In the Footsteps of E.A. Poe

by Dick Donahue, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 4/25/2007

Tomorrow night marks the 61st anniversary of the Mystery Writers of America's annual Edgar Awards—the occasion for authors, screenwriters, playwrights and mystery aficionados of all stripes to celebrate the best in the genre. And while the Edgars mark the achievements of established writers, they're also a time to plant the seeds for fledgling Edgar hopefuls. These seeds are sown at the Edgar Symposium, a daylong program of educational seminars and panels that precedes each Edgar Awards banquet. At the symposium—being held today at the Lighthouse International Lighthouse Auditorium in New York City—established authors share their expertise with novice and professional authors alike, offering writers an opportunity to meet individuals who just might be the key to their big break. Take, for example, the stories of writers Michele Martinez and Cornelius Lehane.

Martinez, a New York City federal prosecutor, dreamed of trading her legal briefs for legal thrillers. Not sure how to break into the industry, she joined MWA and attended the 2003 Edgar Symposium, at which she met literary agent Meg Ruley, who signed her as a client at the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Just over a year later, Morrow signed Martinez and published her first book, Most Wanted, in February 2005. This was followed in 2006 with The Finishing School and last month's Cover-Up, which PW awarded a starred review.

Lehane's path to success started when he attended the 1997 symposium, where he met that year's Ellery Queen Award recipient, François Guerif, publisher of France's Rivages-Noir. Guerif agreed to read Lehane's manuscript and, a year later, published the novel in France. Still seeking fame in the States, Lehane sent the manuscript to Barbara Peters of Poisoned Pen Press. Peters and Lehane met at the 2001 Edgar Symposium and the author got his U.S. publication: Beware the Solitary Drinker was published in 2002 and was named one of the year's best mysteries by Publishers Weekly.

Budding mystery authors, listen up.