Austin S. Camacho's Blog (997)

The Future is Now!

Recently I’ve spoken with a lot of writers who are troubled about the publishing business. Amazon.com has changed its policies, making it harder for self-published writers to sell there. Some publishers are talking about ending the return policy that allows bookstores to send unsold books back for full credit. After buying bookstore chain Waldenbooks, giant bookstore chain Borders may be bought by super-giant bookstore chain Barnes and Noble.



It all reminds me of a Steely Dan song… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 21, 2008 at 10:22pm — No Comments

The NLAPW Rocks

Just wanted you to know that despite getting lost in DC I managed to have a wonderful time at the National League of American Pen Women meeting. Aside from speaking to a very interested and educated group of writers, I got to present in the historic Pen Arts Building, a red brick mid-town mansion dating back to 1887. Designed for an opera star descendant of President John Adams, it was leased to Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln, in 1910. I thank the ladies for a joyous… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 21, 2008 at 9:53am — No Comments

Meet Me in DC Tomorrow!

Tomorrow I have the rare privilege of addressing the Washington DC branch of the National League of American Pen Women. The League members are women who have demonstrated creative talents in art, letters, and music composition. There are Pen Women branches throughout the U.S., in addition to state associations of affiliated branches in some places.



We'll meet at 1 pm in the historic Pen Arts… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 11, 2008 at 10:02pm — No Comments

Find New Writers on This Blog

I often like to point you to cool web sites, great books, or places where you can learn about worthy additions to your library. Today I want to share the blog of author CJ Barrimond. She calls it "Better Said Now Than Never Said At All." Her thought-provoking book by the same name is an accumulation of her perceptions and feelings on a dozen different important subjects. She maintains a blog on Amazon.com and her most recent entry… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 9, 2008 at 11:49pm — No Comments

Musical philosophy

Did I mention last time that I've been taking philosophy lessons from popular music? As it turns out I have a lot in common with Meatloaf. As he mentions in one of his tunes, I like my music like I like my life - everything louder than everything else. And a wasted youth IS better than a wise and productive old age.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 8, 2008 at 10:55pm — No Comments

The Latest

The Borders Books at the Dulles Town Center is starting to feel like home. I had a fine signing there and as I was packing up they were ordering more books and signed me up to return next month. It is a joy to have the support of a local bookstore and if any of you lives anywhere near the place, make a point of stopping in and checking out the "local author" section.



The other great news this week was a new review. This one was from Cathleen Mitchell, a fellow northern Virginia… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 7, 2008 at 10:27pm — No Comments

Meet me in Virginia!

Tomorrow I'll return to Borders Books at Dulles Town Center for another afternoon of book signing fun. Manager Leigh invites me back frequently and each time people who bought one of my books at an earlier signing return to pick up the next one. Great people make a great store and this one's pretty high on my list.

If you're anywhere near 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Dulles VA Saturday, stop by between noon and 4 pm and say hi.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 4, 2008 at 10:52pm — No Comments

Loving a nice review

I always like to share good reviews. This week I'd like to introduce you to Teresa Gilbert.



Teresa, or Tere' to her friends, met me at a book signing in the Borders in Frederick, Maryland. When she picked up a copy of Collateral Damage I asked her, as I often do, if she would send me an e-mail to let me know what she thought of it after she read it.



Well she did write, to tell me she found my book addicting. It's always flattering when a reader says they had a hard time… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 2, 2008 at 11:27pm — 2 Comments

View the Tube

They told me the place to be if you're in video is YouTube. So, I got some talented friends to come over with video equipment and a microphone and cut what could be the most shameless bit of self promotion anyone has ever created. Still, if you'd like to see and hear me personally explain why you need to read my novel Blood and Bone, but can't make it to one of my signings, this is the best way. View my video and add yourself to the 1261… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 1, 2008 at 9:41pm — No Comments

The Wisdom of Aerosmith

I've been running a sort of trivia game on my daily joke page in which I defy my readers to tell me the source of various song lyrics. In the process of wandering through my music collection for inspiration I realized how positive most rock and roll is. For example, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith prompts us to try something new once in a while, especially if life is disappointing. In his song, "Get a Grip" he makes the reason clear - "If you do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 1, 2008 at 4:42am — 1 Comment

