Event Calendar

Tuesday, March 16. Get ready for the wearin' of the green at Borders Books & Music, 200 Greenbriar Drive, Normal, IL 61761. Can't wait to share my Irish story with book lovers here at home. For questions, call (309) 888-4246.

Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day). Let the strums of the hammered dulcimer and celebration of all things Irish soothe your soul at the Bloomington, Illinois, Barnes & Noble, 1701 E. Empire (next to Schnuck's Food in Bloomingtin Commons). For questions, call Michelle at (309) 662-1506.   

April 16-17, Southern Kentucky Bookfest, Carroll Knicely Conference Center, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Folks, this is THE COOLEST event! Can't wait to chat books with some of my writing heroes! Hope you'll stop by!
Stay tuned for more details!  

April 22, Delta Kappa Gamma Beta Iota International Women's Society meeting. Stay tuned for more details!

May 14-May 31--CHINA awaits! Blessings, Sue, for your incomparable support!

August 22-28, 2010. Infuse your fiction with passion! Writers, hang on to your inkwells! Julie Lessman, award-winning writer of the Daughters of Boston series, will team teach with Patti at the Green Lake Christian Writers Conference. The gorgeous retreat by Wisconsin's deepest natural lake may never be the same! Experience one-on-one critiquing, hands-on teaching, and loads of writing. Don't miss this chance to worship The Audience of One with soulmates of the writing kind, wander the Spirit-filled grounds, all while fine-tuning your craft. Mark your calendars--now!  

September 17-20, "The Premier Christian Fiction Conference," Indianapolis, Indiana. Visit www.acfw.com for more details re book signing and logistics. 

2008 Publicity Events--Thank you, dear reading friends, for a memorable year! I never dreamed that God would introduce me to so many enthusiastic, supportive folks. See you soon!  

June 22: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Irish Heritage Society, Third Annual Heritage Picnic. A great time was had by a merry group clad in the many colors o' green! Mike Lockett, a talented musician and storyteller, regaled us with old Irish tales. Colorful county maps lined the walls of the Knights of Columbus Hall. There was an outpouring of support for An Irishwoman's Tale. Those from Erie sure know how to make a debut author feel welcome! I shared pictures of the trip that "Mary" and me took to the breathtaking cliffs of County Clare and answered a few questions--but not enough to give away the surprises in the book! 

July 19: 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Read & Rise Author Showcase, Illinois State University Bone Student Center. Over twenty authors gathered to share their tales of publication with young writers. I was blessed to meet Irma Allen, author of Ten Sisters, A True Story. Irma's book has been featured in a popular PBS documentary. I also sold my first books at this event (not counting the one to Xiu, a very special friend and my "Little Sister"!)

August 8: Post on ACFW blog tour.

Visit www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com. I'm so grateful to be a part of a loving community of Christian writers. Thanks for letting me share from my heart!

August 17-22: Green Lake Christian Writers Conference, Green Lake WI.

For five glorious days, an emerald lake and enthusiastic students reminded me to write--and teach--for that Audience of One. Cindi Umstadt and Laurie Wallace used their glorious musical talents to stir the Spirit in all of us.

A big thanks to directors Sharon Young and Jan White for organizing a poignant 60th anniversary party/showcase. Warm hugs to Dale, Bobbie, Lorene, Dianne, and MaryAnn for pretending I could teach them something when really, they taught me!

Kisses to all my new friends, who so enthusiastically embraced my debut novel, and to old friends, like Wanda and Evelyn.

A gripping handshake to the Reachout Bookstore and Coffee Shoppe in Fond du Lac, which already was selling An Irishwoman's Tale and gladly displayed my promotional materials!

I'll never forget this wonderful week! If you want to bring your writing to the next level through challenging hands-on exercises, have three hours of intense daily interaction with your instructor, and lots of time to praise and worship God in a glorious setting, make plans to attend Green Lake Writers Conference 2009!  (For more information, call or e-mail Jan White janwhite@glcc.org.  

September 3, Interview for the Steve Bonneberger Show.

Even though I misunderstood our on air "date" and called Steve's studio, then e-mailed at 5:15 a.m. Pacific Time, he forgave me. Thankfully, morning persons exist in California! With a velvety tone, Steve coaxed an interview from me. I only stuttered one time, almost giving the real name of the character in my book! Luckily my first radio interview only lasted five minutes! Stay tuned for more details about connecting with www.businesstalkradio.net and www.angelsinaction.tv.    

