Austin S. Camacho's Blog – March 2009 Archive (19)

Quick Tip for Writers

Budding authors would do well to remember to read their prose aloud to try to hear how a stranger might interpret their words. Remember, if a sentence can be read two ways we can count on a reader to see it the OTHER way. One way to help avoid this problem is to be very careful with the placement of subject and object, and be aware of the immediate antecedent of any modifier. For example, how would you read this sentence?



She had a boyfriend with a wooden leg, but broke it… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 31, 2009 at 11:51pm — 1 Comment

Belated Weekend Update

I almost forgot to tell you what's been happening. ;-)



It was a weekend of ups and downs but with good points throughout. The weather was awful Friday night so the St Charles Town Center was empty, which means almost no one wandered into the Borders Express there to pick up one of my books. It happens that way sometimes, but I did make more plans for the big release of Russian Roulette and thanks to my good friend Beth I did have some excellent barbecue at a Waldorf… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 31, 2009 at 12:24am — No Comments

Meet Me in MD Tomorrow

Tomorrow night I’ll do another library gig, but it’s not just about me. I’ll be at the Howard County Central Library with several other contributors to “New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers.” Between 7 pm to 8:30 pm we’ll each read a bit of our contribution to the anthology and sign copies of it afterward. And if any of you show up there wanting a signed copy of one of my novels I’ll be able to accommodate you too. The library is at 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 30, 2009 at 11:22pm — No Comments

Find me in VA this weekend!

Today I'm one of the presenters at the Chesterfield County Public Library Writers Workshop and book signing, from 10 am to 4 pm, at 9501 Lori Rd, Chesterfield VA.


Then tomorrow it's back to Borders Express, but this time it's the store in Fair Oaks Mall. I'll be there 1 pm to 4 pm, signing books. The address is 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 28, 2009 at 8:50pm — No Comments

Meet Me in MD or VA this weekend!

Tonight I return to the Borders Express in St Charles Town Center for a book signing from 5 pm to 9 pm, at 5000 Highway 301 S Waldorf, MD.



Then tomorrow I’ll be one of the presenters at the Chesterfield County Public Library Writers Workshop. If you’re a writer struggling to get your work published, or even just written, this even could be a good place to get the information and inspiration you need. Nine… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 27, 2009 at 9:08pm — No Comments

Meet Me in MD tomorrow

Tomorrow night I get to return to the Borders Express in St Charles Town Center. Aside from signing books from 5 pm to 9 pm, I'll get to firm up more details for the release party of my next novel, Russian Roulette. You can even ask me about it Friday at the mall, at 5000 Highway 301 S Waldorf, MD. If you can’t make it, you can still get my novels at my web site.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 26, 2009 at 10:17pm — No Comments

A great site for great mysteries

In this blog I like to point you to worthy additions to your personal library, and web sites that will help you find them. Today I want to focus on CrimeCritics.com.



CrimeCritics.com is a sister site to the true-crime blog DreaminDemon.com. But this site is all about reviewing fiction. Books, films, television... if it has good guys hunting down bad guys, they probably have an opinion about it. There… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 24, 2009 at 9:39pm — No Comments

Stand out in a crowd?

When I participate at writer conventions or book festivals I always want to stand out. I offer to do anything that needs doing, because that makes me memorable to the event organizers. I want to be the first writer introduced, and whenever possible I try to have the last word.



It occurred to me that my behavior at book-related events is the opposite of the way I act in any other group dynamic. Author ego aside, I never want to stand out because those who do usually become targets. I… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 23, 2009 at 9:55pm — No Comments

Fun at VA Book

I had a great time Saturday at the Virginia Festival of the Book. First, I got to hang out with lots of members of the Virginia Writers Club that I don’t see often at our hospitality room. Then there were the great panels which I always enjoy. Brad Meltzer gave what may be the best luncheon talk I’ve ever heard. And I got to renew acquaintances with several authors who are old pals.



