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Live Chat with Debut Author,
M. O. Walsh

We had a great chat with Neal; he is as thoughtful as you would expect based on his book. Scroll down to see what you missed.

 Live Chat with M. O. Walsh, MY SUNSHINE AWAY(01/21/2015) 
5:02
M.O. Walsh: 
Please do support The Poser! Cheers!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:02 M.O. Walsh
5:02
[Comment From janet_schneiderjanet_schneider: ] 
Thanks Nora and Neal!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:02 janet_schneider
5:02
M.O. Walsh: 
I know Jake. I went to school with him I remember reading the first draft of that book. So awesome that y'all will be talking with him.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:02 M.O. Walsh
5:02
[Comment From VNestingVNesting: ] 
Thanks Nora! Neal, it was great to "meet" you!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:02 VNesting
5:02
M.O. Walsh: 
Are you kidding? This was awesome. No need to thank me. Thank y'all!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:02 M.O. Walsh
5:02
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Sadly, we have to end now.


Our next book is The Poser by Jacob Rubin. We’ll chat with Jake on March 4th.

Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:02 Nora - EarlyWord
5:01
M.O. Walsh: 
Ha. That would be great. I'd love to meet everybody.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:01 M.O. Walsh
5:01
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Thanks, everyone for such a great chat.


Thanks, Neal for your thoughtful answers. We’re looking forward to February 10th, when librarians will be able to put MY SUNSHINE AWAY into readers hands

Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:01 Nora - EarlyWord
5:01
Nora - EarlyWord: 
I am afraid I am out of that loop -- but librarians can contact you via your web site and slip you the password!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:01 Nora - EarlyWord
5:00
M.O. Walsh: 
What I want to know is, will there be a secret party in Chicago for ALA where all the hip librarians go? And, if so, what is the password?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 5:00 M.O. Walsh
4:59
Nora - EarlyWord: 

NO!

I mean, OF COURSE!





Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:59 Nora - EarlyWord
4:59
M.O. Walsh: 
Can I ask a question?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:59 M.O. Walsh
4:59
M.O. Walsh: 
Sure. Read and write. Understand that the purpose of writing is to give people pleasure. Understand that the path to this is from sentence to sentence. And that the best books are those that effect the heart more than the mind. And don't let rejection get the best of you. Ha.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:59 M.O. Walsh
4:56
[Comment From James P.James P.: ] 
Any advice for young writers?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:56 James P.
4:56
Nora - EarlyWord: 
As you said, it's all in interpretation -- that just went from sounding weird to really great!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:56 Nora - EarlyWord
4:55
M.O. Walsh: 
Low Residency MFA programs are where most of the classes are online, but student all get together with faculty for a month or so out of the year for classes. SO, it is kind of like distance learning with 'low residency' requirements. Our residency is always abroad, though, This year we are going to Cork, Ireland!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:55 M.O. Walsh
4:54
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Your "day job" title is "Director, The Creative Writing Workshop, Traditional and Low Residency MFA Programs." I’m trying to figure out what the second part means!

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:54 Nora - EarlyWord
4:53
M.O. Walsh: 
Hi James!

Actually, I've not yet started on another novel. I have two half cooked ideas and several other little projects I'm working on but my main goal now is to enjoy this time of my life, spending time with my kids and doing things like this, talking to y'all, as this has been my dream since I was in the 8th grade or so.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:53 M.O. Walsh
4:51
[Comment From James P.James P.: ] 
Got another book up your sleeve?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:51 James P.
4:51
M.O. Walsh: 
I just think that everything is out of proportion during adolescence since teenagers have no frame of reference. Every love is the biggest, first love. Every rejection feels like the final one. So, negotiating those things is hard enough, but when you feel like the way people interpret your actions will define you forever, that makes it even harder.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:51 M.O. Walsh
4:49
M.O. Walsh: 
.....
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:49 M.O. Walsh
4:49
M.O. Walsh: 
Hi Pam-

