Talks, Speeches and Appearances

THREE RINGLING CIRCUS has come to town! Here’s what’s happening so far (unless otherwise noted, all times are Eastern) As with everyone else around here, Helena, Milton et al. wrecked my schedule (but thankfully not my home):

EVENTS – 2025-26

• Monday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m. Book talk, Sarasota Book Club. private event.
• Wednesday, Feb. 19, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Book talk. New Floridians book club, Tara Country Club. Private event.
• Wednesday, April 16, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tallahassee History Roundtable. Zoom discussion. “Myths and Mysteries of Ohio.” Find out why after 11 years, this book is still going strong! Email to join and for more information.
• Tarpon Springs Book Festival, Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. E. Court St. , Downtown Tarpon Springs, FL 34689. Come for stale peanuts and hot (as in the sun) authors! More information.
• Wednesday, May 28, 4-5:30. Book talk, “Three Ringling Circus,” Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, private event.
• Thursday, Jun 19, 5 p.m., Book talk, “Three Ringling Circus,” Sarasota Friendship Center, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota. More information.
• Friday-Sunday, July 11-13. Columbus Book Festival. Various locations, Columbus, Ohio. Featured nonfiction author for my upcoming DAY TRIPS FROM COLUMBUS (4th ed). General information; schedule coming soon!
• Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Book talk, “Three Ringling Circus,” Aviva at the Meadows, 1951 N Honore Ave., Sarasota. More information to come.
• Wednesday, April 1, 2026. 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tallahassee History Roundtable (back by popular demand!). Zoom discussion. “From Long Hair to No Teeth, er, Hair.” Re-examining the 1960s/early 70s through the lens of my novel and nonfiction book about same. Email to join and for more information.

PODCASTS AND VIDEO LINKS

• “A bookish moment with Sandra Gurvis.” Check out the YouTube video of this fun interview!
• Book Launch of “Three Ringling Circus, ” Bookstore1 Sarasota. A great conversation on YouTube with program manager Bryn Durgin.
• Simply Said with Polly Campbell. “Join us each week as we navigate the ups and downs of what it means to live an engaged and inspired life. We cover practical approaches and strategies, visit with authors and experts, and share support, encouragement, and laughs.”
• Read My Lips Radio, Cool Conversations with Creatives. A fun and hilarious hour with two other authors and speakers. Read my lips – Radio Red is a hoot!
• Fearlessly Facing Fifty with Amy Schmidt. Link coming soon!

PAST EVENTS

2024

• Sunday, March 3, 4-5 p.m. Book talk, Sara DeSoto Book Club, private event.
• Friday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. “Paths to Publishing Your Crime Novel: A Sisters in Crime Panel” (Not Ringling, but The Villages mystery/satire) Venice Writer’s Festival, William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Public Library, 300 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285. Registration required.
• Saturday March 23, Venice Book Fair, 11 a.m. – 3. p.m. West Blalock Park, 401 Pensacola Rd. Venice, Florida 34285. I will be sharing a booth with author/agent Camille Cline . More information.
• Saturday, April 6, 1-3 p.m. Centennial Open House Extravaganza, 1232 12th St. (next to Pioneer Park and Crocker Church), Sara De Soto DAR. George and Martha Washington, historical tours, silent auction and book sales. Stop by for a $25 stale circus peanut and a free autographed book!
• Friday, April 19, 10-11 a.m. Morning Exchange radio show with Ohioana director David Weaver and authors. More information.
• Saturday April 20, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ohioana Book Festival, Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215. Details and author line-up.
• Thursday, May 16, 5-7 p.m. Greater Sarasota Miami University Alumni – Author Talk with alumna Sandra Gurvis. Rusty Bucket, 257 N Cattlemen Rd #81, Sarasota, FL 34243. Email to attend and for more information.
• Tuesday, July 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, Fruitville Public Library, 100 Apex Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240. More information and sign up.
• Wednesday, Aug. 7, 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tallahassee History Roundtable Zoom discussion. Email to join and for more information.
• Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Local Author Book Fair, Breezeway, Bookstore1 Sarasota, 117 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236. Quality shopping for discerning readers! Free and open to the public. More information.
• Thursday, Nov. 14, 2-3 p.m. Book talk, “Three Ringling Circus,” part of Sarasota County Library’s “Off the Page” literary festival. Osprey Library and History Center, 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229. More information.
• Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7-8 p.m. (postponed from Sept. 24) Author talk, Ringling College Visiting Writers Forum, Room 113, Goldstein Library, 1228 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Sarasota, FL 34234. Free and open to the public. More information.
• Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Old Florida Christmas, Manatee Village Historical Park, 1404 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208. Crafts, music, food trucks and vendors including me and my circus peanuts. More information.

