Paco Ahlgren

Infobox Writer
name = Paco Ahlgren

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birthdate = birth date and age|1968|11|19
birthplace = El Paso, Texas
occupation = musician, economist, author
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Paco Ahlgren (born November 19, 1968) is an American novelist. His debut novel, "Discipline", was published in July 2007 by Greenleaf Book Group [cite web| last=Greenleaf Book Group |first= |title=Discipline: A Novel |work= Greenleaf Book Website |accessdate= 2008-01-18 |url= http://www.greenleafbookgroup.com/57/product/267/Discipline_A_Novel.html] and it went on to receive the 2008 Eric Hoffer Book Award in commercial fiction. [ [http://www.hofferaward.com/ Hofferaward.Com ] ]

Early life

Born Frank Richard Ahlgren, III, his parents soon nicknamed him "Paco," the Spanish nickname for Francisco, and he would go on to use this as his regular name rather than Frank.

In his late teens, Ahlgren began a career as a professional musician with the band The Bentley Tock. The Bentley Tock began performing around the campus of The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Ahlgren was the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. In 1992, The Bentley Tock began recording their songs, releasing the CD titled "Able."

While touring and recording with The Bentley Tock, Ahlgren studied music theory, English, philosophy, psychology, and modern scientific and social theories. Eventually, he earned a degree in finance and worked as an economist and analyst for nearly two decades. For several years, Ahlgren closely studied subjects ranging from eastern epistemology and metaphysics, to subatomic science. [cite web| last=Nothing Binding |first= |title=Discipline - by Paco Ahlgren |work= Nothing Binding Writer's Website |accessdate= 2008-01-18 |url= http://www.nothingbinding.com/writer/discipline-paco-ahlgren.html]

Family

Ahlgren is the grandson of Frank Ahlgren Sr., editor of Memphis daily newspaper "The Commercial Appeal" for 32 years, and a University of Tennessee Board of Trustees member for 27 years. Ahlgren Sr. was involved in developing the university's School of Journalism in 1957, and was inducted into the Tennessee Newspaper Hall of Fame in November 2007. [cite web| last=Tennessee Press Association |first= |title=Fall Board of Directors Meeting and Tennessee Newspaper Hall of Fame Induction |work= TPA Newsletter |accessdate= 2008-01-18 |url= http://www.tnpress.com/tpa_fall_07.pdf]

Austin Cable Access

In 1995 Ahlgren hosted a cable-access television show in Austin, Texas named "The Free Market." Along with his British co-host, Adam Chacksfield, Ahlgren would pontificate on the teachings of Milton Friedman for an hour each week via the live call-in program. The show often aired on Friday or Saturday nights. At that time, Ahlgren sported a buzz cut and was a self professed "UT drop out."

Theories

Ahlgren's experiences, interests, and subsequent research provided the foundations for Discipline, which is a confluence of his passions and draws parallels between the fields of quantum physics, economics, Taoism, and value investing among others.

Discipline

Discipline has received favorable reviews from Jeffrey Satinover, noted psychiatrist and author of "The Quantum Brain", and Dr. Nicholas Herbert, the author of "Quantum Reality, Faster Than Light", and "Elemental Mind".

Discipline also received favorable reviews from "The Midwest Book Review", [cite web| last=Cox |first=James A. |title=The Fiction Shelf |work= Midwest Book Review: Library Bookwatch, Volume 2, Number 9 |accessdate= 2008-01-18 |url= http://www.midwestbookreview.com/lbw/sep_07.htm] "The Houston Press" [cite web| last=Ramey |first=Julia |title=Paco Ahlgren: Debut novelist reads from Discipline |work= Houston Press Arts and Entertainment |accessdate= 2008-01-18 |url= http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-08-23/calendar/paco-ahlgren/full] and "Durango Herald". [cite web| last=Miller |first=Patricia |title=Supernatural crime fighting fills first novel |work= The Durango Herald |accessdate= 2008-01-18 |url= http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=ae&article_path=/arts_entertainment/ae070706_2.htm]

Current life

Ahlgren splits his time between Austin, Texas and Durango, Colorado, and is currently working on his next novel, a sequel to Discipline.

References