Brenda Chapman Honoured

The Ottawa Public Library Board has awarded the Ottawa Public Library Order of Friendship to the judges of the Awesome Authors Contest, including RVC's own Brenda Chapman. "This prestigious award recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions made to the Ottawa Public Library by individuals, groups and/or institutions." As one of this year's judges, Brenda will be attending the ceremony on June 14th at the Cumberland Branch.

GOLD FEVER TEA PARTY

For a different sort of launch party for Gold Fever, the second in the Klondike Mystery series, Vicki Delany hosted a formal afternoon tea at The Tea Room, Marine Drive, Oakville Ontario. It was a great event, the food was lovely, served with a variety of teas. The early spring afternoon was exceptionally warm so people enjoyed sitting outside as well as inside the restaurant.

BLOODY WORDS

Some of RVC's folks hobnobbing the Bloody Words conference in Toronto, May 28-29

Photo one: Linda Wiken, Brenda Chapman, Barbara Fradkin
Photo two: CB Forrest, Brenda Chapman

Cool Canadian Crime in Action

RVC authors, the publisher and the editor gathered on the evening of May 27 at the Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre for a banquet in honour of the nominees for the Arthur Ellis Awards of 2010. We were especially happy because two of the nominees were RVC authors, R.J. Harlick for Arctic Blue Death and C.B. Forrest for
The Weight of Stones.

Although neither of our nominees won, it was a fun evening where we celebrated the accomplishments of all crime writers in Canada. The evening ended with the presentation of the Derrick Murdoch Award for lifetime achievement to Peter Robinson, a two-time president of the CWC.

Photo 1: RVC authors Lou Allin and Joan Boswell
Photo 2: Barbara Fradkin and Linda Wiken, former owner of Prime Books and crime writer
Photo 3: Some of the RVC gang: (front) a rather intense Rick Blechta, Mel Bradshaw. (rear) editor Allister Thompson, nominee C.B. Forrest, nominee R.J. Harlick, publisher Sylvia McConnell

ARTHUR ELLIS SHORTLISTINGS!

On Thursday evening, April 22, there were Arthur Ellis shortlisting parties across the country, all well attended and convivial. We at RendezVous Crime attended the Toronto party at the Back Alley Grill in Kensington Market.

Maureen Jennings led a panel of award winners in a hilarious event which had the panellists (of which RVC author and two-time Arthur Ellis award winner Jon Redfern was a member) answer questions such as: When you won your first Arthur Ellis award, what were you wearing?

Today, RendezVous Crime is proud to congratulate two of our authors: R.J. Harlick has been shortlisted for Best Novel for "Arctic Blue Death" and C. B. Forrest for Best First Novel for "The Weight of Stones". Both are richly deserved nominations for two hardworking authors.

The party continues...

MALICE, MYSTERY, AND MURDER

Last night (April 21), RendezVous Crime author Mel Bradshaw was one of three writers featured in the "Malice, Mystery, and Murder" reading series at the historic Enoch Turner Schoolhouse in Corktown, Toronto. For Mel, this was a return to the scene of the crime: three years ago he gave a talk at the Turner on mid-19th century Canada, the milieu of his debut historical mystery Death in the Age of Steam. Yesterday he read passages set in The Royal Conservatory of Music (Victim Impact) and in a Cherry Street blind pig during Prohibition (Quarrel with the Foe). A paying audience of more than two dozen seemed to appreciate the irony of the latter. Enoch Turner founded the city's first free school in 1848 with the earnings of his brewery.

Montreal's Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival

On April 22 at 6:30p.m., Barbara Fradkin will participate in a panel with Anthony Bidulka, moderated by Louise Penny, entitled "East vs. West; the Great Mystery Showdown". The Arthur Ellis Shortlists will be announced at the end of the panel.

UPCOMING OTTAWA EVENTS for the LADIES KILLING CIRCLE

—Barbara Fradkin & Linda Wiken will be giving a talk on writing mysteries to the audience at the Ottawa Little Theatre, just prior to the performance of "An Act of the Imagination" on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:15 p.m.

—On Sunday, May 16th, Joan Boswell, Barbara Fradkin, Mary Jane Maffini & Linda Wiken (of The Ladies Killing Circle) will kick off the "Literary Dames" monthly literary salon at the Great Canadian Theatre Company, 1227 Wellington St., Ottawa at 7 p.m.

Mel Bradshaw Toronto Appearance

On Wednesday, April 21, "Malice, Murder, and Mystery at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse" will feature a reading by RendezVous Crime Author Mel Bradshaw. Time: 6:30 p.m. Address: 106 Trinity Street, Toronto (King and Parliament). Tickets are $15 and reservations can be made by phoning 416.863.0010 or e-mailing linda.maclean@heritagetrust.on.ca. More information can be found at www.enochturnerschoolhouse.ca

Arthur Ellis comes to Picton!

Arthur Ellis was the name adopted by Canada’s hangman (when we had one) and he’s coming to small town Ontario – but not professionally. Crime Writers of Canada adopted his name for their yearly crime writing awards. The shortlist for this year’s awards is being announced on Thursday, April 22nd – and one of the shortlist parties will be in Picton!

The festivities will include a panel discussion from the assembled authors (Weird & Wonderful Ways to Die), readings, a Q&A session, and of course, the eagerly-awaited announcement of the 2010 Arthur Ellis shortlist. If you love crime fiction, you have to be there!

Three RendezVous Crime authors will be in attendance, Rick Blechta, Vicki Delany and Mary Jane Maffini. Also in attendance will be Michael Blair, JD Carpenter, Janet Kellough, Violette Malan and John Moss. That’s quite a line-up!

Where: Books & Company (a fantastic independent book shop), 289 Main Street, Picton, ON

When: Thursday, April 22nd, starting at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to this free event.