That’s not the way it went down.
It began with the audience cheering an Honourable Mention to Maggie
Petrushevsky (Maggie Petru) and again when Joan O’Callaghan was named Third
Place winner. I stretched my neck to see the Second Prize recipient Rob Brunet
leave his table near the front of the hall to accept his award.
The applause subsided for the next announcement. The winning story is
Reflections of Miss Sally.
I heard the words. At least I think that’s how the presenter announced
it. Actually, the only words I was certain of were Reflections of Miss Sally. My words. The title I gave my story
about a fading fan dancer back in the 40s and the hunt for her killer. My eyes
bulged a little. For certain. Then Catherine Astolfo, award-winning author and
Past President of Crime Writers of Canada, announced me as the winner of the
Bony Pete Award for Best Short Story.
One of the two people at my table – her name was Andrea – nudged me.
That’s you, she said. (Andrea if you see this, thank you for your cordiality
during the conference) With that prompt, I stood. Shocked but thrilled, I
weaved my way from the last table at the back of the hall to the dais.
I’m sure I wore a puzzled expression. I felt that way. I gave little
thought to winning this contest. What were the chances? As a member of Crime
Writers of Canada for less than six months, and this being my first Bloody
Words conference, I wanted to take part in every aspect of the event. Of
course, that meant sending a submission to the Bony Pete contest.
Cathy commented later that she wished I could have seen the look on my
face when she handed me my Bony Pete trophy.
As I turned to leave, she asked if I’d like the box. I hesitated and
then accepted. Without thought, I placed the trophy in the box and turned to the
flash of a camera. I raised my hand in a thank you to the enthusiastic audience
and made my to the back of the hall – all the while thinking of the picture
taken of me holding a cardboard box covered in red tissue with white foam skull
stickers.
Very cool news, and certainly well-deserved!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terry! It's another step in the right direction. :)
Delete