Tuesday, February 12, 2008

BRAINTEASER REVEALED

MINNESOTA MYSTERY CONTEST #1 1/08

Clue: EHhwtMBA.
Answer: Ellen Hart has won three Minnesota Book Awards.

Clue:MVitcoDR.
Answer: Marilyn Victor is the co-author of Death Roll.

Clue: PwwbDH.
Answer: Pennance was written by David Housewright.

Clue: ILwWKKfm.
Answer: Iron Lake was William Kent Krueger’s first mystery.

Clue: DWwaomotMCW.
Answer: Deborah Woodworth was an original member of the Minnesota Crime Wave.

Since none of the entrants correctly identified all the clues, no prize will be awarded.
Three entrants, Lori, MS, and David (you know who you are) came the closest.
Andi S gets the nod for most creative non-answer, but she only gave us one.

The second Brainteaser is now up at our website, www.Minnesotacrimewave.org
Enjoy.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

THOUGHTS WHILE KNEADING BREAD DOUGH

Every so often, as is currently the case, the primary award for mystery writers, the Edgar, comes in for sharp, and sometimes dull, criticism. Unfortunately, a great many of the criticisms when the nominees are announced, are not full informed which obscures some useful comments and ideas. For example, every year, for all kinds of reasons, books are not even submitted. Those books are not judged and consequently never appear on lists of nominees. In a relatively famous case a year or so ago, the then president of MWA, home of the Edgars, disqualified his then-current novel from consideration for an award. Something about ethical considerations. Imagine that.

What I’m told is that the MWA board frequently wrestles with and argues about how to define different sub-genres of what we commonly call mystery fiction. I prefer crime fiction, personally, those terms being more inclusive. I’m told that the sticking point is defining the different categories. Yet we readers, booksellers and authors, define them every day. How hard can it be? Traditional mysteries, International thrillers, Domestic thrillers, PI books and Police Procedurals, hard cover, trade, Mass Market, PBO, to name a few.

There are even awards in specified categories by different conventions. They seem to have little difficulty discerning between categories.
***
There’s a new book out that has to be one of the most useful compilations for mystery fiction to come along in several years. It’s called “The Essential Mystery Lists:” and it was collected and researched by Roger Sobin. Poisoned Pen Press is the publisher. It contains every nominee and winner in every known mystery fiction contest since the beginning of time. At least in the English Language. It’s a marvelous resource easy to penetrate, fun to dip into.

***

As I look out the French Doors to our deck, I see it’s snowing again. The temperature has moderated but I’m thankful I don’t have to go out today. My dough is ready to rest and rise.

Monday, February 04, 2008

New Stuff

Just back from the tenth annual Love Is Murder con in Rosemont. Great little event with a nice mix of fans, new and old (sic) writers. New resolution (personal) to reactivate this blog and communicate with anybody out there. There are pictures and as soon as I can get through them I'll post them on my web site.

Other news: my latest book, Bloody Halls is now out, both in trade paper and as an ebook. You can find more info at YouTube and of course, on my website.

Oh yeah, the Crime Wave has a new contest running. The january Brainteaser is closed, but there'll be a new one in a day or two.

Finally, if you're in Madison, so will I be at Booked For Murder, that fiune independent store on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Drop by that evening and say howdy