Post 3862 - The News I Have Been Sitting On

Do you remember that episode of The Beverly Hillbillies where Mr. Drysdale, the Clampett's oily banker, sits down with the family and says he wants to tell them something important? He tells them that thing. A moment later, family patriarch Jed notices his nephew Jethro fidgeting and admonishes him for him, saying, "Mr. Drysdale's fixin' to tell us something."

I kinda feel like that now.

This news is important to me, and I cannot help but think that most of my 4.7 readers will just not care. So... here goes.

Does this look familiar to you? Ring a bell?



The above badge signifies that I am a member in good standing of the Crime Writers of Canada! It is a professional organization for those of us who, well, write about crime for a partial living.

The CWC was founded in 1982, largely by Derrick Murdoch, whose true crime book "Disappearances" remains the single best tome I have ever read about people who have gone missing. The CWC gives out a Derrick Murdoch award every two years to a deserving recipient who makes a "special contribution to the crime genre".

I contacted their executive director, Alison Bruce, over the weekend and broached the subject with her. Turns out my having published over 50 cold case articles for Frank Magazine more than qualified me for membership, especially since I get paid for this work.

If it were the case that I was not a professional writer, I would still be able to join, but in a lesser capacity. But I am a PAM, a professional member in good standing.

This is cool. I never thought, not in a million years, that I could call myself a professional writer. But this membership validates my work and what my editor and I are trying to do with this series.

There are some Halifax CWC events. I suppose I will be able to attend them, maybe even participate in them. I am not sure. I have to figure this stuff out.

I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the CWC.

And I promise not to forget the little people who put me here. i love you all.

Been a long day. Think I will turn in.

See you tomorrow-ish.

Bevboy