Sure! Simply using the example of an adolescent boy, I think that there is a very fine line between being considered romantic and being considered creepy or a "stalker". You buy a girl flowers and you're romantic. You buy flowers one too many times and you're a stalker. This type of thing can crush you. The boy wants only for the girl to know of his affection. How people react to his actions can change the course of how people see him and, eventually, how he may see himself. ........
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:49 M.O. Walsh
4:47
[Comment From Pam, Public LibrarianPam, Public Librarian: ] 
In your video, you say you tried to capture what it is like to be an adolescent, which you did – and you add that it’s a time when interpretation is a big deal. I was fascinated by that. Can you expand on it?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:47 Pam, Public Librarian
4:47
M.O. Walsh: 
No. I'm really excited about that, though. The idea of anyone reading my book is weird enough to me, but to think of people in other countries reading it is just awesome. What a dream! I do know that Viking UK is really excited about it, though, and plan for it to be a lead title. Very cool. I also know that it took a long time to get a French publisher because most of the editors there though it was a bit 'too uplifting'. Ha. That seemed like a comment on the culture to me. My book wasn't dark enough. They like their existentialism over there!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:47 M.O. Walsh
4:46
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Ha! Maybe people in Britain will have the same reaction as Linda does from Maine.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:46 Nora - EarlyWord
4:45
[Comment From LindaLinda: ] 
I grew up in Maine, which is like another world entirely, but some of the early scenes especially, really brought me back to my childhood. Just something about the descriptions of kids hanging out outside in the 80s. It was very nostalgic for me in some ways.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:45 Linda
4:44
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Just posted the British cover.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:44 Nora - EarlyWord
4:44
 Nora - EarlyWord
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:44 
4:44
Nora - EarlyWord: 

The book has been picked up to be published in other countries. The British cover is quite different from the American. Any thoughts on how the Brits might react to it?

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:44 Nora - EarlyWord
4:43
M.O. Walsh: 
Oh yeah. the heat is a real thing down here. I love this place and there are times that I wonder why any human can survive it. These are usually times when I am getting into my car on a black top parking lot in August at 3 p.m.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:43 M.O. Walsh
4:42
M.O. Walsh: 
Yes, there is a tour (11 cities, I think) from Feb 10-20th or so.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:42 M.O. Walsh
4:42
[Comment From janet_schneiderjanet_schneider: ] 
The sense of place (as LJ noted) comes through so clearly. The "earthiness" of the prose too, makes the reader almost feel the insects, humidity and stickiness... I grew up in South Texas and it reminded me of home so much. (And how we'd mostly stay inside in the air-conditioning in August.)
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:42 janet_schneider
4:41
Nora - EarlyWord: 
I think you have several events coming up, right Neal -- check his Web site -- http://www.mowalsh.com/CONTACT.html
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:41 Nora - EarlyWord
4:41
M.O. Walsh: 
That sounds great!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:41 M.O. Walsh
4:41
[Comment From VNestingVNesting: ] 
Wish I could be at ALA Midwinter! Kind of funny to think of going all the way to Chicago to meet a Louisiana author though. Hope to see you somewhere in South Louisiana when the book is released. And maybe we can get you to come visit our library!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:41 VNesting
4:41
M.O. Walsh: 
I understand that the comparison is an honor, though, and I thank you for it.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:41 M.O. Walsh
4:40
M.O. Walsh: 
You know, in one of many moments of shame I'm sure you could pull from me, I've never actually read Pat Conroy. I know the name and the titles, obviously, but haven't actually read a book. In the way that y'all likely have way too many suggested books to read, my work as a teacher and writer provides me with a similar list. I actually spend way more time reading unpublished manuscripts that my students write than I do reading new published work. And, when I teach literature, I am often re-reading some of the classics. So, despite all the great things I've heard about Conroy, I've never gotten the chance to read him.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:40 M.O. Walsh
4:38
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Here is a question one of our participants sent in advance:

The tone and language of your book reminds me of the southern charm portrayed in Pat Conroy's novels. Is he an author you read and whose work you enjoyed?

