English department chairperson Thomas Lipinski recently accepted the position of Private Eye Novel of the Year committee chair for the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA).
Lipinski will give an award for the best first-attempt private eye novel of the year at the World Mystery Convention, or Bouchercon, from Oct. 15-18 in Indianapolis, Ind.
"It's nice to be on top for a change," said Lipinski. "I know the anxiety the nominees go through."
A published author and Shamus Award winner in the private eye genre, Lipinski was nominated for his position through his participation and achievements in the PWA. Most noted among his accomplishments is his Best P.I. Paperback Original award for his book "Death in the Steel City."
"Other than that, I may have been the only fool who said yes," Lipinski said jokingly.
Lipinski's part on the committee will consist of coordinating several delegates, who are other authors, to read through more than 60 novels between April and June and choose four nominees for the 2009 Bouchercon.
"My job is to make sure everyone gets reading because we'll be getting to know the UPS deliverers very well," Lipinski said.
Consideration for the St. Martin's Press/PWA Best First P.I. Novel Contest, which Lipinski's committee will judge, depends on the PWA's strict definition of private eye authors' artistic writing styles and committee member appeal. All nominated novels must also be 2008 published works.
The PWA defines a private eye as "any mystery protagonist who is a professional investigator, but not a police officer or government agent." Any author that doesn't abide by the definition has his or her novel immediately discarded from the award nomination.
The PWA, a part of the much larger Mystery Writers of America, accepts submissions from all over the country, mostly through publishing companies.
"This is much more competitive than the short story nominations for instance," Lipinski said. "It's really a top-shelf award."
The winner of this contest will have his or her novel published by St. Martin's Press and receives $10,000. Only one of Lipinski's four nominees will win this award, although St. Martin's Press has published runner-ups in years past.
After his role in the convention, Lipinski's one-year term as committee chair will end. He attributes this to the "deluge of books" his position experiences each year.
"It's a good opportunity," said Lipinski. "I get to keep all the books - most of which I'll probably donate to the library - and work with a great group of people."
Be the first to comment on this article!