Book sculpture by Bronia Sawyer
The indie publisher L&L Dreamspell has released many print and digital books in various genres, including crime fiction, for the past seven years. The endeavor was the dream of good friends Linda Houle and Lisa Smith (hence the publisher's name), and I was very fortunate to have them publish two of my Scott Drayco stories in one of their anthologies. Sadly, I received news that Linda Houle passed away last week following a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Remaining partner Lisa Smith doesn't feel she can continue the venture, so the company is closing down. Although I don't know of any memorial funds set up so far, I'm sure the American Cancer Society would welcome donations in Linda's memory.
In happier news, the 2013 Thriller Awards were handed out this past weekend at ThrillerFest in New York City. Congratulations to
- Best Hardcover Novel - Brian Freeman, Spilled Blood (SilverOak)
- Best Paperback Original - Sean Doolittle, Lake Country (Bantam)
- Best First Novel - Matthew Quirk, The 500 (Reagan Arthur Books)
- Best E-Book Original Novel - CJ Lyons, Blind Faith (Minotaur Books)
- Best Young Adult Novel - Dan Krokos, False Memory (Hyperion Books CH)
- Best Short Story - John Rector, “Lost Things” (Thomas & Mercer)
The Strand Magazine Critics Award winners were also announced: the Award for Best Novel went to Defending Jacob by William Landay; the Critics Award for Best Debut Novel went to The 500 by Matthew Quirk; and Faye Kellerman was given the Lifetime Achievement award for excellence in crime writing.
A record 61 books are in contention Sisters in Crime Australia's 13th Davitt Awards for the best crime and mystery books by Australian women in 2012. The winners will be presented at gala dinner on August 31 by leading New Zealand crime writer, Vanda Symon, at the Thornbury Theatre in Melbourne. For all the nominees in the various categories, check out the SinC Australite website link above.
The summer edition of Mystery Scene Magazine is out, which editor Kate Stine sums up thusly: "From the rousing derring-do of Susan Elia MacNeal's WWII espionage to the thoughtful examination of China's headlong modernization in Qiu Xiaolong's Inspector Chen police procedurals to Elaine Viets' darkly amusing take on the US economy in her Dead End Jobs mysteries, this jumbo issue of Mystery Scene will kick your summer reading into high gear." There are many more features, too, and the usual great columns and reviews.
ThugLit Issue #6 is "ready to blow up your face with eight killer tales from some of the best crime writers on the mutherlubbin' PLANET." Stories include "Pin" by Hugh Lessig; "Wheels" by Rena Robinett; "Come on Home" by Scott Adlerberg; Having Chiqui" by Kieran Shea; "Soul Collection" by T Fox Dunham; "Sweet Caroline" by Jessica Adams; "The Ghost Wife" by Aaron Fox-Lerner; and "Rogues Gallery" by BH Shepherd
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine returns with its July/August 2013 issue, presenting the best in modern and classic mystery fiction, with columns from Lenny Picker and Mrs Hudson, plus original short fiction from Marc Bilgrey, Carla Coupe, Paullette Gaudet, Janice Law, Nijo Philip, Jack Grochot, Laird Long, Jay Carey and John M. Floyd.
Elizabeth Foxwell, editor of Clues: A Journal of Detection, wanted to remind everyone that the submission deadlines are approaching on two Clues Call for Papers: the global crime scene (July 19) and Tana French and Irish crime fiction (Aug 1). The magazine does, however, consider essays outside of these themes on an ongoing basis. Check out the website for more details and guidelines.
The biannual NoirCon has opened submissions for the literary journal Noir Riot, to be published in conjunction with the festival in 2014 in Philadelphia. The goal is to "offer a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute examination of the noir universe, with contributions from both rising stars and authors of worldwide renown, and sections dedicated to fiction, nonfiction and poetry." For guidelines and submission periods, check out the Noir Riot website.
Publisher Tony Burton of Wolfmont Press has announced a call for submissions for the company's latest charity anthology, Hungry for Justice. He's looking for stories from 2,000 to 3,000 words in length that explore crime and punishment in the less-affluent portions of America. Proceeds from the anthology will be donated to Feeding America, an organization that deals with the issues of hunger and food insecurity that many people in America face each day. (Hat tip to Terrie Moran at Women of Mystery, who just signed a three-book deal for a series on her Read 'Em and Eat Cafe mystery series with Berkley.) Tony posted submission info on Dropbox.
The Telegraph and publisher Harvill Secker are joining forces to launch a new competition in crime fiction for UK residents. But even if you're not submitting to the contest. The Telegraph is going to feature some of Harvill Secker's most successful crime authors conducting masterclasses on the paper's website over the next several weeks, in both written and video form.
In an era when it seems there is a bookstore closing every week comes word that a new indie bookstore focusing on science fiction, fantasy and mystery is opening in the Astoria neighborhood in New York City. Enigma plans on having a backyard garden where customers can lounge and read outdoors, as well as hosting events like murder mystery nights, "geek" trivia competitions, spoken word performances, screenings of old sci-fi movies, reading groups, and literacy classes for kids.
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