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Blog - The Man in Black

Saturday, August 22, 2009

THE STOLEN is nominated for the Shamus award!

I'm thrilled to announced that my third Henry Parker novel, THE STOLEN, has been nominated for the prestigious Shamus award. The Shamus is given out every year by the Private Eye Writers of America, and has a long and storied tradition. This is a tremendous honor, and my sincerest thanks go out to the members of PWA, and, of course to the readers. Here is the rest of the press release, which can also be found at the PWA blog:

From Ted Fitzgerald, Awards Chair:

PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES
2009 SHAMUS AWARDS NOMINEES

The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 28th annual Shamus Awards, given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. The 2009 awards cover works first published in the U.S. in 2008. The awards will be presented at the PWA banquet, to be held Friday evening Oct. 16, 2009, in Indianapolis, Indiana, during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. For banquet details, contact Robert J. Randisi at rrandisi@aol.com.

2009 Shamus Awards Nominees

Best Hardcover
Salvation Boulevard by Larry Beinhart (Nation Books), featuring Carl Vanderveer
Empty Ever After by Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House Books), featuring Moe Prager
The Blue Door by David Fulmer (Harcourt), featuring Eddie Cero
The Price of Blood by Declan Hughes (Wm. Morrow), featuring Ed Loy
The Ancient Rain by Domenic Stansberry (St. Martins Minotaur) featuring Dante Mancuso

Best First PI Novel
Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer (Doubleday), featuring Riley Spartz
Swann’s Last Song by Charles Salzberg (Five Star), featuring Henry Swann
The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang (Simon & Schuster), featuring Mei Wang
In the Heat by Ian Vasquez (St. Martins Minotaur), featuring Miles Young
Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson (St Martins Minotaur), featuring Crispin Guest

Best Paperback Original
Snow Blind by Lori Armstrong (Medallion) featuring Julie Collins
Shot Girl by Karen Olson (Obsidian) featuring Annie Seymour
The Stolen by Jason Pinter (MIRA) featuring Henry Parker
The Black Hand by Will Thomas (Touchstone/Simon &Schuster) featuring Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn.
The Evil That Men Do by Dave White (Crown/Three Rivers Press) featuring Jackson Donne

Best Short Story
“Family Values” by Mitch Alderman (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2008), featuring Bubba Simms
“Last Island South” by John C. Boland. (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Sep/Oct 2008), featuring Meggie Trevor
“The Blonde Tigress” by Max Allan Collins (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 2008), featuring Nate Heller
“Discovery” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Nov 2008), featuring Pita Cárdenas
“Panic on Portage Path” by Dick Stodghill (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008), featuring Jack Eddy and Bram Geary.

---------

PWA was founded in 1981 by Robert J. Randisi to recognize the private eye genre and its writers. Previous Shamus winners include Lawrence Block, Ken Bruen, Harlan Coben, Max Allan Collins, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, O’Neil deNoux, Brendan DuBois, Loren D. Estleman, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Sue Grafton, James W. Hall, Steve Hamilton, Jeremiah Healy, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, John Lutz, Bill Pronzini, S.J. Rozan, Sandra Scoppettone and Don Winslow. P.I. Guy logo by Terry Beatty.

Labels: awards, THE STOLEN

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

THE STOLEN is Nominated for a CrimeSpree Award!

I woke up this morning to find out that THE STOLEN had been nominated for a CrimeSpree award! Naturally I'm thrilled about this. And the reason I use the word 'had' instead of 'has' is because it's not too often you learn that you were nominated for an award and lost it on the same day. Guess it saves the anxiety of waiting.

Thanks to the good folks at CrimeSpree and the people who voted, and my heartiest congratulations to all the winners and nominees. There are some great books and great authors on this list, and it's cool just to be a part of it. Check out the full list of winners and nominees over at the CrimeSpree blog.

