Well, that headline may have it a bit backwards: I am talking here about an excellent "forethought" on the part of the Malice Domestic board, the folks responsible for the annual conference for readers and writers of the "traditional" mystery - the organization that presents the Agatha Awards to books that carry on those traditions.
Malice Domestic has added another award to be presented at next year's conference - to mystery writer Carolyn Hart, who has several series and a number of stand-alones to her credit. She will be honored next year with an award caled the Amelia Award, presented, as their e-mail puts it, to "someone we feel has contributed significantly not only to the Malice Domestic convention but to the Malice Community. Malice Domestic 25 is a milestone year for us and we felt that the celebrations would not be complete without honoring someone who has been a part of Malice from the very beginning."
Next year is the 25th annual Malice Domestic conference, which will be held in Bethesda, MD, outside Washington D. C., from May 3 to May 5, 2013. Other honored guests at the conference will include Laurie R King, Guest of Honor; Laura Lippman, Toastmaster; Aaron Elkins, Lifetime Achievement; Peter Robinson, International Guest of Honor; Cindy Silberblatt, Fan Guest of Honor; and Malice Remembers Dick Francis.
It ought to be quite a gathering. I'm already registered, and I urge you, if you enjoy "traditional" mysteries, to consider joining us there. On-line registration is open; you can find full details at the Malice Domestic site.
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