Malcolm R. Campbell's Blog, page 258

Multiple Roads Diverging in a Wood

For better or worse, I'm comfortable writing in multiple styles: press releases, computer manuals, brochures, articles, grant applications and fiction.

I realize that readers like the authors they read to fit into a comfortable niche so that when each new book comes out, there are no surprises.

Pigeonholes don't excite me. Yet, it's an understatement I think to say that those who read my 2004 magical, coming-of-age novel "The Sun Singer" were surprised when I followed that up in August with the...

One word at a time

Listening to author and writing coach Mark David Gerson on blog talk radio this afternoon, I marveled at how easy writing would be if I stopped sweating it.

He's a strong advocate of just letting the writing happen. Sit down with a blank screen or a blank sheet of paper and write down a word. Once you've done that, write down the next one. As he puts it, don't worry about the word you just wrote or the one you're going to write next. Your story will unfold one word at a time "if you allow it."...

A cool review of 'Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire'

Nick Oliva, author of the novel "Only Moments," posted a wonderful review of "Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire" on Facebook this evening. You can also find it on his blog. If your name is not Dan Brown, John Grisham, Diana Gabaldon or Pat Conroy, the book business has been a little slow of late. So, it's nice to stumble on line and find out somebody's read the book.

Meanwhile, as Glacier National Park's 2010 centennial approaches, I've posted another short reflection about the park on ...

The Sun Singer

Since 2004, this blog has been called "The Sun Singer's Travels," and I have no plans to change that. However, an era is ending. The iUniverse version of the novel will soon go out of print. I'm looking forward to bring out a new edition.

I'm pleased with the fact that the new edition of a novel set primarily in Glacier National Park will be out in time for the park's centennial celebrations in 2010. Exciting stuff--if you like Montana, mountains, parks, mountain goats, and maybe a little adve...

big bad slam poet

Those of us who write know how difficult it is to promote our work. Quite often even the nearby newspapers won't acknowledge us, favoring their shrinking number of column inches (on and off line) to major authors who don't need the publicity to find readers.

That said, it's especially gratifying to read Tod Caviness' "Word Count" blog for the Orlando Sentinel. He not only took a look at the posthumous compilation of my nephew Dave "Strat" Campbell's poetry and associated CD, he had kind words ...

Noah's Wife

I just finished an extraordinary novel by T. K. Thorne called "Noah's Wife" and posted a five-star review for it on GoodReads, Amazon and Malcolm's Round Table. The novel re-imagines the Biblical flood and the years leading up to it from a feminine viewpoint. As I read, I was reminded of Tosca Lee's "Havah: The Story of Eve" which told the Garden of Eden story from Eve's perspective. My review of T. K. Thorne's well-told story is among those listed on Christian Fiction Reviews.

So far, nearby ...

Rain from Ida

Some days, rain is all there is.

It's thicker than blood during a storm. I cannot hold rain; it holds me with skies the color of my eyes and just as deep.

I wonder what the cat sitting in the window thinks of rain. Does she know it flows through her calico shadow as it flows through my veins?

The rain draws us together because there's nothing else. I see Ida's projected path on the radar, far away from us though her rain is here and now and a connexion between me and all I know.

Here with my book...

Geek The Library

While participating in the Jackson County (GA) Authors Showcase at the Maysville Library yesterday morning, I found handouts and bumper stickers for the "Geek the Library" campaign being conducted by the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC).

According to the geekthelibrary website, "the campaign hopes to inspire a conversation about our incredible public libraries and their urgent need for increased support. We hope you tell people what you geek, how the public library supports you and your c...

Just Finished Another Book Review

The November issue of Living Jackson Magazine arrived in today's mail. My novel "Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire" will be featured in the books section of next month's issue. This afternoon, I finished writing a review of Hilton J. Bik's "Tyranny, Taboo, and the Ten Commandments." This well researched book focuses on the Decalogue within its historical, linguistic and sociological context.

I'm reading and reviewing a wonderful new novel from Chalet Publishers called "Noah's Wife." Wri...

Jock Stewart available just about everywhere

My comedy/thriller novel "Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire" was officially released on August 12, and now it's finally showing up on most online booksellers' sites. So, just to be of assistance as the Christmas shopping season gets underway, ahem, as you're buying gifts or making your own list for trusted friends, here are the URLS

Powell's
Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Amazon France
Amazon Germany
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble


You can order it at any book store that doesn't have Mr. Stewart on the she...