A few years ago I unpublished my birthday on Facebook. I didn’t do it because I hate celebrating or because I’m self-conscious about my age. I really don’t care if people know how many twenty-ninth birthdays I’ve had.
But I am a bit of an introvert, which means as much as I love being around people (and I really do), I tend to get a little overwhelmed when I’m the center of too much attention.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that people want to celebrate with me and wish me well. I just sometimes think that while they do, I’d kind of rather be hiding in a quiet corner with a paper bag over my head.
Thanks to inventor Luther Crowell who, 148 years ago today, invented the machine that makes folded, flat-bottomed paper bags, I could actually do that.
If you happen to live in Cape Cod (and odds are you don’t), you may have heard of one of the area’s most famous sons, whose more than 280 patents included a flying machine that, at least in concept, resembled the modern helicopter.
Or perhaps you’ve discovered him on LinkIn where you’ll find that this Paper Bag Inventor at Paper Bag Inventor has a skill set that includes paper craft, paper industry, and paper prototyping. I think you’ll also find that there are people in this world who spend way too much time on the Internet.
Certainly Cowell is most remembered for the machine that could make a sturdy folded paper bag, an invention that contributed to the newspaper printing (and folding) industry as well as to the grocery checkout line where customers are still regularly given the option of using Crowell’s bags to carry home potato chips and bottles of salad dressing.
These paper bags are also useful for craft projects, making text book protectors, quickly ripening fruit, and occasionally hiding in corners.
That last one might be wishful thinking on my part, because this week I’m on a blog tour, talking about my new historical novel, some of the research, my convoluted journey to publication, my third grade teacher, my first ever fan letter, and my thesaurus collection. Don’t judge. It’s a lot of posts. And trust me when I say you’re not going to want to miss the thesauri.
I love talking about books with readers and with other writers (there’s a lot of overlap between those groups). I’m incredibly grateful to my fellow bloggers who have invited me to share their space and for all those who have interacted with me on the posts and shared them on social media. It really has been a lot of fun.
It’s also been a little scary and a tiny bit exhausting putting myself out there and basically demanding attention. So I am going to invite you to take a look at the tour, to check out the blogs of some wonderful new friends, and to read my ridiculous posts about myself and my writing. You could even win a copy of my new book Smoke Rose to Heaven for Kindle if you leave a comment on any of them.
Smoke Rose to Heaven Virtual Tour
While you do that, I’m just going to sit quietly in this corner over here with a paper bag over my head.
Author Sarah Angleton 
Happy birthday early or late — whenever it is! 😊
Ha! Could be either. It’s definitely not right now. But I appreciate the sentiment.
Great blog tour! I enjoyed your posts! We have a few Mormon families in our small town, and we’re very good friends with them. Several were students in my class. One girl I worked with had her boys a month from when I had my girls, so the kids grew up together and are still good friends. I feel bad for not promoting your books on FB, but I don’t want to offend the families…and small towns can be…small. 😦 People can be very sensitive about their religions. I hope Ada’s story is getting lots of attention!
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Oh, don’t feel bad at all, Karen! I know it’s tough. My LDS friends have largely decided to ignore my books. I’m okay with that. I have spoken with enough ex-Mormons to know what a terribly difficult situation they can find themselves in even entertaining questions about their faith.
Congrats on your blog tour, Sarah. I wish you lots of success with your latest release!
Thanks John!
Can one of those paper bag folders make me one that has a Carmen Miranda-esque pile of fruit on top? What a great photo with you and the giant cover (I hate having my photo taken too, so I understand the utter horror and discomfort you were feeling in that pic)!! Love the book tour. I’ve considered doing one myself in the past, so let me know how it goes for you. And congrats again on the release.
Thank you! That would be a great hat. My oldest son was really into origami for a while. Maybe I should get him working on that.
I’m putting in my pre-order right now 😆
Best wishes😊
Thank you!
Hope you enjoy the blog tour, although I totally get the introverted thing. And a thesaurus collection! I’m intrigued…. 🙂
Ah, but are you facinated, captivated, charmed, spellbound, beguiled, enthralled, enraptured, entranced, enchanted, or bewitched? 😉
Well done!
Happy Belated Birthday – paper bag and ALL!
Thanks!
Good luck, Sarah! Hugs.
Thank you!
Happy day & good luck with your book tour!
Thank you!
Never has a post resonated with me this deeply! Great job! Cheers!
Thank you!