It is exciting to have my new novel, Catch You Later, Traitor short-listed for the Edgar, the Mystery Writers of America award for the best mystery for young readers, 2015.
It was in 1975 that my first novel, No More Magic, was similarly nominated. Much younger, to be sure, I did not quite know what to make of it all. I was invited to a banquet in which, Academy Award style, the envelope is opened, and the winner announced. My attitude was one of faint amusement.
I brought along my twin sister, Emily Leider, who had recently published a volume of poems. I assumed I would know no one. But as we mingled about I recognized some of the grand names of mystery writers. Indeed the keynote speaker was the great Argentine writer, Jorge Luis Borges.
What, I asked myself, am I doing here?
We sat at a round table. I turned to the man sitting next to me, introduced myself, and he told me his name, which alas, I’ve forgotten.
“What’s this all about?” I asked, with, I suspect, a touch of youthful disdain.
He eyed me balefully. “What brings you here, pal?” he said.
“My novel has been nominated.”
“That’s pretty swell. How many have you written?”
“It’s my first.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his business card which was in the shape of a book mark, a long book mark. One side had his name, address, phone number. On the other side was a list of the novels he had written. He tapped that side with his cracked fingernail. “I’ve written forty five novels, son, and I’ve never been nominated. You just might let yourself enjoy the moment.”
I sat back, properly chastened.
At another moment an older, white-haired woman, who was bedecked in glittering diamonds (Oh, how I wish I could recall her name!) turned to my sister. “What kind of mysteries do you write, dear?”
My sister said, “I write poetry.”
The woman pressed her hands together in a prayerful attitude, bowed her head, and said, “We who write mere prose, must salute the poets.”
That night, my book didn’t win but I learned a lot.
3 thoughts on “Learning about awards”
What a wonderful story! I, too, wish you knew the names of your fellow writers that night.
Congrats! A well-deserved nomination.
Currently reading, and enjoying Catch You Later, Traitor. Good luck with the awards!