Tampa Book Buzz

news and notes:neal, cheatham, odom

• The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 by Julie and Mike Neal was recently selected as the Grand Prize Travel Guidebook in the National Indie Excellence 2008 Awards. “The program is dedicated to “celebrating and promoting the outstanding work of independent publishers and authors.” The winners will be announced in the national media and at BookExpo later this month.”
• The first edition of local author Jim Cheatham’s Just One More has sold out. JimSam, Inc. has recently received the shipment of the second printing and Cheatham’s book is available again through the publisher and bookstores.
• Local author Ersula Knox Odom’s book At Sula’s Feet has also gone into its second printing. Odom has also started a blog “dedicated to collecting information about places, things, actions taken and deeds done in honor of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.”

upcoming book signing for walt disney world guide authors julie and mike neal

Julie and Mike Neal, authors of The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008, will be signing their new book this Friday, March 7, from 7:30-9 p.m. at Reading Trout Books in Celebration, 110 Front Street, just to the left of the AMC movie theater.

In addition to signing books, the Neals will discuss “what it was like to visit Walt Disney World over 700 times in the five years it took to write this guidebook, focusing in particular on what it was like to work with Disney cast members.” Julie said that “Talking with employees at the parks, resorts and restaurants gave us much of the depth and detail we used in the book.”

The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 is an updated and expanded version of last year’s first edition, which became one of the top-selling Disney guidebooks in the country. The new book is fully updated with all the latest Disney changes and additions, and features new chapters on restaurants and accommodations.

Visit www.coconutpress.com for more info.

upcoming events:mcree, schupbach

• Local author David McRee will sign copies of his book Florida Beaches:Finding Your Paradise on the Lower Gulf Coast on February 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Largo Public Library.
• Local author Neal Schupbach sent me some more info on his upcoming event:

On Saturday, February 17, Hillsborough Florida Writers hosts its monthly meeting at Barnes and Noble in Carrollwood.  Our membership drive comes under the banner Florida Writers Helping Florida Writers.  In the words of a popular food network show, we will have “good eats.” Invite anyone you know who wants to learn or polish their craft.  It is a wonderful opportunity to network.  All are welcome.

Our featured speaker is Neal Schupbach, a self-published author who is retired from the Navy.  His book Flying the Canyons of the Sky is a memoir which describes what he witnessed from his global exploits.  He saw the crumbling of the Berlin Wall and the shattering aftermath communism left behind.  You will see an eighty-five pound remnant of the Berlin Wall.

Self-publishing is becoming more mainstream.  But to do it successfully, it’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts.  Neal Schupbach will share from first-hand experience what works and what to avoid.  We will also have the luxury of having Billy Ashby, a representative from A and A Printing to show us samples of books printed.

10 a.m. — noon, Carrollwood Barnes and Noble (11802 N. Dale Mabry).  Following the meeting, those interested will gather at Perkin’s Restaurant for good food and good fun.

Visit the FWA website for more info.

book buzz:florida beaches by david mcree

Florida Beaches:Finding Your Paradise on the Lower Gulf Coast by David McRee, ISBN 097698850X

Do you know of a Florida beach that has a natural black sand beach? Can you name a beach that can be reached only by private boat or ferry? Which state park is made up of four islands?  If you’d read Florida Beaches:Finding Your Paradise on the Lower Gulf Coast by David McRee, you’d know the answers.  Florida Beaches is a phenomenal resource for anyone heading to the beach — from first-time tourists to longtime residents.

McRee’s love for the outdoors is evident in his detailed descriptions of over 96 beaches from Dunedin to Marco Island.  For each beach included in his book, McRee gives the reader information on parking, bathroom facilities, traffic, noise level, crowding, water conditions, vegetation, sports activities, rental facilities, nearby shopping and restaurants, sand quality, local wildlife, and much, much more. Florida Beaches includes maps painstakingly drawn by McRee, along with many of his photographs.

I’m strictly an inside gal, but the next time I venture to the beach I will bring my copy of this book with me.  By doing all the research himself, McRee makes it very easy for anyone planning a trip to the beach.   Florida Beaches should be available in every Chamber of Commerce office and Tourists/Visitors Bureau along the Gulf Coast.

Book Buzz Barometer: A

Visit www.beachhunter.net to purchase this book, to view more of McRee’s photographs, or to stay abreast of current beach warnings and conditions.

(Answers to the questions above: Venice Municipal Beach, Little Gasparilla Island and Lover’s Key State Park.)