Waldameer family member writes series of children's mystery books set at park

David Gorman worked 10 summers at Waldameer Park & Water World, putting wristbands on guests, serving food at picnics, spending time in the office.

"I was always afraid of doing the rides," he admitted.

He now lives in Richmond, Virginia, and works as a school counselor but he hasn't left Waldameer behind completely. Gorman recently published his sixth children's mystery book set at the Erie County amusement park that is owned and operated by his family. He is the grandson of Paul Nelson, the park's longtime owner who died in 2023, and the son of Nelson's daughter Nancy Gorman and her husband Steve Gorman, president of Waldameer.

"Nancy and I are very honored and proud of his accomplishment of publishing books," Steve Gorman said. "Involving Waldameer as a setting makes us even more happy."

David Gorman said he wrote the first book in the "Waldameer Mystery Files" in 2014. Titled "The Long-Lost Locket," the book's main characters are 12-year-old Seth, his 10-year-old sister Julia and their friends, 10-year-old Tyren and 11-year-old Ahn, who moved to Erie from Vietnam. Other characters include Mr. Allegro, whose family is originally from Italy, and Orlando, a librarian who speaks Spanish.

In book two, "The Sneaky Sabotage," Seth, Julia and Tyren are joined by Semira, an 11-year-old who recently moved to Erie from Ethiopia. Book three, "The Curious Clues," features Seth, Julia, Semira and Bek, a 12-year-old born in Uzbekistan. Seth and Julia's mom works in the Fudge House at Waldameer and also teaches English to immigrants and refugees, which is how Seth and Julia meet many of their friends.

David Gorman drew on his own experience working with people from and in other countries. A graduate of Fairview High School and an English major at Bucknell University, he taught English in Vietnam for a year. He also taught adults at the Multicultural Community Resource Center in Erie. He said it's why he includes diverse characters, including immigrants, in his books and on their covers.

From September: Waldameer is closed for the season. What's next for the Millcreek Township amusement park?

After writing the first book, he moved to Richmond and spent a year in the Episcopal Service Corps. He also received a graduate degree in school counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.

David Gorman said he always loved learning, education and being a mentor to kids.

"So school counselor was a natural fit for me," he said.

Single and 32, he doesn't have children of his own but currently works with 375 eighth-graders during his sixth year as a school counselor.

His books are geared to a slightly younger audience, ages 8 to 12, but are enjoyable even for adults.

Summer, spring break and weekends are when he does his writing.

"It brings joy to me, it brings meaning to me, it's a passion of mine," David Gorman said.

While his career choice has taken him away from Waldameer, he said the books tie him to the family business.

"Now I am an entrepreneur with my books so one of my jobs is business-oriented," he said.

It was his mother who suggested he write books set in the park he knows so well.

"It was a great idea because Waldameer is such a fun setting for kids to have adventures and it's very special to me," David Gorman said.

The ideas behind the books vary.

"Sometimes I will start with a ride," David Gorman said. "I have to think what kind of mystery will happen with this ride."

An illustration of the Whacky Shack, which he called his favorite Waldameer ride, is shown on the cover of "The Sneaky Sabotage" with Semira, Tyren, Seth and Julia.

"The beauty of self-publishing is I'm in charge of everything," David Gorman said. He added that he doesn't draw the covers but decides what is on them.

The front of book four, "The Arcade Absurdity," shows the thrill ride Mega Vortex and Julia, Seth, Omar, who is visiting Erie from Egypt, and Anh.

Book five, "The Water Park Wonder," has a cover with Seth, Julia, Tyren and Gabriela, from Argentina, in the Endless River at Water World.

The new book

Book six in the "Waldameer Mystery Files" came out in March. "The Jumbled Jewels" features the Cookie House on the cover and the four main characters are just the girls this time.

David Gorman said the idea came from a reader he met at a 2022 book signing at Tia Book Cellar in North East. He asked 10-year-old Alivia Artise if she had any ideas for a future book.

"She suggested an all-girls mystery," David Gorman said.

He ran with Alivia's idea.

“The girl detectives must find stolen million-dollar jewels hidden in Waldameer’s concession stands and outwit the thieves who are out to get them. It’s an exciting story, and I think readers will connect to the themes of believing in yourself and stepping up as a leader,” David Gorman said in a news release.

Alivia said in the news release that she was looking forward to reading the new book and seeing "what trouble the kids get themselves out of this time."

David Gorman was visiting Erie in early April and planned to present Alivia with a signed copy of the new book at Tia Book Cellar.

“Waldameer is such an important part of who I am, but it’s also an important part of Erie. I love that I can give kids a book that celebrates their hometown,” he said in the release. “Writing a book inspired by a reader’s idea has been the cherry on top.”

Meeting readers

Book signings aren't the only setting in which David Gorman likes to meet his readers.

"My favorite part about being an author is visiting schools," he said.

In April, he spoke to students in grades two through five at Corry Area schools. It's a grade range he targets and said when he was that age, reading was magical and he wants other children to start then and grow to be lifelong readers.

David Gorman said he tries to inspire children to read and to pursue their dreams.

He also offers a little help for teachers who want to use his books. At the back of each is a "Discussion & Activity Guide."

A guide question in book one states: "Anh was born in Vietnam and mentions that desserts aren't as sugary in Vietnam as they are in the United States. What else might be different about a foreign country?"

An activity in "The Long-Lost Locket" encourages readers to "find Vietnam on a map or globe."

From 2023: Paul Nelson, who made his Waldameer Park & Water World an Erie treasure, dies at 89

What's next

While David Gorman has only written Waldameer books so far, he plans to start brainstorming ideas for more series in the future.

He said he's sold more than 6,000 copies of the "Waldameer Mystery Files" books.

For those hoping that series won't end, he shared that he's already written book seven although he wasn't ready to tell what it's about. He expects it to be published in 2025.

"There will be a new character and there's another great adventure at Waldameer," he said.

Where can I buy the Waldameer books?

David Gorman said his books can be purchased at Waldameer or from his website, www.davidwritesbooks.com, where they were $12.99 each, with discounts offered when purchasing multiple books in the series.

He said the books were also available at Erie-area stores and gift shops including Tia Book Cellar, Werner Books, Hagen History Center, E. Lane Boutique, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Pressed Books & Coffee and the Experience Children's Museum.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Waldameer Park & Water World featured in children's mystery book series