A Ten-Second Favor

I hope your summer has been as full of celebrations, reunions, and great stories as mine. Before I go into detail, I have an important favor to ask of you, one that will literally take less than ten seconds to complete.

MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX is nominated for the prestigious Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Readers’ Choice award. This major honor depends on a popular vote from readers on the Killer Nashville website. If you click on this link, you will be taken to the page with all the nominated books. MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX is listed alphabetically under the R’s with my last name, Richard. To vote, all you have to do is click on the box in front of MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX, and then click on SUBMIT at the bottom of the page. That’s it—just three clicks: link, box, and submit. You may vote for up to ten books, but you may only submit one ballot.

Why, you may ask, is your vote so important? I’m happy to explain. Each year there are several literary contests who judge works published during that year. Some of the contests are more competitive than others. The Killer Nashville juried contest draws entries from all over the world, all mysteries of one kind or another, and in several categories.

MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX is entered in the category of Best Investigator, which I love, because it’s all about Detective Parrott, and he competes with the likes of Alex Cross, Harry Bosch, and other famous investigators. Earlier this month I was notified that MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX was selected as one of five finalists for the Silver Falchion for Best Investigator. Just being a finalist is overwhelmingly thrilling. The single winner of the Silver Falchion will be announced at the awards ceremony in Nashville on August 23.

The Readers’ Choice award is something different, but also extremely special. Instead of being selected by the panel of judges who work for the Killer Nashville organization, the readers’ choice award is decided solely by votes on this page. You will see how many books are in contention for this award, and every book has its advocates. But only ONE book receives the award each year, and no one can make it happen except for the people who vote for that book.

I’m extremely gratified that MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX has already received four awards, but this one would be the grandmother of them all. So, I’m asking for your help, just a few seconds of your time, and three clicks. Pretty please from Detective Parrott and me,  and thank you in advance.

In other news, I’m planning to attend the Killer Nashville conference next month. The conference is full of fun with networking, panel discussions, famous authors who are guest speakers, a simulated mystery to solve (set up by a representative of the FBI, and more. I’m going to be the moderator of a panel entitled, “Beyond the Police Procedural: Alternative Sleuths and Investigators.” I’ll be talking about Parrott, but also about Quinn McFarland and Sally Pearce.

I had new business cards printed that take me into the 21^st century with a QR code, instead of a plain photo. What do you think?

Thanks so much to everyone who sent me names of relatives who lived at the turn of the 20^th century. I have a bank of more than 100 great names to draw from, but it’s not too late to send me more. Additionally, some of you sent stories of ancestors who lived through the Great Storm of 1900 in Galveston. One of the stories (and you know who you are!) resulted in an incredible coincidence. Someone I’d never met turned out to be a close cousin of my first cousin, but on the other side of the family. This is one of the reasons I love our little community—you never know where a newsletter mention will lead.

This month I’ve read The Quiet Librarian by Alan Eskens, The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose, Iniquity by Laurie Buchanan, Dying Cry by Margaret Mizushima, and Forewarned by Tracey S. Phillips. I can’t wait to read Beyond the Cemetery Gate by Valerie Biel, and The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor. I’m also reading Melting Point by Rachel Cockerell as research for the historical mystery I’m writing.

I’ve been watching “The Gilded Age” on HBO, and that led to watching the two-part docuseries on Billy Joel, both excellent.

I’m looking forward to several book clubs in the next few months, courtesy of gracious invitations from newsletter subscribers. These are so much fun! I’m grateful to be a part of your book club, anytime.

Finally, I wish you a healthy, peaceful, and safe August, filled with friends, family, fun, and happy reading.

Much love,

Saralyn

P.S. A last-minute reminder to vote for MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX here, and don’t forget to hit submit.