brilliant sun - cool - temps 14
Warming up. We're back home after an eventful - and unexpected - 24 hours!
As many of you might have heard...BURY YOUR DEAD has won the Arthur Ellis Award, given out by the Crime Writers of Canada - for Best Crime Novel of 2010!!! It is so deeply moving, and meaningful, to be recognized in my own country, by fellow writers, and readers.
The awards were announced at the Ellis banquet, held this year in the beautiful city of Victoria, British Columbia. Unfortunately, Michael and I couldn't be there - wrestling with writing! But Tony Bidulka, my friend and fellow crime writer, accepted for me. he was also the MC for the night. And a past nominee. If you don't know his, you must check out his books. Just look up Anthony Bidulka!
And congratulations to all the winners.
Stevie Cameron for her non-fiction book: On The Farm
Short story: So Much in Common, by Mary Jane Maffini, published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.
Juvenile/young adult: The Worst Thing She Ever Did, by Alice Kuipers.
French: Dans le quartier des agités, by Jacques Côté.
First novel: The Debba, by Avner Mandleman.
John Jeneroux picked up the Unhanged Arthur Award, which recognizes the best unpublished first crime novel, for his manuscript Better Off Dead.
Yesterday began at 5:15, when our alarm went off. We hopped (well, that might be an exaggeration) out of bed and were in our cars by 6am. Michael in his 'real' car and me in the Volks beetle.
The beetle had a 7:20 appointment at the dealership, 1:20 minutes away in Sherbrooke.
We scooted there, arrived right on time, and handed it over....for its check up - but also to change the tires. I was still driving on the winter tires and even in Quebec, it's safe to change to regular tires by June.
Then we headed to Hovey manor for breakfast. ahhhh - bliss. Eating a honey, granny smith apple, mushroom and feta cheese omlet, while looking out over the rose garden.
I turned to Michael and said, 'I have an idea.'
Now, Michael's smiles range from the absolutely luminous - when told that lobster fest had begun in the village to polite, when told that Buttercup Penny - the hound from hell - would be visiting.
And then there was a special category of smile reserved for when I say, 'I have an idea.' More grimace, really, than smile now that I think of it.
He grimaced and asked what it was.
It turned out the car wouldn't be ready until late in the day - which meant we either fought rush hour traffic through Sherbrooke at 5pm - having driven an hour and twenty to even get to the city - or we could return the next afternoon. Still, frankly, a pain.
Or...
'Why don't we just stay at Hovey for the night?'
Now, this wasn't as insane as it sounds. Hovey is only about 15 minutes drive from Sherbrooke. We could stay the night, get up early, have breakfast, and drive to the dealership.
There was, however, a flaw, and you might have already seen it. Michael sure did.
'What about our clothes? And toothbrushes?'
Now, I could see he wasn't actually against the idea. In fact, his grimace had become a genuine smile - not lobsterFest luminous, yet, but getting there.
the other element in our day, as you might know, was the whole purpose of it really....being at Brother Charles's final vows. At 11am. At the monastery of Saint Benoit du lac. Which was about half way between hovey and home.
We looked at our watches and realized, given a good tailwind, we could rush home, throw some clothes in a bag and make it in time for final vows.
Off we raced. Got home...estimated we had 10 minutes to pack...ran around like mad. Packed the car. Raced off. ten minutes behind schedule. Fortunately, Lise was there and she lives close to St Benoit - and screamed the 'fast' directions to us as we roared out the driveway. Something about a rocket ship and either route 243 or 245.
We'd be fine, we told ourselves.
And, oddly enough, we were! We got to Saint Benoit with ten minutes to spare. Met Brother Raymond and other guests in the entrance. Found seats. And waited.
I'm not sure I can describe what it was like. All the monks in robes, of course. The abbot in special robes, with a shepherd's staff. The most magnificent organ music. And when the organ died away the monks, without accompaniment, began their Gregorian Chants. And then Brother Charles arrived and I don't think there was a dry eye.
It lasted 2 hours. Afterward, over dinner at Hovey, I asked Michael how he found it. We both, of course, found it deeply moving. To see a man we care about take such a profound step. After all his perseverence, his belief that this was what he was meant and made to do. To see his love of God, his faith. To hear the gentle and loving words of the abbot. To see Brother charles greet all of his brother monks not with a kiss, or a handshake, but by softly touching their heads together.