Labels: awards, THE STOLEN

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Live Tweeting the Thriller Awards

Thriller fans - I am planning to live Tweet tonight at the banquet for the Thriller Awards, presented by International Thriller Writers. Hopefully I can do this without drawing the ire of many people who know all sorts of ingenious ways to kill someone and dispose of their body.

You can follow my Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/jasonpinter.

Labels: awards

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

ThrillerFest

The fourth annual ThrillerFest begins today with Craftfest. I'm sure over the next few days millions of recaps and articles will be written, so I'll just point you to two links: the official ThrillerFest website, and author Jonathan Maberry's blog in which numerous authors (myself included) talk about ThrillerFest and ITW.

Tonight I'll be attending the second Strand Critics award ceremony. The Strand has been incredibly supportive to me, nominating THE MARK last year for "Best First Novel" while including that book and THE STOLEN among their best books of 2007 and 2008. It's a terrific magazine that publishes all sorts of things for mystery lovers of every ilk. Check out their website here and the list of this year's nominees here.

I'm also nominated for a Thriller award for "Best Short Story" for 'The Point Guard' which was published in KILLER YEAR: A Criminal Anthology. The awards will be announced on Saturday night. I'm up against a murderers row of writing talent, so I'l say it here first: It's an honor just to be nominated.

And if you plan to be at ThrillerFest, please stop by my panel:

Friday, July 10th

4:00 pm

WHO DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?: The books and authors that inspired you

Moderator: Tim Maleeney

Lisa Gardner

Andrew Gross

Patricia Gussin

Steve Martini

Jason Pinter

Labels: awards, conferences

Monday, April 27, 2009

Edgar Week

"Live every week like it's Edgar Week." --Tracy Jordan

Ok, Tracy didn't actually say that, but this week is Edgar Week. Due to several scheduling snafus, this will be my first Edgar Week since 2006. Last year I was in Oklahoma for the OWFI writers conference, and in 2007 I was in Houston for the Romantic Times convention (which I covered here. Ironically I was one of the few men there who was actually covered). Back in 2006 I attended the famous Black Orchid Edgar pre-party as a newly-signed author. And though I'm sad that the Orchid has closed its doors, Bonnie and Joe still come around a lot, and the Mysterious Bookshop has graciously taken over pre-party duties.

So if you're in NYC on Tuesday, April 28th, stop by the Mysterious Bookshop at 6:00, where the Mystery Writers of America will be introducing their brand new anthology: THE PROSECUTION RESTS edited by Linda Fairstein. I had the chance to meet Linda at last week's Murder 203, and she had some fantastic stories to tell. If this anthology maintains that level of quality, it'd be a crime to miss it (Mystery writer pun!).

The rest of the week will be filled with informative symposiums, book parties, and, of course, the presentation of the prestigious Edgar awards. For more info on all the Edgar activities, go to TheEdgars.com. See you there...

Labels: awards

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I'm Nominated for a Thriller Award!

I was completely taken by surprise yesterday when I was informed that my short story, "The Point Guard" from KILLER YEAR: A Criminal Anthology, was nominated for a 2009 Thriller award. I was also happy to see that the legendary Ken Bruen is nominated in the same category for the story he graciously contributed to KILLER YEAR. ThrillerFest was the first crime convention I attended as an author, back in July 2006 in the sweltering Arizona heat, and it'll be very cool to attend this summer as a nominee. My sincerest thanks go to the ITW judging committee, the rest of my Killer Year comrades, and to the good folks at St. Martin's Press for publishing this bad boy.

Congratulations to all the nominees. And since I harbor no delusions of actually winning the award, I can honestly say it's an honor to be nominated.

BEST THRILLER OF THE YEAR
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross
The Last Patriot by Brad Thor

BEST FIRST NOVEL
Calumet City by Charlie Newton
Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
Criminal Paradise by Steven Thomas
Sacrifice by S. J. Bolton
The Killer's Wife by Bill Floyd

BEST SHORT STORY
Between the Dark and the Daylight (Ellery Queen Magazine) by Tom Piccirilli
Last Island South (Ellery Queen Magazine) by John C. Boland
The Edge of Seventeen (The Darker Mask) by Alexandra Sokoloff
The Point Guard (Killer Year Anthology) by Jason Pinter
Time of the Green (Killer Year Anthology) by Ken Bruen

Labels: awards, killer year

Friday, January 16, 2009

Edgars, Interviews, and a new blog

First things first, a big, hearty congratulations to all the nominees for the 2009 Edgar Awards.

