Website on the horizon

OK, so most writers have a website BEFORE their book is released. I tried. I really did. It all started Aug. 24, and to make a long story short, it has been a nightmare. I bought the domain name from one company and tried to host it with another. The first company liked my name so much they didn't want to give it up. In any event, thanks to my webpage designer, Mike Brown, that situation will soon be remedied.

When the site is up, those who would like to order the majority of the books published by Virgin Alley Press — including the newly released Calamity and Courage: Tiffin's Battle During Ohio's Deadly 1913 Flood — will be able to do so on my webpage. Oh, and since Mike took over, you'll even be able to use Pay Pal.

Still looking for stories/photos from the tornados that swept through Seneca County in 1937, 1943, 1961, 1965, and 2002. I'll get more detailed about that, later. But if anyone has any info, contact me at virginalleypress@gmail.com, or friend me on facebook.

Today I'm writing for Heidelberg University and working as a substitute lunch lady. Yes, I am part of the hairnet brigade, dishin' out a little lunch lady lovin'! Time to go put on my comfortable shoes and find my hairnet. Ever seen a balled-up hairnet? It looks pretty disgusting, like someone lost all their pubic hairs in one place. Sorry, but it does. Thoughts like those are why I've always refused to take an ink blot test.

Anyway, have a great day and I'll keep you posted about the new book.

New Year, New Books

Well, here we are, the start of another year. Since I was recently scraped off the bottom of a shoe like a piece of pre-chewed sidewalk gum, (no, it has nothing to do with Trish) it's the chance for a completely fresh start. I figure I'm kind of like Jimmy Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life," who discovers that there's plenty of adventure in your own backyard. Of course if I run down the street screaming "I LOVE YOU BEDFORD FALLS!" I'd get put in a rubber room, which might even be fun for awhile, but then, as usual, I'd get bored.

Anyway, there are some exciting new projects in store for Virgin Alley Press during the coming year. I'm still looking for people who went through the Palm Sunday tornado in 1965, or the 2002 tornado. If you know someone who has photographs of either of those, even if they weren't directly effected, I'd love to hear from them. As usual, any pictures I use in the book will be attributed to the owner.

I'm also looking for pictures and info from the following tornadoes in Seneca County: May 28, 1937 (New Riegel church was demolished); April 29, 1943; July 1943 (Venice Township);  June 1953 (US 224 near Bascom); and February 1961 on (Tyber Road). I'll put more info here as I go through my notes.

Another upcoming "surprise" book for 2011 will be revealed at a later date.

Sounds like I'll be busy, which is a good thing since I get to live in my head most of the time, and occasionally, that's a bit scary. I like the notion of "running as fast as I can."

Here's wishing you and yours a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS New Year!

View new video

This past month has been a whirlwind. The books are selling at a phenomenal rate, and the first edition is already sold out. The second printing should be here by tomorrow, so there's still plenty of time to get a copy ... or two ... or 20 before Christmas. There have been a lot of people getting them as gifts.

No rest for the weary. Christmas is almost upon us and hey, why would I have anything bought, baked or bedazzled? Time to get cracking.

Check out the video about my book, Calamity and Courage: Tiffin's Battle During Ohio's Deadly 1913 Flood on this blog. In keeping with the time period, the photos are set to the original 1913 recording of Madame Butterfly. I know, I know ... I'm a frustrated opera star wannabe. I just want to wear those metal things on my chest and carry a shield.

I'm still trying to upload my radio interview but technology is not always my friend. It's still stuck in iTunes land.

Calamity and Courage: The Deadly 1913 Flood in Tiffin

One more day, then it's back to work

Another Thanksgiving for the record books. The beauty about dysfunction is that a dysfunctional-family gathering is never boring. For the first time in my adult life, I overslept on turkey day and got the bird in the oven an hour later than I wanted. Nobody seemed to notice that the first course of turkey was a little medium rare.
I learned a very valuable lesson tonight as well. If you're going to have a group of people at your new apartment, it might be a good idea to invest in a plunger before the festivities. That saves a trip to Wal-Mart at 9 p.m. after you discover that someone did not take their leftovers home with them.
OK, so tonight, my 20-year-old son is spending the night in anticipation of Black Friday. Personally, I've never ventured out of the house on Black Friday. But Grant wants me to go jeans shopping with him at 6 a.m. What's a mother to do? Like a fool, I said "yes." Dang. People have died during an early bird attempt to obtain a Tickle Me Elmo.
I just know I am going to bed tonight, only to have nightmares of getting caught up in a stampede that would rival a 1979 Who concert. I'd hate to think I may have to deck a middle-aged woman over a pair of Wranglers. It's more likely I'd find it necessary to pummel some fool for being rude.
In any event, I'd better get some rest. Without a doubt, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Another Thanksgiving is upon us

Just a few thoughts:
• The Pilgrims claimed they came here for escape religious persecution. Let's get real. Everyone knows they actually came here for Black Friday deals.
• Here's to plenty of turkey and projectile eating. I may be getting older, but I can still dodge a glob of pre-chewed green bean casserole when I have to.
• My Thanksgiving is a reality show waiting to happen.

Have to get up in a few hours and get the turkey in the oven. Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Is signing books alone something like drinking alone?

     OK, so I'm sitting on my living room floor, signing a box of books for Dave at Paper and Ink. All alone. I could be signing them in my underwear and no one would know. But no, I wouldn't do that because that would be entirely too weird, even for me.
     There are only about 50 books left. Tomorrow I will go to MLAD on Jefferson Street and order more. Owner Mark Levans says it'll only take about a week.
     I do want to thank everyone who's purchased a copy of the first edition, for their support. This book sincerely was a labor of love ... one that I wanted to share with everyone. That's saying something, considering I used to get poor marks in school for my inability to share. Huh. Come to think of it, I also often "failed to show control," I "didn't respect the property of others," I "ran with scissors" and I "ate paste." No, wait a minute. That last one was David Watson.
    Thought for the day: If you eat paste, do your butt cheeks ultimately ... naw, I'm not going to go there.
In any event, there will be more books, so remember that Calamity and Courage would make a great Christmas gift!