I’m on a panel! It’s called The Novella and the Short of It: Talking Short Stories and Novellas. I think it’s a safe bet that I’ll be talking about Cleaning Up Finn. And probably the short stories that I have coming out this year.
And I’m also part of an Author / Reader Connection. It’s a great way to get to know other writers and readers at LCC. I’ll be co-hosting again this year with Travis Richardson and Stephen Buehler. We’ll be discussing writer groups and short stories. And everyone who hangs out with us gets a free book and a free drink. And hopefully some good advice from us!
I’ll have more LCC announcements as we lead up to the conference which is at the San Diego Marriott in Mission Valley. Can’t believe it’s in a little over a month. My first conference in two years so I’m excited!
I’m really excited to attend Bouchercon this year in Toronto for many reasons, but now I have an even bigger reason to be excited! I especially love that this is the first year there is a Best Novella category so it’s truly an honor to be shortlisted.
Best Novella (8,000-40,000 words)
Cleaning Up Finn – Sarah M. Chen [All Due Respect Books]
No Happy Endings – Angel Luis Colón [Down & Out]
Crosswise – S.W. Lauden [Down & Out]
Beware the Shill – John Shepphird [Down & Out]
The Last Blue Glass – B.K. Stevens, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 2016 [Dell]
It’s tough competition and it’s even tougher because three of the nominees are my friends: Angel Luis Colón, S.W. Lauden, and John Shepphird. There’s going to be some epic throwdowns in Toronto, I have a feeling.
And I owe all this to my publishers over at ALL DUE RESPECT BOOKS, Chris Rhatigan and Mike Monson. Love these guys and hope I make them proud! Go ADR!
Here’s the link to the entire list of Anthony nominees:
On Saturday, June 4, at 8pm, I’ll be participating on a panel with Eric Beetner, S.W. Lauden, and Gary Phillips where we’ll discuss the novella in modern crime fiction. It should be an entertaining night and since I’ve never been to Book Show, I’m doubly excited as it’s always fun to check out new venues.
Of course novellas (like CLEANING UP FINN) will be for sale! Hope to see you there!
Life is a constant party for restaurant manager, Finn Roose. When he seduces an underage woman on one of his booze cruises and loses her—literally, it sets off a massive search involving the police, her parents, and a private investigator. Finn is an expert manipulator but his endless lies only tighten the screws on himself and his unsuspecting best friend. Finn scrambles to make things right which may be too much to ask from a guy who can’t resist a hot babe and a stiff drink.
“Majorly screwed up. But in a good way.” — Brett Battles, USA Today bestselling author of the Jonathan Quinn thrillers
“Chen creates a compelling character with restaurant manager Finn Roose. Readers with certain taste (like me) will enjoy watching this self-deluded ladies man bumble from one mistake to another, trying to hide his involvement with a missing teenage girl. Sarah M. Chen creates a hybrid West Coast restaurant noir novella. A great read.” — Travis Richardson, author of the noir novella, Lost in Clover
“A speedboat ride along the Southern California coastline where the sun shines a light on the lecherous locals. Finn Roose is an opportunistic restaurant manager who finally gets in over his head when he meets an underage femme fatale. Lives are shattered and bullets fly through the salty ocean air in this fast-paced debut from Sarah M. Chen.” — S.W. Lauden, Bad Citizen Corporation and Crosswise
“If you like your crime fiction the way Finn Roose likes his women, hard and fast, you’ll love Sarah M. Chen’s debut novella. A challenging, unsentimental look at a man who may be beyond redemption. Chen is a writer to watch.” — Matt Coyle, author of the Anthony Award-winning Rick Cahill crime series
“Cleaning Up Finn is a complex morality tale of debauchery, selfishness, sacrifice, and guilt. This romp of a noir through Southern California’s South Bay will stay with you, challenging your ideas of poetic justice and leaving you wanting more from Sarah M. Chen.” — James W. Ziskin, Anthony-, Barry-, and Lefty-nominated author of the Ellie Stone Mysteries,
Styx & Stone, No Stone Unturned, Stone Cold Dead, and Heart of Stone
“A gritty and compelling journey, Chen navigates the intricate labyrinth of great modern storytelling with believable style. I’ll be tapping my foot waiting for more from this incredible author and more of her character Finn.” — Darrell James, author of the Award Winning Del Shannon series
