The Long and the Short of It

After spending most of this day engaged in other business, I am finally able to sit down and bat out posts for The Rap Sheet. The first subject to be covered: today’s announcement of finalists for the 2012 Derringer Awards, to be dispensed by the Short Mystery Fiction Society (SMFS). Here are the contenders:

Best Novelette (8,001 - 17,500 words):
• “The Gun Also Rises,” by Jeffrey Cohen (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine [AHMM], January/February 2011)
• “In Brightest Day,” by Toni L.P. Kelner (from Home Improvement: Undead Edition, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner; Ace)
• “A Penny for the Boatman,” by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine [EQMM], March/April 2011)
• “Tomorrow’s Dead,” by David Dean (EQMM, July 2011)
• Where Billy Died, by Earl Staggs (Untreed Reads)

Best Long Story (4,001 to 8,000 words):
• “A Drowning at Snow’s Cut,” by Art Taylor (EQMM, May 2011)
• “Facts Exhibiting Wantonness,” by Trina Corey (EQMM,
November 2011)
• Ballistic, by Trey Dowell (Untreed Reads)
• “Brea’s Tale,” by Karen Pullen (EQMM, November 2011)
• “Blue Amber,” by William Burton McCormick (AHMM, June 2011)

Best Short Story (1,001 to 4,000 words):
• “Death Will Tank Your Fish,” by Elizabeth Zelvin (from Murder New York Style: Fresh Slices, edited by Terrie Farley Moran;
L&L Dreamspell)
• “Touch of Death,” by B.V. Lawson, aka Bonnie Vanaman (Absent Willow Review, April 2011)
• “Sisters in Black,” by Mary E. Stibal (from Best New England Crime Stories 2012: Dead Calm, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books)
• “Fatal Flaw,” by Cathi Stoler (Beat to a Pulp, April 2011)
• “Coronation,” by Adam Renn Olenn (from Best New England Crime Stories 2012: Dead Calm)

Best Flash-Fiction Story (up to 1,000 words):
• “Company Policy,” by Warren Bull (Yellow Mama, August 2011)
• “Countdown,” by John Kenyon (Thrillers, Killers, ’n’ Chillers,
April 2011)
• “Lessons Learned,” by Al Leverone (Shotgun Honey, July 2011)
• “The Perfect Mark,” by Melodie Campbell (Flash Fiction Online,
July 2011)
• “Heat of Passion,” by Kathleen Ryan (A Twist of Noir, February 2011)

Former SMFS president Gerald So tells me that voting in this competition is open only to members of his society, and will be conducted between now and March 30. “Winners,” he explains, “will be announced March 31 and e-mail certificates will be sent. Then, at Bouchercon in Cleveland [October 4-7], physical award plaques will be presented to the previously announced winners.”

Congratulations to all of the nominees!