And then Brother Charles lying, prostrate, for 20 minutes. not budging. Not a quiver of his feet or hands or head. Absolute sublimation.
I asked Michael what he thought about, while the 2 hour service was going on. He said he spent the time praying for Brother Charles. For the Lord to bless him. And for the Lord to continue to shower Brother Charles with his love.
And what, Michael asked, did you think of.
oh oh.
The truth was, while I tried to pray for Brother Charles the whole time, I found my mind drifting. Sometimes to the book I was writing - and actually came up with some ideas. Sometimes to ridiculous things. I got to wondering if gummy bears had any natural ingredients at all. And what would be worse...a spoonful of gummies or a spoonful of canned whipped cream.
And then I remembered to pray for Brother Charles.
And then I wondered if the brothers played any other instruments, or just the organ. And then I wondered how old the organ was. And then I wondered how long a person could live eating just gummie bears. And then I wondered if monks ate gummies.
And then I remembered to pray for Borther Charles.
And so it went.
But I have to say - it was beautiful. The joy was evident. Their adoration evident. And the love Brother Charles has for his community and them for him was evident. It was like watching a particularly beautiful, and gentle, wedding.
then we all went into the basement for a special lunch, celebrating his final vows.
And then - Michael and I went to the monk's shop and bought three things - for you. To thank you for being my writing community. For joining me in Three Pines, and following Armand on his travels, both external and internal.
for always being with me - whether the news is good (like today!!) - or not so good.
What we got are: A box of chocolate covered cranberries, handmade by the Trappist monks in Mistissani Quebec. They're a fabulous as they sound, and it's a miracle they haven't been eaten yet!
A CD of the St Benoit monks singing their world famous Gregorian chants.
And a tote bag, with the monastery on it.
Now, feel free to enter for all three - or if there's one you'd like more than the others, please tell me. I know, for instance, some of you would love the chants - but some of you would rather not be given that. so, if you'd rather not have the chants, please let me know.
To be put in the draw, just write to me at: contact@louisepenny.com just put in the subject line which of the gifts you'd like - or all of them - that's good too!
I'll do the draw tomorrow afternoon. Random.
From there, Michael and I went back to Hovey - and after a fabulous dinner of smoked salmon and duck (for michael) and fiddlehead soup and halibut for me - I heard the amazing news about the Arthur Ellis.
What days we have. I know God loves Brother Charles - but we sure feel blessed too.
Thank you for being a part of it.
Showing posts with label Arthur Ellis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arthur Ellis. Show all posts
Friday, 3 June 2011
Friday, 5 June 2009
Linwood wins!
beautiful, sunny day, temps 20
Gorgeous day, and fun evening. As perhaps you've gathered, I didn't win the ellis award, but a fine writer did! Linwood Barclay. Indeed, the field was so strong I felt relaxed knowing whoever won would deserve it.
There's no doubt I would always prefer to hear my name, who wouldn't. But I also know I've had way more than my share of good fortune. The sun shines on Linwood today, and someone else tomorrow and maybe me another day...and all I can do is keep walking outside and doing my best. and knowing even rainy days are blessings.
Our friend Flora joined us at our table for the dinner. a lovely, supportive, woman.
Had huge fun yesterday - lunch on the Rideau Canal, at the National Arts Centre with our friends Vicky and Howard. Listening to funny stories, getting caught up. then Michael and I took the boat cruise along the canal. Beautiful day for it!
it was a bit crowded with kids...the boat before and after were near empty, but ours was full. Not exactly tranquil, but it could have been worse. No loss of life, or temper. Again - things beyond our control. No use stewing, though I try...for a while. But it's not that much fun, so soon give it up in favour of having a good time. Often the scream in my head is way worse than anything happening externally. the good news is, I can turn that off.
Today is splendid - working on my speech for tomorrow night and having lunch with friends...then either off to the war museum or a nap. Am quite tired. And since I'm one of the guests of honour at Bloody Words (the Canadian Crime Writers conference)I have a feature interview tonight, from 7:30 to 8:30 I suspect it will be me, Michael and the interviewer. If I wasn't the interviewee, I wouldn't be there! Oh well. More things I can't control. Actually makes life quite relaxing.
Take care and thank you for all your good wishes regarding the Arthur Ellis. I'm so proud to be a Canadian Crime writer, and the award would have been a treasure, but perhaps another year.
Gorgeous day, and fun evening. As perhaps you've gathered, I didn't win the ellis award, but a fine writer did! Linwood Barclay. Indeed, the field was so strong I felt relaxed knowing whoever won would deserve it.
