way. Schubert knows exactly when to let a story breathe."

Nora Fitzgerald — Reader Review

"The Sweetest Voice in Baytowne is the kind of novel that quietly wins you over. It doesn't rely on shocking twists or nonstop action. Instead, it builds a town you genuinely want to live in. Woody is one of the most lovable animal characters I've read in years, and the relationships between the families feel heartfelt and authentic. The pacing is gentle, which may not be for everyone, but if you appreciate character-driven storytelling, this book is a real gem."

Sarah Whitmore Designation

"Dick Schubert has written a story with an old-fashioned heart. The descriptive writing occasionally slows the pace, but those same descriptions are what make Baytowne feel alive. By the end, I felt like I personally knew its people. Woody steals every scene he's in, and I found myself smiling far more often than I expected."

Michael Reynolds Designation

"Dick Schubert has written a story with an old-fashioned heart. The descriptive writing occasionally slows the pace, but those same descriptions are what make Baytowne feel alive. By the end, I felt like I personally knew its people. Woody steals every scene he's in, and I found myself smiling far more often than I expected."

Michael Reynolds Designation

"I wasn't expecting a story centered around a rescued dog to carry so much emotional weight. The novel explores family, grief, friendship, and hope with remarkable sincerity. There are moments where the dialogue feels intentionally wholesome, but somehow it works because the book never pretends to be cynical. It's refreshing."

Emily Carter Designation

"This reminded me of the classic family novels I grew up reading. The storytelling is patient, warm, and deeply compassionate. Some chapters take their time developing the characters, yet every page contributes to the feeling that Baytowne is a real place. Woody is unforgettable, and the ending left me genuinely emotional."

David Harrison Designation

"I rarely leave reviews, but this book deserves one. It's comforting without being simplistic and emotional without becoming overly sentimental. Dick Schubert clearly loves his characters, and that affection comes through on every page. If you're looking for a story that restores a little faith in people, this is worth your time."

James Porter Designation

"I honestly didn't expect this book to affect me the way it did. There are scenes that made me laugh out loud and others that quietly broke my heart. The writing isn't flashy—it doesn't need to be. Its greatest strength is its sincerity. That's increasingly rare in modern fiction."

Linda Brooks Designation

"The Sweetest Voice in Baytowne feels like a story written from the heart rather than for the bestseller lists. It's wholesome without being childish, emotional without being manipulative, and memorable because of its characters instead of gimmicks. It may not appeal to readers looking for constant action, but for anyone who enjoys meaningful storytelling, this is an easy recommendation."

Thomas Bennett Designation
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