The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods, edited by Michael Bracken (Down & Out Books)
¡Pa’que Tu Lo Sepas!: Stories to Benefit the People of Puerto Rico, edited by Angel Luis Colón (Down & Out Books)
Crime Travel, edited by Barb Goffman (Wildside Press)
Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible, edited by Verena Rose, Rita Owen, and Shawn Reilly Simmons (Wildside Press)
Murder A-Go-Go’s: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of the Go-Go's, edited by Holly West (Down & Out Books)
6:35 p.m. I’m sitting in my office in Texas and concurrently waiting in an online breakout room with Angel Luis Colón, Barb Goffman, Verena Rose, and Holly West, all of us editors of anthologies nominated for Best Anthology.
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| Michael Bracken dressed for success. |
6:40. We just received word that there’s a glitch of some kind and they’ve been unable to get all the nominees into the breakout rooms for their specific categories, which explains why we’re still missing an editor.
6:43. Shawn Reilly Simmons arrived in our breakout room but does not have live video. I think all of us are here now.
6:45. We are kicked out of our breakout rooms.
6:46. We returned to our breakout rooms.
And silence has returned.
6:50. Barb’s camera is on, but she’s disappeared. Shawn still doesn’t have live video.
In the silence, I can hear my wife and our guests in the living room. Andrew Hearn (a contributor to The Eyes of Texas) and his wife Dawn joined us for dinner this evening, and they will soon gather around Temple’s computer on the far side of the house to watch the ceremony.
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| Waiting in the Breakout Room and writing this SleuthSayers post. |
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| Andrew and Dawn Hearn. |
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| The ceremony has begun. |
6:54. I took a few selfies and a few photos of my computer screen. Still quiet.
6:57. Slugging Mountain Dew as if I can actually control my bladder. My greatest fear: Being in the bathroom when our category is announced.
6:59. My wife and our guests have gone to the other side of the house.
7:00. Has the ceremony begun? I have no way to know.
7:01. We received a message that the ceremony is live!
7:04. I’m practicing my smile. I look like a serial killer.
7:05. I have my acceptance speech on my computer screen. I modified the text from my prerecorded acceptance speech. I’m wondering if I’ll get to read it.
7:07. Award presentations have begun. Barb has returned.
7:08. Now, I’m getting nervous. I can feel my heart rate increasing. Maybe it’s just the Mountain Dew.
7:09. Our category is being announced. Shawn now has live video.
7:13. Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible wins.
Much Later. Even though The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods did not win, I still want to share my thanks. So, here’s the speech I planned to make:
Thanks to Eric Campbell and Lance Wright of Down & Out Books for publishing The Eyes of Texas, and for all they’ve done to support it. Thanks to all seventeen contributors, several of whom received awards or award nominations for their stories. Thanks also to all the Bouchercon attendees who voted for the Anthony Awards, regardless of which anthology they chose. Most importantly, thanks to my wife Temple for all she does. Without her support and encouragement, none of this would be possible. Thank you all.
Recent Presentations
On Saturday, October 10, 2020, I presented “Write It. Sell It.” via Zoom to Malice in Memphis. This presentation was geared toward beginning and early career writers of short mystery fiction. To watch a recording of the presentation and to download the PowerPoint presentation, visit https://www.maliceinmemphis.com/october-2020--zoom-malice-meeting.html.
On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, I presented “Two Sides. Same Coin.” via Zoom to MWA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter. This was a more general discussion of writing and editing in which I addressed several questions presented in advance of the presentation, and then answered a variety of questions posed after the presentation. To watch a recording of the presentation—which will only be available until November 9—visit https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/v0Scazk7dd6644JZSxt-45jESOCGWlN_7MAENEPAAgYBuJF_9gvr41XtBdpF-Zzy.AckWigUVuSPdFlwe, with the passcode F&.x6J.+
Very entertaining. As you know, it's an honor just to be nominated. (I had a friend who was nominated so many times for a Hugo without winning that he had a button with that phrase made. So he could just point. Eventually he won.)
ReplyDeleteOh! I loved the part ab out the serial killer.
ReplyDeleteBest Anthology was a tough category this year, Michael. Congrats on making it to the Final Five, and thanks for an enjoyable look behind the scenes!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this column! As Rob said, it was an honor just to be nominated, Michael. Sincere congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI was actually there the whole time. But my phone was charging, so I had it sitting on the table by the outlet. That picture you took includes my kitchen ceiling. Fun, huh? Anyway, nice speech and good recap. And I guess we both definitely know two things now: (1) It's an honor to be nominated; and (2) Never trust a Magic 8-Ball to predict an award winner!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to all!
ReplyDeleteIt was, indeed, an honor to be nominated, and it it wouldn't have been possible without all the great stories writers submitted. And, Barb, I think you bought a defective Magic 8-Ball. Can you get a refund?
ReplyDeleteEntertaining blog-post. At present I'm reading the Crime Travel anthology and enjoying it. Congratulations to all nominees and winners. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing those two presentations, Michael. You gave some really helpful instructions/guidelines. I keep your advice in mind next time I'm encountering an editor, by not replying to an e-mail that doesn't require my reply, like I did. I'd love to skip the puppy phase and look professional.