David Anthony Durham Wins the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer

Congratulations to my friend and former mentor David Anthony Durham, who just won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer for his novel Acacia. It's odd to see David get a "Best New Writer" award when he has four published novels under his belt, but Acacia was his first work of fantasy. David's other books are Gabriel's Story, Walk Through Darkness, Pride of Carthage and the forthcoming The Other Lands (second novel in the Acacia Trilogy).

Pimpin' My Friends: Derringer Awards Edition

The Short Mystery Fiction Society has announced the finalists for the 2009 Derringer Awards. Two of my writer pals made the list, and I'm here to cheer them on.

In the category of Best Short Story (1,001 to 4,000 words):
"Taste for It" by Sophie Littlefield.
In the category of Best Long Story (4,001 to 8,000 words):
"The Big Score" by Chris F. Holm.

These are fine stories by fine writers. I hope they both win.

Go Vote

It's time to cast your votes for the Second Annual Spinetingler Awards.

"Seven Days of Rain"

Congratulations to Chris Holm. His “Seven Days of Rain” has won the Spinetingler Award for Best Short Story on the Web. Go read it if you haven’t already. Hell, go read it even if you have. It’s that good.

The list of the other winners and nominees is impressive. Check it out at the new Spinetingler sister site, At Central Booking, which is a portal to all kinds of cool crime fiction-related stuff.