Several weeks ago I wrote a blog called The Downsizing Blues, and now I have house selling STRESS.  We spent a week getting the house clean to the standard that our realtor sets.  That means NOTHING sits out.  We’ve replaced carpet in the master bedroom, had the lower level and staircase professionally cleaned, power washed the front of the house and done some touch up painting.  All this and not one person has viewed our home as a potential buyer.

My Mom was a stay at home mom, in those days, three out of four of my best friends Moms also worked at home.  Our house was always very neat.  I know now that Mom could best be described as fastidious, it’s just the way we lived, and I didn’t know anything different.

As an adult I’ve in my own home I like a bit of clutter.  I like to have fruit, utensils, a, a coffee maker, baking supplies and kitchen equipment on the counters.  We store our boots and wallabies on a matt at the main entrance.  Our floor to ceiling bookcases are not orderly and in addition to books store nick nacks and family pictures.  My office has a large oak desk that weighs in at about 500 pounds.  The top of the desk has several plants, more family pictures, mementos from our travels and miscellaneous stuff.

 Living like this is comfortable.  Now, everything is put away.  The garage has been transformed into a holding area.  Every day I spend at least a third of my time searching for something.  It’s frustrating both because of the time wasted and the fact that I can’t remember where my stuff is. 

House selling/buying has hijacked our summer.  We’ve been bike riding once.  Our kayaks are getting dusty in the garage.  We haven’t been hiking and we haven’t found the time to take our grandson swimming.  I’m tired all the time. We have found time to tend the garden and of course the lawn is perfect because that’s part of the ‘selling image.’

Last week we began the process of negotiating buying a home and the stress has become unbearable.  I’m short tempered, not sleeping, eating poorly and worst of all – I lost all focus on writing.  I wrote less than 1000 words last week, less than half of my weekly goal.  I spent a day researching for details in the current chapter but couldn’t squeeze out any words.  Since I set up a weekly word goal for myself I’ve sailed along.  In fact, I moved my target complete date for the first draft from Dec. 31 to Oct. 31.

So, if I knew several weeks ago what I know now about the changes in my life that home downsizing would mean, I just might reconsider . . .

I was one of seven authors invited to participate in the 2014 Milwaukee Irish Fest in the Literary Corner.  This year the Literary Corner included two book stores, a vendor selling coffee and hot tea, an IBAM (Irish Books Arts & Music) and in a small corner,  a desk with two bookshelves behind it for the authors.  A volunteer sat with me to collect all the money or credit cards from selling books.

Irish Fest was a learning experience, not a book selling experience.  Stuffed into the corner of a tent on a +85 F degree day is not exactly a halcyon day.  My first shift was at noon when the Fest opened.  The Literary Corner is located at the far south end of the festival grounds and in the first hour the crowd didn’t make it that far.  I didn’t have a single person make their way to the author’s corner, although the two bookstores sharing the tent did robust business.

The person from the Festival was generous, kind and well intentioned but had not a clue on how to sell books.  I pointed out that both book stores had long table displays where customers could browse books.  The Festival staff didn’t want customers touching our books, she was afraid they would get soiled.  I sat behind the desk, as instructed, for an hour.   As I left the person from IBAM suggested that at my next stint on Saturday I stand in front of the desk and my wife suggested I hand out bookmarkers to attract customers.

I did make great contacts at Irish Fest.  I met fellow author David McDonnell who has written a wonderful book, Clan Donnell  on his family history.  David and his wife Linda are spending the summer selling books and making presentations at Irish Fests across the country.  I also met Cliff and Kathy Carlson from the Irish American News.  They invited me to participate in the IBAM conference in Chicago on October 3-5.  Cliff introduced me to Frank West the Irish American News Book and Theater reviewer.  Frank agreed to review Murphy’s Troubles  for the newspaper – an incredible stroke of Irish good luck.  I also learned about the irishbooksite.com a good place for me to market my book.

On Saturday I followed all the suggestions I received and didn’t behind the desk.  I passed out bookmarkers and engaged customers as they strolled by.  I sold four books in my hour.  I also learned that the one of the bookstore sponsors of The Literary Corner, The Little Read Book of Wauwatosa was selling my book.  I also autographed a book sold through the bookstore.

For what it’s worth, I learned two lessons.  First, I need to always be myself when participating in author events.  Sitting behind a desk is not me.  I like to engage people, have conversation and if that results in a sale fine, if not fine – but it’s interactive.  Second, all author events, regardless of the format is about networking with people.  By networking I was invited to another event, will have a book review and learned from the experiences of another peripatetic author.     

Cead Mile Failte – a thousand welcomes to Milwaukee Irish Fest 2014!   I spent the weekend preparing my presentations for the Milwaukee Irish Fest, which runs from Thursday, August 14 through Sunday, August 17th.  I received my presenter about a week ago and noticed I am the only one without a traditional Irish surname.  To remedy the situation, for the weekend I will go by O’Owens.  It’s only fitting.  The surname Owens is Welsh, another Celtic people and there are records that Welsh Owens’ immigrated to Ireland.  I’m sure I descend from the Irish Owens clan.

My presentations will take place in The Literary Corner which is part of the Cultural Village.  Ireland has such a rich literary tradition that The Literary Corner is a key element of the festival.  Only Ireland can boast more Nobel Prizes for Literature than any other country.  The Literary Corner features books for sale on all aspects of Irish culture and history.  In addition, every year a small number of authors are invited to make presentations on their books.  I will be one of seven authors making a presentation during the Fest; I will be among an elite group.

My presentations are scheduled for:   

Friday         August 15       4:00-5:00

Saturday    August 16      2:00-3:00

Sunday       August 17     7:00-8:00

Signed copies of my novel, Murphy’s Troubles will be available for sale throughout Irish Fest.

Following the each presentation I will have a book signing and talking with readers informally.

For more information about all events go to:  irishfest.com

Milwaukee is a city of festivals during the summer.  Each summer in August Milwaukee hosts Irish Fest, which runs from Thursday, August 14 through Sunday, August 17th.  The Fest begins Thursday night with the Grand Hooley, a traditional Irish celebration with music, food and dancing.

A special feature this year is the Brian Boru Millennium Celebration commemorating the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.  Brian Boru was the first high king of Ireland and the battle ended Viking influence in Ireland.



I submitted my novel MURPHY’S TROUBLES to Fest organizers to be considered for The Literary Corner.  The Literary Corner is part of the Cultural Village.  Ireland has such a rich literary tradition that The Literary Corner is a key element of the festival.  The Literary Corner features books for sale on all aspects of Irish culture and history.  In addition, every year a small number of authors are invited to make presentations on their books.

I have been honored to participate in the 2014 Irish Fest Literary Corner.  My novel, Murphy’s Troubles will be available for sale and I will be giving three presentations:

                                 Friday         August 15       4:00-5:00
 
                                  Saturday    August 16      2:00-3:00

                                  Sunday       August 17     7:00-8:00

Following the each presentation I will have a book signing and talking with readers informally.

For more information about all events go to:  irishfest.com