Also, multiple programs and Lee County and Manatee County branch libraries.

Please contact me if you’d like me to speak at a library, writer’s conference, paper bag opening, book club or other group/ organization. 

 

Workshop Topics and Venues

I have given dozens of presentations on writing and my book topics at libraries, colleges, writers’ conferences, and other groups. Click here for a partial list of venues. Below are brief descriptions of some of the latest offerings:

Come for the (slightly stale) circus peanuts, stay for the scoop on John Ringling, Sarasota and The Ringling. (NEW!) Like the orange circus peanuts that people either love or hate, John Ringling, his wife Mable and his family made an indelible and sometimes controversial imprint on Sarasota. And Sarasota would not be what it is today without the influence of the Ringling family, particularly John Ringling and his wife Mable.

Along with accompanying photos, author Sandra Gurvis will discuss her just-released book THREE RINGLING CIRCUS, including the early days of the natives, Blacks and settlers; the origins of the Ringling family and ahead-of-their-time ways of developing their circus; and the massive amounts of finagling that went into the creation of the Art Museum and Ca d’Zan. Juicy and little-known details about the Ringlings’ fabulous lifestyle, their behind-the-scenes heartbreak and triumph and often Machiavellian grab for wealth and power will also be included. Marshmallow circus peanuts will also be available for those brave enough to sample them! (The package has no expiration date).

Fiction and/or Nonfiction? Writing One, the Other, or Both. (NEW!) Do you write fiction, nonfiction, or both?  Do you want to switch from one genre to another?  Too often, writers pigeonhole themselves into a specific genre, even if they feel the call to write something completely different. Trying anything new can be intimidating and overwhelming, even if you’ve been writing for decades.

This workshop will help overcome hesitation in several ways – by clearly differentiating, fiction, nonfiction, and memoir/essay as well as explaining the similarities among the various genres.  While different “rules” may apply to each (they will also be discussed), the underlying logic is the same – the work must be authentically researched, original and true to the author’s vision. Participants will get a chance to write a brief story or anecdote in their new genre of choice to get a sense of what each requires. They may not be as unlike as they initially appear!

Myths and Mysteries of Ohio. Why would the people of Sabina embalm the corpse of a random black man and put him on display for the entire world to see? What was the real story behind Johnny Appleseed’s fascination with teenage girls? And what was it about Marietta, Athens/Ohio University, and the Golden Lamb in Lebanon that made these places such as ghost magnets? And where are the dead aliens at Wright Patterson AFB? MYTHS AND MYSTERIES OF OHIO dissects these and other urban and perhaps not-so-much legends. Through a PowerPoint presentation, discussion, and a brief reading, explore the new abnormal with author Sandra Gurvis. Prizes may also be involved.

Good News and Challenges of Creating a Book. While self and “indie” publishing has opened up a world of possibilities for writers, there are also pitfalls and pratfalls. The good news is that now, with the right blend of talent, ability, and market sense, you can put your written vision into words — and not only have artistic control but also earn a higher percentage of royalties. The trick is in doing it correctly, and there are plenty of challenges along the way, from cover design to editing/proofreading to understanding the potential audience to the biggest hurdles of all — getting publicity, readers, and sales. With millions of books out there, and many more being published, how can you make yours stand out from the thundering herd?