There's no doubt I would always prefer to hear my name, who wouldn't. But I also know I've had way more than my share of good fortune. The sun shines on Linwood today, and someone else tomorrow and maybe me another day...and all I can do is keep walking outside and doing my best. and knowing even rainy days are blessings.
Our friend Flora joined us at our table for the dinner. a lovely, supportive, woman.
Had huge fun yesterday - lunch on the Rideau Canal, at the National Arts Centre with our friends Vicky and Howard. Listening to funny stories, getting caught up. then Michael and I took the boat cruise along the canal. Beautiful day for it!
it was a bit crowded with kids...the boat before and after were near empty, but ours was full. Not exactly tranquil, but it could have been worse. No loss of life, or temper. Again - things beyond our control. No use stewing, though I try...for a while. But it's not that much fun, so soon give it up in favour of having a good time. Often the scream in my head is way worse than anything happening externally. the good news is, I can turn that off.
Today is splendid - working on my speech for tomorrow night and having lunch with friends...then either off to the war museum or a nap. Am quite tired. And since I'm one of the guests of honour at Bloody Words (the Canadian Crime Writers conference)I have a feature interview tonight, from 7:30 to 8:30 I suspect it will be me, Michael and the interviewer. If I wasn't the interviewee, I wouldn't be there! Oh well. More things I can't control. Actually makes life quite relaxing.
Take care and thank you for all your good wishes regarding the Arthur Ellis. I'm so proud to be a Canadian Crime writer, and the award would have been a treasure, but perhaps another year.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Arthur Ellis nomination!
sunny, warm, beautiful temps 20
Yaaaayy. THE MURDER STONE (A RULE AGAINST MURDER) has been shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis for best crime novel in Canada. It's a really strong list too. Linwood Barclay, Maureen Jennings, James W. Nichol and Michael Rose are also on it. Congratulations to everyone.
The nominations were announced last night across the country at different events. In Montreal it was done as part of a panel at the literary festival, Blue Metropolis. Anna Asimakopulos moderated and it was Giles Blunt and me. Then the nominations announced.
I'd practiced my, 'I'm so happy for all the nominees and don't care that I'm not one' face. It's a long face. Happily no one had to see it.
Then Nancy Grant, the regional Crime Writers of Canada VP, asked Michael to read the shortlist for the Best Unpublished Novel. What an honour...and he did it beautifully.
Another person I want to mention is Phyllis Smallman - she's shortlisted for Best First Crime Novel...she won the Best Unpublished a couple of years ago with her fab book, Marguarita Nights. Her second book is just coming out.
It's been aneventful couple of day...quite busy. Did the workshop in Lennoxville, then a signing at the University bookstore then a wonderful dinner with our friends Jim and Roya, then drove in to Montreal. Next day we ran around doing all sorts of things in preparation to move...then the panel last night.
We stopped at McDonalds on our way down to the country. Celebratory burger and fries. Talk about glamorous! But mightly yummy.
Got back to writing today...takes some time. Am off to write the May newsletter since I'll be gone for most of next week.
Oh, what a gorgeous day it is here...real spring...and tomorrow supposed to be up to 26 degrees! And Lise came today with Donna and they got the garden started. Wonderful.
Lots of reasons to celebrate.
Yaaaayy. THE MURDER STONE (A RULE AGAINST MURDER) has been shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis for best crime novel in Canada. It's a really strong list too. Linwood Barclay, Maureen Jennings, James W. Nichol and Michael Rose are also on it. Congratulations to everyone.
The nominations were announced last night across the country at different events. In Montreal it was done as part of a panel at the literary festival, Blue Metropolis. Anna Asimakopulos moderated and it was Giles Blunt and me. Then the nominations announced.
I'd practiced my, 'I'm so happy for all the nominees and don't care that I'm not one' face. It's a long face. Happily no one had to see it.
Then Nancy Grant, the regional Crime Writers of Canada VP, asked Michael to read the shortlist for the Best Unpublished Novel. What an honour...and he did it beautifully.
Another person I want to mention is Phyllis Smallman - she's shortlisted for Best First Crime Novel...she won the Best Unpublished a couple of years ago with her fab book, Marguarita Nights. Her second book is just coming out.
It's been aneventful couple of day...quite busy. Did the workshop in Lennoxville, then a signing at the University bookstore then a wonderful dinner with our friends Jim and Roya, then drove in to Montreal. Next day we ran around doing all sorts of things in preparation to move...then the panel last night.
