Are video clips the way to go?

I know there's animosity out there towards big chains like Barnes & Noble, who are in direct competition with independent bookstores, in many cases helping to put them out of business. But can our own indies learn a few lessons from the big guys? Take a look at this video clip, part of a new series released by B&N -- I posted this because it deals with writer Dorothea Benton Frank and other women Southern writers.

Posting videos is a great idea, one I think independent bookstores could use for their own benefit. Podcasts are cheap; why not post videos of author readings, editors' picks, informal book reviews, etc... Then, make those videos available to local bloggers who can spread the word.

Are there indies out there already doing this? I'd be interested to know.

Writing the Region

Florida writers should take advantage of "Writing the Region" 12th Annual Writers Workshop in Gainesville, from July 23-27th. The workshop honors Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and features some great classes for those wanting to know more about publishing their work. Some of the offerings include "How to Write a Synposis that Won't Make an Editor Sneer" and "Six Steps to a Killer Query," as well as classes on writing fiction and poetry.

Deadline extended for weekend retreat

Ok, shameless promotion ahead!

For anyone interested in doing a weekend workshop in either "Magazine Writing and More" or "Knitting by the Sea," the deadline for the deposit has been extended to July 16.

The workshop is at the lovely Pine Knoll Shores, NC, from August 1-3 and costs $300 (for shared room) or $380 (single), including tuition, food, and room. For more details, please visit http://www.louisajdang.com/Retreats.htm

Gene Hackman spotted in NC

Co-authors Gene Hackman (yes, that Gene Hackman!) and Daniel Lenihan were at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh on Friday, promoting their new Civil War novel, Escape from Andersonville. Our own Lisa Morgan was there, soaking up the history!

Here's a synopsis from Quail Ridge Books:

An explosive novel of the Civil War about one man's escape from a notorious Confederate prison camp---and his dramatic return to save his men.

July 1864. Union officer Nathan Parker has been imprisoned at nightmarish Andersonville prison camp in Georgia along with his soldiers. As others die around them, Nathan and his men hatch a daring plan to allow him to escape through a tunnel and make his way to Vicksburg, where he intends to alert his superiors to the imprisonment and push for military action. His efforts are blocked by higher-ups in the military, so Parker takes matters into his own hands. Together with a shady, dangerous ex-soldier and smuggler named Marcel Lafarge and a fascinating collection of cutthroats, soldiers, and castoffs, a desperate Parker organizes a private rescue mission to free his men before it's too late.

Exciting, thoroughly researched, and dramatic, "Escape from Andersonville" is a Civil War novel filled with action, memorable characters, and vividly realized descriptions of the war's final year.