My name is Lisa Tortorello. I'm the author of Mark the Missing Moose.
I have been a teacher for the past 24 years and in the last 4 years I have added author to my resume. This is my third published book. I will soon be married 25 years to my husband and best friend, Charlie. We live in Chicago with our massive stuffed animal moose collection.
Have you written other books? If so, what are the titles?
My first published book is My Hero, My Ding a memoir about my grandfather and me. It's best summed up as two ordinary people with an extraordinary relationship. My second book is a children's Christmas story titled The Moose at the Manger. It is a new twist on a story of old while keeping Christ in Christmas.
Where do you get your ideas from?
My ideas come from different sources. For this book, Mark the Missing Moose, a parent of a former student actually inspired me. Sandi found me using Social Media and learned that I am now an author. She said I was a wonderful influence on her daughter and asked about me possibly writing a children's book as an answer to her own family's tragedy. Her stepson took his own life and Sandi wanted young children to learn at an early age that opening up and communicating their thoughts and feeling are an essential part of growing up. While my book is not about suicide, it is about a young boy losing his best friend and finding out that opening up and letting others in really does help him.
Do you prefer to read eBooks, paperback, or hardback?
This is a tough question. I love all books for different reasons. I love hardback books because they look so nice on bookshelves. I love the feel of paperback books when reading, but I do find I read much more with eBooks because it is so convenient. I even read while I walk on my treadmill now.
How important are book covers in the buying process?
As a reader, I think book covers are very important. It's a first chance for a perspective buyer to "see" into a story. I think if a cover doesn't grab a person's attention, they may just pass by the book and move on to one that does.
How do you market your book?
I still find marketing to be the hardest part of being an author. I'd love some suggestions from people who have had marketing success!
Do you use social media? If so, what is you favorite site?
I reluctantly started to use social media when my first book was published. Actually, you can say I went into it kicking and screaming. Now I am on Facebook and Twitter and I am trying to learn my way around Google Plus. I find Facebook to be the most beneficial site right now as far as making connections.
What's your favorite quote?
Many quotes come to mind, but one of my favorites from Mark Twain is "The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read."
Do you pray over your books?
I definitely prayed for guidance while writing Mark the Missing Moose to get the right message out to children.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to hang out with my husband, Charlie. Whether we are singing and playing guitars, watching television, or on the lookout for a new moose to add to our collection, we are always having fun.
Do you write a blog? If so, where can we find it at?
I have two blogs. One I write, and one the moose write. They are a very talented bunch. The blog links are http://lisatortorello.blogspot.com/ and http://musethemoose.blogspot.com/
Where can readers find your books?
Right now I'm having a Goodreads Giveaway for Mark the Missing Moose. It's free and easy to enter.
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/67039-mark-the-missing-moose
Readers can find all of my books at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Tate Publishing. The links are on my websites.
http://lisatortorello.tateauthor.com/
http://mooseatthemanger.tateauthor.com/
http://markthemoose.tateauthor.com (The finishing touches are being put on this website and should be available soon.)
People can also get autographed copies directly from me by going to my website.