I did a pretty lengthy interview with Christina Radish over at MediaBlvd.com. Topics discussed include the last few Henry Parker novels, tips for writers, the future of the series, and what I'm working on now. If I do say so myself, it's worth a read.

Lastly, starting next week I'll be joining a brand new group blog called Genreality. I'll be posting on Saturdays (beginning January 24th), joining Alison Kent, Joseph Nassise, Carrie Vaughn, Sasha White and Lynn Viehl. What's cool about this blog is that it features authors from all different genres (mystery, erotica, horror, romance, science fiction and urban fantasy), and should offer a lot of interesting perspectives about books and writing from authors across many spectrums. The blog officially opens its virtual doors on Monday, January 19th, so please come check us out at www.genreality.net.

Labels: awards, bsp, interviews

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

News and Notes

Library Journal chimes in on THE STOLEN:

"An intriguing mystery plagues reporter Henry Parker, who risks his career to find the truth in Pinter’s third series entry. This thriller proves truly scary as it explores every parent’s worst nightmare. It’s also great to see favorite characters back in action; the next book can’t come fast enough."

I wrote an article for John Scalzi's "The Big Idea." Check it out over here.

Plus I just received word that THE MARK has been nominated for the Salt Lake County Readers Choice Award. The nominees are chosen by the 18 libraries and over 650,000 residents of the Salt Lake area, so this is really a very cool honor. If you live in the Salt Lake area, vote early and often!!!

Labels: awards, bsp, reviews, THE MARK, THE STOLEN

Sunday, July 13, 2008

25 Things I Learned at ThrillerFest 2008

1. The debut author class of 2007 is now a group of cagey veterans, savvy about the publishing process, with none of the concerns or neuroses commonly associated with writers (ok, that might not be true).

2. Thriller writers get some pretty wretched Amazon reviews. And to the person who wanted to "un-read" Lee Child's PERSUADER (my favorite Reacher novel, actually), allow me to offer a giant raspberry for your troubles.

3. Barry Eisler's hair still rocks.

4. I'm still looking for the one truly horrific debut author road story, like being kidnapped by a tribe of cannibals or something.

5. My publisher seems to only release books from authors who are incredibly nice, almost scarily so. Shout outs to Thrillerfest attendees Carla Neggers, Rick Mofina, J.T. Ellison (and hubby), Laura Caldwell, Heather Graham, Kat Martin and Michelle Gagnon.

6. My publisher only seems to publish authors who are much better dressers than I am. Thanks a lot, guys. Can't you find good writer who's also a hobo?

7. Jonathan Maberry's PATIENT ZERO is going to flat out blow people away. Put it on your "Must Read" list for 2009.

8. James Rollins has officially been tapped to replace Jay Leno. I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying he could be the best emcee in crime writer history (if only that Al Roker wasn't such a potty mouth).

9. My fanboy geek moment of the conference? Riding alone in an elevator with Robert Crais. I think my exact words were "bhalehanfnbsha askdhad ebudbndii."

10. If you turn into a lemming and blindly follow people after a party, you end up having dinner with Steve Martini and Andrew Gross. (note: your experience may differ from mine)

11. Steve Berry apparently did some very unsavory things to become president of ITW...

12. For some reason, I'm very photogenic in Ireland. Special thanks to Pat Mullan who really made my Thrillerfest by bringing the piece in Ireland's Sunday Business Post on me all the way from Dublin.

13. Thriller writers love jokes about the New York Times bestseller list. I believe lawyers also love jokes about depositions.

