2009 Agatha Award-Nominated Mystery Short Stories

The 2009 Agatha award nominees for best short story were recently announced, and the stories can now be read online. The awards for best mysteries and short stories a la Agatha Christie are awarded at the annual Malice Domestic Mystery Convention, to be held April 30-May 2 in Arlington, Va.

Agatha Award Nominees - Best Short Story:

“Femme Sole” by Dana Cameron, Boston Noir (Akashic Books)

“Handbaskets, Drawers and a Killer Cold” by Kaye George, Crooked ezine

“The Worst Noel” by Barb Goffman, The Gift of Murder (Wolfmont Press)

“On the House” by Hank Phillippi Ryan, Quarry (Level Best Books)

"Death Will Trim Your Tree” by Elizabeth Zelvin, The Gift of Murder (Wolfmont Press)

Miniatures Monday: Ah, Spring flowers (almost!)

Spring is coming! Really! I heard cardinals singing. Just waiting for the red-winged blackbirds to return.

So I made some flowers... I punched these - the plant has 3 layers of petals and faux flora leaves in a painted wood paint with moss.

** KITS: Kits are available for $6 with $2 shipping. Choose red, yellow, mixed, or pink. Includes all materials for three flowers (plus a few extras in case you mess up) and unpainted pot.

(I'll try to get new pix of the yellow flowers as the definition doesn't want to show up.)

Are you Ready to be Published? Writing Advice from Jennifer Stanley, author of Stirring Up Strife

Are You Really Ready to be Published?

By Jennifer Stanley

You can feel it. Your book is done. You’ve worked on it for months, for years. It’s been all you’ve thought about for ages and now it’s finished.

Your baby. Your hopes and dreams printed out on crisp, white paper.

Now what?

It’s time for an initial test.

Test Question One: Have you taken your punches?

In other words, has your book been critiqued by a group of honest, educated peers? Not your mother, your spouse, or your best friend, but fellow writers.

Have you heard and responded to both praise and criticism?

Have you gone back and examined portions of your writing because a member of your critique group made a solid recommendation?

Have you struggled, yes, struggled, over points raised by others?

Answer: If you haven’t exposed your book to several rounds of constructive criticism, you’re not ready.

Test Question Two: Have you edited your book at least three times?

Once is not enough. It is sometimes helpful to take a break between rounds of editing, but you will find new areas to tweak each time. Be patient. Hone your writing. Get that manuscript polished until it glows in the dark.

Answer: Edit, edit, edit.

Test Question Three: Have you done your homework?

In other words, you know into which genre your book falls; you’ve abided by the general word count rule (approximately 80,000 words for fiction – more for sci-fi and fantasy); you’re emotionally prepared to be rejected by multiple agents and publishers and will not throw yourself off a bridge.

Answer: If you’re done all the above, you’re ready! It’s going to be a tough road, but if you can write an entire book, you can make it!

Feel free to post questions and I’ll do my best to provide intelligent, helpful answers!


Jennifer (J.B. Stanley) is the author of two mystery series (the Supper Club mysteries and the Hope Street Church mysteries). Her third series will debut this summer.




** Jennifer, thanks for the constructive, and timely, advice. A few possible questions:
What things do you look for in subsequent edits?

Do you remember what were your first editing pitfalls that you overcame in later books?

What do you find to be the hardest point of editing?

What are the main things you advise writers to search for in their manuscript that can be easily overlooked?

Talking about Miniatures, Writing and Olympics, oh my!

I'm all over the place today like... well, never mind. ha!

I'm sharing a few comments about writing and miniatures - is there a connection? - at the Cozy Chicks blog. Stop by and say hello! Thanks for hosting me, Jennifer.










And I'm talking about Olympian chocolate and other kinds at Fatal Foodies.

Speaking of food... I thought these pix would be included too at my blog stop so I'm sharing them here. The fast food items are in my collection from a swap some years back. Hungry yet?



** Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a few thoughts on agent hunting and other writing advice from Jennifer Stanley, author of Stirring Up Strife, A Hope Street Church Mystery.

Miniatures Monday: Greenhouse Front

I finished the front of the Witch's Greenhouse so thought I'd share a photo. I added a front mat from that snakey print fabric and put some of the inner wallpaper on the door panels. There are green hanging beads in both windows. I like the flower emblem on top; the shop has more of a hippie feel to me, doesn't it?

Well sharp eyes will see that I haven't added one thing yet - the doorknobs! Had to look for them! haa!

Pink Saturday: Happy Valentine's Day!

Welcome to another Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

I also stopped by Marina's blog, Only Cute Things. Marina, who blogs from Argentina, had a fantastic post on Friday of some fascinating buildings. (And being into dollhouses, I love looking at architecture, especially the older brick and stone photos she posted.) Hi, Marina!

We're celebrating from the heart this week and what better symbolizes Valentine's Day than a yummy box of chocolates?

Doll artist Christa Chayata summed up the best part of the holiday with her new miniature doll named Ann. Christa says she'd already made the chocolates, so why not have someone like a cute little girl holding them?

Good idea, right? She's darling! See more of Christa's work (and a fantastic closeup of those chocolates!) at her blog.

Snow Snow Snow!

Tons of it. Sigh. Here's a use for it - how about snow ice cream?
See recipes and a video at Fatal Foodies. Let me know if you try it. :>)

Miniatures Monday: Congratulations to Anna Hardman for Doll of the Year Award!

Doll maker and IGMA Artisan Anna Hardman can add another title to describe her amazing, hand-sculpted miniature dolls - award-winning!



Anna's wonderful miniature porcelain bride, Livia, made from her own original mold, was named a 2010 Doll of the Year Industry Choice Winner from Doll Reader Magazine.

Doll Reader Announces 2010 DOTY Industry's Choice Winners

Artist Miniature Doll
• Tiny Wonder, by Claire Taylor Dolls
• Livia - Victorian Bride, Anna Hardman
• Elle, by Laura Tuzio-Ross
• Little Darling “Joy of Life,” by Gabriele Mueller, Gaby-Dolls
• Chocolate Bunny Surprise, by Goodreau Doll

Anna, who sculpts many of her own dolls, says this doll is special as it was named for her grandmother, Livia, a rare name in Russian. Sadly, Anna says the week she finished the doll she'd found out that her grandmother, whom she called Babushka Livia, had passed away in Ukraine. But she feels her grandmother "must have been watching over me or something."

Anna decided to dress the 5 1/2" tall doll in late Victorian style, deciding to go "the less the better. I didn't want to lavish her with flowers and gems and ruffles. She portrays youth, beauty and sadness. No Victorian woman was very happy to get married then."

Congratulations, Anna! The recognition is well-deserved! Be sure to check out her other amazing dolls, too.

Pink Miniatures for Pink Saturday: An early Valentine

Getting a late start today for Pink Saturday at Beverly's blog, How Sweet the Sound.

I also stopped by Jeanne's blog at Back Yard Neighbor - she's showing some great vintage Valentine's today. I love those!

Seeing so many beautiful pink cakes and mini goodies lately on The Mini Food blog got me in the mood to create a Valentine's scene.


I had this table and several cakes, so decorated a few more and made some mini magazines which was fun. Hadn't done these in awhile. But there are some great covers out there! (I added the pic with the penny so the non-miniaturists can get an idea of size.)

I included a couple of the cover pix already shrunk down for you to use. Just add your own back cover. These magazines have a slight edge so leave about 1/16" of white space in the center.

Megan's Miniatures has some great modern magazines to print, too.

** Be sure to come back for Miniatures Monday and see an amazing original - an award-winner, too!

Is it Real or Miniature? Photo Scenes

These are some of the most fantastic photos I've seen. Check out these
amazing scenes. Look at the cars! These are incredible 1:24th scale models. These are the kinds of photos you can look at again and again. These are the best I've ever seen.