If you’d like to find me and other authors elsewhere on the web, or if you’re a writer looking to expand your internet presence, here’s an idea.

Dreamwalker Group is a complex of web sites where you can find creative books, cool supplies, inspirational things, information, and more.  Artists, writers, and others have been invited to post their details for a web page.  At Dreamwalker you can visit and explore over 3,500 profile pages of creative people, and I’m proud to be among them.  It’s easy to locate books by your favorite artists and authors on this site.  Just use the "Search Profiles" grid near the top of every page — all authors are listed by their first name.  Profile pages include a historical listing of our works, links to Amazon.com, and in many cases a listing of the author’s favorite authors and books.  Meet me there at http://www.dreamwalkergroup.com/bio/a/austin_s_camacho.htm

There’s nothing like a crime fiction convention to remind us that there is evil in the world, and that there are heroes to combat it.  Some of the real life heroes at the Malice Domestic mystery con bought mementos at charity auctions for far more than their monetary value.  Why?  Because children who have faced evil often have emotional disabilities, and the John L. Gildner Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents takes care of them.  Because we can make a difference with more than twelve thousand dollars donated this year.

Because, in the words of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “There’s only one thing in this world stronger than evil, and that’s us.”

The Malice Domestic conference is always a great time. I see a lot of old friends on panels and in the hospitality room. It’s great to see who wins an Agatha Award. It fun to attend a high tea, renew acquaintances with whom I share a publisher or agent, and meet fans from as far away as Canada. It’s fun to see who is most creative in the hat contest – That would be Elizabeth Zelvin in her charming chapeau. It was actually a chap-Poe with a bobble head of Edgar Allen lashed to the back.

The biggest surprise was learning that some of my favorite authors - Dan Stashower, Lindsey Davis, and Peter Lovesey - are also flat out hilarious if you let them near a microphone! It’s also quite a kick to have an editor from a major publisher tell you that she is following your career and wants to know what you’re working on. That kind of thing can make an already great event truly memorable.

I’ll spend this weekend in the company of a lot of dangerous ladies. Friday through Sunday we’ll gather in

Arlington

,

VA

for the Malice Domestic Mystery Convention. Since 1989, Malice Domestic has been an annual mystery fan’s convention focused on the traditional mystery–think in terms of books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. However they are a warm and welcoming group and even those of us who write private eye stories are made welcome.

This year’s guests of honor include Lindsey Davis and Charlaine Harris. To prove there’s no gender bias here, Dan Stashower will serve as Toastmaster, and this year Peter Lovesey will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award. And because writers love to be surrounded by fans, they expect more than 175 authors to attend as well.

All the panels, interviews and great meals will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel,

Even if you don’t live nearby you might want to check this one out. And look for me. I’ll be chatting with my favorite authors too, but never too busy to greet a fan.

You know how I love to share the positive feedback I get about my novels.  Today I’d like to introduce you to Janet Phebus.

I met Janet while doing a book signing at the Borders in Frederick MD.  She took home a copy of Blood and Bone and later wrote me a very complimentary e-mail about it.  What warmed my heart most was not that she said I wrote a good story, but that she noticed that I did it without the foul language and graphic violence so common in crime fiction today.

Thank you, Janet, for your kind words, and I hope you do pass my book along to your friends.  Everyone can read Janet’s comments about Blood and Bone, because I made them the featured review on my web site.

Recently I’ve spoken with a lot of writers who are troubled about the publishing business.  Amazon.com has changed its policies, making it harder for self-published writers to sell there.  Some publishers are talking about ending the return policy that allows bookstores to send unsold books back for full credit. After buying bookstore chain Waldenbooks, giant bookstore chain Borders may be bought by super-giant bookstore chain Barnes and Noble.

It all reminds me of a Steely Dan song called, “What a Shame about Me” in which the narrator says, “I’m worried about the future now… or maybe this is it.”  Well, with e-books, on-line stores and Printing on Demand only an idiot would expect things to stay the same.  Me, I embrace change.  It draws attention, and when books get attention, I get attention.  The future?  It’s here, so why worry?

Just wanted you to know that despite getting lost in DC I managed to have a wonderful time at the National League of American Pen Women meeting. Aside from speaking to a very interested and educated group of writers, I got to present in the historic Pen Arts Building, a red brick mid-town mansion dating back to 1887. Designed for an opera star descendant of President John Adams, it was leased to Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln, in 1910. I thank the ladies for a joyous time, and for remembering my birthday with a surprise cake.

Saturday I have the rare privilege of addressing the

Washington

DC

branch of the National League of American Pen Women. The League members are women who have demonstrated creative talents in art, letters, and music composition. There are Pen Women branches throughout the

U.S.

, in addition to state associations of affiliated branches in some places.

We’ll meet at 1 pm in the historic

Pen

Arts

Building

just off

. Instead of just talking about my own novels I’ll give a presentation on the reasons so many people are addicted to crime fiction. I always drop the names of my favorite writers so if you want to get into the genre I’ll give you a head start. The event is free and open to the public so plan to join us at

, Saturday at 1 pm.

I often like to point you to cool web sites, great books, or places where you can learn about worthy additions to your library. Today I want to share the blog of author CJ Barrimond. She calls it "Better Said Now Than Never Said At All." Her thought-provoking book by the same name is an accumulation of her perceptions and feelings on a dozen different important subjects. She maintains a blog on Amazon.com and her most recent entry discusses the vital role of parents in education and, specifically, getting their kids to read. In that entry she mentions a number of authors who she feels are well worth seeking out for a good read. I am flattered to be among them.

Read regularly, this is one blog that is bound to be a conversation starter.

Did I mention last time that I’ve been taking philosophy lessons from popular music? As it turns out I have a lot in common with Meatloaf. As he mentions in one of his tunes, I like my music like I like my life - everything louder than everything else. And a wasted youth IS better than a wise and productive old age.