14. It's really tacky to set up a gigantic easel featuring your book poster at a panel with five other people.

15. Don't know what to do with your extra galleys that are taking up too much space in your apartment? Put them on the freebie table!!!

16. Lots of publishers are kicking themselves over not offering more money for Stephenie Meyer's first novel.

17. The plus side of buying two banquet passes yet going solo: extra drink tickets!

18. You could make a down payment on a beach home for the same price of a beer at the Grand Hyatt.

19. There are rumblings about a second Killer Year anthology (wait, that might be my stomach).

20. People will do anything (have a wedding anniversary, undergo dental surgery) to forgo accepting their Thriller award.

21. David Baldacci has singlehandedly done more to combat illiteracy in this country than pretty much anybody. What he's done cannot be praised enough. Visit the Wish You Well Foundation website to find out more.

22. Nicholas Pekearo was a talented writer and a hero, and his loss is one for all of us.

23. Sandra Brown proves that great success does not have to come at the expense of humor and humility.

24. The judges for "Best Novel" had to read three hundred books in one year. So if you don't see the next Joseph Finder novel until 2013, that's why.

25. Once again, crime writers are the most generous, supportive and fun bunch of folks on the planet. Congrats to all the deserving winners, Robert Harris, Tom Piccirilli and Joe Hill, as well as the nominees. See you in NYC in 2009. Next year, BYOB.

Labels: awards, conferences, publishing, writing

Saturday, May 31, 2008

THE MARK is nominated for the Barry Award!

I learned late last night (Friend: "Congrats on your nomination!" Me: "What nomination?") that THE MARK was nominated for the Barry Award for "Best Paperback Original."

Needless to say I'm thrilled about the nom, especially since I was at Bouchercon last year when Sean Doolittle's terrific book THE CLEANUP won in this category. This is the third award THE MARK has been nominated for, though I'm hardly expecting a trip up to the podium since the competition includes Megan Abbott's QUEENPIN, which has already picked up an Edgar. But it really is an honor just to be nominated, especially since the PBO category includes more than debut authors.

Congrats as well to fellow Killer Year members Sean Chercover, Marcus Sakey and Brett Battles who were also nominated for Barrys (Barries? Barry's?). Way to go guys!

Labels: awards, novels, THE MARK

Friday, May 02, 2008

Edgars, OK!

Congratulations to all the Edgar award winners, as well as the nominees. There are a lot of books on this list on my TBR pile, and I can't wait to get through them. I'm very sorry to have missed what sounds like a great banquet, but I promise not to miss another Edgar ceremony.

Right now I'm in Midwest City, Oklahoma as the OWFI conference. Today I'm speaking on the editor/author dichotomy, and tomorrow I'm on a panel critiquing query letters. The weather here is beautiful, save the completely random hail storm that occurred at about 8:00 last night and forced the hotel employees to seek refuge in a nearby storm shelter (seriously).

I'm also excited because THE MARK comes out in the UK two weeks from today. I'll be going across the pond on June 2nd to promote it over there and attend the CrimeFest conference. More to come on all fronts.

Labels: awards, conferences, foreign editions, THE MARK

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Awards, links, etc...

Last week I got the press release that THE MARK had been nominated for "Best First Novel" by the Strand Critics Award (you can check out the actual release here). This is the second nomination the book has picked up (the other being from Romantic Times magazine), and I'm really just thrilled and shocked by both. Most importantly, it means people have enjoyed the book. And for that I'm thankful.

And here are a few links to get caught up on:

THE GUILTY has gotten some wonderful notices recently. Here's the latest from Bookreporter.com. And you can check out the rest of the reviews here.

I arrived home yesterday to find galleys for THE STOLEN waiting for me. A very pleasant surprise. I plan on posting a sneak peek at the cover art shortly, but subscribers to my newsletter will get an early look. You can sign up in the handy box on the right side of this blog, or at www.jasonpinter.com.

I must give a shout out to fellow Mira author Rachel Vincent, whose second book ROGUE just hit stores. Her first, STRAY, was a huge hit, and she's a pretty darn nice person as well (and a big help with my contest last month). Check out her terrific blog at urbanfantasy.blogspot.com, and then order a copy of ROGUE.