September 9, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

Towanda District Library threw open its doors and welcomed Mary, the Irishwoman of An Irishwoman's Tale, with festive eats, including scones and Hersey's Kisses cookies. Oh, t'was a glorious night, with crisp fall weather and warm-hearted people! Manna rained from heaven as the enthusiastic crowd poured cup after cup o' the steamin' stuff (Irish breakfast tea) and huddled around, not a turf fire, but a well-lit, modern library table to listen to Mary's story! To get our toes tapping, the McNulty Irish dancers regaled us with stately dances and
rousing jigs!

I'll be forever grateful to Karen and her lovely Towanda library staff and volunteers for making my first official book-signing an event celebrating community and the glorious attributes of reading. Personal thanks to Cammie and Laura, who have pubbed my book like they're getting paid something other than being my peeps. Thanks to all of you readers, including Ann and Suzie and Lura and Teah and those two Irish women, Maureen and Kate, best friends of SIXTY years, who need to get on a plane NOW and visit their homeland!) Blessings to Karen's mother, Elizabeth Rexstad, who inspired us to journal, as she has, for eighty years! Oh, to be that granddaughter who will one day dig through that lode of immeasurable riches!

 September 13, book signing at The Book Nook, 4738 Main Street, Lisle, Illinois.

Kitty Murphy, a life-long Lisle resident, warmed hearts and bellies with lovely organic tea and fresh scones. The weather and a major construction project which has just about decimated Main Street didn't stop an enthusiastic crowd that snatched up books and hung around to hear Mary's story. 

Luisa Buehler, a local Lisle mystery writer, added suspense and intrigue to the event by sharing the stories behind her novels, particularly The Station Master, set in Lisle. In between signing responsibilities, Luisa and I learned that we had a common writing acquaintance down in Tyler, Texas, and that her son, an Illinois State student, plans to be a physical education teacher (my husband's department). 

It was amazing to sit in the refurbished site of Anne's old restaurant and watch Lisle residents troop in and out, just as they must have done nearly seventy years ago.  

In my Southern (nosy) way, I tracked down the old house where Mary had once lived and asked the present owner if I could see the place. A wide-eyed resident allowed me to stand in the living room where that lonely Irish girl experienced both joy and despair. I also met one of Mary's classmates, a lovely dark-haired woman who shared another side of Mary's Lisle experience. I sense, with God's leading, another trip might be made to Lisle one day, and I eagerly await that time.   

September 20th, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

For four blessed days, Christian novelists gathered from the far reaches of this country (and a few others) to pray, praise God, chat books, and eat chocolate. I embraced members of my two critique groups. We slipped into easy conversation as if we see each other every week, not once a year! A big thanks to Tiffany and Kasey for rooming with me and ferrying books to the signing. 

Though I enjoyed informative seminars, what I loved most was the time to socialize with my soulmates, those other writers who support me, pray for me, and capture on paper the stories I love. My agent, Greg Johnson, arranged for his associate, the lovely Rachelle Gardner, to host a five-course, family-style Italian feast for WordServe clients. While breaded zucchini, sausage ziti, four-cheese pasta, and veal parmigian nourished our bodies, plotting dilemmas and catchy hooks nourished the writers' souls!

Greg's wonderful meal gave me the energy I needed to sign books at the Mall of America Christian novelist book signing. Over 120 authors sat at tables lining the corridors of that massive symbol of capitalism, complete with an amusement park and flight simulator! Hundreds of people clustered around the tables. I was so grateful to be sandwiched between two talented writers, Tosca Lee and Maureen Lang, so chatting and signing were both fun activities. A big hug to Cara Putman and her wonderful ACFW volunteers, who made the event less stressful.

Before I move on, I want to mention the exciting ACFW awards banquet on Saturday night. All three of my Cannot Stop critique partners finaled in the Genesis contest! It's such a blessing to watch Kasey, Sara, and Tiffany grow their craft--and their faith. Congratulations, ladies! I love you. 

