Arthur Ellis and Bony Blithe Nominations–The Short Lists!

Bony Blithe

Arthur Ellis Award

Two of the biggest nights of the year for Canadian crime writers happen this month. On Thursday, April 14th, the finalists for the Bony Blithe Award are announced. Look for the list of nominees on the BB Award Website, the BB Facebook page, and of course, here on the Mesdames webpage and on our Facebook page.

Thursday, April 21st the Crime Writers of Canada announce the nominations for this year’s Arthur Ellis Awards at the shortlist event to be held 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Indigo Books, 55 Bloor Street West, Manulife Centre, Toronto.

Members of CWC will be reading from their works during the evening. We are delighted that Mmes Melodie Campbell, Lisa de Nikolits and Rosemary McCracken will be among them. Rosemary will read from her newest Pat Tierney mystery, Raven Lake and Lisa will read from her upcoming novel, The Nearly Girl.

The Biggest Nights of the Year, of course, will be Thursday, May 26th, when the Arthur Ellis Awards will be presented at the annual banquet at The Arts and Letters Club in Toronto. And on Friday, May 27th, an all-day celebration will lead up to the Bony Blithe gala and the announcement of this year’s winner.

New Book Contracts!

Rosemary McCracken

Catherine Astolfo

Congratulations to Mesdames Catherine Astolfo and Rosemary McCracken who have both signed contracts with their publisher, Imajin Books, for new novels. Rosemary’s latest, Raven Lake, is the third in the well reviewed Pat Tierney series. Cathy’s new book, Operation Babylift; A Kira Callahan Novella, is the sequel to Up Chit Creek. Watch this space for details about publication dates.

Readings and stuff!

Lisa de Nikolits

Monday, April 4th: Mme. Lisa de Nikolits will be reading with three other authors at The Central. 603 Markham St., Toronto at 6:45 p.m. in the Rowers Reading Series. Lisa’s most recent novel is Between the Cracks She Fell.

Joan O’Callaghan

Tuesday,April 12th: It’s a Crime at the Country Hills Library, 1500 Block Line Road, Kitchener from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Mesdames Cathy Astolfo, Mel Campbell and Joan O’Callaghan will be reading with CWC members Alison Bruce and Janet Bolin.

M. H. Callway

Wednesday, April 13th: A celebration of crime writing at the Holland Landing Public Library and Community Centre, 19513 Yonge St., East Gwillimbury, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Mesdames M. H. Callway and Rosemary McCracken will be joining members of CWC and SinC: Judy Penz Sheluk, who will host the panel, Rick Blechta, Carol Newhouse and Cynthia St. Pierre.

Melodie Campbell

Thursday, April 28th: The launch of Mme Melodie Campbell’s latest book, The Goddaughter Caper, has been rescheduled. Same time and location, 7 pm, Ancaster Branch, Hamilton Public Library. Prizes for best gangster costume. All book sale profits go to support literacy.

Mme Mel is super busy this month with readings at Simcoe Public Library, 10:30 am, Saturday, April 16th and at Burlington Public Library, Tuesday, April 26th, 7 pm.

Saturday, April 30th: The Authors for Indies event takes place at independent bookstores throughout Canada where authors volunteer to show their support.

Mmes M. H. Callway, D. J. McIntosh and Lisa De Nikolits will all be at the Beaches Book City store in Toronto. Lisa is on from 11 am to 12 noon, Mad from 2 to 4 pm and Dorothy TBA. Mmes Cathy Astolfo, Mel Campbell and Joan O’Callaghan will be at Roxanne’s Reflections Book Shop in Fergus. Do come out and visit them and your favorite indie book store!

More good news!

Mme. Rosemary McCracken’s course in Novel Writing II at George Brown College was so well received that she will be teaching it again in the spring session. Class begins April 12th. Contact George Brown Continuing Education program for details.