Events for Old Acquaintances

Feb. 26th- KGBX Women's Show, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex, Springfield, Mo
8 am to 4 pm...Tons of fun...bring your girlfriends and spend a few hours checking out all the Women's Show has to offer. And since you're there, swing by and meet the author of Old Acquaintances and pick up your own signed copy!

March 5th- Borders Book Signing, S. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo
1 pm to 3 pm...come by and pick up your own signed copy of Old Acquaintances and meet author Ursula Gorman

March 12th- ABC Books, N. Glenstone, Springfield, Mo
11 am to 3 pm...Another chance to get your own copy of the new, debut novel by Ursula Gorman...Pick up Old Acquaintances and meet Ursula...

New Year, New Attitude

It's common for people to make resolutions for the new year...and they usually last for a few days to a few weeks...Why not make a resolution that you can keep? In the world today, people seem to be getting more self absorbed and too busy to enjoy life. My resolution is to have a better attitude and to do more things I find myself too busy for.
1. Spend time with my family...quality time. Not just watching tv...but doing things together.
2. Spend time doing the things I enjoy...reading and writing.
3. Take care of myself...eating better, exercising and getting plenty of rest.
4. First and foremost, I plan to work on my relationship with my Lord and Savior. He is always there for me, always patient, kind and loving...I tend to come to Him during stressful, worrisome, troubled and desperate times...I need to work on coming to Him to rejoice, be thankful, joyous and in humble servitude. My life belongs to my Savior...the rest will follow.
So, for 2011, my resolution is simple...but not easy...follow the word of God, live as well as I can and enjoy those around me and the special moments that God always sends my way. To God be the glory, great things He hath done...

Funny Title, Wonderful Stories...

My Hero, My Ding by Lisa A. Tortorello…might be a funny name, but the story is a sweet, endearing walk down memory lane. This is a collection of stories about a girl and her grandfather and the fun and special bond they shared. Lisa brings her memories to life and lets you enjoy the love, camaraderie and zaniness she shared with her grandfather. The Dings share a special bond that made sense only to them, and that’s exactly how they liked it. I encourage anyone that had a special bond with a grandparent, aunt, uncle…to pick up a copy of My Hero, My Ding. Not only will you find Lisa’s story genuine but it just might bring back fond memories of your own life…Plus, you’ll get to find out what a Ding is…
Reviewed by: Ursula Gorman, author of ‘Old Acquaintances’

Things are coming together!

It is Sunday, Dec. 12th, and National Book Release is just around the corner. I signed my contract for publishing my book on Dec. 16th, 2009...on my birthday. Now, almost one year to the day, my book is about to be released. I'm amazed at how it's all come together.
It seemed to take forever from the time I was offered the contract to when I signed it and, finally, the initial contact with my editor. From there it was, 'hurry up and wait' during each and every step. There was enough time between contact that I was about to go stir crazy, but just before I reached that point, I had contact with the publishers again and had a renewed sense of purpose.
So each and every step seemed to be excruciatingly slow, but exciting nonetheless. An oxymoron if there ever was one! So each step brought me closer and closer to being done with the publication process...
The final step has been the editing of the audio book, but I have mixed emotions about that. That's a whole other subject...So now, here we are, two days before National Release and I'm surprised it's here already...hahaha...too funny that time seemed to drag only to be here already!
So, check out Old Acquaintances reviews on Barnes and Noble.com and on Goodreads. There should be some going up on Amazon.com as soon as they are able to put them on there. The reviews have been really good and it's an encouraging beginning to what's hopefully, a long career in writing!
If you've already read Old Acquaintances, thank you for your support and I hope you enjoyed it. If you haven't...well, I might be biased, but it's a good, fast paced and entertaining read...

Book Signing...a bust!

I attended the LR PTA Christmas Bazaar yesterday. There were two gyms filled with approx. 80 vendors, or so I'm told. I set up my table and never left it, so I didn't go into the other gym. I was told the other gym was bigger and had more vendors in it.
21 days before Christmas, you'd think a craft bazaar would bring out a lot of shoppers. The booths around me all had great gift ideas...handmade wooden boxes for men and women...beautiful craftsmanship...Handmade silver/gemstone jewelry, ornaments, baked goods, handmade aprons, potholders, Christmas decorations...etc...If I'd had the time and money, I could have gotten a lot of buying done in the room I was in. But, alas, the people didn't come. I was really surprised. Usually when I attend such events as a shopper, I have to fight the crowds. There were probably a couple of hundred shoppers during the 7 hour event but very few of them seemed to be buying. I'm not sure if it's the economy, the mall or if we just didn't have what the people were looking for...
The lady in the booth beside me, an older woman that handmade her own dresses/aprons/potholders, and did a fantastic job, actually fell asleep. I mean, head back and mouth wide open type of sleep. The first time she did, a customer had to wake her up to purchase a potholder...the women woke up, took the money and promptly went back to sleep. LOL It might not have been the best customer service, but I doubt she missed many sales. She packed up and was ready to leave before the event was over. She said she wouldn't be back the next year...
I think I'm not that set on judging this particular event after just one chance...who knows why we didn't see the crowds that I expected...I had a great table, had a few people stop and talk to me...but the sales just weren't there. I didn't even make my money back for the fee I had to pay to attend...but, you never know unless you try.
I will not give up! I will be back out there again. I only hope for better success! Next weekend is a regular book signing at the Library Center in Springfield Mo...I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

It's Official!

While National release is still a few weeks away for Old Acquaintances...it's official, you can now pre-order on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com...Very exciting!
Currently you can pre-order on both, but barnesandnoble.com has it at a discounted price. But remember, the only way to get an autographed copy is to order directly from me!
It's all so exciting and starting to feel more and more real. I've spent almost a full year since mailing in the signed contract to seeing it available on line. National Release date is actually two days shy of the one year anniversary date of when I signed the contract.
In some ways, a year seems like forever and in other ways, it seems like it hasn't been very long at all...What a fantastical journey!

Giving a shout out to Hollister Junior High

I had a speaking engagement at the Hollister Middle School today with the 7th grade English Lit classes, 6 different classes total. The kids were great! I saw a couple with glassy eyes or bored looks, but for the most part, they were attentive and responsive.
They asked lots of great questions and several of them mentioned some of their favorite authors and series. It was great to see them all so into reading! As someone that has always been an avid reader and a big fan of encouraging others to read, it was refreshing!
I want to thank the teachers that invited me, Melanie and Rhonda. They were both great and very encouraging. I was extremely nervous but once I got there, and said several prayers on the way there and while I was there, my nerves settled and once I finished the first class, the nerves were under control! Thank you God! I couldn't have done near as well without you by my side!
So, Hollister Junior High 7th graders...You Rock!