September 23, 2:00-3:00 p.m. "Hot off the Press: A conversation with Newly Published Authors," at Illinois State's Milner Library, 201 North School Street, Normal, Illinois

It was such a blessing to share writing tips and experiences with two other local authors, Adam Decker and Scott Foley. Though our routes to publishing and genre differ in dramatic ways, passion oozed from all three of us onto an attentive crowd. Framed artwork surrounded us as we fielded questions from aspiring writers and chatted with a reporter from the Illinois State newspaper, The Daily Vidette. Thanks to Toni Tucker, special events/librarian organizer extraordinaire, and her wonderful interns, Julia and Leann, for their hard work. 

October 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Barnes & Noble book signing, 1601 Empire Street, Bloomington, Illinois. 

As Brian Barnes softly strummed Irish tunes on his mountain dulcimer, book lovers wedged between towering shelves of books at the Bloomington-Normal Barnes and Noble and snatched up every last copy of An Irishwoman's Tale. There were too many old--and new--friends to count. People blessed me by sharing their love of the "Country o' a Thousand Greens," telling me about their favorite reads. One amazing new friend gave me the green jacket off her back, saying it would perfectly complement my wardrobe. I wore it to church yesterday and plan to wear it at Wednesday's event in Fairbury. I am humbled yet blessed by the support for Mary's story.  

October 8,1:00-2:30 p.m. Dominy Memorial Library Friends of the Library meeting. 201 South 3rd Street, Fairbury, IL 61739. 

Words can't describe the warm welcome bestowed on me at the Dominy Memorial Library, but Maureen Barnes' lyrical Irish folk tunes sure did! With an enthusiastic, interactive crowd of book lovers, we explored first memories and delved into the background of An Irishwoman's Tale. When yours truly had gabbed long enough, we sipped delicious and festive green punch, munched on scones, cookies, and chocolates, got to visit old friends--and meet new ones! Time flew in the gorgeous old library, which is about to undergo a restoration and addition, thanks to the passion of Debbie Oakland, the Friends of the Dominy Memorial Library, and the wonderful individuals and companies who are digging deep to make the dream happen! Libraries hold the key to our future, so donate often--and generously--to Dominy Memorial Library, 201 South Third Street, Fairbury, IL, 61739. I hope to make this fabulous hubbub of culture a regular stop on my future signing calendar. Think Sally's story (What the Bayou Saw), Southern Living hor d'ouerves, and modest Mint Juleps...Can't wait until next May, when Kregel plans to release my second novel!

October 9, (Thursday) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Local Authors' Night, Naperville Barnes & Noble. Jian Ping will discuss her memoir, Mulberry Child, and Patti Lacy will discuss her debut novel, An Irishwoman's Tale.

A stunning, steel-and-glass Barnes & Noble set the stage for Thursday night's gathering of enthusiastic book lovers. I hung on the soft, melodic speech of Jian as she discussed the effect of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on her family. Before I left the store, two copies of Mulberry Child had been tucked in my bag! Thanks to a former fiction class student, who attended and bought a copy of An Irishwoman's Tale for her book club. Hugs to Susan and Patt, who made Naperville seem like home.    

October 15 (Wednesday), 10:00, Chenoa Public Library book discussion, 105 South Division, Chenoa, IL.

A miserable rainy day didn't dampen the spirits of an avid group of readers from Chenoa! Of all the wonderful "bookies" I've met, this Chenoa crowd was the most intellectual. They pelted me with probing questions about Mary and her Irish folk, about my writing journey--they even got me to share "secrets" of published writers. A big thanks to Marita and Jean, Chenoa library staff. Can't wait to return to Chenoa in the springtime! Check their calendar for more information or call Marita Weber at (815) 945-4253 for more details. And keep on reading, you lovely ladies!

October 23-25. Swing through the Hoosier state.

In my usual modus operandi, I left Normal much later than I'd planned but zipped through Chicago in great time, thanks to thrilling praise CDs, my husband's free Mapquest service, and a chatty phone call with Cammie, a close friend. The amazing lobby and curved staircase of South Bend's Cushing Manor greeted a weary travellor, who drug boxes of books and briefcases and a suitcase up to her room. Tara, Cushing's manager, upgraded my accommodations to a three-room suite with bay windows, a writing desk, and bed sconces designed just for book lovers!  

Fellow visitors pointed me to Siam, a Thai restaurant located conveniently in nearby downtown. I gobbled down a generous serving of steaming hot basil chicken. Of course I couldn't resist their dessert menu of Joseph Schmidt truffles! 

