​Last night (Tuesday) I had the official book launch for Dead Reckoning at my local library.  My wife made three homemade Irish tea cakes which the audience devoured.  We also provided Barry’s Irish tea and coffee.
About 32 people attended which mostly filled the room.  The audience included my publisher, my editor and my publicists.  The show of support from my publishing team was rewarding.  The audience included both a number of hold friends and new friends I made last night.
My presentation covered the book series and then focused on the final book in the series, Dead Reckoning.  I also read selections from each book to demonstrate an element of craft in writing.  I read the inciting incident for the novel from Murphy’s Troubles.  The scene from Out of Darkness demonstrated how I weave history into the story.  The selection from Dead Reckoning was on theme, showing the internal battle of the protagonist.  This was the first time I’ve done three readings in one presentation.  When the audience says “Ohhh” after a selection the pleasure is palpable. 
A number of books were purchased and I was pleased that all three books flew off the table, not just the final book.
When we finished cleaning up it was just 8:00 pm – an hour and a half event.  I was spent but knew I had just had the perfect launch!
 
P.S. Our local cable station recorded the launch so now it will be broadcast several times.  Isn’t that a hoot?     

​UNTITLEDTOWN BOOK AND AUTHOR FESTIVAL
https://2018.untitledtown.org/
Green Bay, Wisconsin
April 19-22, 2018
 
This is a whopping four day event with hundreds of authors making presentations, participating on panels, selling & signing books.  This festival covers every imaginable topic both readers, writers, and editors want to learn about.
Saturday April 21, at 2:00pm in the Neville Public Museum Gallery, I am presenting:  “Where History and Story Meet – Historical Fiction”
Sunday April 22, at 2:00 pm in the Brown County Library – Lower LeveI Conference Room I am on a panel with Brittiany Koren, Kelly Risser, and Angie Stanton discussing “Writing beginnings, middles and ends” 

  

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April 12-15, 2018
Madison Concourse Hotel
https://uwwritersinstitute.wisc.edu/pathway-to-publication/
 
I attended my first Writers Institute July 17 & 18, 1997.  Since then I have missed only one conference so this year will be my 20th Conference.
The conference theme is:  Pathway to Publication.  I am in a unique position this year due to my own pathway to publication for the IrishTroubles Series.
I self-published Murphy’s Troubles in 2013 using Create Space (which is now defunct.
I used published Out of Darkness in 2015 with Assisted Publishing CK Books.
Dead Reckoning is being published in April 2018 by Three Towers Press an imprint of independent publisher HenschedlHAUS Publishing Inc.
Dead Reckoning will first be available for sale at the Book Market at the Writer’s Institute.
I have come full circle in 20 years.  It has been the most fascinating, creative journey of my life.
It’s not too late to register!
 
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I Remember
 
On this day 50 years ago I was a high school freshman.  I was the student manager for the basketball team because I loved the sport but not blessed with any talent to play.  I was also a nerd of the first caliber.  I was a member of the speech and debate team.  The events I specialized in were debate and extemporaneous speaking.

Participating in these two events resulted in being very knowledgeable about current events both nationally and internationally.  I especially liked extemporaneous speaking because of its’ unique challenge.  Here’s how it worked.  You drew a little piece of paper out of a hat that had a contemporary topic listed.  You then had 30 minutes to research the topic followed by a 10 minute presentation on the topic presented to a judge.  I recall using Newsweek, US News and World Report, and Time magazine as my primary sources.  Only Time has survived as a print magazine.

Because of my submersion in current news and cultural events I was familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King and his non-violent crusade for racial and social justice.  I walked home after school on April 4 the just as the national news was coming on.  We always watched Huntley and Brinkley or John Chancellor.
I REMEMBER John Chancellor’s ashen face as he announced the assassination of Dr. King and watching the film of the event on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  It was graphic.

I REMEMBER, in that moment hope was banished.  I REMEMBER, life was uncertain and fragile.  I REMEMBER, wondering how cans this happen?  I REMEMBER, wondering what will happen next.  I REMEMBER, a shock wave spread across America, even to my little town in northwest Indiana.  I REMEMBER, America burned – in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Detroit and others.  I couldn’t understand the riots that are now called civil disturbance.  I REMEMBER, even then I felt that Dr. King would be shaking his finger at America for reacting with rage and hate.  
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Again today, on the 50th anniversary of a murder, I REMEMBER.