I returned home from another visit to the hospital to discover that my latest book, Treasure of the Diary, is a finalist for the coveted Silver Falchion Award in Literary Fiction. The novel, #7 in the Mark Rollins Adventure Series, was also honored as the Independent Press Award’s 2023 pick for Distinguished Favorite in Literary Fiction.
The Silver Falchion Award honors the best books of the year that incorporate elements of mystery, thriller, and suspense across numerous genres. It is administered by Killer Nashville, which is considered the premier forum for mystery writers. The awards are presented at the annual Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference. The event marks the 18th year of the forum's international writers’ conference. The four-day event is scheduled to begin on August 17th in Nashville, Tennessee.
As for the rest of the story — my four-day hospital experience — I developed an MRSA Staph infection in my left arm, requiring intravenous treatment. MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium resistant to many antibiotics, including penicillin. Although I am now home, I am still undergoing treatment. Doctors say that eliminating the bacteria takes an unusually long time. And, of course, where did I contract MRSA to begin with? You guessed it — during one of my previous visits to the hospital.
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