Cheryl A. Head's Blog, page 5

Bouchercon in the Rear View Mirror

I had a fun and productive time at the largest international, mystery fan convention in the crime-fiction writing world. It's called Bouchercon and this year was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota September 8-11, 2022.

I've visited Minneapolis many times in my corporate career. I once served on a board headquartered in the Twin Cities and traveled at least three times a year there for several years. It's changed some, and like most American cities is still recovering from the pandemic, but it's still a good, solid midwestern town.

Our conference at the downtown Hilton brought over twelve-hundred mystery fans, authors, and publishing staffers together to celebrate Mystery/Crime fiction books. I'm on the board of Bouchercon, so I had required duties. In addition, I participated on three panels, and hosted the Friday evening Noir at the Bar event. A lot of work, and a whole bunch of marvelous fun. I also got to read from my upcoming book, Time's Undoing.

Like most of the writers who attend Bouchercon, we are also fans. I got to see and/or meet bunches of authors I really admire. Here's me with one.

Los Angeles author, Naomi Hirahara.

Next year, Bouchercon moves to San Diego. Can't wait to see folks again in the sunshine.

Warn Me When It's Time Wins an IPPY!

I picked up late mail and found my IPPY Silver Medal and certificate for Best Regional Mystery for Warn Me When It's Time. It's the sixth book in the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series and involves the investigation of a southeastern Michigan alt-right hate group in 2009. The book is also nominated for an Anthony Award.

Trainwriting

I've written before that riding a train is one of my favorite places to write. There's something about the rhythm of the wheels on the tracks; the jostling motion; the passing view. I recently spent two weeks in Maine starting the first leg of my journey on the train where I added some meat to the outline of my next Charlie Mack book, and put some words into the story. Next month I'll take another train journey. One of the things that always inspires my creativity is spotting what I call train art. You probably already know the view from the train is often of the wrong side of the tracks: industrial yards; salt mountains; junk yards; and empty lots. There are also the school yards, parks, neat development houses, people on train platforms, skylines, etc. But it's the grittier views that always seem to get the attention of this crime writer. Here's some train art from my most recent trip.

Keep writing. I will. And use whatever inspires you.

New Anthony Award

I'm on the board of Bouchercon, the largest mystery fan convention in the world. And today we revealed the new Anthony award given to honor excellence in the crime fiction writing landscape. The Anthony has been conferred annyally since 1986, and each physical award has been a unique design. This year that has changed. Going forward, and starting with the Anthony Award gala in September at Bouchercon in Minneapolis, MN, winners will receive this award.

Anthony Award mock up.

Still Celebrating Pride Month

Happy to be joining three author friends to discuss the writers who have inspired us.

Register here:

Panel: Queer Mystery Writers, Passing on the Torch

DescriptionFour award-winning queer mystery writers discuss the queer authors who influenced their work. Ellen Hart discusses J.M. Redman, John Copenhaver muses about Patricia Highsmith, Cheryl Head remembers Nikki Baker and Michael Nava talks about Joseph Hansen.For questions about the program or problems registering, contact sfplcpp@sfpl.org.For accommodations (such as ASL interpretation), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 72 hours in advance will help ensure availability.

Anthony Nomination

The Anthony Award (named after Crime Fiction reviewer and author, Anthony Boucher whose name is also borrowed for Bouchercon the largest gathering of mystery and crime-fiction authors in the world) finalists were named in May.

I’m proud to announce that Warn Me When It’s Time is a nominee for Best Paperback/ eBook/Audiobook.

The Awards ceremony will be held in Minneapolis at Bouchercon. September 8-11, 2022.

Anthony Award Nominee

The Anthony Award (named after Crime Fiction reviewer and author, Anthony Boucher whose name is also borrowed for Bouchercon the largest gathering of mystery and crime-fiction authors in the world) finalists were named this week.

I’m proud to announce that Warn Me When It’s Time is a nominee for Best Paperback/ eBook/Audiobook

The Awards ceremony will be held in Minneapolis at Bouchercon.  September 8-11, 2022.

Thank You for the Honor

Very pleased to be a recipient of the 2022 Alice B Award (named after Alice B. Toklas) given by readers of women-loving-women fiction. The award commemorates my body of work. Thank You!!

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Thank You for the Honor

Very pleased to be a recipient of the 2022 Alice B Award (named after Alice B. Toklas) given by readers of women-loving-women fiction.  The award commemorates my body of work.  Thank You!!

 

News. News. News.

I haven’t posted for a while. It’s been a busy few months.  In the meantime, I’ve been promoting the 6th book in the Charle Mack Motown Mystery series, Warn Me When It’s Time, which the NYT called “chilling, and prescient…”

And….This happened!!!

Coming in early 2023.  Stay Tuned!!