Today was the first day since arriving in Ireland that I had a definite schedule.
At 7pm, I was expected at Connolly Books in Temple Square for a reading/ signing of my fourth book, Beauty & Grace.
When I woke up this morning, I haflway thought about spening part of the day sightseeing. Then some client work popped up. My author’s conscience reminded me it had been a year since i’d spoken about Beauty & Grace, so I might want to brush up. And there was my concern about the unfinished draft of my presentation for Saturday at the International Dublin Writrers’ Festival.
The next thing I knew, it was 4 pm and I was still in my pj’s, writing away.
A repacking of my suitcase from clothes to books, and a quck shower and I was ready to don my booksigning outfit.
When preparing for this trip, I discovered that Connelly Books is known as the Ireland’s oldest radical bookshop. That reknown inspired me to want to wear something a bit more edgy than my norm.
A quick trip to TJ Maxx and I was all set with a black knit dress with drawstring ruching down the front and offset V-neckline and hemline.
To accessorize, I added black pattern stockings, knee high black suede bootS, and a fringed scarf to tie aournd my hips; Edgy style accomplished!
I arrived at Connolly Books at 6:30 pm, wanting to allow plenty of time to get set up and organized. As the 7pm hour approached, the story manager, Laura, noted that they didn’t have a solid idea about the number of people who might be attending the signing
She suggested that it was possible my audience might be made up of herself and two other store employees. It was at that point we agreed to FB Live my presentation so at least it would be available to intersted readers in the future.
At seven o’clock sharp, a Connolly store employee started the live broadcast and I started talking….to the three of them. That’s the risk you take when you agree to do a booksigning in a community where you are completely unknown.
However, within a few minutes, the door to the bookstore opened and in walked two friendly faces.
Joann Bradvica and her daughter Daniela, who I wrote about on day 2 after meeting them at lunch, came to hear the Beauty & Grace Story and support me. I was honored that they wanted to spend part of their time in Ireland at one of my booksignings.
Just as I was settling into that pleasant surprise, the door opened again. This time, to my amazement, I saw the smiling face of my neighbor from East Aurora, Kathy Donohue, and two other women, who I later found out were her sister Peg, and her cousin, Karen. As they found places to sit, a few more people wandered into the store and also stayed to listen.
Suddenly instead of a quiet presentation with three store employees, the bookstore was filled with energy. And i was filled with gratitude for everyone from Connolly’s who made the effort to organize the signing, along with those five women who personified the girlfriend ethic of support.
When the presentation ended, Kathy and her family and I went out to celebrate. We ate pizza, drank wine, and took pictures to honor the moment. We then parted ways—-the three of them to go and listen to live Irish music. Me to go back to my hotel.
In reviewing my day. I had accomplished my first international book presentation/signing, sold five books, and been supported by an inspiring collective of women. Everything and more than I had imagined.
Recently someone told me that on this Dublin journey I am surrounded by a gaggle of love. After today, I think he might be right,