Mystery Melange

Lots of congratulations to spread around:

• The Left Coast Crime conference handed out this year's Lefty Awards, including Best Humorous Mystery Novel to Donna Andrews (The Real Macaw); Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award to Ann Parker (Mercury's Rise); Golden Nugget award for best mystery set in California to Kelli Stanley (City of Secrets); Best First Mystery Novel to Darrell James (Nazareth Child).

• The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the Derringer Awards, including Best Flash Story: "Lessons Learned" by Allan Leverone; Best Short Story: "Touch of Death" by B.V. Lawson; Best Long Story, (Tie) "A Drowning at Snow's Cut" by Art Taylor and "Brea's Tale" by Karen Pullen; Best Novelette: "Where Billy Died" by Earl Staggs. I was traveling over the past week when this was announced, so I haven't really had a lot of time for reflection about this one, but I must say I am humbly grateful to be given such an honor by the SMFS. There were many very fine stories in all the cateogories this year.

• The Dilys Award (presented by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association for the book they most enjoyed hand-selling) went to Ghost Hero, by S.J. Rozan. (Read more about Dilys Winn, for whom the award is named, here.)

• The International Thriller Writers announced the finalists for this year's Thriller Awards in the novel and story categories.

• Spinetingler Magazine has compiled its finalists for the best crime fiction of 2011 in several categories, and now it's up to you to vote for your favorites.

In other news, Omnimystery News has posted its monthly Firsts on the First, a listing of books with new series characters being published in this new month.

Today is the Tenth Annual Write of Spring one-day conference sponsored by the Minneapolis-based Once Upon a Crime Mystery Bookstore. Some 40 authors will be on hand to discuss and sign their books.

Mike Ripley's latest "Getting Away with Murder" column is up at Shots Mag Online. The Ripster discusses the shocking and sudden death of the 25-year-old Scandinavian superstar author Nisse Ektorp, as well as other news and reviews of the latest crime fiction books from around the globe.

Edgar Week is approaching, and there's still time to register for the Symposium, with panels on social media, debut novelists, what makes characters memorable, and more, including an Oline Cogdill Q&A with author Martha Grimes, the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. Other Edgar Week events include an Agents and Editors Party, a launch party for the latest MWA anthology, Vengeance, and the annual Edgar Awards banquet.

The Poisoned Pen, in partnership with Phoenix Public Library is sponsoring a companion event to Comicon, with their own CozyCon at Burton Barr Central Library on May 5th. Authors attending include Avery Aames, Kate Carlisle, Jane Cleland, Donis Casey, Hannah Dennison, Earlene Fowler, Rebecca Hale, Carolyn Hart, Beth Kendrick, Jenn McKinlay, Paige Shelton and Betty Webb. A free open panel with all authors is scheduled from 10-11am, followed by a paid conference from 11:45 to 4:30pm. Cost for the conference is $25 which includes lunch. Seats are limited so call and register via 480-947-2974.

The Writers' Police Academy has opened submissions for the Golden Donut short story contest. The rules are simple—write a story about the photograph on The Graveyard Shift website using exactly 200 words, including the title.

Here's something fun that was brought to my attention recently:  a website with all 1,399 episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater episodes online, searchable by plots, actors and writers. Check it out, but make sure you have the time, 'cause you'll want to hang around awhile.