23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-published Book Award

Alas, I didn't win the 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-published Book Award, but the judges awarded me high marks (5 of 5 in three categories and 4 out 5 in three others.) I also received this review for which I am truly humbled:

"I'm not surprised to learn from his author's bio that Charles Souby lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, because the sense of place is extremely strong in his novel A SHOT OF MALARIA. The book follows the misadventures of Daniel Martin, who is hooked on heroin (and lots of other things), and his struggle to get his life together. What's most remarkable about the book is that Souby manages to make Martin, who, in the hands of another writer, might be quite revolting, completely appealing and sympathetic. This is not a bad man; this is a screwed-up man. Souby depicts the 1990's with a remarkable vividness-I remember these years quite well myself though on the opposite coast. And while I think the book does tend to be a little longer than it should be and could use some tightening and editing, the pace held me as did the writing itself. The novel's grounding in specific details-details of drug use, of sex, of pop-culture references to films like THE GODFATHER, MIDNIGHT COWBOY, and DRUGSTORE COWBOY-give the book an immediacy and vividness that many writers simply don't know how to pull off. I felt, reading A SHOT OF MALARIA that I'm in safe hands, that the writer knows precisely what he's doing. I don't know to what extent Souby is drawing from real-life experiences in the writing of this book, but if he is, he's put those harrowing years to excellent, beautiful use. While I think some of its content might offend the squemish, it's a book that I believe will resonate with readers who stick with it. We might not all be heroin addicts, but we all have our stuff, whatever that stuff is."

- Judge, 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards

My Reading at Copperfield this past July

I hope you enjoy! I think this chapter is compelling as a stand alone story although it does require the short introduction.
        
                           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suO_pM7r8jA

A Great Turnout

A special thanks to everybody who showed up at Copperfield Books in San Rafael last Wednesday for my reading and book signing. It went great! There was a lot of provocative discussion during the Q & A about writing and addiction. Addiction is a big and serious topic, but I think I have provided readers a nice little snapshot in "A Shot of Malaria." It a subject that has a lot of meaning to me although I believe I've finished mining it for fiction. My current project is a coming of age novel about a Yale graduate who hitchhikes to the Yukon as a last hurrah before going to work for his father as a lobbyist for the mining industry.

Just a reminder

I'll be doing a reading a book signing on July 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Copperfield Books
850 4th St.
San Rafael

Voice of America Monday, June 15 at 11:00 A.M. PST

I'm excited to be doing this interview with Patricia Raskin on VOA. Please join me!

http://www.voiceamerica.com/promo/episode/85914

Copperfield Books San Rafael Wednesday, July 15

You're invited to attend my next reading and book signing at Copperfield Books, 850 4th Street in San Rafael at 7:00 p.m. I will be reading excerpts from A Shot of Malaria. I look forward to seeing you there!

eFiction Magazine

I'm honored to announce that my short story "The Doberman Affair" was published in the June edition of eFiction Magazine.  Check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YLZHVQQ

Featured in Opening Line Literary 'Zine

Please check out the May issue of Opening Line magazine. My short story "Maypole Madness" and my poem "May Day" are featured.

http://www.openingline.org/

Bay Sunday Interview

I hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNFAbkSOzaY

A Shot of Malaria is now available on Kindle!

http://www.amazon.com/Shot-Malaria-Charles-Souby-ebook/dp/B00WZXQZFE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

Conversations on the Coast with Jim Foster

I really had a great time talking with Jim Foster on Conversations on the Coast which aired on Saturday April 18 on Talk910 in San Francisco. If you missed it you can listen to the interview in its entirety from the link below.

SPOILER ALERT: Most all of the novel is revealed while discussing its structure and meaning. If you already own the book and are planning to read it soon, I recommend you wait before listening to this interview.

http://www.iheart.com/show/139-Conversations-On-The-Coast/?episode_id=27215625

Another Book Signing

I wanted to thank everybody who came out to hear me read on Tuesday, April 21. I had a wonderful time and hope you enjoyed yourself as much as it appeared. Because I received so many regrets I have asked my publicist to schedule another book signing in San Rafael sometime at the end of May or beginning of June. I will keep you posted!

Tonight's Book Signing

I look forward to seeing some of you tonight at my book signing in San Francisco at Books Inc.
2275 Market Street.

http://www.booksinc.net/event/charles-souby-books-inc-castro

Cyrus Webb

I'm excited to have the opportunity to be interviewed by Cyrus Webb of WMPR-FM this morning at 7:30 PDT. Please join us!

http://cyruswebbpresents.blogspot.com/

Great Interview on WOCA Radio

I had a wonderful interview yesterday morning with Larry Whitler and Robin MacBlane of WOCA Radio in Ocala, Florida. They loved "A Shot of Malaria" and asked me some provocative questions about addiction and about life in San Francisco in the early 1990's. I truly enjoyed myself and hope to have the chance to speak with them again.

Book Signing at Barnes & Noble in Marin

I look forward to seeing you at my book signing on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Corte Madera. They are located at the Town Center at the Tamalpais exit west of US 101. Everyone is invited!

A Shot of Malaria Now Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Amazon, "A Shot of Malaria"

Barnes & Noble, "A Shot of Malaria"

Books Inc. April 15

I will be doing a reading and book signing for "A Shot of Malaria" (due out April 2, 2015) at Books Inc., 2275 Market Street in San Francisco on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. I look forward to seeing you there!
http://www.booksinc.net/SFCastro