Bouchercon was so inspiring! I’m energized from connecting with readers and fellow writers. Writing is hard, but attending events like this reminds me why it's so rewarding. Big thanks to the volunteer co-chairs that made this year in St. Petersburg, Florida happen: Erin Mitchell, Jon Jordan, and Ruth Jordan. Here are a few highlights:
Talking Golden Age mysteries with the two Shawns—Shawn Cosby (writing as S.A. Cosby) and Shawn Reilly Simmons—Martin Edwards, and Shelly Dickson Carr. Martin’s nonfiction book THE STORY OF CLASSIC CRIME IN 100 BOOKS won the Macavity at Bouchercon. So fun to nerd out with my fellow writers who have been inspired by the same books.
Crime Writers of Color breakfast with old friends and new. L-R Elizabeth Mahon, me, Shawn Cosby, Vera Chan, Sujata Massey, and Naomi Hirahara (who’s taking the photo).
Meeting Abir Mukherjee was definitely a highlight. His debut A RISING MAN was awarded the CWA Dagger Award and shortlisted for the Edgar last year. It’s a brilliant novel. Here we are with Sujata Massey, whose new historical mystery THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL is also terrific.
Abir, Sujata, and I donated an India-themed basket for the charity auction. Next to our books that’s a scarf from India from Sujata and Jaya Jones character art cards illustrated by my artist mom. I wished I could have bid on it, because you can’t get Abir’s latest book in the US yet—he brought the UK edition.
I attended the Nero Wolfe Banquet for the first time, and it was such fun! I was skeptical at first when told there would be singing, but it was a blast.
My fellow Archaeology Mysteries panelists Dana Cameron, Stacy Allen, and Mary Anna Evans. Who are our favorite fictional archaeologists? It’s a tie between Amelia Peabody and Indiana Jones.
Setting the Stage panel with Lisa Unger, Con Lehane, Steph Cha, Christine Carbo, and James Anderson. I moderated this great group. They made my job easy.
Sisters in Crime’s new president Sherry Harris and immediate past president Diane Vallere. I love these women. Sisters in Crime has been such an important part of my writing career.
Mia P. Manansala won the Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award! Mia won the Malice Domestic Grant as well. Her work isn’t published yet, but I can’t wait to read it once it is.
At the Anthony Awards ceremony, the wonderful Lesa Holstine was given the David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award. And Lori Rader-Day won the Anthony for Best Paperback Original.
Kellye Garrett won the Anthony for Best Debut Novel for HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE, which I had the great pleasure of giving a blurb before it came out. It’s such a great book, and her amazing speech highlighted the lack of diversity in the mystery genre, which she and others are working to remedy.
The 2018 Pitch Wars crew celebrating with Kellye! L-R Mia P. Manansala, Robin St. Clare, Sarah Nicolas, Kellye Garrett, me, and Jenna Lincoln.
Congratulations to all the Anthony Award Winners!
BEST NOVEL: Bluebird, Bluebird – Attica Locke. BEST FIRST NOVEL: Hollywood Homicide– Kellye Garrett.
BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL: Winner: The Day I Died – Lori Rader-Day.
BILL CRIDER AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL IN A SERIES: Y is for Yesterday (Kinsey Millhone #25) – Sue Grafton.
BEST ANTHOLOGY: The Obama Inheritance: Fifteen Stories of Conspiracy Noir – Gary Phillips, ed.
BEST SHORT STORY: “My Side of the Matter” – Hilary Davidson, Killing Malmon.
BEST ONLINE CONTENT: Winner: Jungle Red Writers – Group Blog.
BEST CRITICAL/NONFICTION WORK: Winner: Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI – David Grann.