Back from VA Book

Both a flat tire and horrendous traffic tried to keep me away from the Virginia Festival of the Book this weekend. They did manage to make me miss Friday evening’s author’s soiree, but Saturday was such a good time I almost forgot about it. David Ignatius gave a superb luncheon presentation, I saw some great writers on panels and chatted up a few more on the floor. Of course the highpoint was the panel on which I sat with old pals Libby Hellmann and Andy Straka, and new friends Frank Muir and… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 31, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Meet Great Authors at the Virginia Festival of the Book

This is the week of the 14th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book! Starting Wednesday, Charlottesville, Virginia comes alive with five days of mostly free literary events that are open to the public as the whole city honors book culture and promotes reading and literacy. This year's headliners are Mike Farrell and Walter Mosley, but be assured there is something for everyone. They'll have children's events, science fiction, romance, history, graphic novels - if people read it, it will be… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 28, 2008 at 9:25pm — No Comments

Find Great Reading Under the Covers

I like to point you to good reads, or a source you can use to add them to your home library. One such source is a great blog called "Reading Under the Covers." The blog offers insightful commentary on writing and publishing from Bella Stander, a freelance writer who conducts book promotion workshops and is both a program organizer and moderator for the aforementioned Virginia Festival of the Book. In fact, she mentioned me and the panel… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 26, 2008 at 2:34am — No Comments

Author's Update

It's been a pretty pleasant couple of weeks from this writer's standpoint. First, I met with the Chantilly Writers Group at their regular meeting and took part in a lively discussion about getting published and marketing books once you are. The folks present were both receptive and enthusiastic. It was a great time and I think I made some new friends.



Then I had a very successful book signing at the Borders in Sterling, VA. I had all four of my mysteries present, and the readers in… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 24, 2008 at 9:06pm — No Comments

A nice review

When readers review my books I like to share the news. Today I'd like to introduce you to Ann Simon.



I met Ann at a writer's event last month in Washington DC. She was struggling to find chunks of time to write. I suggested that instead she commit to doing some writing every day. She later e-mailed me to confirm that not only was she able to find time to write two pages every day, but that she felt energized because she could see she was making progress.



She also made time… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 16, 2008 at 8:14pm — No Comments

MEET ME IN MARYLAND TOMORROW!

Yes, today I'm signing my novels at the Borders in Sterling, VA from 11 am to 3 pm. BUT, not to short-change my friends in Maryland, I'll spend tomorrow at The Hard Bean Coffee & Booksellers. This will be a nice reunion, because the Hard Bean was one of the very first bookstores to welcome me for a signing. In addition to great books, you can also get a great cup of coffee if you stop in at 36 Market Space, Annapolis, MD. I'll be there signing from… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 15, 2008 at 11:39pm — No Comments

Shameless Self Promotion

I don't do this very often but, okay, here it is. My publisher is having a contest among us authors. The winner will be whoever sells the most on Amazon.com between now and the end of March. SO if you're the holdout who hasn't ordered their copy of Blood and Bone yet, now's the time.



In BLOOD AND BONE, an 18 year-old boy lies dying of… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 14, 2008 at 7:58pm — No Comments

Fictional Blog

I love that people read my blog, but did you know that my fictional detective Hannibal Jones also blogs? At least he did for a couple of years. He isn't posting now, but the archives are still in full view on line. Aside from offering his opinion on various subjects, I posted several vignettes displaying how Hannibal mentored Monte, his pre-teen neighbor. I also posted a number of short stories (under 1200 words) in the process of learning how to write flash fiction mysteries. Hungry for… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 12, 2008 at 9:29pm — No Comments

More choices, please!

One major party has made its choice and before long one candidate will emerge as the selection for the other. After scanning the field, I'd kind of like to have more options. How come we have to choose from just two people to run for president? We get 50 options for Miss America, and that's a lot more fun.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 11, 2008 at 10:16pm — No Comments

Writer's Life Update

Since my last newsletter I made a pleasant return visit to Waldenbooks in Manassas Mall, and had a good first time at the Borders in Frederick, Maryland. Both stores featured my mysteries and I made lots of new friends while signing books.



But the big news this week is that I was invited to join eight other authors who contribute to an exciting and varied web log. As its name implies, "Criminal Minds at Work" gives readers a chance to step into the minds of a group of talented,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 10, 2008 at 10:05pm — No Comments

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