DAVID THOMPSON AWARD: Bouchercon

The World Mystery Convention, Bouchercon, today announced that Jenn and Don Longmuir are the recipients of the 2019 David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award.  Congrats, Jenn & Don! Well deserved!

The World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that holds an annual convention attended by readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers and other lovers of crime fiction. The 50th Anniversary event will take place October 31-November 3, 2019 in Dallas.

The David Thompson Award will be presented during the opening ceremonies on October 31. The David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award is given by the Bouchercon Board to honor the memory and contributions to the crime fiction community of David Thompson, a beloved Houston bookseller who passed away in 2010. Recipients are recognized for their "extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the crime fiction field."

The Longmuirs have been fixtures in the crime fiction community for more than a quarter-century. The couple owns and runs Scene of the Crime Books in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and they have been book room organizers, book sellers and attendees at mystery conventions across North America. Don also served on the Bouchercon Board for five years.

Jenn and Don are beloved by readers and acclaimed authors alike. Louise Penny, author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, said: "I've known Don and Jenn from when they had their store in Oakville, Ontario, a hundred years ago. Visiting them at the store, and certainly at their stand at conventions, is a highlight. Their mammoth hugs, and those smiles? Resistance is futile! Two more supportive, passionate champions of crime writing would be hard to find. And two nicer people, the real measure, impossible to find."

Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of Trust Me, the forthcoming The Murder List, and Bouchercon 2018 Guest of Honor, said: "They are always ready with a smile, a brilliant book suggestion, and a word of encouragement. The authentic and genuine passion Don and Jenn share for books, and the book business, and for the entire writing community is an absolute Inspiration. In moments of celebration and adversity alike, Don and Jenn—with their obvious delight in each other and pride for their beloved family—exemplify what we all wish to be: devoted, determined, unendingly good-natured, and committed to good writing and good books."

Jenn Longmuir commented: "The book community has been such a supportive group. The fans, the authors, the show organizers and the booksellers are all committed to helping each other and take a vested interest in one another's success."

For additional information, please visit Bouchercon2019.com or Bouchercon.com.

DAVID THOMPSON SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD: LESA HOLSTINE

Lesa Holstine is the recipient the 2018 David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award by the Bouchercon Board

The World Mystery Convention, Bouchercon, is pleased to announce that Lesa Holstine is the recipient of the 2018 David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award for her contributions to the mystery community. The World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization which holds an annual convention attended by readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers and other lovers of crime fiction.  The David Thompson Award will be presented during the Anthony Awards ceremony on September 8 at Bouchercon in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award is given by the Bouchercon Board to honor the memory and contributions to the crime fiction community of David Thompson, a beloved Houston bookseller who passed away in 2010. Winners are recognized for their “extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the crime fiction field.”

Lesa Holstine has been sharing her passion for books—especially mysteries—with readers since 2005. Her blog, Lesa’s Book Critiques, is a go-to destination for readers. Her reviews now appear in Mystery Readers Journal, ReadertoReader.com, and in Library Journal. Lesa is also the blogger for Poisoned Pen Bookstore, and she started the Authors @ The Teague program in the Glendale, Arizona Library System.

Lesa is the author of the “Mystery Fiction” chapter in Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests (7th ed.) and has been a panelist for Sisters in Crime at the Public Library Association’s conference and has served on panels at Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon. She has also moderated crime fiction panels at the Tucson Festival of Books.

Lesa is beloved by readers and acclaimed authors alike.

Louise Penny, author of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, said: “Lesa has championed crime writing with intelligence, passion, warmth and insight. This meaningful award, named for a wonderful man, could not go to a better recipient than Lesa Holstine!” 

Craig Johnson, author of the Walt Longmire Series, said: “When you write for a living you’ve always got that one reader that you’re shooting for, the one that will get what you’re trying to do, and for me that reader is Lesa Holstine.” 

Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of the Jane Ryand series and the forthcoming TRUST ME, said: “Lesa’s unabashed enthusiasm, unflagging support and astonishing knowledge of crime fiction continues to change lives and change careers. Her incredibly hard work as a librarian, blogger, reviewer and cheerleader enriches our community and brightens our days.” 

