Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Edgar Awards, Part 4: The Main Event

OK, gang. Here it is. The Big Moment.

My apologies in advance, because no one, not even my mother, would want to see this many pictures of me all at one time. But I might as well get them up here and out of my system so I can move on. Next week I'll give you a break and post photos of other winners and nominees. Promise.


Things got rolling with a private reception for nominees, and I got to meet several folks whose work I admire. In the pic above, one of those guys tucks away the business card I foisted upon him, while Irene feels sorry for him.


Here are the assembled nominees. I'm in the back row (the price of being tall).


Edgar winner Doug Allyn introduces me as the Robert L. Fish winner, waving the check while explaining that the Fish is the only award that comes with a hunk of do-re-mi.

 

I take the stage. Doug told me I could say anything I wanted up there (a truly dangerous prospect). Luckily, I was sober, and took pity on the crowd, speaking only for about a minute. They honored me by laughing at my closing line: "Finally, I'd like to say thank you in advance to my spectacular new agent . . . your name here, and the wonderful editor of my first Skyler Hobbs novel . . . your name here."

 

Since my award was announced in advance, my biggest thrill of the night was seeing Doug Allyn - who is an incredibly nice guy, and who was sitting next to me at the Dell table - win the Edgar for Best Short Story. His tale, "The Scent of Lilacs," from EQMM, is a love story set in the Civil War.  


The Winners: Augie Alesky (Raven Award, Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, Chicago), Sam Bobrick (Best Play, The Psychic), MWA President Lisa Scottoline, Steve Hamilton (Best Novel, The Lock Artist), Dori Hillestad Butler (Best Juvenile, The Buddy Files), Bruce DeSilva (Best First Novel, Rogue Island), Sara Paretsky (Grand Master), Robert Goddard (Best Paperback Original, Long Time Coming), Charlie Price (Best Young Adult, The Interrogation of Gabriel James), Doug Allyn (Best Short Story, "The Scent of Lilacs"), Yours Truly, Yunte Huang (Best Critical/Biographical, Charlie Chan, the Untold Story...), Gary Shulze and Pat Frovarp (Raven Award, Once Upon a Crime bookstore, Minneapolis).

 The proof.

Photos 1, 2 and 6 are from Matt Peyton Photography. 3, 4 and 5 are courtesy of Eve Allyn.

Next week: A lot more great writers. And (almost) no pictures of me.
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10 comments:

  1. Stephen RossMay 4, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Congratulations on your win! It's a hell of a start to a career!

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  2. Deka BlackMay 5, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    Congratulations! ;D

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  3. Randy JohnsonMay 5, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    Let me add my congrats. Those of us in this little corner of the internet already knew of you. Now more of the world is learning.

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  4. Richard ProschMay 5, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    This is so very cool. And so very well deserved. Keep going, my friend!

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  5. GeorgeMay 5, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    We're all proud of your accomplishment! Richly deserved!

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  6. Evan LewisMay 5, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Thanks folks. I know this makes it look like the banquet was ALL ABOUT ME. In reality, of course, the presentation of my humble award, which took place first thing after dinner, was merely an appetizer to the announcements of the Edgar winners.

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  7. Cap'n BobMay 5, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    I'm still in awe. I hope the check was enough to cover the cost of a few of those New York meals. Congrats again.

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  8. Oscar CaseMay 5, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Congratulations, Evan! Happy to see you win the Robert L. Fisher Award and good luck with the Skyler Hobbs novel.

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  9. Ann LittlewoodMay 5, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    As far as I'm concerned, the Edgars ARE all about you! Love the photos--you and Irene are a fine lookin' pair. Keep these blogs coming, I want all the details.

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  10. AnonymousMay 6, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS, Evan ! ! It simply couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Really appreciate you sharing these photos and words with those of us who can only sit on the sidelines and admire the skill of those writers whose work we enjoy reading, your stories not the least of them. If it were possible, I'd be first in line when a short story collection and / or novels came into print. Hope you let us celebrate with you on that happy day!

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