Friday, 23 July 2010

CUT SHORT short listed for CWA DAGGER


I'm thrilled to share the news that CUT SHORT has been shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey New Blood Daggger Award!
I am, for once, at a loss for words! Well, almost...
I'll tell you more about my whirlwind visit to Harrogate, and post some photos of me (yes, me!) rubbing shoulders with some of the greats, very soon. I've even thought of a caption for one of the photos - 'Leigh between two Giants of Crime Fiction' (Ian Rankin and Mark Billingham are both much taller than me... still looking hobbit-like even in my heels, alas) - and there you have a clue as to two of the people I met on my amazing visit to Harrogate. If I wasn't myself, I'd be quite jealous of me... (note to aforementioned self - must rewrite this tomorrow when sober)

Here's what the judges said about CUT SHORT
Judges’ comments: A book that combines psychological writing with police procedural. A police detective in search of sanctuary finds herself involved in a vicious case of murder. Strong story-telling draws the reader in to this disturbing debut novel that uses settings from Christie with a much darker plot line.
http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2010/newblood.html

I'm off book signing at WH Smith's in Harrow tomorrow (Saturday is book signing day - you know me!) but I will post more over the weekend.

I'm also dreadfully excited (!!) because I now have the outline for my 4th book... I know ROAD CLOSED has just been published and that was only my 2nd, but I've delivered the draft of DEAD END to my publisher (publication 2011)... and whatever else is going on, I can't stop writing...

11 comments:

Val Ewing said...

Help? What does CWA stand for?

And congrats by the way!

Leigh Russell said...

The Crime Writers Association - I'll add the link so you can see more.
"The CWA Dagger Awards are the longest established literary awards in the UK and are internationally recognised as a mark of excellence and achievement."

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Oh wow! That's incredible. Many, many congratulations and good luck.

Guillaume said...

Congratulations! That is a great recognition of your work, and no small feast to get nominated.

And if in one of those events you ever meet George Pelecanos, ask him about his character Terry Quinn from me.

Charles Gramlich said...

Hey, congrats. That's great news!

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks, Debs. I'll be posting photos soon... when I have the energy!

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks Guillaume, and will do as you ask.

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks Guillaume, and will do as you ask.

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks, Charles. Good to hear from you.

Stella Jones said...

Oh how exciting! I shall keep my fingers crossed for you. Wonderful news and all that excitement in your life and you still keep writing.
Well done madam.
Blessings, Star

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Fantastic news. Congratulaions.