Delighted to share the news that last weekend, Death al Dente won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel! The awards are given at the annual Malice Domestic Mystery Convention, celebrating the traditional mystery. Photographic evidence will now be admitted for your consideration.
The Best First Novel nominees before our panel discussion, moderated by the marvelous novelist Margaret Maron. Front: me and Kendel Lynn. Back: LynDee Walker, Liz Mugavero, and Shelley Costa.
Me with my editor Faith Black and that lovely little teapot!
The program for the banquet and awards ceremony.
This was the 26th annual Malice Domestic Convention. The Best First Novel award has been given since the beginning; Best Nonfiction was added in the early 1990s. The Awards Committee believes that three other authors have been nominated for both Best Nonfiction and a fiction award, but that I am only the author to win both Best Nonfiction and a fiction award, in any category. No wonder I’m still smiling!
I also had the delight of moderating a panel discussion on legal mysteries, featuring Margaret Maron, Cathy Pickens, Martin Edwards, and Steve Steinbock. I’ll post those pictures when I get them.
Thanks for celebrating with me!
Whoo-hoo, Leslie! Congratulations! You are walking, talking proof that persistence does pay off for the determined writer. Thanks for being an inspiration.
Now you’re a two-fisted teapot pourer 🙂
Debbie
Thanks, Debbie! I am the poster child for perseverance, but also for the power of writers’ groups and supportive friends. Thanks for being on my team!
Leslie!!!! I’m so happy for you! I had a funny feeling you would win. 🙂 See you at Bouchercon (hopefully)!
Thanks, Lisa! I’m still floating!
CONGRATULATIONS!
THANK YOU!!! < still smiling in Montana!>