Ellen B. Alden

Author of Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke

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How I stumbled into the Boston Irish Festival… Was it fate or the luck of the Irish?

May 29, 2017 by Ellen Alden 6 Comments

This June will be the first-year anniversary of the publication of my novel, Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke. When I reflect over this past year I realize I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet people who’ve offered their guidance and support to help promote my book. But how did this happen? The word that best describes my experience is serendipitous.


Last May I was frantically planning my book launch in June and wondering to myself: will people come? Will they be interested in my story of Irish immigrants? Will they read my book? Will they like it? What was I thinking publishing a piece of writing that is now open for public scrutiny and possible public humiliation? Is it too late to cancel this whole thing!?!  Yes, I realized; it was. I had already spent three years on this project and now this was the defining moment. But darn, it was petrifying.
Adding to my fears was knowing that I would have to use social media, a platform that I had consciously avoided. I wasn’t even on Facebook and now my publisher said I should promote on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Wouldn’t this only provide more opportunities for judgment and discouraging comments? My anxiety was at all all-time high.
Ironically enough, it was my first week on social media when I came across an advertisement for the Boston Irish Festival, promoting Irish music, dance, sports and culture.
In very fine print I noticed that there would be an author’s tent. Wow, I thought, this could be a cool place to promote my Irish-themed book. I also discovered that the festival was organized by the Irish Cultural Centre of New England, and I’d been hoping to connect with them.
So, I thought, what do I have to lose? I mistakenly emailed the festival’s manager, but he was nice enough to forward my note to the Director of the library at the Irish Cultural Centre. One week later, I received a call from the librarian, Dave Barrett, saying that one of their renowned authors had pulled out and now he had a vacancy! He said the story of my Irish immigrant ancestors sounded interesting, especially since the book was based on my great, great grandfather’s Civil War letters. He further stated that the Cultural Centre library had a “soft spot” for first time authors and that he himself had relatives from the Springfield area as well an ancestor who had served in the Civil War. Serendipitous I tell you; and it was music to my ears! I was connecting with what would turn out to be the most valuable and important organization.

The Irish Festival rocked. I was given the opportunity to talk about my book twice a day, and sign and sell copies over the two-day event. It was also a weekend of firsts: It was here that I signed my first book, gave my first live interview to an Irish reporter, and delivered my first author talk.

1st book signed.pngEllen Radio Interview.jpg

The overall learning experience of meeting successful authors and learning how to present my book made this weekend invaluable to me. (Not to mention that my family and friends joined me for the evening and we certainly took in the celebrations of Irish Culture with live music and plenty of food and Irish libations.) 

JillianICC.jpeg

Since the Irish Festival I have continued my relationship with the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton. They have helped me create a multi-media presentation for my author talks using native Irish talent to read excerpts from my book. I’ve also been a guest of “Famous Seamus’s” Feast of Ireland radio show and I have been introduced to countless Irish organizations and prominent Irish scholars and historians—I even met the Consulate General to Ireland!! I can’t thank the Irish Cultural Centre of New England more for taking a chance on a new author and for aiding me with the book promotion. That was one lucky break. So, I wonder, was it fate or the luck of the Irish? Serendipitous for sure!

THE 2017 BOSTON IRISH FESTIVAL IS NEXT WEEKEND, JUNE 3 AND 4—COME CHECK IT OUT!

Irish Fest Logo 2017.png

Filed Under: Blog

Comments

  1. David Barrett says

    May 29, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    Ellen, what a wonderful article. Thank you for all your kind words. We were lucky to have you at Irish Fest 2016 and look forward to seeing you again on June 3rd for Irish Fest 2017. We are very happy to hear of your successes over this past year but not surprised by it. With a talent such as yours, coupled with your wonderful personality, it’s no wonder you’re a hit! We are all looking forward to your next book. And when it does come out, we have a great idea for a venue!!

    Dave Barrett
    Library Director, ICCNE

    Reply
    • Ellen Alden says

      May 30, 2017 at 9:38 pm

      I meant every word. I am so grateful to you and the ICC. Seeya this weeked!

      Reply
  2. Kathleen Shannon says

    May 30, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    It was so great meeting you at the festival last year and hearing all about your book! You did a fantastic job with everything in your presentation and talk! I look forward to seeing you again this year!

    Reply
    • Ellen Alden says

      May 30, 2017 at 9:37 pm

      Thanks Kathleen. We’ll have a great time in the tent this weekend!!

      Reply
  3. Christine Roman says

    June 22, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    Dear Ellen,
    I heard your presentation and purchased your book at the Middleton Historical Society meeting a few months ago. I just finished reading it and truly enjoyed it. I believe you are a gifted writer. You really brought the Burke family to life for me with your beautiful description and detail. You have inspired me to investigate my Irish roots more thoroughly.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Ellen Alden says

      July 10, 2017 at 9:23 am

      Hi Christine, thanks so much for your nice comments. I’m happy you enjoyed the book. Good luck with your own research and if you ever need any help, contact the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton. I am off to Ireland in September and I can’t wait to visit the real town that Florence Burke is from; Schull, near Skibereen. I hope that I can meet more Irish relatives. Thanks again for reading. If you want to see pics of my trip, then you can “like” my author page, ellen alden,author on Facebook. Sla’inte!
      Ellen

      Reply

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