Happy May!
Whew! I am finally back home in my writing office after a busy few weeks of travel to various exciting mystery events. I don't know about you, but I'm out of practice when it comes to travel — packing, driving long distances, making small talk, staying up late! It was glorious to be with people again, talking about crime writing and celebrating our favorite books and authors, but I am ready to crawl back into my writing cave for a bit. (And I need to get back to work! Maggie D'arcy #4 is due to my editor on June 1st!)
The first mystery event I attended was Malice Domestic, a convention celebrating "traditional" mysteries. Though I'm writing police procedurals now, I think the Maggie D'arcy mysteries contain some of the elements of more traditional crime novels. I also have a soft spot for Malice since my very first published novel, O' Artful Death, was nominated for an Agatha Award, an honor I will never forget. It was so great to see old friends and meet so many new writers and readers. I moderated a panel on international mysteries and conducted an on-stage interview with my friend Julia Spencer-Fleming, who was one of the Guests of Honor. It was a meaningful and worthwhile weekend, culminating in the Agatha Awards banquet. You can find a complete list of the winners here.
I landed at home for a few days, checked in with my family, did some laundry, and then headed south again for the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Awards in New York. The Edgar Awards ceremony is often described as "Crime Fiction Prom." I served as a judge for the juvenile mystery category this year, which meant I had to read over one hundred novels and confer with my panel to come up with our favorites. It was a difficult task. This was my first time at the Edgars and it was such a joy to meet the writers who created some of my favorite novels of the year and run into friends I haven't seen for a long time. Here's a complete list of the Edgar Award nominees, honorees, and winners.
I will press send on this newsletter and get right back to Maggie and her adventures in this novel. Wish me luck. I'm feeling good about it and can't wait for you to read it in (gulp) 2023.
Take care and I'll see you in June, when I'll have news about signings and launch parties and lots of other exciting things!
Sarah
