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inSinC The Sisters in Crime Quarterly June 2015 Get a Clue Editor’s Note Molly Weston ...... 3

Catriona’s Letter Mission Statement Catriona McPherson ...... 4 Promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and Chapters ...... 5 professional development of women crime writers.

Chapter Presidents’ Meeting ...... 6 Catriona McPherson, President Leslie Budewitz, Vice President What’s in it for Me? Susan C. Shea, Secretary Martha Reed ...... 8 Lori Roy, Treasurer Carolyn Dubiel, Library Liaison We Love Libraries! Barbara Fister, Monitoring Chair Diane Pirone-Gelman ...... 9 Clare O’Donohue, Bookstore Liaison Martha Reed, Chapter Liaison Celebrating 20 Years of Guppies Simon Wood, Publicity Leslie Budewitz ...... 10 Frankie Bailey, At Large The Virtual Shingle: Your Author Julie Hennrikus, At Large Website G. M. Malliet, At Large Laura Brennan ...... 13 , At Large Laura DiSilverio, Immediate Past President Beth’s Bits Molly Weston, inSinC Editor Beth Wasson ...... 16 Laurel Anderson, inSinC Proofreader Gavin Faulkner, inSinC Proofreader SinC in Marisa Young, inSinC Proofreader Cari Dubiel ...... 17 Sarah Glass, Web Maven/Social Media

Grant Award Fulfills Dreams Beth Wasson, Executive Director Maria Kelson ...... 18 PO Box 442124 SinC into Great Writing Lawrence, KS 66044-2124 Laura DiSilverio ...... 20 [email protected] 785.842.1325 (P) • 785.856.6314 (F) Malice Memories ...... 21 ©2015 Sisters in Crime International Seven Habits of Highly Effective Sleuths Katherine Ramsland, PhD . . . . . 22.

Independent Bookseller Day . . . . . 23.

Getting the Facts Straight Leslie Budewitz ...... 24 inSinc is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four times a year. • One-year dues are $50 for professional US and Canada writers and $40 Awards & Nominations for non-professionals (add $5 for other countries). Two-year dues are $100and $80; lifetime, $500 and $350. Address and all other changes can be made by members on Gay Toltl Kinman ...... 26 www.sistersincrime.org. If you do not use a computer or need a user name, please contact Beth Wasson at the address above. Information in inSinC is submitted or Events & Happenings ...... 27 reprinted from sources listed in each article. Where required, permission to reprint has been granted and noted. SinC does not investigate each submission independently and The Ubiquitous Up articles in no way constitute an endorsement of products or services offered. No mate- Molly Weston ...... 28 rial may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime.