I'm in the midst of planning several trips. I'll be in Arizona on April 6th, signing at the renowned Poisoned Pen bookstore. I've never been to the Pen, and I'll be signing with C.J. Lyons. C.J. has been a friend for a few years, and her first novel LIFELINES was just released. C.J. has had a, shall we say, unique road to publishing her first novel, and I hope it's a huge success. Then I'll be at the Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference in May, and in June I'll be hopping across the pond to promote the UK release of THE MARK. I'm particularly excited for this, as my UK publishers have been wonderful and are working very hard to spread the word. They've lined up some very cool promotions, though a few of them will test my mettle as videographer and spokesman. I'll post links when I can (provided I'm not humiliated).

Labels: awards, bsp, conferences, reviews, THE GUILTY, THE MARK

Thursday, March 20, 2008

I'm speechless...

Strand Magazine Announces Nominees for 2007 Critics Award

Award honors excellence in the field of mystery fiction

DETROIT, March 20, 2008—The Strand Magazine has announced its nominees for the 2007 Strand Magazine Critics Award. Recognizing excellence in the field of mystery fiction, the Critics Award is judged by a select group of book reviewers from the nation’s top daily newspapers, as well as by Andrew F. Gulli, Managing Editor of The Strand Magazine. With Larry Gandle of The Tampa Tribune serving as The Strand Critics Award chairman, this year’s judges include Patrick Anderson of The Washington Post, Dick Lochte of the LA Times, Oline H. Cogdill of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, David Montgomery of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Hallie Ephron of The Boston Globe, and Sarah Weinman of The Baltimore Sun.

Best Novel

Down River by John Hart (St Martin’s Minotaur)
The Shotgun Rule by Charlie Huston (Ballantine Books)
The Strangler by William Landay (Delacorte Press)
The Watchman by Robert Crais (Simon and Schuster)
What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman (William Morrow)

Best First Novel

The Blade Itself by Marcus Sakey (St. Martin's Minotaur)
In the Woods by Tana French (Viking)
The Mark by Jason Pinter (Mira Books)
Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell (William Morrow)
When One Man Dies by Dave White (Crown Publishing)

“We’ve got a great group of experienced book reviewers from all over the country judging these books,” said Frank Simon, Associate Publisher of The Strand. “Add to that the fact that The Strand is putting its name behind it and you can be sure that all the nominees represent some of the best mysteries being published today.”

Labels: awards, THE MARK

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Ro-man-tic

I received word that THE MARK has been nominated for "Best First Mystery" by Romantic Times magazine. This is extremely cool and I'm just thrilled. Thanks to the good folks at RT and all the readers who made this happen!

Labels: awards, bsp, THE MARK

Friday, January 18, 2008

Edgar Nominees Announced

Congratulations to all the nominees. And a very special congrats to Killer Year member Derek Nikitas, whose book PYRES was nominated for Best First Novel! Way to go Derek!

Best Novel
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black (Henry Holt and Company)
Priest by Ken Bruen (St. Martin's Minotaur)
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins)
Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House Books)
Down River by John Hart (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Best First Novel by an American Author
Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell (HarperCollins - William Morrow)
In the Woods by Tana French (Penguin Group - Viking)
Snitch Jacket by Christopher Goffard (The Rookery Press)
Head Games by Craig McDonald (Bleak House Books)
Pyres by Derek Nikitas (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Best Paperback Original
Queenpin by Megan Abbott (Simon & Schuster)
Blood of Paradise by David Corbett (Random House - Mortalis)
Cruel Poetry by Vicki Hendricks (Serpent's Tail)
Robbie's Wife by Russell Hill (Hard Case Crime)
Who is Conrad Hirst? by Kevin Wignall (Simon & Schuster)

