Fogle Author Sarah Gormley to Discuss Memoir
What happens when a marketing executive leaves San Francisco to care for her dying mother on their family farm in Ohio?
For Sarah Gormley, it meant a total transformation that she detailed in her first book, “The Order of Things: A Memoir About Chasing Joy.”
Gormley, an art gallery owner who lives in Columbus, will discuss her book as part of the 2025 Fogle Author Series at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Rodman Public Library. During Gormley’s visit, Alliance High School media arts teacher Chelsea Shar will interview the author about her book, which will be available for sale. The author will greet readers and sign them following the program.
Registration is required to attend the visit.
Gormley spent most of her life trying to outrun the persistent self-loathing that plagued her from childhood, convinced that self-worth was something she had to earn by doing rather than being.
After earning a degree from DePauw University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Gormley directed marketing efforts for global brands, including IMAX, Martha Stewart, Girl Scouts of the USA and Adobe.
When she returned to Salt Creek Farm at 45 after a successful career in corporate America, she had no idea that detaching from the success she believed defined her, untangling the complicated relationship with her mother, and continuing the hard work of therapy would lead to a wildly transformed life.
Told with exceptional candor and humor, “The Order of Things”is a story about how one woman learned to let go of the patterns of her past to create a future she never imagined.
In her new life, Gormley opened an art gallery called Sarah Gormley Gallery in 2019 in Columbus. The gallery represents more than 30 contemporary artists and operates from the belief that original art can be a source of joy for everyone.
Ahead of her visit to RPL, Gormley answered some questions about her work via email. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: Your early career was spent in marketing. While you were working in corporate America, did you have aspirations of being a published author?
A: I grew up loving literature and poetry and think there was always a not-so-secret desire to write a book one day, but I didn’t ever think I had something interesting enough to write about. I now recognize that’s nonsense, because a great writer can make watching the grass grow fascinating. I don’t necessarily think I’m a great writer (YET), but I’m super proud of my first book.
Q: Do you have any favorite books or authors?
A: How much time do we have? Here’s a sampling – old and new titles:
“All the King’s Men,” by Robert Penn Warren
“The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“As I Lay Dying,” by William Faulkner
“The Chronology of Water,” by Lidia Yuknavitch
“Group,” by Christie Tate
“A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,” by Dave Eggers
“The Tender Bar,” by J.R. Moehringer
“How We Fight for Our Lives,” by Saeed Jones
“You Could Make This Place Beautiful,” by Maggie Smith
Q: What inspired you to write your memoir?
A: Most memoirists are trying to answer a question about their own lives, and I was trying to figure out how my life changed in fairly radical ways in what seemed like a short amount of time. I wanted to share with readers this idea of how we look back at our own lives and construct – and in some cases, reconstruct – the story. I also really wanted to show readers that real change is possible – that it’s possible to navigate your life toward joy.
Q: Did you find the writing easy or difficult? Can you talk about your writing process?
A: The writing was fabulous – not easy per se, but joyful, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment with every chapter. The editing was BRUTAL. I think I was too attached to the first draft and it took me twice as long to edit the manuscript into what became the book as it took to write the first full draft. I’m working on a new project and hope it’s a little more … efficient.
Q: What do you hope people take away after reading your book?
A: On one hand, “The Order of Things” is an entertaining story about a woman coming home to the family farm after years as a corporate executive on the coasts. But the real story, the more meaningful one, is the emotional journey and how therapy helped me let go of destructive patterns from my past. I want people to enjoy the writing, of course, but for readers who might be struggling in their own ways, I want the book to be one that is hopeful. I want the book to be a reminder that real change is possible.
Q: What can people expect from you during your visit to RPL?
A: I’ll do my best to be as honest as possible and answer whatever questions they have. I will admit I always end up crying at events when certain questions come up, so apologies in advance. Pass the Kleenex.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Ohio author to discuss life journey at Rodman talk
Reporting by Alliance Review / The Alliance Review
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