Dear Readers,
Wow! We have so much to share. First, congratulations to Sylvia Warsh on her CWC short story win. New books from Melodie Campbell, Melissa Yi and new member Hope Thompson, as well as a cornucopia of presentations, readings, workshops and festivals featuring many of our Mesdames!
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER!
We’re delighted to announce that Hope Thompson has joined the Mesdames and Messieurs of Mayhem!
Hope has a background in theatre, film and television, and in true crime podcasting. Her plays have been produced in Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles; she was a story editor on CBC’s Baroness Von Sketch Show and wrote for the preschool drag variety show The Fabulous Show with Fay & Fluffy. A licensed PI, Hope has also researched and written for the true crime podcasts Crimehub and Whereabouts Unknown.
Hope is very supportive of fellow authors and for many years has hosted Toronto’s Noir at the Bar. Her first story collection, Dark Thoughts and Other Stories, was published this spring.
Welcome to our gang, Hope!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Congratulations to Mme Sylvia Warsh, winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence for Best Short Story! Her story, “Polly Wants a Freaking Cracker”, was published in Malice Domestic’s Mystery Most Humorous.Mystery Most Humorous.
AND SOMETHING REALLY EXCITING….
Stand by, Readers, for the cover reveal of our 7th anthology, The Power of 13: 13 years of awesome stories!
Our new anthology celebrates the Mesdames and Messieurs 13th anniversary! What does “thirteen” to each of us? You will discover this through 20+ intriguing tales…
NEW BOOKS PUBLISHED!
Mme Melodie Campbell’s latest comedy mystery, Pizza Wars, is now available! Rookie cop Ben Black sets out with Officer Rita “Mom” Gallo to investigate who is knocking over Steeltown’s pizza delivery boys.
Mme Melissa Yi’s new book, Pride and Provocateur, is now available for readers on Amazon.
When Lixie Bi Bennet travels to Dildo, Nfld, she encounters D’Arcy, a dark, broody billionaire and sparks fly. https://www.amazon.ca › Pride-Provocateur-Prejudice-Variation-Newfoundland-ebook › dp › B0G
And more congrats are due to Melissa who has received a contract from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine for her non-fiction piece “EQMM Made Me Do It!”
PRESENTATIONS! READINGS! WORKSHOPS! FESTIVALS!
FESTIVALS!
MOTIVE
MOTIVE, Toronto International Festival of Authors’ crime conference, takes place from June 5th to 7th at Victoria University, 73 Queen’s Park Crescent, in the University of Toronto. Several Mmes and Messieurs are taking part.
On Saturday, June 6th, Mme Lisa De Nikolits is moderating TWO panels: the first at 12:00 p.m., The Art of Unease with authors Hannah Mary McKinnon and Eva Björg Ægisdóttir.
And the second at 5:00 p.m., Everyday Detectives, with authors Jane Doucet and Uzma Jalaluddin.
Mme Hope Thompson will be reading from her new book, Dark Thoughts and Other Stories, at 5:30 p.m. at Jass Aujla’s Fresh Blood, CWC’s 2026 Debuts and Hot Reads.
On Sundary, June 7th, in her conversation, Out From Behind Bars: Mme Lorna Poplak will explore crime from both sides of the bars with retired police detective, Hank Idsinga, in Room 119 of Emmanuel College at 11:30 a.m.
A book signing will follow this event.
Several Mesdames will be hosting tables in the Crime Writers of Canada tent, Outdoor Quad, Victoria College Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mesdames M. H. Callway, Hope Thompson, Lynne Murphy, Rosemary McCracken, and Lorna Poplak will be there. Drop by, get to know their work and buy their books.
BOOKAPALOOZA!
Mme Rosemary McCracken will be at Bookapalooza 2026 at the Minden Community Centre, 55 Parkside St., Minden, Ontario, on June 20 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. https://www.haliburtonarts.on.ca/bookapalooza
A NEW WORKSHOP!
THE CWC FIRST ANNUAL WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
This is a great opportunity to learn about true crime and crime writing from the experts. This event is free for members of Crime Writers of Canada.
At 12:30 p.m., Mme Lorna Poplak will discuss the attractions and challenges of writing about true crime with fellow authors Susan Goldenberg and Nate Hendley.
At 2:15 pm, Mme Rosemary McCracken speaks about Scams: Targeting Writers’ Dreams.
At 3:15 pm, Mme Lisa De Nikolits outlines how to make social media work for authors in Scroll, Post, Repeat: Making Social Media Work for Crime Writers.
Great Readings and More!
On June 3rd at 7:00 p.m., Mme Hope Thompson hosted Toronto Queer Noir, at the Churchmouse Pub, 457 Church Street, Toronto, presenting a group of exciting new noir authors. It was a smashing success and reunited veteran noir authors, readers and fans as well.
On Wednesday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m., Mme Lorna Poplak will discuss the history of the death penalty in Canada in a virtual presentation for the Third Age Learning Summer Lecture Club in Guelph, Ontario
On June 27th, .Mme Lisa de Nikolits will be on Mme Melodie Campbell’s guest on Sleuthsayers blog. Their subject will be : How to Win the Toughest Game
Five Ways Not to Lose the Plot—Including Your Own Writing. Surviving (and thriving) as an author has never been easy. And right now, it feels tougher—and often more bizarre—than ever.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On June 13/14th, Mme M. H. Callway will be doing her 19th Ride to Conquer Cancer, raising funds for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, by riding 100+ km from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake!
THE BONY BLITHE LIGHT MYSTERY AWARD IS BACK!
Some great news from Mme Cheryl Freedman!
The Bony Blithe Mini-con held on May 15 is over for this year, except for some fond memories, but our bony bonny gal refuses to go back into the closet with the rest of the skeletons. And that’s because she has a BIG announcement to make.
Drum roll, please…
The Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award “for books that make us smile” is back, thanks to our wonderful sponsors: the Toronto Chapter of Sisters in Crime and author Jan Field. The award is the jolly plaque (shown above) plus $1000.
Now, after 6 years of being missing in action, the Bony Blithe Award will be presented once again next year at the 2027 Bony Blithe Mini-con on Friday, May 14 (mark your calendars).
The award is for books that are fun to read. No angst, no gravitas, no brutality or horribleness. It’s for cozies, capers, heists, humorous books, books that don’t hammer us with (insert bass voice here) A Message. In other words, books that make us feel good, that make us smile.
Look for the rules coming soon to the Bony Blithe website and other places. Meanwhile, if you’re published by a publisher that submits books to award contests, please send the name of the publisher plus contact info for whoever submits books to us at info@bonyblithe.ca.
Mesdames of Mayhem 