Photos wanted - New Zealand-related crime writing events (win prizes)

I have a favour to ask from all the Crime Watch readers out there that might have been to any author events with New Zealand crime writers (anywhere in the world) or international authors visiting New Zealand.

We're starting to build up some photo albums on the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel page on Facebook - of such events - and it would be fantastic if you could send in any photos you might have taken - whether at a local book launch, a visiting author event (eg see my picture of Val McDermid reading from TRICK OF THE DARK at the Women's Bookshop in Ponsonby last year, above), images of yourself with an international author in New Zealand, or a New Zealand author anywhere in the world (eg perhaps you met Paul Cleave or Neil Cross at Harrogate, or Vanda Symon at SheKilda, etc).

It would be great to build up some nice albums of crime writing related pics. If you or anyone you know has any such photos that you are happy to share, then please send them in to ngaiomarshaward@gmail.com. There will be numerous random draw spot prizes (win free books) for those that send in photos, from wherever you are in the world.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Facebook users: you can now 'like' Vanda Symon

News in today that after much harassment at the recent SheKilda conference in Melbourne, contemporary Kiwi crime queen Vanda Symon has finally added herself to Facebook, creating an author page that readers and others can 'like' (ie it's not a personal page that you 'friend'). This will be another easy way for those interested in Symon's excellent Sam Shephard books, or her upcoming standalone thriller, FACELESS to stay up to date with what is happening in Symon's writing world.

It's great to see New Zealand-based authors Neil Cross and Paul Cleave deservedly getting more and more attention overseas, but Symon is another terrific Kiwi crime writer who I think many readers would really enjoy, given the chance. Hopefully in future more overseas readers will have the opportunity to read Symon's books, as and when they become more available (her Facebook page might be a good way of keeping up with any developments on the international distribution front, of course).

You can 'like' Vanda Symon's Facebook author page here.

Watch this space: 2011 Ngaio Marsh Award finalists

Keep your eyes peeled to Crime Watch and the Facebook page for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel - the finalists for the 2011 Award will be announced tomorrow (NZT)!

It's been a tough decision for the judges, with eight interesting examples of crime and thriller fiction on the longlist, offering a diverse range of writing styles, settings, protagonists, and storytelling:

• BLOOD MEN by Paul Cleave
• CAPTURED by Neil Cross
• THE CRIME OF HUEY DUNSTAN by James McNeish
• DEATH IN THE KINGDOM by Andrew Grant
• THE FALLEN by Ben Sanders
• HUNTING BLIND by Paddy Richardson
• SLAUGHTER FALLS by Alix Bosco
• SURRENDER by Donna Malane

All eight of the longlisted novels have received praise from the judges, and the decision on the finalists has been a very tough one - tune in tomorrow to find out who has made it.

The 2011 Ngaio Marsh Award will be presented on 21 August in Christchurch, at the conclusion of the "Setting the Stage for Murder" event, which will feature the finalists, along with visiting international crime writers Tess Gerritsen and John Hart. You can read more about that event, and purchase tickets, here.

In the meantime, if you're a crime fiction fan and you're on Facebook, why don't you head over to the Ngaio Marsh Award page, and 'like' it. New Zealand crime fiction and the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel has its own official Facebook presence, where you can comment on the award, potential finalists, discuss New Zealand and other crime fiction, and much more.

Who are you hoping to see on the finalists list tomorrow?

Ngaio Marsh Award on Facebook!

As of today, New Zealand crime fiction and the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel now has an official Facebook presence, with the creation of a new 'fan page' that Facebook users can 'like' and use to comment on the award, potential finalists, discuss New Zealand and other crime fiction, and much more.

The page is just in its infancy, and photos from the 2010 presentation, along with links to news stories, and announcements pertaining to the upcoming 2011 award, will all be added in the coming days. Click here to see the page.

In the meantime it would be terrific if any Facebook-using crime fiction fans, particularly those who are interested in New Zealand crime fiction (as hopefully all of you Crime Watch readers are, at least a little bit) would head over to Facebook and 'like' the new Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel page.

The judging panel for the 2011 award has been confirmed, and a longlist of the books in the running for the 2011 Ngaio Marsh Award will soon be released. You will also be able to keep track of other New Zealand and related crime, mystery and thriller fiction announcements and happenings at the Facebook page (eg author visits, New Zealand authors events, Award announcements, etc). I look forward to seeing some of you on the Facebook page in future!

Comments welcome.