I have been attending the Tuesday Morning Book Talk, lead by Dr. Emily Auerbach and Marshall Cook for more years than I can remember.  We meet each fall and spring and take a break in the summer.  Usually, Dr. Auerbach chooses two themes for each session and we read three books on each theme.  For example, this fall one theme was Nobel Literature prize winning authors.

At the end of our session in the spring of 2013 she asked for suggestions from our group on books to read in the fall 2014 session.  In a bold, audacious moment I suggested the group discuss my debut novel, Murphy’s Troubles.

I didn’t want Dr. Auerbach to accept my suggestion without the opportunity to read my book so I gave her a copy.  I also asked my friend/mentor/editor Marshall Cook if he would be willing to lead the discussion if my book was accepted.

I waited all summer and never had a response from Dr. Auerbach.  In August, I heard from my friend Marshall that by book was scheduled for discussion in the fall 2014 session but he didn’t have a date.  It didn’t seem real.  Later that month the schedule of books to be read came out and there it was

October 28, 2014 – Murphy’s Troubles by Rex Owens, lead by Marshall Cook.  I’ve framed that schedule and hung it on my writing room wall.  No one in the class said anything to be about my book on the schedule.  Finally, last week several folks asked me if I had copies or where it was available locally because they didn’t want to buy it on Amazon.  One local independent bookstore, Mystery to Me, does carry a few copies and I recommended them, expect our group has about 25.  There was a possibility that our University Bookstore carried by book.  I called the University Bookstore and was never able to connect with someone to give me a definitive answer.

Monday night I didn’t sleep well.  I tossed and turned and slept in a spare bedroom to not disturb Lynette.  Tuesday morning I kept asking myself why I ever got myself into this position.  I talked with Marshall before class and he announced that I wanted honesty and that they way for me to grow as a writer was to get constructive comments and viewpoints.  I also agreed to ask whatever questions they wanted to pose.

The discussion began slowly, everyone was tenuous.  With  a few thoughtful questions from Marshall the discussion gained momentum, I answered questions and all was going well until . . .  I person was sure that I had not portrayed the correct age for one of the characters, she insisted the character must be older than 12 as I had written.  I responded with events in the novel that supported an age of 12 and many of us thought the questioner was confusing mother/daughter characters.  The questioner was relentless.  Finally, I responded by saying that I hadn’t completed a specific timeline for these characters and that was a mistake I’d not make in my next novel. 

Overall, the discussion was animated, we laughed, read some scenes out loud and one member said she was distraught reading the last chapter because she was sure that the protagonist, Ian Murphy, would be killed – she cared!  Her comment was the highlight of the discussion for me.  Marshall said, Rex you’ve done it – readers care about your characters.  Eliciting this response from readers is the writer’s Holy Grail.

To close the class I was asked when my next book would be published and what it was about.  I told them novel number two will be out in 2015 and Ian Murphy’s story continues as he searches for redemption.  The entire class broke out in spontaneous applause.  I blushed.  My sole thought after this experience:  now, I’m a writer. 

This afternoon I finished the draft manuscript of my second novel.  At 97,520 words it's the longest work I've ever written.  It will be anyone's guess, the length of the final published novel.

This month I will complete the rough draft of my second novel and I am a full month ahead of my original schedule to complete this draft.   After publishing Murphy’s Troubles in November 2013 there was no question that I would continue writing novels.  However, the exuberance of publishing that first novel, having to hold in your hands and having launch parties at our local coffee shop and public library was distracting.

In January I decided it was time to get serious and begin thinking about what I wanted to write about next.  I had seen a PBS program about the Fenian movement in America and its leader John Devoy.  Devoy is a fascinating character who reinvented himself in New York City after being expelled from Ireland for his Fenian activities.  I spent months researching his history, in particular, an audacious mission he financed to rescue six Irish Fenians from a prison in Australia.  After researching for several months I tried for months to write the story and each attempt failed.  Something was missing and I didn’t know what.

One night I had a dream and the protagonist in Murphy’s Troubles, Ian Padraic Murphy let me know that his story wasn’t finished.  The entire plot for my second novel came to me at one time.  I sat down and began to write.