My publisher was there too, with a big collection of Echelon Press books. And the author reception at… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 23, 2009 at 11:38am — No Comments

Meet Me Tomorrow at the Virginia Festival of the Book

I’ll spend tomorrow surrounded by friends in Charlottesville at the 15th Annual Virginia Festival of the Book. The Festival actually starts on March 18th and is five days of mostly free literary events open to the public, designed to honor book culture and promote reading and literacy. I attend Saturday for two reasons. One is the all-day Crime Wave portion of the Festival at the Omni Hotel. It features a series of panels and presentations from… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 20, 2009 at 9:19pm — No Comments

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today we all celebrate the most fun ethnic holiday. What I love most about St. Patrick’s Day is the all-embracing subtext. Consider, the list of Irish saints is past counting, but the most celebrated is St. Patrick, who was an Irishman only by adoption.



And I love the universal feeling of good will”



May your blessings outnumber

the shamrocks that grow,

and may trouble avoid you

wherever you go.



And may you be in heaven an hour before the devil… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 17, 2009 at 9:18pm — No Comments

Another Great Book

In this blog I like to point you to worthy additions to your personal library. One of the folks who wrote a blurb for Russian Roulette also writes the most fun mystery series I know of. Robert Randisi writes what might loosely be called an historical series featuring Frank, Dean, Sammy and the rest of the Rat Pack. Las Vegas in the 1960s was a dangerous place and Randisi has a great feel for the era and location. The book titles play on the titles of Rat Pack member songs, like the latest book,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 16, 2009 at 9:26pm — 2 Comments

Author Update

This week wasn't much for book signing, but I taught a writing class at Anne Arundel Community College and spent a lot of time preparing for the release of Russian Roulette in June. I have new bookmarks, and have ordered both a mailing list of mystery readers and the post cards I'll be sending. Coasters and a print ad are in the design phase. I've received blurbs for the book from some great friends. And I've mailed out about 50 pre-release review copies



Very soon I'll be inviting… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 16, 2009 at 11:39am — 2 Comments

Meet Me Tomorrow in MD

Friday evenings are often good for book signings, and I’ll try one this week. I’ll settle in at the big Borders in Waldorf, MD at 6 pm. If you’re in the area, find us at 3304-A Crain Highway.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 12, 2009 at 10:01pm — No Comments

Another Cool Review

I've received a lot of comments on my books lately, so I try to share a different one here each week. Today I'd like to mention Diane Leslie.



Diane has become a pal since we met last fall at a holiday craft event. She has read her way, one at a time, through the Hannibal Jones series and has sent me a flattering note after each book. Most recently she sent a simple e-mail that said, “I finished The Troubleshooter today - another excellent book. Riveting up the end. Once again, I wish… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 10, 2009 at 1:30am — No Comments

Women's Month and Book Signing

March is Women’s History Month and one has to wonder why half the race gets its history sorted out separately. To be fair, the history of just men seems equally odd to me.



But for inspiration, there is no better source than some of the ladies who have seen challenging times. Often, when I stand in front of an audience to speak I take a deep breath and recall the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman who understood the secret of overcoming your fears:



“You gain strength,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 8, 2009 at 10:22pm — No Comments

Meet Me in VA or MD

Tonight I present a talk to the Northern Virginia Writers after their 6 pm dinner at the Lightfoot Restaurant, 11 North King St., Leesburg, VA. It’s not too late to join us.



I’ll spend tomorrow at Carroll Community College at the annual Random House Book Fair. I’ll be joined by a slew of local and national authors who will give talks and signings all… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 6, 2009 at 10:52pm — No Comments

Meet Me in VA Tomorrow

Friday night I present a talk to the Northern Virginia Writers. On the first Friday of each month they hold a dinner event for local authors. This month I get to be their featured speaker. I have prepared a talk called “Hooks and Books” that explores how writers can get readers hooked on their stories and then how to get readers to buy our books. Dinner starts at 6 pm at the Lightfoot Restaurant, 11 North King St., Leesburg, VA.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 5, 2009 at 10:54pm — No Comments

A Great weekend!!

It was a cold, wet, ugly weekend but I still had a great time at the South Carolina Book Festival. For two days the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center was alive with local, regional, and national book dealers, antiquarians, publishers, authors and book lovers. Aside from meeting a number of great people I signed a good number of my novels for new fans.



The biggest reason I had so much fun was that I was hanging with my fellow authors from Echelon Press the whole time. I could… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on March 5, 2009 at 1:56am — No Comments

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