In yet another testament to author empowerment, less than three months after the disastrous earthquake in Japan 19 authors joined the efforts to assist those afflicted. Shaken: Stories for Japan, a new collection of original Japan-themed short stories available only in e-book format, features two longtime SCWC staffers among its contributors, mystery writers Gary Phillips and Ken Kuhlken. “One hundred percent of the writers’ royalties from the purchase go directly to the 2011 Japan Relief Fund administrated by Japan America Society of Southern California, which has already sent $750,000 to organizations working on the scene,” affirms Edgar nominated crime novelist Tim Hallinan, who spearheaded the project. Great reads for a great cause.
Still confirming staff for LA9. The latest aboard include Marsal Lyon Literary Agency co-founder Jill Lyon. Jill’s looking for a wide variety of material, so you’ll want to check out her bio on the staff page if you’re thinking of advance submissions to an agent. Zova Books, the boutique publisher that could and is proving it well after signing SD25 conferee Jessica Therrien for her debut novel, The Descendants (read more here), returns in September. Very shortly we’ll be announcing yet another SCWCer who they just signed.
The San Diego Book Awards winners were announced at the annual ceremony this past Saturday. Staffers from both the L.A. and San Diego conferences did quite well, including NovelCram track leader Drusilla Campbell (Theodor S. Geisel Award “Best of the Best” and Contempory Fiction for The Good Sister), Judy Reeves (General Nonfiction for A Writer’s Book of Days), Ken Kuhlken (Mystery Fiction for The Biggest Liar in Los Angeles), Laurel Corona (Historical Fiction for Penelope’s Daughter), and Ellen Bryson (Historical Fiction for The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno). Longtime conferee Douglas P. Lathrop took the prize for Best Unpublished Novel, Adult for Reconquista. A hearty congratulations to all as all are richly deserved.
Much more soon.
