Wyoming Arts Council

2008 Edgar-Award nominated book “Blue Heaven” by C.J. Box

Amelia “Amy” Shelley used to be the “do-it-all” staffer at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne. Wyomingarts served with her on the Cheyenne YMCA Writer’s Voice advisory committee, which brought in great writers such as best-selling mystery novelist Michael Connelly.

Amy left Cheyenne a few years ago to become the executive director of the Garfield County Public Libraries in Glenwood Springs, Colo. A check of the library web site shows that Amy has put together some cool events, including The Big Read Project. The NEA-sponsored series promotes reading. Now, everyone (a lot of people anyway) are reading “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett. Culmination of this event is the Big Read Black & White Gala on Saturday, March 21, 7 p.m., at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. The gala will feature best-selling mystery author C.J. Box of Cheyenne. Also, live jazz with the Walt Smith Trio, screenings of the winning short films from The Big Read film contest, dancing, delicious food, and a cash bar. Tickets are available now at any of the six Garfield County libraries for $35 per person or $60 per couple. The gala is a fundraiser for the Garfield County Public Library Foundation.

FMI: Amelia Shelley, ashelley@marmot.org, 970-625-4270.

C.J. Box is up for the Mystery Writers of America’s 2008 Edgar Award for his novel “Blue Heaven.” His latest Joe Pickett mystery, “Below Zero,” will be out June 23. For tour info, go to his web site at http://www.cjbox.net/.

C.J. received a 1992 Wyoming Arts Council creative writing fellowship.