Austin S. Camacho's Blog (997)

Meet Me This Weekend

I already told you that today I'll give a presentation - to the Eastern Shore Writers Association - at 11 am at the Waterview Grill in the Easton Club, 28449 Clubhouse Rd., Easton, MD.

BUT I won't slight my Virginia fans this weekend. Sunday I'll return to the Borders Express at Dulles Town Center for a book signing from noon to 4 pm. So if the Eastern Shore of Maryland is too far away, catch me at this store at 21100 Dulles… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 13, 2008 at 9:57pm — No Comments

My Presentation in MD

Tomorrow I get to meet with some old friends on the other side of the Chesapeake. The Eastern Shore Writers Association - (ESWA) invited me to be their speaker at this month’s meeting. The ESWA exists to support those who write or enjoy writing. As such, they are a very diverse group of poets, novelists, writers of stories, essays, articles, and memoirs, plus a few editors and small publishers. Each year this same team of creative… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 12, 2008 at 9:41pm — No Comments

Another Favorite Author

Apologies to Stephanie Plum but I don’t usually like my mysteries with a lot of humor in them. That having been said, I do make exceptions for the local talent, especially when they’re gifted writers. For both those reasons I CAN recommend that you add the novels of Northern Virginia author Donna Andrews to your personal library. Donna’s Meg Langslow series manages to be consistently hilarious despite the fact that each book is a solid traditional mystery. And you gotta love the titles: nine… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 9, 2008 at 10:25pm — No Comments

Pilots Say What They Mean

I overheard a conversation recently between an airline pilot and a passenger. The pilot was trying to reassure the nervous passenger that he was in no danger flying in a commercial airliner.

“How can you say that?” the passenger asked. “I just read that there were 136 crashes just last year, resulting in 965 deaths.”

“That just proves it,” the pilot said with a smirk. “Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous.”

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 8, 2008 at 10:41pm — No Comments

Book Signing Opposites

It was a weekend of opposite book signing experiences. Friday I did a rare evening signing - in lovely weather - at an urban store - a Borders - in MD. They were able to get all my titles EXCEPT Blood and Bone.

Saturday I did an afternoon signing - during a torrential downpour - in a mall store - a Books-A-Million - in VA.… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 8, 2008 at 7:08am — No Comments

Meet Me in MD or VA

I've already told you that tonight at 5 pm I have a book signing at the Borders at 8518 Fenton St., Silver Spring, MD. TOMORROW I'll be at the shopping capitol of the Mid-Atlantic, Potomac Mills. Books-A-Million is the site of that book signing, starting at noon. The address is 2700 Potomac Mills Cir, Woodbridge VA.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 5, 2008 at 10:08pm — No Comments

On the Road to MD

Tomorrow I'll head to Silver Spring, MD for a book signing after work. Those of you who can never get away on the weekend can find me at Borders Books from 5 pm to at least 7 pm If you don't know Silver Spring well, just Mapquest your way to 8518 Fenton Street.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 4, 2008 at 10:38pm — No Comments

Getting Ready for Next Month's Convention

On line you’ll see that the panels have been announced for Bouchercon, the biggest mystery convention of the year. All of the panels are named for song titles, and I’ll have great fun with “THE RIDDLE” (Nik Kershaw tune, in case you’re not a music freak like me.) It will be all about challenging the reader, and our moderator is my good friend Diane Marquette. Check out all the Bouchercon panels.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 3, 2008 at 10:32pm — No Comments

A Book You Should Own

I like to introduce worthy additions to your library. Usually I aim for mystery or detective fiction, books you’d likely enjoy if you like the Hannibal Jones mysteries. But today I have some nonfiction that deserves a space on your shelves.

If you like Hannibal as a character, you’ll want to own African American Mystery Writers: A… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 2, 2008 at 11:09pm — No Comments

Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day is here, and not only am I not working - I’m not writing! I’ve come to believe the words of Elbert Hubbard who said that the man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on.

