Hail the Independents

Speaking of writing awards nominations, ForeWord Reviews has posted its rundown of finalists for the 2009 Book of the Year Awards. Included among the awards’ 60 categories is one covering mystery fiction from independent publishers:

• Death at Solstice, by Lucha Corpi
• Deer Season, by Aaron Stander
• Dixie Noir, by Kirk Curnutt
• Every Boat Turns South, by J.P. White
• Hard Stop, by Chris Knopf
• In Their Blood, by Sharon Potts
• Jump, by Tim Maleeny
• Justice for All, by Radclyffe
• Quiet Teacher, by Arthur Rosenfeld
• Rupture, by A. Scott Pearson
• The Big Wake-Up, by Mark Coggins
• The Khan Dilemma, by Ron Goodreau
• The Pier, by Bill Noel
• Tower, by Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman
• Why Did You Die in the Park? by Patricia K. Batta
• Wrath, by Robert Santora
• Wyatt’s Revenge, by H. Terrell Griffin

According to the ForeWord Web site, “The winners will be determined by a panel of librarians and booksellers selected from our readership. Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, as well as Editor’s Choice Prizes for Fiction and Non-fiction will be announced at a special program at BookExpo America in New York City on May 25. The winners of the two Editor’s Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each. The ceremony is open to all BEA attendees.”