Gloria Norris
Author of KooKooLand
Gloria Norris’s heartbreaking and hilarious memoir, KooKooLand….
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Full Bio
Gloria Norris’s heartbreaking and hilarious memoir, KooKooLand, was named a best book of the year by NPR. Young Gloria—described by famed author Wally Lamb as part Scout Finch, part Huck Finn—grew up in a ramshackle housing project in Manchester, New Hampshire. Her unconventional childhood was spent accompanying her Greek father to barrooms, racetracks and rendezvous with petty criminals. She learned how to fire a gun by shooting rats at the dump. All the while Gloria tried to make sense of the racism, anti-Semitism and misogyny that was all around her. Gloria’s captivating story, told with no-holds-barred honesty, provides a blueprint for transcending not only economic hardship but ideological hardship as well. With grit and grace, Gloria forged her own identity, becoming the first in her family to attend college. She received a scholarship to Bennington College—at the time the most expensive school in the country—and graduated from Sarah Lawrence with a degree in film and creative writing.
Gloria’s first job was co-writing a screenplay for acclaimed filmmaker Brian De Palma, director of such films as Scarface and Mission Impossible. She subsequently worked as an assistant to director Martin Scorsese on Raging Bull, starring Robert De Niro in his Academy Award-winning performance. She also worked as Woody Allen’s assistant on Stardust Memories, A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy and Zelig. Woody Allen’s producers optioned Gloria’s screenplay The Uncle Bob Show and brought her out to Los Angeles to develop it. Since relocating to California, she has worked as a screenwriter and script doctor for most of the major studios, with assignments that have taken her from Paris to the Amazon. She produced the indie comedy, Easy, which screened at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and on Showtime, and co-wrote and produced The Moment, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. She is currently developing KooKooLand as a limited television series.
Some of the issues Gloria has spoken passionately about include domestic violence, mental health issues, the prescription drug epidemic, white working class despair, and the salvation that education provides for kids like her. Oprah’s magazine called KooKooLand ‘electrifying,’ and the very same can be said of Gloria’s extraordinary talks.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Welcome to KooKooLand: My Unlikely Journey from a Housing Project to Hollywood
Not My Father’s Daughter: Rejecting the Racism & Anti-Semitism of My KooKooLand Childhood
No Good Choice: The Truth About Domestic Violence Shown in KooKooLand
Trigger Warning: The Intersection of Gun Violence & Mental Health in KooKooLand
Videos
Gloria Norris on the Sustainability of Community Journalism
Kookooland Author Gloria Norris addresses InDepthNH.org event
Books
News
Testimonials
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