One of coolest things about the Spinetingler Awards is the recognition that there’s not just one great book a year and that comparing relative newcomers to the field to legends is a tough bet. Thus the categories of “New Voice” (those who have published 1-3 books), “Rising Star” (4-8 books) and “Legend” (9+ books). We told you about the Spinetingler nominees back in March, and yesterday the winners were announced. Congratulations to all on a fine job!
Best Novel: New Voice
— The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock
Best Novel: Rising Star
— All the Young Warriors by Anthony Neil Smith
Best Novel: Legend
— A Drop of the Hard Stuff by Lawrence Block
Best Short Story Collection
—Volt by Alan Heathcock
Best Anthology
—Beat to a Pulp: Hardboiled edited by David Cranmer & Scott D. Parker
Best Mystery/Crime Comic or Graphic Novel
— 99 Days by Matteo Casali & Kristian Donaldson
Best Crime Fiction Publisher
— New Pulp Press
David Thompson Community Leader Award
— Musings of an All Purpose Monkey (Elizabeth White)
Best Zine
— Crime factory
Best Short Story on the Web
— “Either Way it Ends with a Shovel” by David Jones Keaton from Crimefactory (link is to a pdf of the full issue)
Best Cover
— Noir at the Bar
and last, but definitely not least…
The Fireball Award for Best Opening Line
— “This is Detroit, so welcome to the jungle.” from In Nine Kinds of Pain by Leonard Fritz
Again, congratulations to all and may you keep our spines a-tingle for years to come!