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:38 Nora - EarlyWord
4:38
M.O. Walsh: 
I definitely think that there are misconceptions about Louisiana and the South, in general. But I am just as interested in some of the stereotypes that we embrace as I am the ones that make me cringe. I have found myself actually having to explain to people that I did not ride a boat to school before and chase alligators off the porch. That was kind of surreal to do. At the same time, though, if someone asks me if we eat alligator down here, I''ll be the first to say, Hell yeah! It's delicious! Let me get you the recipe for the dipping sauce."
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:38 M.O. Walsh
4:36
Nora - EarlyWord: 
No problem -- it's about having to explain it to outsiders, like LJ put it, the book “gives the reader an intimate understanding of the place as if it were a beloved but misunderstood grandmother.”
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:36 Nora - EarlyWord
4:35
M.O. Walsh: 
Awesome! OK, I missed a question about South Louisiana, I think.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:35 M.O. Walsh
4:35
[Comment From Sue D., St. Charles, MOSue D., St. Charles, MO: ] 
I plan to be first in line to get my ACR signed!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:35 Sue D., St. Charles, MO
4:34
M.O. Walsh: 
That will be great! I look forward to it.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:34 M.O. Walsh
4:34
M.O. Walsh: 
Y'all going to be at ALA?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:34 M.O. Walsh
4:34
[Comment From Sue D., St. Charles, MOSue D., St. Charles, MO: ] 
You are headed to Chicago in a few days, what do you think about meeting all of us?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:34 Sue D., St. Charles, MO
4:34
M.O. Walsh: 
Man, its really weird to hear your own voice on audio isn't it? I'm like, who is that person? I'd much prefer a deeper baritone. Ha.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:34 M.O. Walsh
4:33
Nora - EarlyWord: 

I like what the Library Journal reviewer said, that MY SUNSHINE AWAY “gives the reader an intimate understanding of the place as if it were a beloved but misunderstood grandmother.”

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:33 Nora - EarlyWord
4:33
Nora - EarlyWord: 

I will never again assume that all parts of Southern Louisiana are alike! Do you feel you have to explain that to outsiders a lot?

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:33 Nora - EarlyWord
4:32
[Comment From VNestingVNesting: ] 
That's wonderful! Thank you, Neal.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:32 VNesting
4:31
Neal Reading Hurricane Katrina section  Play
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:31 
4:31
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Looks like Neal didn't need the time!


The section I asked him to read is about what events after Hurricane Katrina, when many people took refuge in Baton Rouge, I enjoyed the section’s understated humor and insight into how humans can change from grateful to picky. it's a good example of his "voice" and in his real voice.

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:31 Nora - EarlyWord
4:30
M.O. Walsh: 
Good question! I don't know if it's an either or kind of thing. They kind of come to me together (character and voice, especially in 1st person POV). I know after I'd finished that opening chapter, I sent it to a good friend of mine who I trust (a really good writer named Sean Ennis) and he said, "Man, that's a great voice! Think you can keep it up?" So, I took that as a challenge.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:30 M.O. Walsh
4:29
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Vicki -- another great question. I'll give Neal a chance to catch his breath and answer it. Meanwhile, I asked him to read a section of the book, and I will post the audio.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:29 Nora - EarlyWord
4:28
[Comment From VNestingVNesting: ] 
I love your narrative voice (which you may have already guessed from my review that Nora posted earlier). Voice is such a challenge to do well. Do you focus more on developing the character and letting the voice flow from that, or did you actually focus on the voice to show the conflicting feelings and motivations of the teenage narrator?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:28 VNesting
4:28
M.O. Walsh: 
I once wrote 50 pages of a novel I was super psyched about. I went to the bar one night and told my professor at the time how great it was and how good I felt. he said,. "What page are you on?" I said, "page 50!" He said, "Talk to me when you get to page 60."

