Hey everyone,
So it’s time for Part 4, if you would like to catch up on the fun so far, you can click on Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
March 18th 2014
This day is another date committed to my memory, as its the Book Birthday of Beyond Grace’s Rainbow release in USA.
Helping me celebrate the day, talented author LynnMarie Hulsman.
LynnMarie lives in New York and is also published with Harper Collins.
We met up early on the 18th for breakfast in Lindy’s diner. Then together we went to the Harper360 offices (HarperCollins US offices) to meet the team and go for lunch.
The best way to illustrate how excited I was about the day that was in it, is to show you a little video clip we made.
Here’s a pic of me in the lobby and of BGR nestled in their book display. (Right beside Usain Bolt!!)
The Harper 360 team are Lucy Vanderbilt, Jean Marie Kelly, Victoria Comella and Tracy Diamond. They, along with LynnMarie and I, had a lovely lunch in Saks on 5th Avenue, where we toasted Grace’s debut with a glass of bubbly. It was so nice to spend time with people that I have only spoken to on email previously. We had quite a few giggles during that lunch and it was the perfect way to celebrate.
LynnMarie and I had a quick stop at the Rockafeller Centre too, which is always a must for me when I visit New York. I can’t skate as I’ve as much co-ordination as a newborn foal, but I love to watch the graceful skaters gliding along the ice.
The celebrations continued later that night, but first of all I had some work to do! I was invited by the Irish American Writers & Aritists to take part in one of their salons in the Cell Theatre.
The IAW&A Salons is the brainchild of Malachy McCourt and has been running now for three years. The IAW&A member artists give presentations of up to ten minutes – so if you attend any of the salons, you will be entertained by talented novelists, poets, musicians, filmmakers, painters, and theatre artists.
If I lived in New York, I would be a regular visitor to the salon evenings, because the talent we saw on the 18th was staggering. It was extremely enjoyable and I’ll be back next time I visit New York.
I gave a talk on my journey from stay-at-home-mother to publisher author and am very grateful for the warm reception I received from the audience there. A special thanks to John Kearns who made it all happen for me.
Here’s some pics of me at the Cell, including one of John and me in the middle.
One of the highlights of the evening was meeting fellow Wexford man Larry Kirwan, of the band Black 47. Larry had heard that a Wexford gal was talking at the Cell, so came along to show his support. That’s the kind of guy he is. It was a pleasure to meet him. He’s a pretty cool guy, very laid back, charming and extremely talented. I could have chatted to him all night and when he stood up to address the audience at the theatre, I could tell that everyone was as enthralled with him as me. Larry and Black 47 are legends in the US and on St Patrick’s Day, they performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. (One of the biggest shows on US TV so it’s a pretty big deal!)
Here’s Larry and Black 47 rocking it out with Jimmy Fallon.
Lynnmarie and her husband Broadway star Sam Cohen, author Tim O’Mara and his wife, director & actor Kate Bushman joined Rog and I for dinner and drinks in Jakes Saloon that night.
And we may or may not have fallen out of there at 1am, where I may or may not have had a brandy or two …..
It was a great night, full of laugther, banter, Oy’s! and New York wit (thankyou Tim!).
Tomorrow, it’s the final part of my US BookTour reviews. Thank you everyone who has read so far, it’s fun sharing it all with you,
Chat soon,
Carmel x
