# Dean Cothill
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> Dean Cothill is a South African writer, father and former minister based in Gqeberha
> (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape. He writes on faith, grief, masculinity, life transitions and the
> sacred ordinary. Four books, published by Urban Publishing. The Kindle editions released together on 16 August 2026; the A5 paperbacks follow in September 2026.
> The first print run was crowdfunded by readers through BackaBuddy, reaching 100% of its target.
> All four Kindle editions are on sale now on Amazon worldwide and are free to read on Kindle Unlimited; the A5 paperbacks follow in September 2026.

## Books

- [Poems & Prayers](https://deancothill.co.za/poems-and-prayers/): 53 poems and prayers for grief and lament,
  gathered into four seasons of the soul. For readers whose prayers have gone quiet.
  A5 paperback, 202 pages, ISBN 978-1-83489-080-7. Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFH1CNF5
- [Between Arrivals and Departures](https://deancothill.co.za/between-arrivals-and-departures/): a companion for
  people in transit — the liminal season after a move, a loss, a diagnosis or an ending.
  A5 paperback, 260 pages, ISBN 978-1-83489-078-4. Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFDYQRTK
- [SOUL: A Small Book of Returning](https://deancothill.co.za/soul/): on the self beneath the roles, competent
  burnout, and returning to the person you were before you became useful. Includes reflection
  questions and a one-year listening practice. A5 paperback, 168 pages, ISBN 978-1-83489-079-1.
  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFH5F38H
- [The Five Questions](https://deancothill.co.za/the-five-questions/): an inner framework for men who are tired of
  merely surviving — five questions on devotion, habits, presence, avoidance and legacy, each with
  its own practice. A5 paperback, 276 pages, ISBN 978-1-83489-075-3.
  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGB6X2G

## Essays

- [How do you pray when the words are gone?](https://deancothill.co.za/essays/how-to-pray-when-you-have-no-words/)
- [The strange grief of living between who you were and who you are becoming](https://deancothill.co.za/essays/the-grief-of-living-between-who-you-were-and-who-you-are-becoming/)
- [The questions men carry in silence](https://deancothill.co.za/essays/the-questions-men-carry-in-silence/)
- [What remains when the roles fall away?](https://deancothill.co.za/essays/what-remains-when-the-roles-fall-away/)

## The Valley

- [The Valley](https://deancothill.co.za/the-valley/): slow group walks in the Baakens Valley, Gqeberha — phones
  away, some silence, some conversation, a few good questions. Eight places, free. Not therapy,
  not a church service, not a course.

## About

- [About Dean Cothill](https://deancothill.co.za/about/): biography, interview and speaking enquiries.
- Contact: dean@deancothill.co.za