He was right. I crashed and burned after page 50 because I had to start dealing with stuff.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:28 M.O. Walsh
4:27
M.O. Walsh: 
one more anecdote about that...
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:27 M.O. Walsh
4:26
M.O. Walsh: 
The beginning of books are often really easy to write because you haven't yet dealt with any of the situations or conflicts you're creating in the opening chapter. You're basically just a machine gun spewing out cool ideas. It's when you have to actually make them hang together and be meaningful and engaging that things get tricky.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:26 M.O. Walsh
4:25
M.O. Walsh: 
But I should also say....
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:25 M.O. Walsh
4:25
M.O. Walsh: 
Hi Janet! Thanks. Well, I say it was easy meaning the first draft of the chapter came out really quickly. I probably revised it for another 3 months to get the language right before I moved on to chapter 2.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:25 M.O. Walsh
4:24
[Comment From janet_schneiderjanet_schneider: ] 
Hi Neal, What an opening chapter! The most gripping I have read in ages. How interesting for you to say that the first was easy to write, and the rest not so much...This book is absolutely un-put-downable, and perfect for so many different readers too.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:24 janet_schneider
4:23
M.O. Walsh: 
I'd always wanted to, and had tried a couple of other times, but never had an idea strong enough to carry me through. I'd write 150 pages or so, realize it was terrible, and trash it. This was the first idea I had that never left me. I never grew bored with it, never stopped thinking about it. It took me about 7 years, I had two kids in the process, moved cities, changed jobs, etc., and I never wanted to stop working on it.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:23 M.O. Walsh
4:21
[Comment From MD. LibrarianMD. Librarian: ] 
You’ve written short stories, why did you decide to do a novel?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:21 MD. Librarian
4:20
M.O. Walsh: 
I don't know if the reveal made it any more difficult than just the fact that it is a novel and I'd never written one before. I'd always written short stories, where you can always feel where you started and where you are going to end it. When you get into the middle of a novel, it's a new experience. Getting through that was more difficult than negotiating the POV, which felt pretty natural to me.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:20 M.O. Walsh
4:19
Nora - EarlyWord: 

Uh, I think ALL of us have said much worse in out time!The book’s point of view is fascinating and isn’t actually revealed until the end. How difficult was it to structure the book?

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:19 Nora - EarlyWord
4:18
M.O. Walsh: 
(sorry for saying crap)
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:18 M.O. Walsh
4:17
M.O. Walsh: 
It just kind of hit me at the dinner table one night. I looked at my wife and was like, "Oh crap. I think I know the title." I'd always had the lyrics as an epigraph but never knew the song would be the title. Which proves, I think, that writers aren't always so smart. Ha. But, I like the way that the phrase was enough to remind you of the song, but also point you in another direction. I like the phrase very much.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:17 M.O. Walsh
4:15
Nora - EarlyWord: 

How did you decide which part of the song to use for the title?

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:15 Nora - EarlyWord
4:15
M.O. Walsh: 
A happy chorus, filled with sad verses. I like the tension there.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:15 M.O. Walsh
4:15
M.O. Walsh: 
Oh, yeah. As I said in the video, that song is the state song of Louisiana. It's really important to people down here. In the same way Louisiana has multiple sides to it, I realized that the song did too. That youth does, that nostalgia does, etc. it felt like a good fit.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:15 M.O. Walsh
4:14
M.O. Walsh: 
I get more of a thrill out of being a LibraryReads pick than a mention in Entertainment Weekly, to be honest, because I know Librarians care about literature in the same way I do.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:14 M.O. Walsh
4:14
Nora - EarlyWord: 

I have heard "You Are My Sunshine" since I was a little girl (my father sang it to me) and never saw the dark side of it. You had me hooked with that alone.

Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:14 Nora - EarlyWord
4:13
M.O. Walsh: 
I know it makes my Mom happy, though!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:13 M.O. Walsh
4:13
M.O. Walsh: 
And I feel like the words between the covers are the only thing I control. The fact that it is being published is plenty enough for me. So, the good press and all that, it is all just extra good news.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:13 M.O. Walsh
4:12
M.O. Walsh: 
...
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:12 M.O. Walsh
4:12
M.O. Walsh: 
Well, it feels really good that people like the book. People like librarians and book reviewers, etc. That feels really good. All of the other stuff (hype, if you'd call it), I'm much more skeptical of. It doesn't really give me a feeling. Maybe dread is the feeling? I'm not sure. I try to only concern myself with the stuff I can control.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:12 M.O. Walsh
4:11
[Comment From VNestingVNesting: ] 
Being in South Louisiana, it's easy to just tell people it's a coming of age tale set in Baton Rouge in the late 1980s. But I love the video and think it's a great tool to get people interested.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:11 VNesting
4:10
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Reviewers are using terms like “addictive” and, “"Suspenseful, compassionate" and “a page-turner you want to read slowly and a literary novel you can't look away from.” It’s been picked by booksellers as a favorite, as well as by librarians for LibraryReads. It’s on Entertainment Weekly s "20 Books We’ll Read in 2015" AND they called you someone to watch in 2015. How does it feel”
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:10 Nora - EarlyWord
4:10
M.O. Walsh: 
Yeah. Everyone at Putnam has done an incredible job with the book. I'm really lucky to have a crew like that on my side!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:10 M.O. Walsh
4:09
Nora - EarlyWord: 
MY SUNSHINE AWAY unfolds in a Baton Rouge neighborhood best known for cookouts on sweltering summer afternoons, cauldrons of spicy crawfish, and passionate football fandom. But in the summer of 1989, when fifteen-year-old Lindy Simpson—free spirit, track star, and belle of the block—experiences a horrible crime late one evening near her home, it becomes apparent that this idyllic stretch of Southern suburbia has a dark side, too.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:09 Nora - EarlyWord
4:09
Nora - EarlyWord: 
You've got a pretty good one -- I thought the publisher described the book very well:
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:09 Nora - EarlyWord
4:08
M.O. Walsh: 
Whoa! Can I hire y'all as my PR team?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:08 M.O. Walsh
4:08
[Comment From Julie WolfJulie Wolf: ] 
Can’t wait to share this book with our library customers!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:08 Julie Wolf
4:08
[Comment From Laura, ProvidenceLaura, Providence: ] 
I’d say, “you’ll read it because you’ll want to know what happens, but you’ll love it even better for how it’s told. It will haunt you for weeks.”
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:08 Laura, Providence
4:08
[Comment From Fran B., ChicagoFran B., Chicago: ] 
I’d just say, “Trust me, you’ll love it.”
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:08 Fran B., Chicago
4:08
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Help Neal out -- how would the rest of you sell it?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:08 Nora - EarlyWord
4:07
M.O. Walsh: 
Thanks Vicki!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:07 M.O. Walsh
4:07
 Nora - EarlyWord
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:07 
4:07
Nora - EarlyWord: 
By the way, that review is from Vicki, who is with us today!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:07 Nora - EarlyWord
4:07
M.O. Walsh: 
See? Much better when other people do it than me!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:07 M.O. Walsh
4:06
 Nora - EarlyWord
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:06 
4:06
M.O. Walsh: 
Oh, thanks. I felt a little bad for subjecting y'all to that singing and guitar playing but thought it might be good to explain the title.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:06 M.O. Walsh
4:06
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Maybe we can help you. A couple of our participants posted reviews on Edelweiss that would certainly work. I’ll post them.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:06 Nora - EarlyWord
4:06
[Comment From Sue D., St. Charles, MOSue D., St. Charles, MO: ] 
What an awesome book. Liked the video introducing the title. Great little tidbit for getting patrons to pick it up.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:06 Sue D., St. Charles, MO
4:05
Nora - EarlyWord: 
I understand that.Sue D. says she'd use your video:
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:05 Nora - EarlyWord
4:05
M.O. Walsh: 
Its really hard to summarize something you've worked on for so long.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:05 M.O. Walsh
