The calendar has rolled forward to 2022 and many crime writing organizations are starting to announce their nominees for best crime fiction of 2021. If you’ve ever looked at the list of nominees and wondered why your favorite author’s name doesn’t show up, understanding how the conferences and awards work might just help. Awards can be a bit confusing, so here’s a brief run-down of some of the popular awards for crime fiction that have been announced this year.
Left Coast Crime (LCC) is an annual convention for readers, authors, critics, librarians…pretty much anyone who loves crime fiction. As the name implies, the convention is always on the west coast during the first four months of the year. Only attendees of the conference get a ballot. Attendees can nominate their favorite crime novels for the “Lefty Award.” Nominees are selected from the following categories: Best Humorous Mystery Novel, Best Historical Mystery Novel, Best Debut Mystery Novel, and Best Mystery Novel. This year’s conference will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2022 Lefty Award Nominees
Malice Domestic is an annual convention for fans of traditional mysteries. The conference is held every year in Maryland, outside of Washington, D.C. Malice celebrates mysteries that are written in the style popularized by Agatha Christie, traditional mysteries. The attendees of the conference are sent a ballot to nominate their favorite traditional mysteries for the “Agatha Award” in the following categories: Best Contemporary, Best Historical, Best First Novel, Best Short Story, Best Non-fiction, and Best Children’s/YA. This year’s conference will be held in Baltimore, Maryland. As of this writing, the 2022 Agatha Award Nominees have yet to be announced, but check out previous nominees here.
Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to crime writers (and lovers of crime fiction) and is based in New York City. Founded in 1945, the organization provides scholarships for aspiring writers, and hosts conferences, symposiums, and seminars to educate and support existing crime writers, and works to advance an appreciation of the crime fiction genre. Mystery Writers of America also hosts an annual event to recognize and celebrate works of crime fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced during the previous year. Submissions are judged by committees of published authors who volunteer to read works submitted for consideration. The committees select their top finalists and an overall winner in the following categories: Best Paperback/E-Book Original, Best Fact Crime, Best Short Story, Best Juvenile Mystery, Best Young Adult Mystery, Best Television Series Episode Teleplay, The Penguin Random House – G.P. Putnam’s Son’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and the The Simon & Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award. The winner in each category receives the “Edgar Award,” named after Edgar Allen Poe. This year’s conference will be held April 28, 2022. MWA 2022 Edgar Award Nominations
These are just a few of the awards available to writers of crime fiction. Why am I writing about mystery awards? Because on January 19, 2022, I was stunned to find out that a short story I wrote, “The Vermeer Conspiracy,” in Midnight Hour: A chilling anthology of crime fiction from 20 Authors of Color, was nominated for an Edgar Award. I’m honored, and frankly, still in shock. As an author, it’s heartwarming to know that a story resonated with readers. But there are a million reasons why a book may not receive a nomination. Getting nominated for an award is great, but writing is subjective. Of the thousands of crime novels and short stories published in 2021, only a few can be listed as finalists. Completing a manuscript is a major feat (especially in the middle of a global pandemic). Crime Writers everywhere should be celebrated for their hard work and dedication to their craft. So, congratulations to all the authors who wrote stories of crime fiction in 2021. Regardless of who walks away with the plaque, teapot, or bust of Edgar Allen Poe, I say Congratulations!
MIDNIGHT HOUR: A CHILLING ANTHOLOGY OF CRIME FICTION FROM 20 AUTHORS OF COLOR
A 2022 EDGAR AWARD Best Short Story Nominee for "Lucky Thirteen."
From a simple robbery gone horribly wrong to a grisly murder in a secret love dungeon, this stellar collection of crime fiction short stories showcases some of today's finest voices of color.
Edited by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abby L. Vandiver, this thrilling anthology will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Welcome to Midnight Hour...
Jennifer Chow: "Midnight Escapade"
After years of silence, two women decide to meet up in a unique escape room but get trapped in a deadly game from which there may be no escape.
Tracy Clark: "Lucky Thirteen"
A gun. A last meal. And only one survivor. Sometimes the stars align--but only for the lucky one--as predator and prey come face-to-face one fateful New Year's Eve.
H. C. Chan: "Murderers' Feast"
Techpreneur John Manley left a trail of duped investors and damaged women in his wake. What happens when two hundred of his closest enemies gather for a five-day gourmet retreat?
Christopher Chambers: "In the Matter of Mabel and Bobby Jefferson"
It's almost midnight, it's snowing, and a bored call center worker catches a customer inquiry that smells of murder. Is he a knight rescuing the intended victim or someone else's pawn?
Plus, stories by Richie Narvaez, Frankie Bailey, E. A. Aymar, Faye Snowden, Tina Kashian, and many more.
About the author
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Website: vmburns.com
Congratulations, Valerie. Well done, and well deserved!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely super!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Valerie. I’ve read some of your novels, and it sounds like your short stories are just as great.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and poodle kisses from Jazz and Louie!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Congratulations, Valerie!
ReplyDeleteLots of good information. Congratulations!
ReplyDelete