This weekend, I’m attending Malice Domestic, an annual fan conference that celebrates the traditional mystery. It’s in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Agatha Awards are bestowed at the conference. As the name implies, the Agatha Awards honor authors who write traditional mysteries “best typified by the works of Agatha Christie,” and were first published in the United States by a living author during the previous calendar year.
Flashback to a Sunday night in February:
It was a bit after 9 p.m. when the phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, but it was from Bethesda. My first thought was it was a telemarketer. But… Bethesda… Could it be? Nah. But what if? I answered.
Good call, if you’ll pardon the pun.
The woman introduced herself by name and said she was calling on behalf of Malice Domestic to inform me that my debut novel, Adrift, had been nominated for an Agatha Award for best first novel.
Yowza. I promptly forgot her name. Truth be told, I think I forgot my own. I vaguely recall her asking me which days I planned on attending the conference so that she could schedule the debut author panel. I stammered I was available anytime. Anytime, at all.
Then she hung up. Big, bad retired cop that I am, I burst into tears.
I share the honor of having my debut novel recognized with four other authors. If I’m chosen for the award, I will find myself in the company of Cynthia Kuhn (2016), Art Taylor (2015), Hank Phillippi Ryan (2007), and many other fine writers.
If I’m not chosen, I’ll join the ranks of an incredible array of authors—including Janet Evanovich, who debuted in 1994 with One for the Money, the first in her best-selling Stephanie Plum Series.
This weekend, I’ll be surrounded by authors who have inspired, entertained, and educated me in the craft of writing. That means no matter whose name is announced at the Agatha Awards banquet on Saturday night, I’ve already won.
Good luck!!
Thank you! This nomination has been an incredible experience.
I love hearing these stories! I’ll be screaming from NC (you’ll hear me) if you win – but if you don’t, just to be NOMINATED is an OMG moment. As your tears show. Have fun!
I gasped when the woman—oh how I wish I could remember her name!—told me. Scared my hubby half to death.
Congratulations on being a finalist! And sending good wishes your way for the weekend ahead too, of course! See you soon. 🙂
Thank you, Art! I owe it all to your mentoring!
Outstanding, Micki, I’m so happy for you! I’ll be pulling for you. Best of luck! 🙂
Thank you Michael! I still pinch myself over this one!
Best of luck. But you know you won’t need it, because I have read your book Adrift and you are one fine author. From One Florida fan.
Tom Sjoberg
Thanks Tom! Nice to have support from the home state!
Good luck with winning this award, but know that you are already the favorite author in many, if not most or all, of the lives you’re already a part of!
Thank you, Chris. Is been a journey. I’m so thankful to have the two of you in my life.
How exciting! Will definitely keep my fingers crossed for you! And have a wonderful time. 🙂
Thank you! And congrats to you on your recent flash fiction! Janet Reid was right…chilling!
Thanks, Micki! Appreciate that. 🙂
Good luck Micki! You are amazing and pump out some really good works for us readers. I encourage you to keep going! Hope you win each and every award, you deserve them! Can’t wait to hear…..
Thank you! So glad you enjoy my books!
I’ll be waiting for the big news. Good luck!
Thank you! I’m sorry you won’t be attending.