It wasn’t easy.  I struggle with point of view.  I came up with the brilliant idea of writing a fictional memoir.  I was proud of my inventiveness at creating a new genre.  I floated the idea past my friend and mentor, Marshall Cook and he was moderately encouraging but warned that my path was fraught with numerous obstacles.

I distracted myself with researching how to write a memoir.  The year was slipping by and in early May I didn’t have ten pages done one my second novel.  Panic set in.  I was frustrated with how to write a fictional memoir and what I originally thought would be clever and unique was proving to be a horrendous waste of time.

Then, out of nowhere I reviewed the last scene of Murphy’s Troubles and imagined what would happen next.  I solved the problem of point of view – to use the standard first person.  My writing was unleashed.  Finally, I had the plot and point of view but then fear crept into my psyche and I stalled.  I have always been self-motivated and most comfortable when I have a goal to work toward.  I decided that the second novel should be about the same length as the first, about 84,000 words.  Next I decided to finish the first draft by the end of November.  Finally, I determined how many words a week I needed to write to meet that goal.

The last step, and the key, was to bury the internal editor in me and force myself not to edit my writing.  Eureka!  I found my path.  The writing flowed and every week I exceeded my word count target and I’m a month ahead of schedule.

I should be elated, but I’m not.  Instead I find myself feeling sad.  The time when I can write without abandon is almost over.  In November, editing begins the crafting.  The days of freewill writing are over.    

It was 4:15 pm on Sunday afternoon at the Irish Book and Music Celebration held at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago.  For authors selling books the event was to end at 4:30.  The day had been slow, sold a few books, but met a lot of nice people.

I’ve learned that people like to talk with authors.  They like to have you tell them in a few words what the novel is about.  They ask what inspired the story.  They ask how much research was done to write the story and a myriad of other questions. 

Almost all customers also like to share something of their lives while demonstrating at least a passing interest in buying the book.  Because this event was at the Irish American Heritage Center, every customer had a story about relatives in Ireland in their past or many are still living in Ireland.  Customers like to browse and thoroughly enjoy the variety provided by a group of seventeen authors selling their wares.

The variety available included:  self-help books, historical fiction based on actual family members; young adult books, fairy books, academic books on Irish music, the real life story of father-son cops an Irish grandmother’s real life adventures and general fiction.

On the second day of the event I put copies of a review my book received from a professional reviewer – Inkspots Review.  I noted that people would pick up a copy and read the review rather than pick up the book and read the back of the book blurb.  It proved to me that knowing what another reader thought of the book is more influential than learning about the book yourself when making a decision to buy.

The last customer didn’t do any of these things.  She looked at the poster of the front book cover and asked where it took place.  “The protagonist, Ian Murphy, lives in Cork” I said.

“Where in Cork?”  She asked.

“Cork City.”  I said.

“Well, you know Cork is the name the County too.  It’s a big county.”

“Yes, it’s a big county.”  I responded.  I couldn’t tell where this conversation was going.  “He lives in West Cork.”  I offered.

“What street?”  She asked.

I couldn’t remember.  That’s the sort of thing an author should remember.  I was tired enough and in shock over the cross examination, I couldn’t remember.  I thought I should be honest.  “Well, at this moment I don’t recall, but I took the time to research the geography on Google maps, it’s an area were an author’s cottage could be.”

She picked up the book and looked at it.  “Well, how long are you going to be here?”

“Until 4:30.”

“Ok, I might be back.”

Of course, she never came back.  I failed her test.  In all the events I’ve attended this year I’ve never had a customer cross examine me on some detail of the book.  I suppose she was testing me, to see if I knew my stuff.  What I don’t understand was how that made any difference to the story.  She wasn’t interested in the story; I think she was interested in quizzing me.

Later that evening I thought if I had had my wits about me I should have responded, it’s a fiction.  He lives on a fictional street.  I’m guessing she would have responded, “Oh” and walked away but I’ll never know.

The Irish Book and Music Celebration was held at the Irish American Heritage Center (IAHC) in Chicago last weekend.  I was fortunate to be invited to sell books, make a presentation and participate on an author’s panel.  I was among 17 authors invited to attend the celebration.

The drive to Chicago was fraught with highway construction work both in Wisconsin and Illinois which can make for a frustrating trip of start and stop traffic and unexpected detours through foreign lands.  The trip took longer than Google maps projected but we arrived in time to set up our table on the second floor of the IAHC and meet other authors.

