Where The Ley Lines Meet – How “1 Day” Became “2 Day”

I remember going to a reading by that brilliant Irish auteur Colin Broderick when the second installment of his memoir, That’s That, was published. It was 2013, and it was held down in a huge B&N in Manhattan. Colin’s friend, Josh Brolin, sat with him on this podium and read selections from Colin’s book. I chatted with Malachy McCourt in the back of the room and with the actor Michael Kelly and his beautiful wife while we waiting on line to get to the podium.

I remember sitting in a chair later on, thinking as I took it all in, “One day, I’m going to make it as a writer.”

“One day.” I cannot tell you how many times I’ve led off a sentence with those two words.

Now you fine, five readers have read how by the time I moved to NoCo, I had given up any hope to make it as a writer. I mean, I was 60 years old. The ship had sailed.

And then, when I was 62, I adopted Claire the mule.

By 63, I had published The Wise Ass.

During the last three years I have published three more books:

An Alien Appeal

Kissing My Ass Goodbye. and

Finding Jimmy Moran.

Today, April 16th, 2024, the fifth and final(?) book in what has now become The Claire Saga hits the streets. If I never write another novel, I have at least completed this body of work.

And no, there’ll be no B&N reading with Celtic luminaries and famous actors in attendance.

Although I do have a reading scheduled for An Béal Bocht in the Bronx in September, so maybe some famous Celt will show up. If I’m lucky I will drag Colin to it. Reading at ABB is one from my Celtic literary Bucket List. Thank you Packie Jo Gilheany for sorting that for me.

Without access to national media, like a sit down with Oprah, the success of this last one will depend upon the loyalty of the group of readers I have built up over these past few years. Then, word of mouth.

I can share that – according to my inner circle and some other beta readers – this is probably my best work. And it completes Claire’s story in as exciting a way as I could have imagined. I left everything on the battlefield.

I’m proud of WTLLM, and of all of its older siblings in The Claire Saga.

I don’t do release day events. Don’t really know how.

I’ll definitely work social media. Shamelessly.

But I wanted to begin today, a day when I finally really feel like I have made it as a writer, thanking you fine, five readers for accompanying me on this wonderful journey.

I really appreciate your support. I am honored by your loyalty.

Thank you.

Well, now I’m going to cuddle some kitties and make my rounds – although we have another wicked wind storm dropping just about now.

The good news is that Monday and Tax Day are behind us.

But I want to acknowledge the passing yesterday of the wonderful dog of my dear friend and law partner, Robert Meloni.

Vaya con Dios, Ella Meloni. Claire put the word out. Jeter and Cairo McCaffrey will be waiting to escort you at the rainbow bridge.

Now, let’s go out there and make today a great one.