Mario Acevedo's Blog, page 36

Where I hide to find the Muse

Mario here:





This week it's a look at where we writers go to find the Muse, fickle bitch that she can be and put her to work to help pay the rent.







But first. Major, MAJOR thanks to everyone for the HUGE turn out for Juliet Blackwell's witchcraft interview. On top of that, last week, A Cast Off Coven was a B&N national bestseller--#4 in Mystery, #38 overall. Hoo-Rah!

We had such a great response that Juliet decided to give two sets of prizes.
The winners are:
Dana Fredst and ONe PiNK FiSH.
To...

If you haven't caught....

Mario's interview with Juliet Blackwell, I suggest you get to it. There is still time to get in on the contest give-away. BTW, when Mario talks about being under a spell, I think he means it. But you didn't hear that from me...

This will be short. Next week I'm off to Crested Butte to participate in their Writers Conference. Since I've never been there, I'm really looking forward to it.

Movies: Dracula Rises Again in Fangland

From Shelf Awareness: John Carpenter will direct Fangland, an updated ...

Juliet Blackwell and her magical witchiness

Mario here:

Today at Biting-Edge, we're busting at the seams because we have as our special guest, Juliet Blackwell, author of the Lily Ivory Witchcraft Mystery series.  Juliet is not only everybody's friend (as far as we can tell), she loves costumes and parties, is a professional artist, a great dancer, a fan of Happy Hour (and all that implies), and one of the hardest working writers taming the muse.

We've invited her to answer questions about her newest book, Cast-Off Coven, the sequel to span

Start Saving Your Pennies...

Photo Credit: United Artists


James Bond's iconic car Aston Martin DB5 is for sale, first time in history. The car, driven by driven by Sean Connery in "Goldfinger" is expected to fetch more than $5 million. The car, a1964 Aston Martin, is fitted with twin machine guns and it will be put under the hammer at a London auction as 007 fans and collectors would battle with each other to acquire the James Bond's favorite car…

The car was purchased in 1969 for $12,000.

More here .

Coincidentally, this fr...

Mom, today we learned about vampires and nymphos

Mario here:
I was recently a guest speaker at Barnum Elementary.  The challenge was how to describe my books without revealing the titles because I didn't want the kids to go home and say, "Guess what, mom.  Today we had a guy talk about The Nymphos of Rocky Flats and X-Rated Bloodsuckers!" Fortunately, my latest book Werewolf Smackdown has a G-rated title and I had PowerPoint slides to show of my comic book.

Ruby G (of La Bloga) had invited me to his class of English as a Second Language...

Writers and Readers...what we owe each other

We've had an interesting discussion going on between some writer pals on a private loop. The subject? Reader reviews published on blogs and Amazon that are more attacks on the writer than the book. No writer expects everyone to like their stuff-especially when you're writing something like Urban Fantasy. But attacking the author's talent, integrity or subject matter simply because you can seems less than honest. Sometimes what is said is not even an accurate recounting of the plot which makes...

Pimp-o-rama, plus lighter shelves, and the mighty power of the simple pen

Mario here:
Much to pimp this week.

Manuel Ramos, winner of a Colorado Book Award and an Edgar nominee, hosted the launch party of his newest novel, King of the Chicanos, at the Tattered Cover on Colfax.  The title alone is an indicator of the cultural freight Manuel chose to pull.  But the novel is no homage to the Chicano movement, rather it's the story of Ramon Hidalgo, a man lifted, then dashed, by his ambition and hubris.  











A sample of the dazzling prose is this last paragraph of the...

Pimpage

Three new books out that you UF fans might be interested in. I included Amazon links but if you have a local bookstore, I'm sure they'd be more than willing to help you, too.




Actually, the first is an online novel by Jackie Kessler. She's publishing the newest Hell on Earth installment here . Check it out




Secondly, our Reluctant Adult pal, Stacia Kane is debuting a very unique, very darkly wonderful new series with Unholy Ghosts .



And at the risk of being redundant, my pal Charlaine Harris has ...

WOO HOO!

Mario here:
There are many proud days in a writer's life:
Finishing a manuscript.  Getting a book published.  And watching your kid graduate from college.

My youngest son Emiliano graduated today from Metro State College, another step on a path that included:





Stalking the apartment in Flower Mound, TX.















Playing Aquaman in Fresno, CA.















Posing as Judge Dredd with the costume I made for him.
















Prom night.
AND FINALLY!
Graduation.  English major with a minor in philosophy.  A man with big ideas.  He plans to...

Fairplay- Here I Come!!!

Well, got lots done this week but have lots more to do before taking off for a Fairplay Writers Retreat tomorrow. I've set a word goal for myself of 16000 words in four days. Can I make it? I'll let you know.


Mario mentioned our friends over at First Offenders who closed down their blog. They had a featured video each week and this was the last. I think it's good enough to rate a repeat.






Good news from one of our own: Suzanne Lazear! From Publishers Marketplace:

Suzanne Lazear's INNOCENT DARKNES...