Best Critical/Biographical
The Triumph of the Thriller: How Cops, Crooks and Cannibals Captured Popular Fiction by Patrick Anderson (Random House)
A Counter-History of Crime Fiction: Supernatural, Gothic, Sensational by Maurizio Ascari (Palgrave Macmillan)
Deviance in Contemporary Crime Fiction by Christiana Gregoriou (Palgrave Macmillan)
Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters by Jon Lellenberg, Daniel Stashower and Charles Foley (The Penguin Press)
Chester Gould: A Daughter's Biography of the Creator of Dick Tracy by Jean Gould O'Connell (McFarland & Company)

Best Fact Crime
The Birthday Party by Stanley Alpert (Penguin Group - G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi (W.W. Norton and Company
Chasing Justice: My Story of Freeing Myself After Two Decades on Death Row for a Crime I Didn't Commit by Kerry Max Cook (HarperCollins - William Morrow)
Relentless Pursuit: A True Story of Family, Murder, and the Prosecutor Who Wouldn't Quit by Kevin Flynn (Penguin Group - G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Sacco & Vanzetti: The Men, The Murders and the Judgment of Mankind by Bruce Watson (Penguin Group - Viking)

Best Short Story
"The Catch" - Still Waters by Mark Ammons (Level Best Books)
"Blue Note" - Chicago Blues by Stuart M. Kaminsky (Bleak House Books)
"Hardly Knew Her" - Dead Man's Hand by Laura Lippman (Harcourt Trade Publishers)
"The Golden Gopher" - Los Angeles Noir by Susan Straight (Akashic Books
"Uncle" - A Hell of a Woman by Daniel Woodrell (Busted Flush Press)

Best Young Adult
Rat Life by Tedd Arnold (Penguin - Dial Books for Young Readers)
Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney (Random House Children's Books - Delacorte Press)
Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
Blood Brothers by S.A. Harazin (Random House Children's Books - Delacorte Press)
Fragments by Jeffry W. Johnston (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing - Simon Pulse)

Best Juvenile
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Shadows on Society Hill by Evelyn Coleman (American Girl Publications)
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn (Clarion Books)
The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh (Hyperion Books for Young Readers)
Sammy Keyes and the Wild Things by Wendelin Van Draanen (Random House Children's Books - Alfred A. Knopf)

Best Play
If/Then by David Foley (International Mystery Writers' Festival)
Panic by Joseph Goodrich (International Mystery Writers' Festival)
Books by Stuart M. Kaminsky (International Mystery Writers' Festival)

Best Television Episode Teleplay
"It's Alive" - Dexter, Teleplay by Daniel Cerone (Showtime)
"Yahrzeit" - Waking the Dead, Teleplay by Declan Croghan & Barbara Machin (BBC America)
"Pie-Lette" - Pushing Daisies, Teleplay by Bryan Fuller (ABC/Warner Bros Television
"Senseless" - Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Teleplay by Julie Martin & Siobhan Byrne O'Connor (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)
"Pilot" - Burn Notice, Teleplay by Matt Nix (USA Network/Fox Television Studios)

Best Motion Picture Screen Play
Eastern Promises, Screenplay by Steven Knight (Focus Features)
The Lookout, Screenplay by Scott Frank (Miramax)
Michael Clayton, Screenplay by Tony Gilroy (Warner Bros. Pictures)
No Country for Old Men, Screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen, based on the book by Cormac McCarthy (Miramax)
Zodiac, Screenplay by James Vanderbilt, based on the book by Robert Graysmith (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Robert L. Fish Memorial Award
"The Catch" - Still Waters by Mark Ammons (Level Best Books)

Mary Higgins Clark Award
In Cold Pursuit by Sarah Andrews (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Wild Indigo by Sandi Ault (Penguin Group - Berkley Prime Crime)
Inferno by Karen Harper (Harlequin - MIRA Books)
The First Stone by Judith Kelman (Penguin Group - Berkley Prime Crime)
Deadman's Switch by Barbara Seranella (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Labels: awards

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

MWA, Self-Publishing, and the YouTube Debate

Over at Sarah's website, you can check out a very interesting debate revolving around Hard Case Crime founder Charles Ardai, a previous winner of the Edgar Award, who because of new rules adopted by MWA finds his latest novel ineligible for consideration.