We stopped at McDonalds on our way down to the country. Celebratory burger and fries. Talk about glamorous! But mightly yummy.
Got back to writing today...takes some time. Am off to write the May newsletter since I'll be gone for most of next week.
Oh, what a gorgeous day it is here...real spring...and tomorrow supposed to be up to 26 degrees! And Lise came today with Donna and they got the garden started. Wonderful.
Lots of reasons to celebrate.
Friday, 6 June 2008
Food and fun in Bristol
sunny - god knows if it's mild or not
finally - a brilliant sunny day and we're inside the Marriott Royal Bristol hotel at CrimeFest. Oh well, there are far worse places. We're have a blast. Nice turnout - not perhaps spectacular. But Ian Rankin is here and Laurie King and the guy who writes the Dexter books.
Had a panel today on Location. Very interesting - everyone else sets their novels in various parts of scotland, including the spectacular Ann Cleeves, whose current series is set in the Shetland Islands. It was so intersting to hear them all describe where and why. Very moving too.
It made, also, a nice contrast to my books so we were able to talk about location and climate as separate characters in our novels.
Then had a hysterical lunch with Michael and three other writers - Lesley Horton, Dolores Gordon-Smith (whose books are set in the 1920s - between the wars) and Aline Templeton, whose books are set in Scotland. We laughed until I thought we'd all choke...mostly stories about rabid agents and ludicrious editors, and horrible book events. Makes me feel very relieved to know I'm not alone in all these ridiculous experiences and perceptions. Especially the story of the agent who says, 'As you know I have a photographic memory for books. Now, what are yours called again?' to her own author! Or the writer who agrees to make all the changes her agent demands - waits two weeks then sends in exactly the same manuscript, unchanged. And the agent proclaims it brilliant - so much better for her changes.
Not that I'd ever do that...
The Arthur Ellis awards were in Toronto last night...and congratulations to the winners!!!
Jon Redfern and RendezVous Crime – Best Novel for Trumpets Sound No More
Shane Peacock – Best Juvenile for Eye of the Crow (Tundra)
Dorothy McIntosh – Unhanged Arthur (Best Unpublished First Novel) for The Witch of Babylon
Leslie Watts – Best Short Story for “Turners”
Julian Sher – Best Non-fiction for One Child at a Time (Vintage Canada/RHC)
Liam Durcan – Best First Novel for Garcia’s Heart (M&S)
Mario Bolduc – Best French Book for Tsiganes (Libre Expression)
I'm so happy for all the winners.
I understand the evening was VERY exciting and we really wish we could have been there. It was fun to hear too that THE CRUELLEST MONTH was announced as having been the bestselling Canadian book at Sleuth of Baker Street. Thanks to all of you who bought the book, and to Marian and JD for shoving it on so many of you!
We're off for dinner tonight. Taking Ayo Onatade out for a birthday dinner with a few other people. She's lovely - one of the first people in London to be really kind to us, long before Still Life came out. She's one of the senior people at Mystery Women magazine, and does lots of reviews. She's also just a really fun person. So we're off to celebrate with her and Lizzie Hayes and a bunch of other people who heard about the dinner and want to come.
Tomorrow I don't have a panel until 4:30...get to hear others talk about the craft. Fascinating and inspiring.
Be well, and I'll report in tomorrow.
finally - a brilliant sunny day and we're inside the Marriott Royal Bristol hotel at CrimeFest. Oh well, there are far worse places. We're have a blast. Nice turnout - not perhaps spectacular. But Ian Rankin is here and Laurie King and the guy who writes the Dexter books.
Had a panel today on Location. Very interesting - everyone else sets their novels in various parts of scotland, including the spectacular Ann Cleeves, whose current series is set in the Shetland Islands. It was so intersting to hear them all describe where and why. Very moving too.
It made, also, a nice contrast to my books so we were able to talk about location and climate as separate characters in our novels.
Then had a hysterical lunch with Michael and three other writers - Lesley Horton, Dolores Gordon-Smith (whose books are set in the 1920s - between the wars) and Aline Templeton, whose books are set in Scotland. We laughed until I thought we'd all choke...mostly stories about rabid agents and ludicrious editors, and horrible book events. Makes me feel very relieved to know I'm not alone in all these ridiculous experiences and perceptions. Especially the story of the agent who says, 'As you know I have a photographic memory for books. Now, what are yours called again?' to her own author! Or the writer who agrees to make all the changes her agent demands - waits two weeks then sends in exactly the same manuscript, unchanged. And the agent proclaims it brilliant - so much better for her changes.
