Mystery Melange

The list of e-zines which have folded in the past year or two keeps growing. The latest is Pulp Pusher, as reported by Keith Rawson, who aptly points out that running such a 'zine is "Much like writing, it's a labor of love and at times, it can befrustrating as hell."

So, let us celebrate the remaining e-zines with some awards shall we? Spinetingler is doing just that with its 2010 Best Short Story on the Web award. Nominees include stories from A Twist of Noir, Beat to a Pulp, Plots with Guns, Pulp Pusher, and The Drowning Machine.

Speaking awards, the list of award nominees keeps growing, too: The ForeWord Book Awards just released the shortlist for the Mystery Category. The awards honor books from indie publishers.

If you're looking for some heirlooms or collectibles to add to your estate, details were posted about the upcoming auction of The Otto Penzler Collection of British Espionage and Thriller Fiction. "British spy novels are among the greatest of all works in the mystery genre," Penzler said in the introduction to the auction catalog. "This is the first auction ever devoted entirely to this important literary genre." Among the items included is a first edition of the first Bond book, Casino Royale.

Author Michael Connelly is suing Paramount to force them to return the film rights to the first two Harry Bosch novels. The rights were sold back in 1992, but the films were never made.

Janet Rudolph continues her Partners in Crime series of interviews with book authors who collaborate. The latest Q&A features JB Kohl and Eric Beetner, co-authors of One Too Many Blows To The Head.

Chris Well reminds everyone that the Agatha Christie Blog Carnival, hosted by Mysteries in Paradise, is still seeking contributions to the monthly project. The latest installment was posted this week.

One addendum to the Media Murder post from Monday:  BBC7 is airing an eight-part adaptation of the Paul Temple mystery Paul Temple and the Gilbert Case this week. Also ongoing are productions of two Agatha Christie Poirot mysteries, a new Biggles (starting Thursday), John Creasey’s The Toff and the Runaway Bride, and The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes. (Hat tip to Mystery*File.)

If you, like most people, have been losing money hand over fist on the March Madness Tournament brackets, why not kick back and read some of the 10 Best Books About College Basketball, according to the Christian Science Monitor.