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!