NEWS RELEASE

2007 AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
NERO AWARD
BLACK ORCHID NOVELLA AWARD
ARCHIE GOODWIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Nero Award is presented each year to an author for the best American Mystery written in the tradition of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe stories. It is presented at the Black Orchid Banquet, traditionally held on the first Saturday in December in New York City.

This year, the winner is Julia Spencer-Fleming for All Mortal Flesh, St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books. Her award was presented by Jane K. Cleland, chair of the Wolfe Pack’s literary awards. Ms. Spencer-Fleming’s next book, I Shall Not Want, is St. Martin Minotaur/Thomas Dunne’s lead title in May 2008.

Ms. Spencer-Fleming joins a procession of fine writers including Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child, Walter Mosley, Linda Fairstein, former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, and Dennis Lehane, all of whom have been honored with the prestigious "Nero." The first "Nero" was awarded almost 30 years ago (1979) to author Lawrence Block for The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling. Because there was no actual statue at that time, Mr. Block was presented with his Nero Award bust this year.

The Black Orchid Novella Award is presented jointly by The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine to celebrate the Novella format popularized by Rex Stout. This year's winner is John Gregory Betancourt for Horse Pit.

The Archie Goodwin Award is a Lifetime Achievement Award presented bi-annually by the Wolfe Pack. This year's addition is Dorothy L. Sayers — creator of Lord Peter Wimsey. Ms. Sayers joins Mr. Rex Stout, Sir Arthor Conan Doyle, and Dame Agatha Christie in this Literary "Cooperstown" Hall of Fame.

About the Wolfe Pack

The Wolfe Pack, founded in 1977, is a forum to discuss, explore, and enjoy the 72 Nero Wolfe books and novellas written by Rex Stout. The organization promotes fellowship and extends friendship to those who enjoy these great literary works of mystery through a series of events, book discussions, and a journal devoted to study of the genius detective, Nero Wolfe, and his intrepid assistant, Archie Goodwin. The organization has 450 members worldwide.

To learn more, visit www.nerowolfe.org , or send mail to NeroAwardChair@nerowolfe.org.

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NEWS RELEASE

30TH ANNUAL BLACK ORCHID WEEKEND CELEBRATES
REX STOUT’S NERO WOLFE

Banquet Keynote Speaker Donald Westlake, Leading Mystery Author

Detective Nero Wolfe modestly referred to himself as “merely a genius.” It is only fitting that mystery enthusiasts will gather from near and wide to celebrate Rex Stout’s most gifted of fictional detectives for a Black Orchid Weekend November 30 through December 2, 2007.

The Doorbell Rang. Nero Wolfe takes on the FBI in this classic Rex Stout novel and the companion movie starring Thayer David. Join us for the screening and a book discussion on Friday, November 30 at 6 pm at Roisin Dubh, 22 Warren Street, New York. Buffet dinner is included in the $35 cost per person.

Annual Wolfe Pack Assembly. Montenegro’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Nebojsa Kaludjerovic, will discuss the country of Wolfe’s birth. Rebecca Stout Bradbury, daughter of Rex Stout, will take questions from the audience. Nero Wolfe books and  other Wolfean items will be available at the swap and sell. Saturday, December 1 at 2 pm at the Hotel Jolly – Madison, 22 East 38th Street, New York. Admission $10 per person.

30th Annual Black Orchid Banquet. Dinner features recipes from the Nero Wolfe Cookbook. Keynote speaker is Donald Westlake, one of America’s leading mystery authors. Winners of the Nero Wolfe Award for best mystery fiction and the first Black Orchid Novella Award, presented in cooperation with Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, will be announced. Seating is limited. Saturday, December 1 at 6:30 pm at the Hotel Jolly – Madison, 22 East 38th Street. Banquet cost is $90 per person.

Nero Wolfe Brunch Hunt. Akin to a treasure hunt, decipher the clues to find the Wolfean bunch. Location is Midtown Manhattan. Starting point is Grand Central Station. Meet us by the clock at the information booth on the Main Level. Sunday, December 2 at 11 am.

To make reservations or for information on The Wolfe Pack, visit www.nerowolfe.org.

About the Wolfe Pack

The Wolfe Pack is a forum to discuss, explore, and enjoy the 72 Nero Wolfe books and short stories. The organization promotes fellowship and extends friendship to those who enjoy these great literary works of mystery through a series of events, book discussions, and a journal devoted to study of the genius detective, Nero Wolfe, and his intrepid assistant, Archie Goodwin. The organization has 450 members worldwide.

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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2007
The Wolfe Pack (founded 1977)
Jane K. Cleland, Literary Awards Chair (NeroAwardChair@nerowolfe.org)
P.O. Box 230822, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10022

2007 NERO AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The "Nero" is an annual award presented to an author for literary excellence in the mystery genre. The award is presented at the Black Orchid Banquet, which is traditionally held on the first Saturday in December in New York City.

This year, the three finalists are:

Kidnapped Jan Burke, Simon & Schuster
All Mortal Flesh Julia Spencer-Fleming, St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books
A Stolen Season Steve Hamilton, St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books

This year's nominees join a procession of fine writers including Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child, Walter Mosley, Linda Fairstein, former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, Dennis Lehane, and Laurie B. King, all of whom have been honored with the prestigious "Nero." The first "Nero" was awarded 25 years ago (1979) to author Lawrence Block for The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling.

Rex Stout (1886-1975) was the author of over seventy novels and stories featuring the brilliant, irascible, and corpulent private detective Nero Wolfe, a lover of food, beer, and orchids. Stout was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1959 and his Nero Wolfe stories continue to be popular throughout the world.

