For the past thirty-seven years I have been living a dream.

In sixth grade I remember classmates gathered around my writing assignment that my teacher had posted on the classroom’s bulletin board. It was a report about my favorite bird when one of my classmates said, “Mike, you are a good writer!”

I’ve always enjoyed a little praise now and then. It’s good for the soul and good for one’s confidence.

Thank you, classmate for making that comment as it cemented in my heart the desire to do just that, become a writer!

I soon discovered becoming a writer was not an easy task. There were those rejections that knocked me down. But I learned when those rejections occurred, I would quickly stand up, dust myself off and continue to write.

My fourth book, Nature’s Christmas Story, was rejected forty-seven times. 🙁

When the brown manila envelope appeared in our mailbox, I eagerly ripped the envelope open, hoping there would be a glowing letter from the editor saying they were excited to turn my manuscript into a children’s book!

Forty-seven times I was disappointed.

How did I respond? I quickly went in search of a brown, manila envelope, added a cover letter extolling the potential of “Nature’s Christmas Story” and added the manuscript.

Oh, and don’t forget to add a self-addressed brown, manila envelope with correct postage to ensure that the manuscript is returned to the author.

Then the internet was invented.

Publishing houses sprang up all over the place.

And for a fee an author could pay to have his/her manuscript turned into a book.

I was exhausted after the forty-seven rejections, so I went with the self- publishing route.

Then I made a very smart move by scrapping my pen and ink drawings and replacing them with the beautiful artwork of Janine Ringdahl Schmidt.

That joining of forces was amazing. Six children’s books resulted: Nature’s Christmas Story, The Easter Sparrows, Holiday Adventures for Kids, The First Advent, Nature’s Rhyming Riddles, and Say That Again.

Also, don’t forget my three previous books that were produced by the Wheaton Gazette, Children in the Outdoors, Volume I, II and III.

The women preparing the weekly paper also had the added responsibility of typing my three volumes. I think they are still irritated by that added work- load.  🙁

But as a self-published author my work had just begun. Can you say ‘marketing’?

I could have invested big money into Amazon adds but being a simple- man I took the simple method of marketing the nine books.

I visited county fairs, craft fairs and small- town celebrations.

They were a joy to attend especially when the shoppers told me how they enjoyed the books. That took the sting out of those forty- seven rejections!

Potential buyers had favorite lines they would use to escape my sales pitch such as, “I’ll be back once I’ve checked the other booths.” “I need to get some cash.” “Before I leave, I’ll stop back.” “My daughter needs to go to the bathroom, see you in a few minutes.”

Sometimes they returned but usually they did not! 🙁

Often, I would see an acquaintance approaching my booth and prepare to visit with them. Sadly, just as they are about to reach my booth, they conveniently looked at the booth across from me missing me completely.

Intentional or are they suffering from over stimulation of all those masses of booths?

Kathie loved to go with me on our book selling journeys.

She has never seen a baby she didn’t like. Even those newborns that are all red and wrinkly. Pacifiers cover half their little faces with drool running down their chins.

Kathie has spotted one of those little cuties and I know because she makes that joyful little gasp.

Looking up I see Kathie leaping out of her chair, flying around the table and with open arms bending down to speak gibberish to a cute, pacifier sucking toddler.

At the same time, she tells the toddler’s mother how beautiful her child is. A short conversation occurs as the beaming mother and Kathie block traffic behind them.  🙂

I continue to smile and ignore the traffic piling up.

Luckly the Better Business Bureau has no say on how well I have  marketed my nine books.

No one would be clamoring for my assistance, I’m sure.

But looking back I certainly have enjoyed the thirty-seven years of peddling my books.

I carry the friendships and positive comments from all of you who graced my book selling table.

Thanks especially to those of you who chose to buy a book or books over the years. 🙂

Thanks Janine, you will always be my hero!  🙂

With Kathie in the Wheaton Care Center life has gotten too complicated and I have had to make these slowing down decisions.

Remember some of the books are still available on Amazon just be sure to include the author’s name, Michael J. Larson and book title when ordering.

The Wheaton Flower Shop also will carry my books.

The Traverse County Fair will be going full blast this weekend and this will be the first time in 37 years that my booth will not be a children’s book- store.

Thanks for the memories. 🙂

Until next time.