GREAT NEWS READERS!

MAY is one of the most important months of the year for Canadian crime writing when Crime Writers of Canada announces the winners of the Arthur Ellis awards for excellence in crime fiction.

The  2018 Arthur Ellis Awards Shortlist Event took place on Wednesday, April 18th across Canada.  

In Toronto, award-winning author, Elizabeth J. Duncan  emceed the event. And 13 Claws ruled the night! Imagine our surprise, delight and honour when FOUR authors in the Mesdames’ 3rd anthology, 13 Claws, heard their names read out!

The Arthur Ellis awards will be given out at the annual gala on  Thursday, May 24th, 6 pm at the Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St., Toronto. Tickets are going fast.  Order through the CWC website.

And MEET FOUR 13 CLAWS AUTHORS on reviewer, Vanessa Westermann’s blog, Vanessa’s Picks here.

Congratulations!

Cathy Astolfo

Jane Burfield

M. H. Callway

Sylvia Maultash Warsh

Editor, Donna Carrick

Congratulations to the four Mesdames whose stories are finalists for the 2018 Arthur Ellis awards:

• Retired Mme Cathy Astolfo, Best Short Story for “The Outlier”
• Mme Jane Burfield, Best Short Story for “There be Dragons”
• Mme M. H. Callway, Best Novella for “Snake Oil”
• Mme Sylvia Warsh, Best Short Story for “The Ranchero’s Daughter”

A huge thank you is due to Mme Donna Carrick, editor of the Mesdames’ three anthologies, including 13 Claws, to Carrick Publishing for their wonderful support of Canadian crime writing and to Sara Carrick for her signature cover design!

13 Claws is available at Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, in Kindle and print form on Amazon.ca and in the Toronto Public Library.

Publication News!

Melodie Campbell

Mme Melodie Campbell has signed with Orca Books for the 6th book in her hilarious Goddaughter series. For release in 2019.

And Melodie and M. H. Callway are both delighted that their stories have been accepted for the noir anthology by Coffin Hop Press, The Dame was Trouble, to be published later in 2018.

Mme Rosemary McCracken has just sold her suspense story, “Black Bear Country” to Mystery Weekly Magazine. Stay tuned for details on its publication.

And a reminder that the 2018 Malice Domestic anthology, Mystery Most Geographical, is now available to readers on Amazon where readers can enjoy Sylvia Warsh’s story, “The Cabin in the Woods”.

 EVENTS AND READINGS!

Tuesday May 8th. It’s a Crime, Novel, that is.

What makes a crime novel? Join Mme Melodie Campbell, at the Beaches Branch, TPL, 2161 Queen St. East, as she talks about the many sub-genres of crime fiction, and the expectations for each. This workshop is perfect for anyone who loves reading crime fiction, and/or desires to try writing it. 2-3:30 pm. Free. To register, contact the Beaches Branch at 416-393-7703.

Saturday, May 12th. Seraphim Editions Author Appreciation.

Mme M. H. Callway is attending a special author appreciation event hosted by her publisher, Seraphim Editions to showcase a new project to augment author visibility.  The launch will be held at the Women’s Art Association, 21-23 Prince Arthur, 1 to 4 pm.

Sunday, May 13th. Launch of County Wave Anthology.

The County Wave is an anthology of 21 stories by Prince Edward County writers, including Mme Roz Place. The culmination of the Cressy Lakeside Books short story contest, The County Wave offers readers a wide range of styles and story lines that are thought provoking and entertaining and illustrations by local artists.

Meet the authors at Picton’s Old Town Hall, 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, enjoy a refreshments and help celebrate this wonderful event.

Thursday, May 24th, 6pm. The Arthur Ellis Awards gala to be held at the Arts and Letters Club, 14 Elm St., Toronto. Several Mesdames will be in attendance!

Friday, May 25th, 11 am to 9 pm. The Bony Blithe Gala and Minicon. High Park Club, 100 Indian Rd.

Registration is now open; sign up on the Registration page on the Bony Blithe website.

Cheryl Freedman

Caro Soles

The $65 registration fee includes lunch, three panels or discussions, a book dealer, a loot bag, afternoon nibblies, and, of course, the award banquet in the evening.

Saturday May 26th and Sunday, May 27th, 9am to 5pm. Limestone Genre Expo.

The conference to be held at the Waterfront Holiday Inn, Kingston.  Several Mesdames are confirmed as panelists and readers, including: M. H. Callway, Lisa De Nikolits, Marilyn Kay, Rosemary McCracken and Madona Skaff.

Marilyn Kay

Rosemary McCracken

Madona Skaff

Wednesday May 30th,  Mme Lisa De Nikolits joins authors Sky Curtis, Terri Favro and Gianna Patriarca  at Fearlessly Funny Femmes Fatales, sponsored by Inanna Press at Famous Last Words Bar, 6 to 8 pm, 392 Pacific Avenue, Toronto.

 COMING UP ON DEAD TO WRITES

May 1: Interview with organized crime expert and freelance journalist Stephen G. Metelsky (underworldstories.com) and short story reading of “Prepared”, Mme Donna Carrick (Carrick Publishing)

May 6: Interview with author Junying Kirk (The Journey to the West trilogy) and short story reading of “The Grief Machine”, Alex Carrick

May 13: Interview with author Judy Penz Sheluk (Skeletons in the Attic, The Hanged Man’s Noose) and reading of short story “Live Free or Die”, Judy Penz Sheluk, World Enough and Crime anthology, Carrick Publishing

May 20: Interview with author Russell Parkway (The Demeter Code) and reading of “Doctor Shediac”, Mme Donna Carrick, World Enough and Crime, Carrick Publishing

May 27: Interview with renowned host of Conversations LIVE Cyrus Webb and reading of “Appearances”, Mme Donna Carrick, North on the Yellowhead

REMINDERS!

Several important Mesdames readings and workshops are coming up in June. Details later this month.