The Future of Audio Books

I happened upon a new gizmo in the Covington Library (Washington State) that I wanted to share with you.  It's called PLAYAWAY and is the up-and-coming method to provide library patrons with audio books.  The days of scratched compact disks that burble through the audio mid-way-through are, apparently, over. 

It's also a great way to relax, while getting through some of the drier, classical material that we've all been meaning to read, but haven't quite got around to reading.  I checked out "Common Sense" by Paine and "The Odyssey" by Homer.

Caption Prompt

What can you make of this picture? 

Another C.C. Humphrey's You Tube

Here, author C.C. Humphreys describes his writing process and how it's informed by his experience as an actor.

C.C. Humphreys

C.C. Humphrey's Vlad Video

This was the keynote speaker at the PNWA writer's conference I attended.  Here, he discusses his latest book, "VLAD." 

Vlad Video

The End of Border's Booksellers

I made my final few purchases at what was once my favorite bookstore--Borders, Southcenter.  After receiving the goodbye message from the company's president earlier this month, I wanted to walk the plush carpet of the store, before the parasitic liquidators sell that, too.  It was tough looking at the faces of booksellers I've come to know over the past few years, knowing that they would be joining the ranks of the unemployed, or, more likely, underemployed.  Why, even the fixtures are available for a price.  The comic-book styled light fixtures were available for $500.00 per unit, with a small deposit due up front.  They don't tell you whether or not you have to shimmy up there on your own ladder to pluck it from the ceiling, or if they get it for you.

Where the cafe once stood, and where I sat in comfy leather chairs slurping down countless soy-quad-mochas- is now a mini-mart of coffee and espresso paraphernalia.  You can purchase industrial vats of chocolate, coffee pump-pots, mixing implements, and yes, those comfy brown leather chairs are available. 

To my friends at Borders, Tukwila:  Good luck to you and thanks for all your years of excellent customer service and great selection.   You will be missed. 

The First Writer Conference

I was fortunate earlier this month when I was able to attend the "Storytelling" conference put on by Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA).  Various classes were scheduled, from how to create a fantasy world to marketing your own writing.  The cost of attendance (less than $400) included all conference activities, classes, two dinners and free Mai Ti's.  Lest you think all the writers in attendance were liquored up, the free drinks came with the Hawaii themed dinner we had one evening.   The rest of the time, we were largely dry. 

I met some amazing fellow writers and we all basked in a sense of community.  Awards were given out as part of the annual literary contest (various categories) and the winners were given the podium to read from their winning entries.  Some of the writing was amazing.  One woman (mystery category) wrote about an older woman who discovers a dead body in her yard.  The writing was fantastic and more than warranted the first place position it was given.  I'm looking forward to seeing this writer published in the not-too-distant future.  Personally, I wanted to hear more and was disappointed that she was limited to such a short time to present. 

C.C. Humphreys  presented, reading from his new book Vlad and reciting the St. Crispen's  Day Speech from Shakespeare's Henry the V.  What an amazing presenter.  His speech focused on the craft of voice and was also motivational in nature.  His book Vlad, which he happily signed for me, is next on my cue to read.  It's promising to be a great piece of historical fiction centering around Vlad the Impailor.  Most folks know him by this particular moniker:  Dracula. 

We also heard from resident Author Robert Dugoni who hosted several panel discussions and also discussed the mechanics of writing.  As always, Mr. Dugoni was entertaining, on-the-mark and informative.  His books aren't half-bad, either. 

The keynote speaker, Steve Berry  gave us all the inspiration to do more than just consider writing.  He discussed his "overnight" success as an author, while detailing his personal road to publication.  He also took part in the agents' forum and provided some insight into working with agents.  

I'm really glad that I went to the conference. I learned quite a bit and found the motivation to start submitting work, regardless of potential for rejection.  One of the speakers brought it home with this statistic:  90% of prospective authors who are asked by agents to present their work for consideration, never do.