Not that I'd ever do that...
The Arthur Ellis awards were in Toronto last night...and congratulations to the winners!!!
Jon Redfern and RendezVous Crime – Best Novel for Trumpets Sound No More
Shane Peacock – Best Juvenile for Eye of the Crow (Tundra)
Dorothy McIntosh – Unhanged Arthur (Best Unpublished First Novel) for The Witch of Babylon
Leslie Watts – Best Short Story for “Turners”
Julian Sher – Best Non-fiction for One Child at a Time (Vintage Canada/RHC)
Liam Durcan – Best First Novel for Garcia’s Heart (M&S)
Mario Bolduc – Best French Book for Tsiganes (Libre Expression)
I'm so happy for all the winners.
I understand the evening was VERY exciting and we really wish we could have been there. It was fun to hear too that THE CRUELLEST MONTH was announced as having been the bestselling Canadian book at Sleuth of Baker Street. Thanks to all of you who bought the book, and to Marian and JD for shoving it on so many of you!
We're off for dinner tonight. Taking Ayo Onatade out for a birthday dinner with a few other people. She's lovely - one of the first people in London to be really kind to us, long before Still Life came out. She's one of the senior people at Mystery Women magazine, and does lots of reviews. She's also just a really fun person. So we're off to celebrate with her and Lizzie Hayes and a bunch of other people who heard about the dinner and want to come.
Tomorrow I don't have a panel until 4:30...get to hear others talk about the craft. Fascinating and inspiring.
Be well, and I'll report in tomorrow.
Thursday, 1 May 2008
Home
sunny, snow showers, cool, highs 3
I've actually tried to publish this post for 2 hours... not sure I have the energy to write another one! But I did want to tell you a few things -
We're home. Home.
the book I'm writing now is about home, and belonging. I really am a home body. My sign is Cancer - and we're very nurturing, and sensitive (sometimes over) and love nesting.
I really, really enjoy traveling - especially to London! And adored Malice Domestic, and genuinely love meeting people.
But then it's good to get home.
This morning while pouring the kettle I noticed tulips almost in bloom on the cutting garden. And daffodils, and bugs on the trees. Lise, who is also our gardener, had been here with her wonderful husband Del and they'd prepared the spring gardens. It's as though Lise and Del had fallen from heaven and landed in our lives. How lucky are we?
The geese are back - plump and honking. No babies yet, but there will be I'm sure.
When we left there was ice on the pond and 5 feet of snow. And now there are geese and tulips.
I was going to write today, but Pat brought the dogs back and so I decided to spend the day walking around the garden and the pond, with Maggie and Trudy (who immediately got her entire head covered in burrs). I cut the tulips and put them in vases around the home...and snipped the fragrant daffodils and they're in vases now too.
The writing will wait - this won't. And the book, one about home, will be the better for this day.
Had a wonderful evening in Montreal last night at the Crime Writers of Canada event for the Arthur Ellis nominations.
Met a young woman shortlisted for the Best Unpublished award. Patricia Flewwelling is her name. Her book is called MUMMER'S THE WORD. She felt exactly as I had when I'd been shortlisted for a similar award. Stunned, excited, disbelieving. But knowing something very significant had just happened.
And had a lovely email from Dorothy McIntosh, whose novel THE WITCH OF BABYLON is also shortlisted for the Best Unpublished Arthur Ellis.
And - I was nominated!!! For THE CRUELLEST MONTH in the Best Novel category. Wow, does that feel wonderful - perhaps even more so at home. There's that theme again. Belonging...I think it's as potent as love...perhaps even more.
Congratulations to all the nominees...and it was a fabulous evening. Jim Napier in particular gave a brilliant speech.
Here are all the nominees for the Arthur Ellis awards...
