You like me! You really like me!

Do awards really matter? I'm not talking Pulitzer, Booker or Nobel here. Something more modest, like the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony, Macavity, Dagger. Ha! Not so modest if you're a writing member of our genre -- crime fiction.

I bring this topic up (which others have done often before this humble blogger) for two reasons. I was reading Tess Gerritsen's blog today and she talked about how thrilled she was to get a Macavity nod for "Vanished." Wrote Tess: "I’m astonished, especially after all the whispers from critics that my Edgar nomination was a complete fluke. I’ll refrain from uttering that famous old Sally Field line."

Shoot, I find Tess's enthusiasm refreshing. I remember once I was at the Edgar banquet (just an observer) and was seated next to one of the Best First nominees. During the salad, I noticed his ribbon designating his status and congratulated him on the honor. He muttered: "Oh, I thought I had written a literary novel."

Geez, I'd hate to see this guy REALLY excited about something. Felt a bit sorry for his wife, if you know what I mean. But Phlegmatic Phil didn't win and we were all spared what I am sure would have been a gripping acceptance speech.

Oh...wait. The SECOND reason for writing this. Well, I just found out we are nominated for a Shamus this year for our book "A Killing Rain." This is our fourth straight Shamus nomination. Am I blase about this? Gimme a break. I am thrilled to hell and flattered beyond belief. Why? Because the Shamus, like the Edgar is a confirmaton by your peers that what you are doing is...well, cool.

So a thank you to the judges because I know what a tough job it is. Not just to READ 40-50 books but to pick only one from what is a top-notch list this year.

WE'RE ON THE ROAD

Kelly and I are off to the home state tomorrow for a whirlwind two-week book signing and research tour in Michigan. So if any of you out there are ANYWHERE near where we will be, please come out and say hey. If you say the magic words "Cabbages and Kings" we will take you to the nearest wateringhole and buy you a cold one. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. Here is where we will be:

June 29: Chicago. Centuries & Sleuths 7419 W. Madison, Forest Park IL. 7 p.m.
June 30: Saugatuck-Douglas Library. MI 7 p.m.
July 2: The Bookman, Grand Haven MI 715 Washington Street.
July 5: Leland, MI Leelanau Books. 109 N. Main St. 1-3 p.m.
July 5: Traverse City, MI Horizon Books. 243 E. Front St. 7-9 p.m.
July 6: Petoskey, MI McLean & Eakin Books. 307 E. Lake St. 1-3 p.m.
July 6: Gaylord, MI Saturn Books, 133 West Main (517) 732-8899 6-8 p.m.
July 8: Cadillac MI Horizon Books, 115 South Mitchell Street, Cadillac, MI
July 9: Midland MI Barnes & Noble, Midland Mall 6800 Eastman Ave. 1-3 p.m.
July 11: Lansing MI Schuler's Books. 1982 Grand River, Okemos. 7:30 p.m.
July 12: Livonia, MI Books Connection. 19043 Middlebelt Rd. 7 p.m.
July 13: Ann Arbor, MI Aunt Agatha's Books. 213 S. Fourth Ave. 7 p.m.