Newsy Stuff

2010 is shaping up to be a great year for Val McDermid. Not only is she being awarded the Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association but also her novel A Darker Domain is shortlisted in the Mystery/Thriller section of the Los Angeles Book Prizes. A full list of the nominees in the various categories can be found here. The prizes will be awarded in an invitation-only ceremony in connection with the 15th annual L A Times Festival of Books, which takes place April 24-25

In an excellent article in the Irish Independent Declan Burke explains why he believes that unlike in 2009 which was the year of the male Irish crime writer this year he feels that it is the turn of the female Irish crime writer. The full article can be found here.

Jane Wood of Quercus Publishers has brought the rights to the first two books in a 18th Century historical series by debut author Patrick Easter. The first book in the series The Waterman will be published in Spring 2011. More information can be found here.

Karin Slaughter has written an interesting article in the Huffington Post on whether ebooks will create an elite reading class. The full article can be found here.

The saga of Stieg Larsson rumbles on. Rebecca Cooke of the Observer interviews Eva Gabrielsson's his partner of 32 years who shared his life and is now trying to protect his work amidst a bitter battle with his family. The interview can be found here.

So you think you know the ten rules of writing fiction? Inspired by Elmore Leonard’s 10 rules of writing fiction a number of authors have been asked for their versions. Part one can be found here and part two here.

China Miéville’s surreal foray into crime fiction with his novel The City and The City has been shortlisted for the Nebula Awards the major American science fiction and fantasy awards. More information can be found in the Guardian article. The winner will be revealed on 15 May.

Nicholas Wroe interviews Henning Mankell in the Guardian about a life in writing.

According to Variety.com Angelina Jolie is to play Dr Kay Scarpetta the heroine of Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta novels. The latest novel Scarpetta was published in December 2009.,