2008 Arthur Ellis Awards Shortlists
Best Short Story
Vicki Cameron, “Eight Lords A’Leaping” in Locked Up (Deadlock Press)
Maureen Jennings, “Wreckwood” in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Books)
D.J. McIntosh, “The Hounds of Winter” in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Books)
Rick Mofina, “As Long as We Both Shall Live” in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Books)
Leslie Watts, “Turner” in Kingston Whig-Standard (July 7, 2007)
Best Non-Fiction
Rodrigo Bascunan & Christian Pearce, Enter the Babylon System (Random House Canada)
Robert J. Hoshowsky, The Last to Die: Ronald Turpin, Arthur Lucas, and the End of Capital Punishment in Canada (Hounslow/Dundurn)
Julian Sher, One Child at a Time: The Global Fight to Rescue Children from Online Predators (Random House Canada)
Brian Vallée, The War on Women: Elly Armour, Jane Hurshman, and Criminal Violence in Canadian Homes (Key Porter)
Paul Watson, Where War Lives (McClelland & Stewart)
Best Juvenile
Anita Daher, Racing for Diamonds (Orca)
Anita Daher, Spider’s Song (Puffin Canada/Penguin Canada)
Vicki Grant, I.D. (Orca)
Shane Peacock, Eye of the Crow (Tundra)
Drew Hayden Taylor, The Night Wanderer (Annick Press)
Best Crime Writing in French
Mario Bolduc, Tsiganes (Libre Expression)
Johanne Seymour, Le Cercle des Pénitents (Libre Expression)
Pierre H. Richard, GHB: Grossier, Horrible et Bête (Editions Pratiko)
Diane Vincent, Epidermes (Triptyque)
Norbert Spehner, Scènes de Crimes: Enquêtes sur le Roman Policier Contemporain (Alire)
Best First Novel (cash award from Book City, Toronto)
Claire Cameron, The Line Painter (HarperCollins)
Sean Chercover, Big City, Bad Blood (William Morrow/HarperCollins)
Liam Durcan, García’s Heart (McClelland & Stewart)
Susan Parisi, Blood of Dreams (Penguin Australia)
Sharon Rowse, The Silk Train Murder (Carroll & Graf)
Marc Strange, Sucker Punch (Castle Street Mysteries/Dundurn)
Best Novel (cash award from Sleuth of Baker Street, Toronto)
Linwood Barclay, No Time for Goodbye (Bantam)
Terry Carroll, Snow Candy (Mercury Press)
Maureen Jennings, A Journeyman to Grief (McClelland & Stewart)
Louise Penny, The Cruellest Month (McArthur & Company)
Jon Redfern, Trumpets Sound No More (RendezVous Crime/Napoleon & Company)
Best Unpublished First Crime Novel: the Unhanged Arthur (cash award from McArthur & Company)
Patricia Flewwelling, Mummer’s the Word
D.J. McIntosh, The Witch of Babylon
Amy Tector, The Paris Letters
Kevin Thornton, Condemned
I've actually tried to publish this post for 2 hours... not sure I have the energy to write another one! But I did want to tell you a few things -
We're home. Home.
the book I'm writing now is about home, and belonging. I really am a home body. My sign is Cancer - and we're very nurturing, and sensitive (sometimes over) and love nesting.
I really, really enjoy traveling - especially to London! And adored Malice Domestic, and genuinely love meeting people.
But then it's good to get home.
This morning while pouring the kettle I noticed tulips almost in bloom on the cutting garden. And daffodils, and bugs on the trees. Lise, who is also our gardener, had been here with her wonderful husband Del and they'd prepared the spring gardens. It's as though Lise and Del had fallen from heaven and landed in our lives. How lucky are we?
The geese are back - plump and honking. No babies yet, but there will be I'm sure.
When we left there was ice on the pond and 5 feet of snow. And now there are geese and tulips.
I was going to write today, but Pat brought the dogs back and so I decided to spend the day walking around the garden and the pond, with Maggie and Trudy (who immediately got her entire head covered in burrs). I cut the tulips and put them in vases around the home...and snipped the fragrant daffodils and they're in vases now too.
The writing will wait - this won't. And the book, one about home, will be the better for this day.
Had a wonderful evening in Montreal last night at the Crime Writers of Canada event for the Arthur Ellis nominations.
Met a young woman shortlisted for the Best Unpublished award. Patricia Flewwelling is her name. Her book is called MUMMER'S THE WORD. She felt exactly as I had when I'd been shortlisted for a similar award. Stunned, excited, disbelieving. But knowing something very significant had just happened.
And had a lovely email from Dorothy McIntosh, whose novel THE WITCH OF BABYLON is also shortlisted for the Best Unpublished Arthur Ellis.
And - I was nominated!!! For THE CRUELLEST MONTH in the Best Novel category. Wow, does that feel wonderful - perhaps even more so at home. There's that theme again. Belonging...I think it's as potent as love...perhaps even more.
