On May 1st, Akashic Books will release the latest in its series of noir short story anthologies, two volumes, one titled "Toronto Noir," the other "Las Vegas Noir." Previous titles have featured other cities as subject material, including New York, D.C. and Los Angeles, among others. In an article published by the Toronto Star Newspaper's Eye Weekly site, Akashic co-editor Janine Armin said, "Unlike in crime fiction where the protagonist is generally a
detective, in noir it’s generally a victim...someone
who is closely related to the crime and completely inextricable from
that crime. There isn’t a resolution necessarily, or a solution. That’s
not what drives the plot. What drives it is the grit and the grime of
the city." And thus, the inspiration behind a city-based noir series.
Now for the "light." Several bloggers who will be attending Malice Domestic have posted a few thoughts prior to the conference.
Carolyn Mulford will be on a panel discussing the legacy of Nancy Drew, which will try to answer the question of why the series has continued to find readers since 1930. Carolyn asked some of her friends their thoughts.
an annual mystery fan’s convention focused on the traditional mystery, that "even those of us who write private eye stories are made welcome." He also points out that speakers and honored guests are split between both genders—this year’s guests of honor include Lindsey Davis and Charlaine Harris, Dan Stashower will serve as Toastmaster, and Peter Lovesey will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Regina Harvey, part of the Good Girls Kill for Money blog, mentions something folks often overlook as part of the conference, the Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, of which she is a former recipient, along with the likes of Marcia Talley and Sujata Massey. Two grants of $1000 each are presented each year to two unpublished writers of a traditional mystery, and sometimes a book contract may follow.
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