In one of many God-ordained encounters on Friday, I prayed away pre-interview jitters with Pat, Tara's aunt. We shared a scrumptious breakfast of fruit, muffins, tea...and our writing experience. Yes, Pat's a fellow writer! Not even sheeting rain could dampen my spirits as I drove to LeSEA Broadcasting.

Oh, the things I saw, the people I met...at Family Christian Stores in South Bend and Lafayette, the Border's Books and Music Cafe in Mishawaka. A lovely nun named Sister Helen, a young mother recovering from a serious illness who rejoiced over her ability to savor a truffle, an enthusastic store manager named Jan, dedicated college students, teenagers, octogenarians, aspiring writers, avid readers. This humbled writer thanks the Hoosiers who made this impromptu trip an unforgettable experience. 

October 28, (Tuesday night, 7:00 p.m.): Lexington Public Library. 

The lovely ladies of Lexington Library arranged for book lovers to gather in a magnificent meeting room on the second story of a grand institution. Is it my imagination, or does every event get better and better? The creased map of Ireland again led to questions and comments. A delightful woman named Paula brought scrumptious scones. And my best writing buddy, Cammie Quinn, was not willing to let the evening end quite yet.

Cammie arranged a convoy to her Lexington home and served punch, Shamrock cookies, and an incredible cake. My throat tightened as I took in the design--an exact replica of the cover of An Irishwoman's Tale! Cammie introduced me to some of her old friends--Jill and her daughter and mom and Maureen. These book lovers took me under their jacket covers and made me feel like one of their own! I could've shared stories all night, especially Paula's tales of her trip to Wales. Talk about fodder for a novel...A special thanks to Kevin, who added a Celtic mood to the evening by playing his dulcimer for us and sharing his home. I finally got to see Cammie's writing nook and some of her painstakingly detailed research on Springfield during the time of Lincoln. Thank you, Lexington, for all you've done!

 November 1: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Book signing at Barnes & Noble, Tyler, Texas.

An exuberant crowd gathered in Barnes & Noble to raise funds for a local library whose books were destroyed by Hurricane Ike. Thank you, Linda, bookstore Public Relations manager, for letting me chat about An Irishwoman's Tale on such a special day! Loyal and loving relatives like Loren and Melissa and Lisa and Amanda and "the Harris ladies" rearranged busy schedules so they could join in the festivities. The friendly folks of Tyler supported my book as if I were a local author. Then after the book signing, the party began! It was reunion time with dear cousins. A formidable group of talented cooks, we chopped and sauted and then had a toast to family and life. Humble gratitude to my mother, Ann, for arranging this get-together even as she's fighting the aftereffects of chemo. You're the best, Mom!   

November 12 (Wednesday night), 7:00-8:00 p.m. Odell Public Library, Odell, Illinois.

On a foggy night better suited for the roads of Ireland, Maureen, my hammered dulcimist friend, and I headed to Odell Public Library. At 6:30, we pulled into a nearly full parking lot. Had they scheduled bingo? A storytime event? No! The enthusiastic folks of Odell had packed the room, eager to chat about An Irishwoman's Tale. Two darling girls made nametags, arranged bookmarks, and chatted us up good. It was close to nine when we finally tore away from the warm embrace of this charming town. Thank you, Odell, for a memorable night. Yes, we'll be back in the spring--get your drawls ready! 

December 5. Tea and scones at Open Door Christian Bookstore, 3125 Third Place, Terre Haute, Indiana. Praise God for reuniting me with Aruna and Bobbi, two old friends. It was a sheer joy to congregate in such a clean, well-lit place as the Open Door Bookstore and share first memories with a lovely group of women. Friends, if you're within a hundred-mile radius of Mary's haunts, trek on over to this fine bookstore, which has found a balance in the raging battle over shelf space for books versus shelf space for gifts. And the Gingersnaps Cafe dishes up delectable food and drink that would satisfy even Mary's quirky diet.

December 6. Book signing at WaldenBooks, Honey Creek Mall, 3401 U.S. 41 South, Terre Haute, Indiana. From noon until four, an enthusiastic crowd thronged about my table in this fine bookstore. Manager Libby Edington is a general in the battle to get the right book in the hands of each of her customers. I truly wish there were a way to gather up all the lovely readers I met and sail on a cruise ship to lovely Ireland. Thank you, God, for those extraordinary meetings with extraordinary folks.