As grandparents we’ve decided that our mission is to enrich the lives of our grandchildren by sharing experiences with them.  We have no interest in buying them “things”.

For Christmas this year we have searched for gifts that, at their age, our grandchildren may not understand but will, we hope, give them opportunities they will enjoy.

For our granddaughter in Omaha we purchased a family membership at the Omaha Zoo.  When we visited earlier this year the entire family visited the zoo and the pictures we have of our granddaughter staring at the aquarium and the dinosaur exhibit are priceless.

Our oldest grandson loves to visit the library with me.  This summer he learned how to select books he wanted to have us read to him.  There’s a children’s corner with a variety of activities that he has become expert in and he makes instant friends with whoever is there that day.

We decided that while only 3 ½ our grandson should have his own library card.  We completed the form, got Mom & Dad’s signature and I took him to the Library to get the card.  I showed him that his card looked exactly like mine.  We walked to the picture book area and he ran up and down the aisle grabbing books off the shelf asking, “How about this one Poppa O?”  Then he discovered the cd area and was thrilled to find Curious George cd’s.

We took our collection of books and the cd to one of the self check out areas that was at his height.  I showed him how to enter his code on the touch screen and scan the bar code on his selections.  Listening to the machine talk to him captivated his attention.  As we left the library I asked him if he wanted to carry his things, “No thank you.  You can carry them for me.”

We hopped into the car and as I turned the ignition, from the backseat he said:  “Thank you for taking me to the Library Poppa O.”  My grandson had given me the best Christmas gift ever.

   

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. 

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.

Last Friday evening I came home after some pre-Memorial Day home project shopping in the early evening.  I felt nauseous and decided to lie down before dinner, which I never do.  In a few minutes my stomach growled, my gut twisted and I was running to the bathroom to bury my head in the toilet and vomit up what I thought was my entire food consumption for the day.  That was only the beginning.  For the next five hours I was wrenched with both vomiting and diarrhea, I was exhausted.

The second day I had only clear liquids, a few wakeful hours but mostly sleep.  By day three I was too tired to much more than read, but I had a special reading project for a friend to complete.  My friend and mentor Marshall Cook recently completed his latest novel manuscript – EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.  It’s a completely developed long story coming in at 400,000 words.  The story is well paced, draws you in without noticing and left me eager to reach the final chapter.  He’s trying to interest an agent or publisher in the manuscript now and I wish him success, this is a story the world needs to have.  If the traditional publishing world turns its shoulder I hope he takes the time to independently publish.

So, my convalescence had a silver lining, I read a great novel.  

I have subscribed to The Writer Magazine since 2001 and it has been published since 1887.  I’ve been fortunate to have two articles published in The Writer (May 2012 and September 2012).  The February 2014 issue has a story by Neil Evans, “For a living”.  One sentence in the article grabbed by attention:  “Writing is an act; being a writer is a state of mind, a lifestyle, a necessity.”  By his definition Evans claims he isn’t a writer but he does earn his income from writing, working as a web content editor.

In an age of e-mails, e-zines, blogs, tweets, and content writing we have stretched what has been traditionally meant to be a writer.  I enjoy writing a weekly blog and a monthly feature in the e-zine Extra Innings; however, my first love is the novel.   In reflecting on the direction I want to take in 2014 Evans’ definition of a writer is critical.

For years I dreamt of being a writer.  At first I thought that if I was paid for my writing, I would be a writer.  I achieved that goal in 2010 but still didn’t view myself as a writer.  Then I decided I would be a writer when I published my first novel.  I achieved that goal in November 2013.  Yet, something was missing; I continued to struggle with the notion that I am a writer.

The missing element is in Evans definition:  “. . . being a writer is a state of mind, a lifestyle, a necessity.” In 2014 I plan to give myself the freedom to explore being a writer with this definition in mind.  Recently, I helped a friend polish his musical comedy, tightening the story, giving color to characters and tying up loose ends in the last act.  His focus was the music, not the story.  He asked me one day how I came up with the changes I suggested.  My response, without thinking was:  “That’s what I do.”    

There is some debate on the meaning of the expression; “cast the die”, some say the origin is Julius Caesar.  I prefer the version deeply rooted in metallurgy when molten metal was poured into a mold or die that would form an object once the metal cooled.  In 2014 I’m casting the die to have the freedom to live a writer’s state of mind, a lifestyle and accept the necessity of writing in my life.   

I write a monthly column for an Ezine, Extra Innings,http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing/extrainnings called Preyers, Predators and Pretenders.  On my voyage to self-publication I knew that I needed help with editing, web design, copy editing, book printing and marketing.  As with many first time self-publishers my knowledge of resources available to help me is very limited.  I signed on with a company that specializes in helping self-publishers by acting like an agent to secure competent help.

The first suggestion of the new company was that my book needed content/development/story editing.  Wanting the highest quality product possible, I agreed.  The copy acquired a quote for about $2300 to edit my 84,400 word novel.  Fine, I thought, what do I get for $2300?  I never did find out.  The person submitting the amount never took the time to make a written proposal. 

I gave the company a ten point list of items I wanted to see in any written proposal.  I received a written proposal for $5000 but the editor refused to thoroughly read my novel before beginning editing work.  Her response was “I don’t have time to read every book before I edit it.  I would have to charge a reading fee for that.  This guy doesn’t know very much about the publishing business.  Tell him to get an education in the modern publishing business.”  And that person thought I would spend $5000 with them with that attitude?

A friend who did a quick content edit for me challenged the need for another content editor.  I wrote two additional chapters to fill in some gaps and he agreed to read them and give me an assessment.  Next, I decided to have my website reviewed because in the past month my hits dropped.  The tech person made a detailed proposal and wanted $3200 – for consultation only, I would have to do all the work.  Do I look like I carry gold coins in my pocket?

The potential cost just for editing and website are $8200, then there’s copy editing, book printing and marketing.  Assuming my gross royalties will be $4.00 per book I would need to sell 2050 books just to cover the cost of editing and website.  Really?

There are predators in the self-publishing world ready to play to a writer’s ego to be read.  Self-publishers beware!