Besides, I hope that my mind will be like the fertile field that, after it has been rested, gives a more bountiful crop.

Happy Labor… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on September 2, 2008 at 12:24am — No Comments

Thoughts on Labor Day

In thinking of the upcoming holiday weekend I found this marvelous quote from a guy named Douglas Pagels. He said that sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.

But here's a more objective, scientific view. If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end... well, it would probably… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 28, 2008 at 10:37pm — 2 Comments

Demand ME!

I want to point out the latest addition to my web site. It's the Eventful box just under the navigation buttons. This is an opportunity to "Demand" me in your area - and you can ONLY demand me in the town your computer is in. Trust me, if I get 10 requests in any given city I'm lining up a signing there. I'm already making plans to sign at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego. Just need a couple more demands...

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 26, 2008 at 9:23pm — No Comments

Author Update and the Spunky Blogger!

It was old home weekend for me. It started with a book signing at the Borders Express in Springfield Mall. That was even more fun than usual because of the second author signing - Lisa Hampton-Qualls, who wrote a very positive book entitled "G*STYLE - Developing a Passion for God’s Fashion." Lisa proved to be as positive and inspiring as her book.

Then I moved to the Borders Express in Dulles Town Center. This was a very successful event and I began to see the tide of tastes turning,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 25, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Book Signing This Weekend

I already told you that today I'll sign books at the Borders Express in Springfield Mall in Springfield, VA from 11 am to 4 pm.

Tomorrow I'll visit the Borders Express in Dulles Town Center Mall. Kelley and Leigh have become great friends and it will be a joy to return to their space from noon to 4 pm. Their store is at 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Dulles VA. One way or another, you should stop at a mall and say hi this weekend.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 23, 2008 at 11:15pm — No Comments

Meet Me in Virginia This Weekend

This weekend I'll be hanging at the Mall with some of my best Border-line friends. What I mean is, I'll spend time at the two bookstores that have given me the most support since I was first published.

Tomorrow I'll sign books at the Borders Express in Springfield Mall. Dan and Ilke are almost like family, and I will be pleased to sign at their store from 11 am to 4 pm. The store is at 6725 Springfield Mall, Springfield, VA.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 22, 2008 at 10:34pm — No Comments

Another Cool review

I like to feature interesting web sites in this space, even when the site is my own. I always feature the feedback and reviews I receive on my web site, and today I’d like to introduce Eugene Booker.

I met Eugene during my most recent book signing at Washington Dulles International Airport. That was on July 25th, and he e-mailed comments to me just four days later. In his e-mail he described himself as “the Black/Filipino guy with glasses” but what I remember most was how… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 20, 2008 at 10:46pm — No Comments

Political Overload

I get irritated and a little depressed by the amount of political rhetoric being thrown around in the mass media - and we haven't even had the conventions yet. Until then, these two guys are only the SELF-declared choices of the two major parties.

I was starting to wonder if the whole electoral brouhaha is even worth the trouble. Then a buddy reminded me that politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly... and for the same reason.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 19, 2008 at 10:00pm — 1 Comment

The Latest

I want to thank everyone who attended this month’s meeting of the Maryland Writers Association. You made me feel at home, and I did feel as though some folks benefited from my little talk on marketing novels.

And I must declare my cross town experiment a success. My signing at the Borders Express in St Charles Town Center Saturday evening went well. I wondered if it would impact Sunday’s event at the larger Borders Books and Music the next day about a mile away. Since I sold out at… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 18, 2008 at 10:13pm — No Comments

Weekend in Waldorf

Yesterday I told you I'll be at the Borders Express in St Charles Town Center in Waldorf, MD today. If you miss me there it's okay, because tomorrow I'll be down the block at the larger Borders Books and Music at 3304-A Crain Highway. The signing there is from noon to 4 pm!

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 16, 2008 at 10:03pm — No Comments