Tag: Vanilla Heart

Deltona, Florida Regional Library to host authors book fair in October

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn authors, books1 Comment

The Deltona Regional Library’s second Authors Book Fair Celebrating Writers and Readers will take place Oct. 15, 2011, in the library.  The doors open to the general public from 11:00 to 3:00 preceded by two workshops for authors from 8:45 to 11:00.

The book fair attracted 70 authors its first year and served as an introduction to authors and poets in Florida or those who call Central Florida readers their audience.

“This is an idea that took off,” said Melinda Clayton, author and co-chair of the event. “The Deltona Library is the perfect venue with indoor space for authors and rooms for speakers and workshops.”

“Our library receives many calls every year from authors who would like to do a book signing and this is the perfect opportunity to bring writers and readers together,” said Suzan Howes, regional librarian.

A single table at the book fair is $50 or $25 for a shared table.  “We want to keep our fees really reasonable for this fundraising event sponsored by The Friends of Deltona Library,” said Clayton.

The event is available for additional business sponsors to join those all ready committed: Ruby Tuesday, Holiday Inn Express and the Scrub Jay Café.

Workshops for Authors

 7 Steps for a Wildly Successful Book Tour presented by Sarasota author, Liz Coursen, who will have just completed an 81 city book tour.

Pamela Starr, Regional Development Director for Constant Contact will be conducting a social media workshop entitled:  How (and why) to incorporate
social media into your marketing strategy.

 Both presenters were enthusiastically received in other Deltona Library workshops.

Authors and publishers interested in setting up a table at the fair should call Christy Jefferson at 386.574.9376 for information.

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I’m happy to say that my publisher, Vanilla Heart, will be attending the fair with an exciting assortment of books.

–Malcolm

Contemporary Fantasy Adventure

Hard drive crashes, finished novels, book chats

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn books4 Comments

Dear Dell Computer

My wife and I have been leasing and purchasing Dell computers since the 1980s. Suffice it to say, we’ve sent you a lot of money over the years. So, when I’m in the middle of finishing my adventure novel Sarabande, I feel rather let down when my two-year old Dell Inspiron 330 quits on me with a hard drive crash.

The PC is totally non-functional. Won’t boot. Using some trusty SpinRite software, I find that the hard drive is so bad that even trying to extract my data from it might cause it to be even more trashed than it is—whatever that means.

So now, we are forced to buy a new box, complete with new software because—naturally—the software we purchased with the 330 can’t be moved to another PC. Yes, we’re buying from you guys again, but we’re less than pleased.

Finished Novels

I realized several days after the Dell Computer crashed how lucky it was that I had backed up the most recent version of Sarabande on a flash drive a nanosecond before the computer was toast. Consequently, even though the book was done, I kept tinkering with it because it was a miracle it existed at all.

I did add a new scene that I dreamt about adding in the middle of the night, so I think my muse was right about that. But otherwise, I was just tinkering, just refusing to let go.  So, I sent it to Vanilla Heart Publishing yesterday just to get it out of the house. It should be available this fall.

Smoky Talks Books

My friend and colleague Smoky Zeidel is having a VHP Day on her blog Smoky Talks Books this coming Monday, July 25th.  She will be chatting with Vanilla Heart Publishing authors Malcolm R. Campbell, Vila Spiderhawk, Robert Hays, Melinda Clayton, S R Claridge, Collin Kelley, Charmaine Gordon, Marilyn Celeste Morris, and Janet Lane Walters.

Fortunately, I didn’t go on a rant about Dell computer because that would have taken up all the space on her blog. Stop by and see what makes us tick rather than what ticks us off.

—Malcolm

Book Review: ‘In a Flash’

On By Malcolm R. CampbellIn books, reviews2 Comments

Mark Twain once wrote that “thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.”

Smoky Trudeau Zeidel’s “In a Flash” describes the kind of work lightning does when the “lightning rod” it selects is the umbrella in a young woman’s hand.

The woman died. That was to be expected. But not for long.

Lightning struck Smoky Trudeau Zeidel twenty two years ago on an overcast day in a Chicago suburb. Life since then has not been easy: the number of trips to the hospital, the number of surgeries and the number of days and nights in pain are sufficient evidence of that.

This is a well-told story about courage, strength and the work lightning does. Surprisingly, it’s also a story about counting one’s blessings. One can only read it and weep, and then experience a lingering euphoria for the challenges a person can endure.

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You May Also Like

Other short stories recently released on Kindle by Vanilla Heart Publishing include:

A Little Protection by Victoria Howard – Handsome Matt Hemmings meets scientist Alexa McAllistair at a conference on nuclear energy in Rome…and against his professional judgment, he is smitten. The vulnerable – and beautiful – scientist arouses his protective instincts, and the desire to kiss her senseless. And it’s more than evident that she feels the same way about him.

Paco’s Visions by Robert Hays – Paco has visions, and his most recent vision helps him believe in the power of love. For a twelve year old boy, it is a big revelation. He and his sister, Rosa, live with Mama Jan, in a rich man’s mansion on Sanibel Island. Will his vision become their reality?

Scarlet’s Tears by Angela Kay Austin – When you lose everything you love, how are you supposed to believe it won’t happen again? The knife at her throat didn’t frighten Scarlet Anderson.  In fact, it was a relief.  Finally, she didn’t have to worry any longer about living another empty day.  She’d be reunited with the ones she loved. Joshua Davis had faced a lot of challenges in his life, his faith and the love of his family had seen him through his latest battles.  But, no person could help him, now.  How had he managed to fall in love with someone who’d stopped loving herself?  And what was he supposed to do?

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Kindle Edition