Saturday afternoon I made a presentation about my novel, Murphy’s Troubles, and ‘authorpreneurship’ which I define as the art of attracting readers.  One of the other authors selling books on the second floor suggested I take a handful of books with me to the presentation and let attendees know I had some available for sale and personalized signature.  After my presentation I sold every book I brought with me and had to send one customer to my table to purchase another book.  It was only because of a fellow authors’ suggestion that I hauled books to my presentation.  Looking back, it should have been obvious to me, but it wasn’t.

Mid-afternoon on Saturday I participated on an author’s panel with Frank Delaney, a professor of Irish History from DePaul  University, Colum Kenny- Professor of Communications at Dublin City University and yours truly.  I worked very hard to tell myself not to be intimidated by the prestige of the other panel members.  During the discussion, one of the audience members, my friend Frank West, a film and book reviewer for the Irish American News asked me a question directly which gave me the opportunity to be responsive to our audience.  I was shocked when Frank Delaney agreed with one of my comments and expanded on it.  It was both intellectually stimulating and a pleasure to participate on the panel.

On Sunday, I was waiting in the back of the room to listen to Frank Delaney’s presentation on why reading James Joyce’s Ulysses is good for you.  He came and stood next to me and said he was pleased that I read a small quote from Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes during the author’s panel the previous day.  He said he knew Frank McCourt and still is friends with his wife who lives near him in Connecticut.  His brief comment made a lasting impression on me.  He could have ignored me standing in the back of the room, but he didn’t.

My book received a rave review by Frank West of the Irish American News October edition, which was distributed on Saturday – free – at the IBAM Celebration.  The timing couldn’t have been more propitious and I’m certain influenced book sales. 

I made two excellent contacts.  First I was invited to return to Chicago and make a presentation to the IAHC Great Irish Book Club which is scheduled to read Murphy’s Troubles in 2015.  I was invited for a TV interview with Avila Book Talk, an independently produced TV program of author interviews.

Finally, I met a number of wonderful authors who shared their experience of various author events.  I’ve learned that in many ways we are modern day bards, traveling from event to event, sharing our work and the most extraordinary lifestyle in the world.

Cliff Carlson, IBAM Celebration organizer, invited me back for the 2015 event – I’ll be there!

I want to share with readers what I’m doing to prepare for the Irish Book and Music Celebration October 3-5 at the Irish American Heritage Center – 4626 North Knox, Chicago, Ill.

The Schedule  . . .

1:15-2:15 Saturday –Author Presentation:  ‘Authorpreneurship’ and a Reading from Murphy’s’ Troubles by Rex Owens

3:00-4:00 Saturday – Author Panel:  What is it about Irish writing that gives it such universal appeal?  Panelists:  Frank Delaney, Colum Kenney, Donal Ryan, Mary McCain and Rex Owens.

Book selling and author signing -

Noon-6:00 Saturday

Noon-6:00 Sunday

Here’s a few of the things I’ve done to be ready for the Celebration.

The Stuff . . .

Books, book markers, business cards, book stands(4), table cloth, 12” x 18” poster of book cover, tripod, cash to make change, square for credit card purchases, display on Amazon book reviews,  pens, notepad, clock to time presentation, my copy of the Murphy’s Troubles for the reading, candy to give away.

The Trip ...

Hotel reservations, maps, full tank of gas

The talk and panel presentation . . .

Research’ authorpreneurship’, notes on my journey to write, publish and market, copy of marketing plan. Practice, practice, practice.  For the panel:  research each of the panelists, take copy of Seamus Heaney poetry for examples, google research the question, ask the question to Linkedin groups, compile Linked in group’s responses.  Compile easy to read notes for reference during discussion.

There you have it.  This is the single largest marketing event I’ve participated in during what we call “The Year of the Book” in my family.  Initially, I thought the Irish Book and Music (IBAM) Celebration was too big and prestigious event for me.  Meeting Celebration event organizer Cliff Carlson at the Milwaukee Irish Fest changed everything for me.  I love to meet authors and readers and share experiences and have long engaging conversations.  I can’t wait . . .

For more about the Irish Book and Music Celebration go to:  www.ibamchicago.com.