Shortly before Calkins Day, the editor of a podcast reached out to Ed Calkins on the BryonySeries email account.
He had read an article about Ed and was inviting Ed to appear on the Dyslexia Explored podcast and share his story about living with dyslexia and how he overcame hid dyslexia in order to write his first novel, "Ruthless."
The only challenge is that the podcast is based in Scotland and we, of course, live in the Midwest in the United States. So the time difference is six hours.
But we found a mutually compatible time to meet on Zoom. Yes, "we."
For all of Ed's hilarious posts, he is actually very shy and lacks confidence, especially where his dyslexia is concerned. So he wanted Nancy and me to meet the host, Darius Namdaran (who also has dyslexia), with him.
I stayed mostly in the background until our meeting drew to a close so the three of them chat. Then I asked the "who" "what" "when" "where" and "how" about the actual podcast so Ed would know what to expect.
He was relieved to know it would look much like that day's Zoom meeting, except it would be recorded and it would have no video.
Scheduling was a bit of an issue, due to the time difference and my work schedule because Ed and Darius insisted I should be on the podcast, too.
But we are going to record it early in the morning early next week, before I would even need to be at work. When the link is live, I will share it on this blog. I've learned a lot about Ed and Nancy and dyslexia this past year through Ed's writing of Ruthless, and I am looking forward to hearing more of their stories.
As far as Calkins Day went, I think it went as well as a virtual event could go. No one had any major technical difficulties (except Chef Tim at the beginning).
My WriteOn Joliet co-leader Tom Hernandez is a wonderfully engaging host, and Chef Tim's three cooking demos, sprinkled throughout the one-hour program, added to the vibrant, upbeat flow of the night.
We had thirty people register in advance. A few wound up not making it, but then a few registered shortly before the event started. We gave away three books (which Ed will sign and ship as soon as he receives them), with one of the winners being this author.
A few people showed up as much as an hour early, so I quipped about them wanting to get a good seat. Anyone who brought the requested food ingredients could assemble their own refreshments under Chef Tim's tutorials. Anyone in attendance who wanted the recipe was invited to email us after the program.
We did not record the event to respect the privacy of those attending. So those who missed it will not, unfortunately, be able to catch it on the BryonySeries YouTube channel.
What about sales?
Ed's expectations are extremely modest and realistic, despite the proliferation of indie author success stories on the internet.
He's thrilled that he's sold about half a dozen copies online so far (before and after the event) and feels he's way ahead of Chaucer.
Ed and I both agree that the main goal is to write a good story and then work hard to find that story a home in the hands and mind and hearts of people who want to read it. BryonySeries marketing efforts are directed to that end.
To that end, this dyslexic, sixty-something, newly retired paper carrier is already working on his sequel.
Ed Calkins signs copies of his first book (a compilation of blog posts) at the Book and Bean Cafe in Joliet during Calkins Day 2018.