I'm not the right person to make any sort of judgment on the issue itself. I've been an MWA member for a little over a year, have never been a judge and don't really know what goes into the process. What does interest me is the self-publishing debate, and how the wheat is separated from the chaff.

In a nutshell, Ardai's novel SONGS OF INNOCENCE is ineligible under the new MWA rules, as it falls under the category of being a self-published book. (please go to Sarah's site for a far more comprehensive analysis) Naturally an issue was raised since Ardai has won an Edgar previously, and is widely considered one of the most respected and influential members of the writing and publishing community. Not to mention the consensus is that SOI, self-published or not, is a terrific book, and even if not nominated for an award would at least warrant serious consideration.

Some commentors, Ardai included, seem to be in favor of MWA accepting submissions from self-published authors, assuming the cream will simply rise to the top. Accepting these books does not cheapen the award or make the process more difficult, as Ardai, himself an Edgar judge in 1998 when they did accept self-pubbed submissions, notes that, "...it took precious little time to determine that a bad self-published book was nowhere near award caliber and set it aside."

Having been on the other side of the publishing desk, I equate MWA's banning of self-published books to the rule most larger houses have of not accepting unagented submissions. The rule is not there, of course, out of snobbery, but to act as quality control for editors and publishers whose time is already taxed to begin with. The feeling among editors and publishers is that with so many agents out there, the bottom line is that good books will find representation. After all, agents want to represents books that will sell (books people will read, not only books that are commercial). Many agents do end up representing self-published works whose quality rises above the stigma. So if an author can't hook up with one of the literally hundreds of agents out there, the book has not passed through quality control. Yes there are diamonds in the rough, which I'll go into later, but one has to dig through a tremendous amount of coal to find it, and since an editor's primary concern is the books he/she currently has under contract, the risk is very seldom worth the reward.

Of course Ardai's situation is much, much more complicated than "author who couldn't find a mainstream publisher and went to iUniverse," but I tend to agree with those who are reluctant to allow any books bound between cloth to be eligible. Since anyone can self-publish a book with ease, what is the real difference between a self-published book and a stack of loose manuscript pages? Or somebody with a Word file saved on their hard drive? There must be some sort of quality control.

Again I have never been an MWA judge and do not know how the process works, but I can imagine it consumes an incredible amount of time, and that's only judging books that are accepted under the current, tighter conditions. As Ardai states, the self-publishing issue was a minor inconvenience in 1998. Others have mentioned writers like Tolstoy, who were considered self-published and would not be eligible under the current laws. To that I say, this ain't 1998 any more.

Getting self-published today is easier than ever. It does not take any editorial or authorial skill to be self-published, only a pile of paper and enough money to cover the costs. And for many, the cost is worth seeing your manuscript bound between two covers. I can be relatively certain that if all self-published books were permitted, the time consumed would go from "minor inconvenience" to "near insurmountable" almost overnight. Not to mention, in my opinion, it would encourage even more self-publishing, as aspiring authors would soon realize that for $199 they could be judged on the same field as Lawrence Block. And if this leads to authors paying a few bucks to get their books bound for award consideration instead of honing their craft, I think it'd be a real shame and could actually do the opposite of what's intended. Like a team calling up a prospect who hasn't had proper seasoning, you might squander some tremendous potential. Surely there must be a process that prohibits the millions of home videos uploaded to YouTube from being judged for Oscar consideration, right?

Yes, there are many cases of authors who initially self-published their books, and either sold hundreds of thousands on their own (James Redfield) or eventually landed with a mainstream publisher where they became massive bestsellers (Vince Flynn). No process, especially one which judges such subjective matter as books, is infallible. Just as in this case the new rules, though they make sense to many, sadly leave a talented author like Ardai out in the cold.

Labels: awards, pop culture