Cara Black, author of the Aimée Leduc series, said: “Lesa began a visiting author series and welcomed every mystery author in town with open arms to her library. I remember Lesa sitting in the back and writing away, supporting me and the authors who felt privileged to be invited. This honor is so deserved!” 

Lori Rader-Day, award-winning author, said: “Lesa Holstine is joy personified. I love her enthusiasm for mystery reading.” 

Jane Cleland, Author of the Josie Prescott series, said: “Lesa is a doll, a complete peach! She's also a terrific writer, clear and insightful.” 

For additional information, please visit Bouchercon2018.com or Bouchercon.com. Bouchercon is also on Facebook and Twitter.

DAVID THOMPSON AWARD

2017 DAVID THOMPSON SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD to GEORGE EASTER

The Bouchercon National Board of Directors has selected George Easter as the recipient of its 2017 David Thompson Special Service Award for “extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the crime fiction field.”

The David Thompson Special Service Award is given by the Bouchercon Board to honor the memory and contributions to the crime fiction community of David Thompson, a much beloved Houston bookseller who passed away in 2010. Past recipients of the award include Ali Karim, Marv Lachman, Len & June Moffatt, Judy Bobalik, Otto Penzler, and Bill and Toby Gottfried.

Founded in 1970, and named after distinguished mystery critic, editor, and author, Anthony Boucher, Bouchercon is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that each year brings together fans, authors, publishers, editors, agents, and booksellers from around the world in a different location for a four-day celebration of their shared love of the crime genre. This year's Bouchercon, Passport to Murder, will take place in Toronto, October 12-15, 2017.

George Easter is the Founder, Editor, and Publisher of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine, one of the premiere review periodicals in the mystery community. Deadly Pleasures, a great resource for readers, was started in 1992. DP also includes news of forthcoming releases in the U.S. and abroad, and columns, reviews, and interviews from an international group of contributors. Sneak previews of upcoming books are divided into soft boiled, hardboiled, medium boiled and more. Deadly Pleasures was nominated four times for an Anthony Award for Best Mystery Magazine and won the Anthony for Best Critical/Biographic Work in 1999.

But Deadly Pleasures was not enough for George, being a fan’s fan, and in 1997 he conceived the Barry Awards (named after fan Barry Gardner) that are presented by Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine in various categories for excellence. George also presents the Don Sandstrom Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom (named after fan Don Sandstrom).

George has served on the Bouchercon National Board, has attended every Bouchercon, except two, since 1991 in Pasadena, CA, and volunteered to produce the Program Book for the 2000 Bouchercon in Denver, CO. He was also responsible for getting publishers to donate books to the Book Bazaar giveaway at last year’s Bouchercon in New Orleans.

The Bouchercon Board is pleased to honor George Easterwith the David Thompson award for all he has contributed to the mystery community and for his honoring both mystery authors and fans. George Easter is truly a Fan’s Fan.

Bill and Toby Gottfried: David Thompson Award recipients

The amazing Bill and Toby Gottfried are the recipients of the 2015 David Thompson Award, named for the late beloved publisher, bookseller, and crime fiction reader advocate, and presented by the National Bouchercon Board to recognize EXTRAORDINARY efforts to develop and promote the mystery and crime fiction community. Nominees include writers, publishers, readers, editors, and fans.

Extraordinary Efforts: Who better to receive this award than that extraordinary couple, Bill and Toby Gottfried, who have promoted mysteries and crime fiction through their involvement in mystery conventions, books groups, book buying, discussions and so more more. Bill and Toby exemplify what's best about the Mystery Community.

Bill and Toby have attended almost every Bouchercon since 1985. Their involvement in the mystery community goes far beyond attending conferences and buying books. They have actively participated on multiple Bouchercon committees and have chaired two Left Coast Crime Conventions.

They plan vacations and travel around mystery conventions. At each convention, they make authors and readers feel welcome, breaking bread with them, and welcoming them in every possible way into the mystery community as friends and family.

Their involvement in the mystery community is driven by a love of people intellect, mystery, history, and fun.

The David Thompson Award will be presented at Bouchercon 2015 in Raleigh, NC, on Saturday, October 10, 2015.

If you're going to Bouchercon, be sure and congratulate them!