By way of intro, here is Austin Camacho’s bio:
Austin S. Camacho is the author of eight novels about Washington DC-based private eye Hannibal Jones, five in the Stark and O’Brien international adventure-thriller series, and the detective novel Beyond Blue.
His short stories have been featured in several anthologies and he is featured in the Edgar nominated African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey.
He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and one of the creators of the Creatures, Crimes & Creativity literary conference.
Hello, Austin, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.
Thank you for having me.
When did the writing bug ensnare you?
I was first bitten by the bug in high school. I became a comic book fanatic and wanted to write them. That evolved into short stories in which my friends and I saved people and solved mysteries. Of course my friends loved the stories so I kept at it.
Is writing your full-time profession?
Now that I am retired from my career as a communications professional for the Defense Department, writing is my only activity, so I guess it is my full time job.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote short stories since high school but never tried to get published until I was in the army when I decided to try a novel. I was writing for my own amusement for about 5 years until my first novel was published in 1999.
How many published books have you written?
I have written 8 novels in the Hannibal Jones detective series, 5 Stark & O’Brien international thrillers, the stand alone detective story Beyond Blue and now True Target.
Which genres do you write?
I move back and forth between writing clue-laden mysteries and action filled thrillers. There’s a good deal of crossover between those genres.
What are you working on now?
I am immersed in the world of Skye Maddox, the assassin star of True Target, so now I am working on building the series that will deepen our understanding of her. In the next book Skye will face another assassin who thinks she is the best.
Who is your favorite character that you’ve created? Why?
My current lead character, Skye Maddox, is my current favorite because of her complexity.
Skye is no ordinary assassin—she is meticulous, principled, and views her work as both a profession and a challenge. Her therapist Jayla is the only person who glimpses her conflicted psyche. Her assignments are never just about pulling the trigger.
Skye prides herself on precision, creativity, and leaving law enforcement baffled in her wake.
But her professional detachment is tested as she confronts echoes of her traumatic past, the ghost of her first kill, and the dangerous possibility of trust and connection in a world where both are liabilities. Ultimately Skye must decide whether she’s fulfilling a contract, enacting
Who has influenced your writing the most?
My greatest influences are writers from the past. My writing style has been most influenced by Raymond Chandler, whose prose reads like poetry. My plots are most inspired by Ross MacDonald who created the great detective Lew Archer. My characters are most influenced by Elmore Leonard whose most famous character appeared in the TV show Justified..
Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?
Yes, my Website is at https://ascamacho.com/ . You can also find me on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/, Instagram – ascamacho135, and LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-camacho/
Where can we find your books?
You can request my novels in any bookstore – if they’re not on the shelf they will order them. They are also all on Amazon and at BN.com . However, if you want an autographed copy you can order those at my website – https://ascamacho.com
Thank you, Austin, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck.
To learn more about Austin’s book and the Giveaway click the link.
