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Bestseller novelist R.L. Stine, considered the Stephen King of children’s literature, is among the judges who think a South Glengarry doctor’s newest work is a real killer.
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Dr. Melissa Yuan-Innes has received a scholarship judged by Stine and other literature luminaries for her young-adult mystery, The Red Rock Killer, which is now available through the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform until May 14.
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“R.L. Stine said my book was very good,” said Yuan-Innes, who writes as Melissa Yi. “He also said kids aged seven to 11 are the best readers! However, The Red Rock Killer is meant for a slightly older audience because there really is a killer in my book.”
Allison Brennan, best-selling writer of romantic thriller novels and Killer Nashville – a forum for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, suspense, action and/or romance – all gave the thumbs up to The Red Rock Killer, the esteemed judges choosing it for the International Thriller Writers’ scholarship.
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In addition to meeting Stine, Yuan-Innes received a $1,000 prize and free admission to the ThrillerFest conference. The scholarship was designed for a novel written in 2022 by an author who is Black, Indigenous, or a person of colour (BIPOC).
“I’m glad we’re welcoming more BIPOC voices in fiction,” said Yuan-Innes, whose background is Asian, “but in discussion with the publishing industry about The Red Rock Killer, someone asked me to take out a reference to #BlackLivesMatter. I understand supporting police officers, but I don’t want to censor the hard reality facing Black men and youth. I pivoted to Kickstarter.”
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Kickstarter helps bring creative projects to life, and is a home for film, music, art, theatre, games, comics, design, and photography.
Yuan-Innes pointed out crowdfunding’s flexibility in its ability to offer deluxe exclusive editions, as well as move beyond books.
“Since The Red Rock Killer is set in Las Vegas, we’re offering a Killer Casino Mystery Night,” Yuan-Innes said. “You can dress up in optional black tie, eat and drink, gamble with play money, solve a live mystery, and receive a copy of the book, all in one unique night.”
Earlier this year Yuan-Innes had her original play Terminally Ill performed in Ottawa. Yuan-Innes is the playwright, producer, and a performer in the show.
Yuan-Innes’ writing awards include the Derringer and the Prix Aurora Award. Her latest thriller on gluttony, Sugar and Vice, was released Feb. 1.
Yuan-Innes continues to work emergency shifts at the Hôpital Glengarry Memorial Hospital.
For more information on the release, visit tinyurl.com/redrockkiller.
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