4:05
M.O. Walsh: 
Oh no! Not the elevator pitch! I seriously turn into a quivering ball of jelly when asked to do this. I was lucky enough to go on a pre-pub tour where me and some other writers were asked to pitch our books and I just did the verbal equivalent of .............
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:05 M.O. Walsh
4:04
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Librarians often have to come up with a quick, pithy way to get someone to want to read a book. Booksellers call this the “hand sell.” How would you hand sell MY SUNSHINE AWAY?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:04 Nora - EarlyWord
4:04
M.O. Walsh: 
Hi Anne. Glad you're here, too!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:04 M.O. Walsh
4:03
[Comment From AnneAnne: ] 
Hi - Looking forward to the discussion. Finished the book in the nick of time :)
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:03 Anne
4:03
M.O. Walsh: 
It just kept getting shorter and shorter, I guess.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:03 M.O. Walsh
4:03
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Wow, that sounds like " everyone knew her as Nancy.”
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:03 Nora - EarlyWord
4:03
M.O. Walsh: 
My grandfather went by Milton, my dad by O'Neal, and they called me Neal
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:03 M.O. Walsh
4:02
M.O. Walsh: 
Some people call me M.O.. My family and friends call me Neal. My name is Milton O'Neal Walsh.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:02 M.O. Walsh
4:02
[Comment From VNestingVNesting: ] 
Hi Nora, Neal, everyone!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:02 VNesting
4:02
[Comment From Pam, Public LibrarianPam, Public Librarian: ] 
Wait, your name is M.O. Walsh, what do I call you?
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:02 Pam, Public Librarian
4:02
M.O. Walsh: 
Wow. Thank y'all so much for reading it. I imagine your reading stacks are pretty high.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:02 M.O. Walsh
4:01
[Comment From Book LoverBook Lover: ] 
Thanks for doing this,
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 Book Lover
4:01
[Comment From James P.James P.: ] 
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 James P.
4:01
[Comment From Julie WolfJulie Wolf: ] 
I’m telling my customers that this a book they will be dying to talk to others about!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 Julie Wolf
4:01
M.O. Walsh: 
Very cool to get a chance to talk to librarians and to be a Library Reads pick! Who has better taste in books than librarians? NOBODY.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 M.O. Walsh
4:01
[Comment From MD. LibrarianMD. Librarian: ] 
I don’t have many questions, just want to say I love this book!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 MD. Librarian
4:01
[Comment From Laura, ProvidenceLaura, Providence: ] 
No longer lurking, I’m joining THIS chat!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 Laura, Providence
4:01
[Comment From Fran B., ChicagoFran B., Chicago: ] 
Ready to chat!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 Fran B., Chicago
4:01
Nora - EarlyWord: 
I'll give our participants a chance to say hi...
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:01 Nora - EarlyWord
4:00
M.O. Walsh: 
Hi everybody! I'm excited to be in the little chat box with you!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:00 M.O. Walsh
4:00
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Hi, Neal, Welcome!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:00 Nora - EarlyWord
4:00
Nora - EarlyWord: 
I see Neal is here.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 4:00 Nora - EarlyWord
3:59
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Don’t worry about typos – (and please forgive ours)
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:59 Nora - EarlyWord
3:59
Nora - EarlyWord: 
You can send your questions through at any time. They'll go into a queue, and we'll submit as many of them as we can to the author before the end of the chat.
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:59 Nora - EarlyWord
3:59
Nora - EarlyWord: 
I see chat participants gathering!
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:59 Nora - EarlyWord
3:51
Nora - EarlyWordNora - EarlyWord
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:51 
3:51
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Neal recorded the following video specifically for First Flight participants:
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:51 Nora - EarlyWord
3:35
 Nora - EarlyWord
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:35 
3:35
Nora - EarlyWord: 
Meanwhile, here’s the cover of MY SUNSHINE AWAY, to be published by Penguin/Putnam on Feb. 10
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:35 Nora - EarlyWord
3:34
Nora - EarlyWord: 
We will begin our live online chat with M.O. “Neal” Walsh at 4 p.m., EST
Wednesday January 21, 2015 3:34 Nora - EarlyWord
 
 

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