Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Guest Author: Des Zamorano and "Human Cargo"

I'm excited to host my first local writer guest post! Please welcome Des Zamorano, an Altadena author who has just published an engrossing detective mystery set in familiar surroundings.


Isn’t it fascinating, that while even from childhood we viscerally know life isn’t fair, we still crave justice? We want a  world where good triumphs jubilantly, and evil, instead of building philanthropic foundations to cover up its crimes, actually withers, dies and rots.

That, in any case, is part of the reason I love mysteries. I’ve loved them since a friend of mine introduced me to the works of Dashiell Hammet and Raymond Chandler, and I’m always looking for contemporary favorites, like Naomi Hirahara, Craig Johnson, and Gillian Flynn.

My protagonist, Inez Leon, a private investigator, kicked down my door  one writing morning, and refused to go away. I told her to beat it, I had a great American novel to write, filled with languorous language and sensuous subtlety. She rolled her eyes at me and sat down, then began pacing while I worked. Losing all patience, she rapped her Beretta on my desk and said, “My story’s the kind you actually read. And it’s all about right where you live, the nooks and corners you’ve never even visited.” I scowled, listened, and began writing it all down.

Human Cargo is the latest story she’s told me.  She has a knack for noticing things other people miss.

(Human Cargo is an e-book. If you can read this post, you can download it.) 

Do you have a suggestion for a local writer guest post? Are you a local (SGV), published writer/author/journalist? Email me. I'd love to hear from you.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm getting Kindle just to read it.
Great good luck with the book.

Question: When you finished it, did Inez finally leave you alone? Or is she still hanging around for the next in a series?

Bellis said...

Hi Des, Welcome to PDP! I've downloaded the book and it's going to be fun. Thank goodness you didn't choose to go with the long, langorous book a la Thomas Pynchon; life's too short for that. I can only handle mysteries and whodunnits nowadays.

Does anyone know how I can read this as an audiobook? I fall asleep as soon as I start to read, but I can just about stay awake when listening to a book in the car.

PS Love the cover!

Steven said...

I hope you win a Pulitizer Prize. Best of good fortune to you.

Petrea Burchard said...

I love that Inez rapped her Beretta on your desk. I'd have been terrified. If any of my characters ever intimidates me with a gun the first thing I'll have to do is go to target practice.

Cafe Observer said...

that foto looks familiar. i've scene it befour sumwhere.

TheChieftess said...

Cooool!!! Will have to download it!!! And welcome to blogging!!!

Desiree said...

woohoo, Petrea, thanks for the spot light moment!
AH--
Although Inez hates commitment, she tells me she's around for the long haul. B: Re audio book, you're the third person to ask, so I need to chat with the publisher to see what steps should be taken. Thanks, people, for the kind words!

Petrea Burchard said...

Meanwhile, Chieftess, click on Desiree's name to go to her blog, The Restless Chef.

pasadenapio said...

I need to get on the e-book bandwagon. Haven't made the leap yet.

Margaret said...

I'm very excited. Desiree is incredibly talented. And Restless Chef is one of my favorite blogs.

Petrea Burchard said...

PIO, you don't need an e-reader. You can download the book to any computer--your home computer or laptop, for instance.

I do love Restless Chef. It's very snappy. I'm a desperately lazy and unimaginative cook and Desiree has saved me more than once.

I just got an email from my sister, who loves this post and wants to read the book!

Katie said...

Sounds like a great book Des! And thank Petrea for alerting us non-Kindle folks that we don't need one to get this book. Can't wait to read it!

Ms M said...

Looks like a good read!

Cafe Observer said...

This is wunderful! Who needs to go to bookstores anymore!!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

Hee hee, Cafe. I think e-readers will replace books just like TV replaced radio.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'd like to thank Desiree for bravely taking the plunge to become my first guest poster. Des, I love your post.

You can see Des's snappy writing right here on my blog! I'm just all puffed up and excited.

Desiree said...

Petrea--you are so sweet, I just dropped by to thank you for the fun day!!! And thanks so much, everyone, for the encouraging words--

Keith said...

Purchased and looking forward to reading it. Now, how do e-book signings work?

Susan Campisi said...

A wonderfully snappy guest post. I can't wait to read this, Desiree. The only obstacle is my indecision about whether to download and print it or get a Kindle or a Nook. I'll check out Restless Chef while I ponder that big decision.

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm gonna read it on my laptop.

Keith, check this out. I'm thinking, depending on what I spend on the eReader, well, okay, if you're Charles Dickens or William Shakespeare.

Keith said...

That's funny! Those are definitely options, but it's just not the same.

irinapictures said...

I know I will not read it. No time. I have two shelves fully loaded for "I will read it someday" dreams. I do not have time to read my friends' blogs, that is the heavy problem)).
How does it work in your life, writers? You start writing and then the book tells you what to write further? At least my paintings like this trick for sure.. Mysteries of creativity.

Petrea Burchard said...

Irina, I know some writers outline a book before they write it (like a sketch for a painting) and some just let it flow as they go! I do a little of both.