Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Writing

Short-list Announcement Party
April 24, 2014   7-9 PM
Owl’s Nest Bookstore
Britannia Shopping Centre at Elbow Drive and 49th Avenue.
815A 49th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB

Crime Writers of Canada members Axel Howerton, Kirk Layton and Darlene Quaife will read from their writing, muse on the theme of ‘short’ and discuss the difference between writing a short story and novel. Music by Alastair Robertson. Emcee Susan Calder. At the end, we’ll reveal the short lists for this year’s Arthur Ellis Awards, Canada’s national mystery and crime writing awards. Winners will be announced at a Toronto banquet in June. Come learn who’s hot in Canadian crime writing.

Light refreshments provided by Owl’s Nest books. Free. Everyone welcome.

For more information contact Owl’s Nest Books 403-287-9557403-287-9557 or owlsnestbooks@shaw.ca

Saturday, 9 November 2013, 2:00pm

The Mystery of War

Join members of Crime Writers of Canada for an afternoon of readings and reflection

From the innermost struggles of the lone individual through the most intimate of domestic battles and on up to the conflagrations that consume civilizations, War is an enduring fact of human existence. Six Calgary-area crime writers read from their works and reflect on the nature of war, of sacrifice, of history and memory. Readers: Stephen Legault, Linda Kupecek, Jayne Barnard, Darlene Quaife, Sharon Wildwind and Susan Calder. Owl’s Nest Bookstore, Britannia, Calgary.

War and Mystery readings at Owl’s Nest Book Store on Saturday afternoon, Nov 9, in honour of Remembrance Day. Stay tuned for details. I’ll be reading new work.

The Calgary Public Library has some excellent programming coming up in the fall including free workshops on phenomenal plots and captivating characters (Sat. October 26)  plus “write-in” sessions (Sat. November 9^th) with Calgary Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) inspiring you to craft your novel during November.

Here is the registration link – these adult programs are FREE with a library card. This link gives full details and registration. Fall Nanowrimo programming at Calgary Public Library

This is Doors Open weekend in Alberta. When I was in Banff last week, I noticed some historical buildings were open to the public. Calgary is offering a number of events today and Sunday www.doorsopenyyc.org. This afternoon, Will and I did the tour of the Epcor Centre. It ended at a costume sale hosted by Epcor’s theatre companies. This would have been a great place to shop if we were going to Hallowe’en party, but a lot of the offerings were normal clothing worn in shows set in everyday, modern times. We bought two tuques and three pairs of winter gloves/mitts for $5. Unfortunately, the sale was only on today. Something to look for next fall, as well as next year’s Doors Open.

Someone kindly snapped pictures of me on two panels at When Words Collide this August.

When Words Collide multi-genre writing conference gets going tomorrow (Friday). I’ll be there from my morning sex-writing workshop through the mystery writers’ evening party, with (I hope) an afternoon break at home. My first panel takes place Friday at 6:00 PM, right before the keynote addresses. “Eve of Destruction” features a half dozen mystery writers talking about how we keep our female sleuths from becoming cliches.

Saturday evening, I’ll be at the mass autograph session, which is open to the public. Sunday at 10:00 AM I’m on a panel called Pantser, Plotter or Quilter. We’ll talk about what methods we use (if any) to keep our stories from going astray.

The rest of the time, I plan to attend lots of sessions. So many look interesting, it will be hard to limit myself. People can still register for the conference at the door. I look forward to chatting with some of you there and crashing after the jam-packed weekend.

The When Words Collide party hosted by Calgary Crime Writers and the Crime Writers of Canada is shaping up to be a fun event. We’re going with a “Clue” game theme, with a half dozen of us assuming the roles of the colourful Clue characters: Miss Scarlett, Colonel Mustard etc. There will be punch, cake and board games for those interested. Join us in our party room at the Carriage House Inn, Friday night starting at 9:00 PM. Everyone welcome.

I’ve been conscripted to help organize the Calgary Crime Writers/Crime Writers of Canada party social at When Words Collide. The party will take place the first day of the conference, Friday Aug 9, from 9 PM to midnight at the conference hotel, the Carriage House Inn. You’re all invited to this free event. We’re working on a fun theme. Stay tuned for more details once we figure them out.

First day that really feels like summer. Under blue skies, eleven of us enjoyed our annual bookclub potluck lunch in our backyard. We spent more time discussing the flood than books, but came up with our list for next year. Looks like a good selection, with settings all over the world.