Founded in 1978, The Wolfe Pack celebrates all things Nero Wolfe. For example, the society publishes a semi-annual Gazette and sponsors a variety of activities with Wolfeian themes including a regular book discussion group and tours of locations mentioned in the corpus. The group has been holding its annual Black Orchid Banquet for more than twenty-five years.

To learn more, visit www.nerowolfe.org , or send mail to NeroAwardChair@nerowolfe.org.

News Release

For Immediate Release:

The Wolfe Pack
and
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
Announce the SECOND ANNUAL
The Black Orchid Novella Award

September, 2007
For more information, contact:
Jane Cleland, Awards Chair, The Wolf Pack
E-mail or Phone: 212.332.9976

NEW YORK, NY—Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and The Wolfe Pack, the official Nero Wolfe society, have announced the deadline of May 31, 2008 for the Second Annual Black Orchid Novella Award. The contest offers a prize of $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

            The winner of first Black Orchid Novella Award will be announced at The Wolfe Pack’s annual Winter Banquet in December 2007. The deadline for submissions was May 31, 2007.

            The contest honors an unpublished work of mystery fiction written in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe mystery stories: this tradition emphasizes the deductive skills of the story’s sleuth and eschews overt sex and violence. The contest will not consider stories that use characters from Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe stories, which are protected by copyright.

            Entries must be 15,000 to 20,000 words in length. Submissions will be screened by members of The Wolfe Pack, and the winner will be selected by Linda Landrigan, editor of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

            Rex Stout (1886-1975) was the author of over seventy novels and stories featuring the brilliant, irascible, and corpulent private detective Nero Wolfe, a lover of food, beer, and orchids. Stout was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1959 and his Nero Wolfe stories continue to be popular throughout the world.

            “The novella, between a short story and a novel in length, is an unusual and somewhat uncommon form,” notes Landrigan. “But it’s a form that Stout used regularly for his Nero Wolfe tales. It is appropriate, therefore, that an award honoring the Wolfe tradition should focus on the novella form.”

            Ms. Landrigan also cautions, "We need to stress that a novella is not a padded short story. A novella needs to be as tight and fast-paced as a short story or a novel. Authors need to ensure that the story they want to tell is properly sized for whatever format they choose."

            “The Wolfe Pack already sponsors awards honoring published works and lifetime achievement,” notes Jane K. Cleland, the group’s president, “but we wanted to develop a program that would encourage the creation of new work—especially in the novella form—and possibly inspire young or unpublished writers. We are thrilled that Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine has joined us in this effort.”

            Founded in 1978, The Wolfe Pack celebrates all things Nero Wolfe. For example, the society publishes a semi-annual Gazette and sponsors a variety of activities with Wolfeian themes including a regular book discussion group and tours of locations mentioned in the opus. The group has been holding its annual Winter Banquet for more than twenty-five years.

            Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine is one of the oldest and most influential magazines of short mystery and crime fiction in the world. The magazine is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2006.

            Further information about the Black Orchid Novella Award can be found at The Wolfe Pack’s web site, http://www.nerowolfe.org.

Black Orchid Novella Award

News Release

For Immediate Release:

The Wolfe Pack
and
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
Announce
The Black Orchid Novella Award

November, 2006
For more information, contact:
Jane Cleland, Awards Chair, The Wolf Pack
E-mail or Phone: 212.332.9976

NEW YORK, NY—Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and The Wolfe Pack, the official Nero Wolfe society, will sponsor a new annual writing prize, the Black Orchid Novella Award, the two organizations have announced. The contest will offer a prize of $1,000 and publication in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

            The first Black Orchid Novella Award will be announced at The Wolfe Pack’s annual Winter Banquet in December 2007. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2007.

            The contest will honor an unpublished work of mystery fiction written in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe mystery stories: this tradition emphasizes the deductive skills of the story’s sleuth and eschews overt sex and violence. The contest will not consider stories that use characters from Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe stories, which are protected by copyright.

            Entries must be 15,000 to 20,000 words in length. Submissions will be screened by members of The Wolfe Pack, and the winner will be selected by Linda Landrigan, editor of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

            Rex Stout (1886-1975) was the author of over seventy novels and stories featuring the brilliant, irascible, and corpulent private detective Nero Wolfe, a lover of food, beer, and orchids. Stout was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1959 and his Nero Wolfe stories continue to be popular throughout the world.

            “The novella, between a short story and a novel in length, is an unusual and somewhat uncommon form,” notes Landrigan. “But it’s a form that Stout used regularly for his Nero Wolfe tales. It is appropriate, therefore, that an award honoring the Wolfe tradition should focus on the novella form.”

            “The Wolfe Pack already sponsors awards honoring published works and lifetime achievement,” notes Jane K. Cleland, the group’s president, “but we wanted to develop a program that would encourage the creation of new work—especially in the novella form—and possibly inspire young or unpublished writers. We are thrilled that Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine has joined us in this effort.”

            Founded in 1978, The Wolfe Pack celebrates all things Nero Wolfe. For example, the society publishes a semi-annual Gazette and sponsors a variety of activities with Wolfeian themes including a regular book discussion group and tours of locations mentioned in the opus. The group has been holding its annual Winter Banquet for more than twenty-five years.

            Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine is one of the oldest and most influential magazines of short mystery and crime fiction in the world. The magazine is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2006.

            Further information about the Black Orchid Novella Award can be found at The Wolfe Pack’s web site, http://www.nerowolfe.org.

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