Congratulations to all the nominees...and it was a fabulous evening. Jim Napier in particular gave a brilliant speech.
Here are all the nominees for the Arthur Ellis awards...
2008 Arthur Ellis Awards Shortlists
Best Short Story
Vicki Cameron, “Eight Lords A’Leaping” in Locked Up (Deadlock Press)
Maureen Jennings, “Wreckwood” in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Books)
D.J. McIntosh, “The Hounds of Winter” in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Books)
Rick Mofina, “As Long as We Both Shall Live” in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Books)
Leslie Watts, “Turner” in Kingston Whig-Standard (July 7, 2007)
Best Non-Fiction
Rodrigo Bascunan & Christian Pearce, Enter the Babylon System (Random House Canada)
Robert J. Hoshowsky, The Last to Die: Ronald Turpin, Arthur Lucas, and the End of Capital Punishment in Canada (Hounslow/Dundurn)
Julian Sher, One Child at a Time: The Global Fight to Rescue Children from Online Predators (Random House Canada)
Brian Vallée, The War on Women: Elly Armour, Jane Hurshman, and Criminal Violence in Canadian Homes (Key Porter)
Paul Watson, Where War Lives (McClelland & Stewart)
Best Juvenile
Anita Daher, Racing for Diamonds (Orca)
Anita Daher, Spider’s Song (Puffin Canada/Penguin Canada)
Vicki Grant, I.D. (Orca)
Shane Peacock, Eye of the Crow (Tundra)
Drew Hayden Taylor, The Night Wanderer (Annick Press)
Best Crime Writing in French
Mario Bolduc, Tsiganes (Libre Expression)
Johanne Seymour, Le Cercle des Pénitents (Libre Expression)
Pierre H. Richard, GHB: Grossier, Horrible et Bête (Editions Pratiko)
Diane Vincent, Epidermes (Triptyque)
Norbert Spehner, Scènes de Crimes: Enquêtes sur le Roman Policier Contemporain (Alire)
Best First Novel (cash award from Book City, Toronto)
Claire Cameron, The Line Painter (HarperCollins)
Sean Chercover, Big City, Bad Blood (William Morrow/HarperCollins)
Liam Durcan, García’s Heart (McClelland & Stewart)
Susan Parisi, Blood of Dreams (Penguin Australia)
Sharon Rowse, The Silk Train Murder (Carroll & Graf)
Marc Strange, Sucker Punch (Castle Street Mysteries/Dundurn)
Best Novel (cash award from Sleuth of Baker Street, Toronto)
Linwood Barclay, No Time for Goodbye (Bantam)
Terry Carroll, Snow Candy (Mercury Press)
Maureen Jennings, A Journeyman to Grief (McClelland & Stewart)
Louise Penny, The Cruellest Month (McArthur & Company)
Jon Redfern, Trumpets Sound No More (RendezVous Crime/Napoleon & Company)
Best Unpublished First Crime Novel: the Unhanged Arthur (cash award from McArthur & Company)
Patricia Flewwelling, Mummer’s the Word
D.J. McIntosh, The Witch of Babylon
Amy Tector, The Paris Letters
Kevin Thornton, Condemned
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
The strange voice in Michael's head
mainly sunny, cold, temps 4
Heard from both Lise and Tony back home in Sutton that it snowed yesterday! And stayed on the ground. Tony, who is looking after our home and Maggie and Trudy, says the dogs will be very sad to see us return. Oh my. According to Tony, they're having a ball with him and his dogs.
We'll have to put an end to all that fun!
Had lots of fun yesterday. I had lunch with Susan at a funky (do people still use that word? Is it groovy to use it?) restaurant in Old Montreal. Michael had lunch with David Rosenblatt, one of his very best friends. He's a doctor and geneticist at McGill, and they lead each other astray, dietarily. Unlike Susan and me.
Then Michael got his new hearing aids. For the last ten years or so he's worn one in his left ear, but now he needs them in both. He's such a riot. Since being fitted yesterday afternoon he's constantly got his fingers to his ears, 'tuning' the aids. They're quite high-tech with knobs and buttons. For all I knew there might be a tiny satellite dish. He says the oddest part, and the hardest to get used to, is his own voice in his head. With two hearing aids it's changed.
After that I had a coffee with a neighbor, Robert Landori-Hoffman. He writes thrillers. We talked about the market.
