Tampa Book Buzz

news and notes:haase, smith, darling, mize, lynsky

• Local filmmaker and author Eric Haase recently received some well-deserved attention from the Tampa Tribune.
• Local author Joy V. Smith interviewed Nancy Fulda, creator and editor of Anthology Builder, in the June issue of Expressions.
• Local author and Tampa Writers Alliance president Michael Darling (Hoplite Renegades) is trying to build an organization that “pairs non-profits with local authors for a win-win situation. During these times of economic uncertainty, charitable organizations find it harder and harder to raise the funds they need for community programs. Local authors are often looking for effective, inexpensive methods to sell their books and get exposure. Authors can help organizations draw interest to what they are doing. Organizations can help authors obtain more exposure and sell books.” For more info on Darling’s idea, contact him at darling(at)HopliteRenegades.com (h/t JimSam, Inc.)
• Local author William Mize is recording an audiobook of his book Resurrection Angel one chapter at a time. Check it out at www.williammize.com/audiobooks.
• Author Ed Lynskey wrote to let me know that his third P.I. Frank Johnson mystery, Pelham Fell Here, is due out this month from Mundania Press. Here’s the synopsis: “MP and part-time gunsmith Frank Johnson finds his cousin Cody Chapman killed by a twelve-gauge shotgun. Enraged, Frank wants some answers, and fast. Was Cody involved in an arms smuggling scheme? The mystery grows when a pair of murderous deputy sheriffs ambush Frank. Killing them in self-defense, Frank must take it on the lam while he continues his investigation. Eventually he discovers a group of Neo-Nazis, holed up at a remote castle, who may be behind his cousin’s murder. Luckily, a couple of bounty hunter pals throw in with Frank to even up the odds.” For more info, visit www.mundania/com/books-pelhamfellhere.html.

the joy of audiobooks

This week at my Real Job (much less fun than blogging, but it pays the bills) I had to clean out a departing coworker’s office and get things ready for a new employee. This boring task was enlivened by playing Finders Keepers. I figured any personal possessions left behind were abandoned on purpose. So in addition to a jump-out-and-startle-you Halloween decoration left strategically in the middle of the desk to scare the new person, I took home Skipping Christmas by John Grisham on CD. Unabridged, of course — if it were abridged, I would have left it for the new person myself.

I’m about 3/4 of the way through it and I was already familiar with the basic plot based on previews of the movie version Christmas with the Kranks. It’s an amusing story of a couple who, because their daughter is in Peru with the Peace Corps, decide to forgo the rituals, stress and expenses of Christmas and take a cruise instead. Of course, everyone in their social circle, neighborhood and practically their whole town is shocked and angered by their decision.

I am having the most fun listening to it in my car. Part of the reason is because I’m enjoying the story, but part of the reason is because I’ve discovered how to read more in my severely time-challenged life. I drive 30 minutes to work each way, every day, which means I have five hours every week when I could be listening to a book instead of singing along to the radio or getting depressed listening to the news. Five hours! As soon as I finish blogging today, I’m going to the library’s website and checking out their audiobook selection. (Unabridged, of course. Abridged doesn’t count.)

digital audio books available at local libraries

The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that some local libraries now have digital audio books that you can download to a PC or CD.