September Is Looking Busy

Stopped by the Berthoud Public Library yesterday evening to drop off an inscribed copy of Where The Ley Lines Meet and was asked by the Librarian, Thora Siemsen, if I was available to participate in a Literary Festival in late September.

Of course I said yes.

I’ll be doing some readings and a Q&A from all of the books on Saturday morning, September 21st.

I’m actually thrilled that they are hosting a Literary Festival in Berthoud. It feels like the town is adding new layers to its cultural persona. I’m happy to be part of it.

I did a Q&A at the Library’s book club a few years back. They had read TWA. I’m not sure if AAA was out yet. I actually did two Q&A’s the same day, one in the morning and one later in the evening for the after work crowd. It was a lot of fun. They were an engaging group.

And right after the Literary Festival I fly back to the Bronx for the first time since I left in 2017 to do a reading, Q&A and sign some books at An Béal Bocht Cafe – www.anbealbochtcafe.com – on Wednesday September 25th.

As a Bronx Irish Catholic writer, doing a reading at ABB is a bucket list dream for me ever since I saw Colin Broderick read there over a decade ago. Many other Celtic geniuses have performed or read their work there. I’ll be standing on the shoulders of fathach.

Thank you Packie Jo Gilheany for making that happen. I’m hoping I can catch up with our Riverdale Poet Laureate, Theresa Daly, while I’m there.

https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Atlantic-Soul-Theresa-Daly/dp/B0CJKTTMJW

While I’m back east I’ll be attending my CSHS Class’ 50th Reunion where it seems that despite not making it to senior year I have been given a papal dispensation from the Alumni Committee that allows me to attend as a honorary member of the Class of ’74. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am. You see, my senior year at DeWitt Clinton, while fun and very interesting, didn’t create any emotional bonds, so for the past 50 years – when it comes to high school – I’ve felt like a man without a country. It’s nice to go home.

On top of it all, Spellman was the school where the smart BICs went, the readers, so I’m hoping some of them check out my books before the fall. I’ve made the standing offer to inscribe any book (or body part) placed in front of me at the reunion.

Danny Cahillane, one of the ruling Alumni Committee, along with Terry Hughes, Mariann Galdi and Pete Flanagan (RIP),

were kind enough to track me down and welcome me back. Over the past six months, Pete read and critiqued all five books of The Claire Saga. Quite insightful. Bravest man I know. I wish we had caught up sooner.

Danny sent me a proof of life photo yesterday that shows he has already picked up The Claire Saga.

For anyone paying attention, Danny is the basis for the Doc character in WTLLM. I used the Gaelic version of his name. He ranks up there with BC on the Voldemort scale.

Thanks Danny.

And with any luck I can arrange maybe one more reading in North Riverdale while I’m there.

Well, there’s a lot of time between now and September, and right now I have Tuesday staring me in the face. So I better get a move on.

You fine, five readers have that last cuppa joe and head on out, happy to know that Monday is behind us all. If any of you happen to be in the Bronx in late September, stop by ABB and say hello.

I’m going to head out and cuddle some kitties and make my rounds.

And whatever else we all get up to, let us make today a great one.