Wanted to mention a new blog. It's called stageandpage and it's written by Pat Donnelly, the arts editor at the Montreal Gazette. Fun way to keep up on stuff happening in the province.
And - this is the last day to sign up for my May Newsletter in which I give away 6 copies of Julia Spencer-Fleming's new book I SHALL NOT WANT. And she'll even sign them to the winners!
You can sign up on the home page of my website.
Tonight is the big Crime Writers of Canada event at the Atwater Library in Montreal. It starts at 7pm, and features a talk by Jim Napier. He's just fantastic. He taught crime writing for many years, is a writer himself and writes reviews of mysteries for the Sherbrooke Record. He'll be giving a talk on what makes a winning book. Then there's a panel discussion with NAT Grant, Michael Blair (the president of the CWC), Robert Landori-Hoffman, Andre Baby and me.
And finally, after that, Michael Blair will announce the nominations for this years Arthur Ellis Awards for Crime Writing in Canada. The awards themselves will be announced at the CWC banquet in early June in Toronto.
Love to see you at the Atwater Library tonight! After that Michael and I will drive home.
Home...
Heard from both Lise and Tony back home in Sutton that it snowed yesterday! And stayed on the ground. Tony, who is looking after our home and Maggie and Trudy, says the dogs will be very sad to see us return. Oh my. According to Tony, they're having a ball with him and his dogs.
We'll have to put an end to all that fun!
Had lots of fun yesterday. I had lunch with Susan at a funky (do people still use that word? Is it groovy to use it?) restaurant in Old Montreal. Michael had lunch with David Rosenblatt, one of his very best friends. He's a doctor and geneticist at McGill, and they lead each other astray, dietarily. Unlike Susan and me.
Then Michael got his new hearing aids. For the last ten years or so he's worn one in his left ear, but now he needs them in both. He's such a riot. Since being fitted yesterday afternoon he's constantly got his fingers to his ears, 'tuning' the aids. They're quite high-tech with knobs and buttons. For all I knew there might be a tiny satellite dish. He says the oddest part, and the hardest to get used to, is his own voice in his head. With two hearing aids it's changed.
After that I had a coffee with a neighbor, Robert Landori-Hoffman. He writes thrillers. We talked about the market.
Wanted to mention a new blog. It's called stageandpage and it's written by Pat Donnelly, the arts editor at the Montreal Gazette. Fun way to keep up on stuff happening in the province.
And - this is the last day to sign up for my May Newsletter in which I give away 6 copies of Julia Spencer-Fleming's new book I SHALL NOT WANT. And she'll even sign them to the winners!
You can sign up on the home page of my website.
Tonight is the big Crime Writers of Canada event at the Atwater Library in Montreal. It starts at 7pm, and features a talk by Jim Napier. He's just fantastic. He taught crime writing for many years, is a writer himself and writes reviews of mysteries for the Sherbrooke Record. He'll be giving a talk on what makes a winning book. Then there's a panel discussion with NAT Grant, Michael Blair (the president of the CWC), Robert Landori-Hoffman, Andre Baby and me.
And finally, after that, Michael Blair will announce the nominations for this years Arthur Ellis Awards for Crime Writing in Canada. The awards themselves will be announced at the CWC banquet in early June in Toronto.
Love to see you at the Atwater Library tonight! After that Michael and I will drive home.
Home...
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Read, AIM, fire!
Well, this is exciting. Have been battling - with Jill's help - to get onto a thing called AIM - which I'm sure most of you had heard of but it might as well be Mars for me. Poor Jill - so patient, asking me to find various button to click on and I couldn't find ANYTHING!!!
anyway, great news - got on - finally. Have no idea why I wasn't on - and no idea how I got on!
Tomorrow I want to tell you all about the Crime Writers of Canada and the Arthur Ellis award news - if you're a crime writers in Canada, please check out the CWC website.
Must fly - have to be on line soon - and now I'm afraid 'Mars' has disappeared again!
Pray for me. Strange how stressful this is!
Speak tomorrow.
anyway, great news - got on - finally. Have no idea why I wasn't on - and no idea how I got on!
Tomorrow I want to tell you all about the Crime Writers of Canada and the Arthur Ellis award news - if you're a crime writers in Canada, please check out the CWC website.
Must fly - have to be on line soon - and now I'm afraid 'Mars' has disappeared again!
Pray for me. Strange how stressful this is!
Speak tomorrow.
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