Editor’s Note: We spoke with Englewood, Florida based author Todd Cameron to learn more about his series of crime/thriller novels set in Florida. Culture Coffee in Englewood, Florida is hosting a book signing featuring Todd from 10am to noon on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Learn more about Todd’s novels at ToddCameron.net and @toddcameronauthor.
Todd, please introduce your book series and your newest novel, Devilfish Key. My series of novels set mostly in Florida cover a timeline spanning decades. The stories cover real-world events and backdrops. My newest novel, Devilfish Key, is set in Englewood. The story takes place in the late summer of 2022, and readers who have read my previous work will find it comes about six months after my novella Midnight Pass. It also connects into my first two novels, Snowblind and Hurricane Hole. Devilfish Key is available in paperback and eBook with an audiobook coming early this year.
What brought you to Florida and Englewood? I first came to Florida in 1996 on a road trip from Canada to Daytona Beach for spring break. It was my first time seeing the ocean. I fell in love with the sunshine, warmth and beach life vibe. My wife Valerie and I discovered Englewood in early 2020. We were living in St. Petersburg with aspirations of living in a smaller and quieter coastal town. Englewood was a great find and we relocated within a week. I wrote and published my first three novels here, and the community has been very supportive.
What’s your process for writing a book? The entire process to complete a novel—from blank slate to publication—is about 18 months. Approximately six months to research and outline, six months to write, and another six months to do structural/line edits, submit the manuscript to my editor for a final proofread, and work with my graphic designer on the cover, maps, and formatting. Working concurrently I can publish one novel a year. Unless I’m traveling, I keep a somewhat structured daily routine. I work in the mornings—either writing, editing, or outlining—for about five or six hours. After lunch I like to spend time outside, get in a workout, dip in the pool, or head out on the water. Most days I work another 2-3 hours in the late afternoon to review the morning’s writing or work on plot outlines.
What do you enjoy most about writing and what are a few of the challenges? My favorite part is research and developing the plot. I love the creative side of this venture, and many of my plots for future novels seem to come together on their own. I write to please myself with the expectation that most readers will appreciate similar things. I aim to publish a new novel each year with a release every December. The biggest challenges include dealing with the tech side of the business and having to rely on other people to complete projects and make the various deadlines.
Please share a bit about your swimming experiences. I trained for open water swimming and raced successfully before experiencing a serious back injury. My swimming career included two record distance swims—a 2300km swim for shark awareness, and the 14.5km channel between Whitsunday Island and Hamilton Island in Australia. It took years for me to accept that it was time to go in a new direction. Every cloud has the proverbial silver lining and shutting the door on swimming opened the door to becoming a full time author.
What would you like to share about your family and other interests? My wife and I recently had a baby girl and Isla keeps us busy as new parents. I enjoy hiking, yoga, biking, shark diving, and boating. I’m just about to start my fourth novel, Twisted Straits, scheduled for release in December.
