One member's success story

Lori Armstrong’s debut mystery novel Blood Ties was recently nominated for a Shamus Award. The Shamus Award is given annually by the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. Previous Shamus winners include Lawrence Black, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais, Loren D. Estleman, Sue Grafton, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, and Bill Pronzini. The awards will be presented on Sept. 29, 2006, at PWA’s 25th Anniversary Banquet during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in Madison, WI.

Although a member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America, Lori says her six-year membership has been the most beneficial to her personally and professionally. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am in my writing career without the knowledge and support of the members of the Black Hills Writers’ Group. The critique groups taught me how to edit my own work, the conferences showed me the importance of networking, and the monthly meeting allowed me to share setbacks and victories.”

For more information about Blood Ties, visit the author’s website at www.loriarmstrong.com