Author Corner

This is my first-person page, where I don't have to describe myself in the third-person and I can let you know what I've been up to now and again.

Fall of '23 has been a busy time. My wife and I have been a part of Harbour Towne Fest Band for 29 years now, and we're about to wrap up this year's Oktoberfest season. Although Germany's original Oktoberfest is usually over by late September, Harbour Towne's fest season runs from late September to early November, usually on Saturdays, except for our two-day gig at Sugar Mountain resort, near Banner Elk, NC

I've finished the first draft of Three-Quarter Time, the seventh book in the Cameron Scott suspense series. My editor's been through it with a fine-tooth comb, and now it's time to make corrections for the final. Still expecting an August launch date--still in time for beach reading. UPDATE: Three-Quarter Time did release in August, '24 and is available on Amazon in print or ebook form.  See the 'books by...' page to order.

In Mid-July,  '24, I appeared as both Dogberry, the drunken constable, and Friar Francis, in my first foray into Shakespearian comedy (or any kind of Shakespearian play) "Much Ado About Nothing." Learning the cadence of that type of play, along with altering my voice and accent for the two parts, was quite a challenge. All in all, though, it was a fun production with a delightful group of actors.

My wife and I live in Rural NC, where we have room to breath and enjoy retirement. Many people on our road farm or pursue other endeavors, such as raising horses, etc. Not too long ago, our next-door neighbor let us know that when they came home late one night, they spied a horse, a goat, and a llama wondering together in our back yard. We thought he was launching into a bad joke, but, sure enough, a neighbor not far away has a pen where he keeps those animals and a few more, and these three had escaped. We didn't ask how they got loose; we were just glad they found their way back home.

I got a notice that I was mentioned in somebody's tweet today, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise: "Y'all the world is such a wacky place. My folks are in a book club and mom was telling me about a book they were reading a few weeks ago. It was The Fifth Category by K. Robert Campbell...who reposted one of my tweets. @authordrummer it's a small world." 

It's election time again, and poll worker training is in full swing. Since the 2020 elections, I've served as a poll worker in my home county, and it's been a rewarding experience. It's good to know that our state has so many protections in place to prevent fraudulent voting while making it easy for legitimate voters to cast their ballots. If you haven't already done so, be sure you register to vote. Also, check on the polling place for the precinct where you live.

There's still time to order a book or books in the Cameron Scott series for your special reader for Christmas. Start with The Fifth Category and work downward, or go straight for the cozy mysteries in Twelve Tales.

It's 1-1-2025. We spent a quiet New Year's Eve dogsitting while our daughter and her husband went out to a 30s themed party.  We're looking forward to the coming year with a bit of trepidation because of the political uncertainties that abound right now, but we'll face each day as it comes, and make the most of opportunities that present themselves. Meanwhile, I'm still plodding along on 'Half A Teaspoon,' the eighth book in the Cameron Scott suspense series. UPDATE: Still plodding, but making slow progress, as of April 1.

Spring planting time already. Yesterday we put in some broccoli, sunflowers, radishes, and okra and today we picked up some tomato and pepper plants. We're daring any freezing weather to come back. UPDATE: It's April 1 and a beautiful day out. Last night brought us some much-needed rain and the plants are looking good.

We're soon headed off to Albemarle, NC to see a play. But it's not just any play and not just any theater group. In 1975, the Stanly County, NC (where Albemarle's located) chamber of commerce  put out a call for locals who were interested in creating a community theater group. I was a single park ranger then, looking for something to do in my off hours, and had enjoyed being in plays in high school and in my first year of college. Turns out, I was one of the 'experienced' ones in attendance. A young lady names Mary, who was pretty much a single mom, also came, looking for something to get her out of the house. 

A group formed and we called ourselves The Uwharrie Players after the region where Albemarle is located. Somebody with more experience than me became president, and I was elected VP. Mary had been taking notes during our meetings, and naturally, she was elected secretary. Within a few months, the president found employment elsewhere, and I was bumped up into the presidency. Of course, while presiding over a newly-forming organization, I had to work closely with the secretary to get things done, and we saw a lot of each other. Well, she and I will be celebrating our 49th anniversary this year.

The college play I acted in was 'You Can't Take It With You,' and when the UP decided to stage that show in 1976, I jumped at the chance to again play 'Tony.' My wife-to-be was cast as Tony's love interest, 'Alice.' 

Which leads us to now. The UP put out word that they're staging 'You Can't It With You' as part of their fiftieth year celebration, and we knew we had to travel the three hours to see it, and get together with a few other old friends that we haven't seen in ages. We're very much looking forward to it.

Incidentally, the park where I worked in when the UP was organized serves as the model for the park where Cameron and Mary go in 'The Fourth Estate,' the second book in the Cameron Scott suspense series.