After a whirlwind of packing and then unpacking, Connie and Mike have settled nicely into their home in Milledgeville, Georgia. Our development is across 441 from Andalusia (Flannery O’Connor’s Museum) and just minutes from Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton, Georgia.
What more could a crotchety old writer want? If you’ve read The Last Laird of Sapelo, you’ll understand the draw of historic Milledgeville as Mike’s new home.
More Irish Spring Luck news…
Amid the hustle and bustle of the move, Mike still found time to take part in the Carrollton Book Fest. He hobnobbed with old familiar author friends and met many new authors as well. Next year already is being planned to be even better yet.
Mike stepped down as president of Hometown. Novel Writers Association, and wears the title of Emeritus President from now on. Of course, Mike is still coordinating Southern LitFest’s Friday evening, June 7th, author event. Visit southernlitfest.com to see all the great events on tap for this great weekend in June.
The Source of the Irish Spring Luck…
Mike and Connie also found time to race off to the land where three of his great-grandparents came from—Ireland.
For nine days, they toured from Dublin to Tara and Trim Castle to Donegal to Killarney, Dingle, Kilkenny, and back to Dublin before flying home. Enjoy a small taste of the Emerald Isle.
Irish family roots are from Mike’s mother’s side of the family, Fogarty (Tipperary) & King (Galway), and Mooney (Mayo). They immigrated to America at the turn of the 20th-Century as teenagers. History seems to procrastinate outside of the bustling city of Dublin, but even there, buildings, alleys, and colorful streets reveal a long history. It was easy to realize why Ireland has inspired stories from the legends and lore of this beautiful land, which has suffered centuries of hardship, prejudice, and subjection to the Vikings and English, when not fighting amongst themselves. Funny, the Romans turned their nose up to Ireland as unworthy of occupation. As an independent nation, the Republic of Ireland has only existed since 1923. Yet, it is a divided nation thanks to Great Britain’s grip on Northern Ireland (Belfast).
It’s not Balarney, Irish Spring Luck is real…
If’n ya wanna understand the Irish, one must enter the shops and pubs of the villages and small towns and listen to voices echoing tall tales and yearnings for one Ireland someday. A pint of two is all it takes to hear stories of this proud nation’s past. Mind ya, Connie nor Mike saw any leprechauns nor pots of gold, but they saw rainbows arched over a green landscape of hills and mountains and seascapes that warmed their hearts.
FOLLOW THE LINK TO A SPECIAL TREAT, IRISH DANCING IS REAL ART! CLICK THE IMAGE.
Irish Spring Luck Fell Upon Mike’s Latest Novel…
The Last Laird of Sapelo came up just shy of the top prize for best historical fiction in 2023 during the Chanticleer’s Annual Conference, April 20-21. But earning recognition as a finalist in the competition ain’t bad either. LLOS earned a semifinalist finish in another post 1750 historical fiction award, and honorable mention from Historical Fiction Company, likewise.
Irish Spring Upcoming Author Events
May 4th, 9:00 AM—3:00 PM, May Fest Celebration Book Signing at Horton’s Books, Carrollton, GA
June 4, Historical Fiction Bard Podcast with D. K. Marley
June 7, 6:00—9:00 PM, Hometown Novel Night, Unplugged Author Event during Southern LitFest in Newnan, GA
July 6, 12-4PM, Crazy Lady Bookstore, Acworth, GA, Author Book Signing
NOTE: Check back in the coming few weeks for updates on upcoming author events. Now that Mike has moved and returned from a great, well-deserved vacation, Mike plans for more book talks and signings in the coming days.
In the meantime, please leave a review if you’ve read any of his four southern novels. And, of course, enjoy the rest of your Irish Spring! Maybe luck may befall you as well.
PLEASE EMAIL MIKE@TMBROWNAUTHOR.COM WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS, OR TO SUGGEST WHERE YOU’D LIKE MIKE TO SCHEDULE A BOOK TALK AND SIGNING NEAR YOU. OR SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IRELAND.
May the luck of the Irish fall upon you. See you soon.