This workshop will provide not only an overview of the process but also a step-by-step guide of what to expect (and avoid). Along with writing and overall vision of the book, it will cover editing, proofing, cover design as well as suggestions for marketing. The process of putting together a book can be complex and intimidating but with time and effort, it can be professional and appealing, even if it’s your first project. Please note: this is not a “how-to” about the mechanics of self-publishing but rather how to create the best book possible and then decide where to take it.

Turning Personal Experiences into Viable Prose. “Everything is material” or so the saying goes. But how can you turn life experiences into salable writing that readers can enjoy and relate to? This workshop will focus on using anecdotes, memories, and observations to craft salable stories as well as how to distance yourself to avoid losing perspective and to protect yourself legally as well as the privacy of others. Properly executed, personal experiences in writing can add dimension to description, characterization, dialogue, and setting and greatly increase your chances for publication.

Inventing (and Re-Inventing) Yourself as a Writer. No matter how many years you’ve been at it, writing is a continual process of discovery. Aimed at both novice and experienced writers, this workshop helps explore the many ways you can use your skills and experiences to boost your career. Participants will get a chance to evaluate their present and future aspirations, along with finding new ways to earn income as a freelancer. Versatility and risk-taking ability, along with other traits and requirements to help grow your writing career will be discussed and brainstorming and idea-sharing will help define goals.

The Art of Book Promotion. Today’s authors need to be more than good writers, they also must learn how to sell themselves and their ideas, be they fiction or nonfiction. This workshop focuses on: getting your book reviewed by newspapers and magazines, using conventions and other special interest groups as marketing opportunities, contacting and talking to people who will help spread the word about your book, snagging television and radio interviews, promoting your work over the Internet, persuading bookstores to feature your book, utilizing book signings to their maximum effect, and working with publishers to achieve the greatest exposure. Ways to suss out promotion and Internet resources will be included, along with suggestions as to organizing such efforts to fit into a regular work schedule.

Nobody Lives Forever: Where Have All the Pipe Dreamers and Flower Children Gone? (21st century edition) Originally released in 2001 by Olmstead, THE PIPE DREAMERS was republished by Hydra in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam protests which culminated in the Kent State shootings and for those who care to remember, the takeover of Rowan Hall and subsequent “Flush-in” at Miami University of Ohio.  Set mostly at Hayes University, in the small town of Hampton, Ohio, it focuses on a naiive sorority girl, Julia Brandon and the charming and seemingly carefree boy she loves, Randall “Win” Winfield, who is running from a troubled past and the inevitable draft and follows historical and personal events from the year 1969-70 until the 1990s. WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWER CHILDREN GONE? (University Press of Mississippi) examines the fate of former “flower children” and “damn hippies” through interviews, narratives, and photos.  Chapters cover the origins of the student protest movement; the conservative backlash; draft evaders, expatriates, and conscientious objectors; communes and alternative lifestyles; and more.

CONFERENCES/VENUES (partial list)*

• Allen Correctional Institution
• American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
  • Writers’ Conference (New York City)**
• Beachwood Library
• Cleveland State Writers’ Conference
• Columbus Metropolitan Library**
• Columbus Writers’ Conference**
• Chicago Public Library
• Creative Adult Program (Ohio State)**
• Featured speaker at:
  • UC Berkeley
  • Louisville Chamber of Commerce
  • Miami University
  • Ohio Library Council**
  • Ohio State University
  • Rollins College (Winter Park, FL)
  • University of Dayton
  • University of Louisville**
  • University of Florida
  • Vanderbilt College
• Erma Bombeck Conference on American Humor (Dayton)
• Granville (Ohio) Writers’ Conference (co-coordinator, 1991-98)
• Houston Writers’ Conference
• Imagination Writers’ Conference (Cleveland)
• Johnson County Writers’ Conference (Kansas City)
• Kentucky Book Fair**
• Midwest Writers’ Conference**
• Ohio Professional Writers (Columbus, Ohio)
• Open U (Minneapolis)
• Sinclair Writers’ Conference (Dayton, Ohio)
• Southern Festival of Books (Nashville)**
• Thurber House (speaker)
• Virginia Festival of the Book
• Youngstown State University Writers’ Conference**

**Denotes more than one occasion References available upon request