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¡ ¡ Sisters in Crime Editor’s Note Past Presidents 1987-88 by Molly Weston 1988-89 1989-90 Susan Dunlap 1990-91 Carolyn G. Hart 1991-92 reetings to you from sunny P. M. Carlson 1992-93 Linda Grant 1993-94 North Carolina! We had an Barbara D’Amato 1994-95 incredibly rainy winter, so Elaine Raco Chase 1995-96 Annette Meyers 1996-97 I’m really glad to see the Sue Henry 1997-98 sun. Of course, rainy days Medora Sale 1998-99 Barbara Burnett Smith 1999-00 were perfect for reading, so I Claire Carmichael McNab 2000-01 shouldn’t complain. Eve K. Sandstrom 2001-02 G Kate Flora 2002-03 There’s been so much happening in the crime Kate Grilley 2003-04 Patricia Sprinkle 2004-05 world lately. Malice Domestic was once again a triumph for SinC Libby Hellmann 2005-06 members. Check out Gay Kinman’s column and revel in the acco- Rochelle Krich 2006-07 lades! Photos of members at Malice are scattered through this Roberta Isleib 2007-08 Judy Clemens 2008-09 issue. If there’s a special photo you’d like, just shoot me an email at 2009-10 [email protected] and I’ll send you a copy. Cathy Pickens 2010-11 Frankie Bailey 2011-12 Even a 7:30 start didn’t affect our SinC breakfast from selling out, Hank Phillippi Ryan 2012-13 Laura DiSilverio 2013–14 and we had a waiting list. Saturday, May 2, was Independent Booksellers’ Day. SinC invited Deadline & Submissions all the dealers to our breakfast—and many of them forewent the Deadline for articles for the opportunity to sleep in and enjoyed the buffet. Later, we delivered September issue of inSinC is beverages to ensure they stayed hydrated and boxed lunches to July 15 . Include name, maintain energy. Every bookseller was delighted with the recogni- email, mailing address, and phone number with submissions . Send tion and made it a point to thank us profusely. What a great rela- columns, articles, high-res photos, tionship SinC has with our Indie booksellers! By the way, be sure ideas, praise, and story ideas via to have your favorite bookseller apply for our We Love Bookstores email to award. The lottery information is at SistersInCrime.com under Molly Weston mysteryheel@mac com. the “News & Press Room” tab. 919 .362 .1436 Because I’ve had some success with organizing author tours over the past twenty-five years, the Triangle Chapter has asked me to give a program of tips for authors who want to travel together to promote their titles. I’ll try to have my ducks in a row in time to have an article about this for the September issue of inSinC. In addition to showing the positives of mini-tours, I’ll share some things that usually lead to more success. Have a great summer filled with smooth writing!

— Molly

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¡ ¡ Dear Siblings, I’m writing this on tax day and in the morning. Poor puppies! Catriona’s there’s nothing like the figures (Mind you, I do think it’s per- Letter on the front of that cheque to fectly normal to keep your house turn one thrifty. so thriftily cold that you take a Thrift, in any case, is my heritage. hot water bottle to bed at night. The Scots are known for it, as all And in the summer, when my the mean Scotsman jokes testify. house is thriftily hot, I take a Like the one about the Highlander cold one.) But I don’t—and can’t who finds a fly in his whisky, picks imagine—checking under the it up by one wing, bends close and silver covers of other people’s whispers “Spit it oot!” discarded room service in a hotel corridor to score a late snack on And even though I say it myself, I’ve perfected the art of thrift the way to my room. Ewww. over the years until I could com- So, although there are sadder pete in the Thrift Olympics and cases than me when it comes be a credit to my nation. to parsimony, I have to tell you, I think nothing of following an some of the budgetary items that over-loaded farm truck until it Sisters in Crime has to deal with Speaking for myself, I find being goes round a sharp bend and have made my thrifty little head a mystery writer in this country then hopping out to fill my car spin since I joined the board. immeasurably easier, warmer and with road kill tomatoes. Also, The coffee at the workshop was much more fun by having Sisters I don’t feel dressed unless I’m how much? Are they laminat- in all its parts: inSinC, SinCLinks, wearing at least one garment ing our posters with varnished SinC into Great Writing, the from Goodwill or the SPCA. And I fairy wings? And that’s liability Malice breakfast, the can’t be the only one who chops insurance for what exactly?—the breakfast, retreats, discounts, plastic tubes of toothpaste and meeting’s not being held in the grants, anthologies, conferences, lotion in half once the squeez- mouth of a live volcano! able stuff inside is finished, speakers, reports and even just knowing there’s another week’s Life is very complicated and that glint of red and gold on worth lurking in there. expensive these days and most someone’s lapel across a crowded of us—individuals, chapters, room that ensures you’ve got a But there are some thrifty habits and the national board are far friend. that strike even me as overblown, from wealthy. I’d like to take unseemly or just plain gross. I’ve We do a lot of good for a lot of this chance roughly halfway never boiled up soap scraps to people and we’re planning to between two lots of dues being make a new bar of Irish-Spring- keep at it and do even more. paid to say hurrah for every Lush-Lemon-Palmolive-Lifebuoy None of it would be possible member who calculates her or Medley. And I don’t, unlike a without that yearly unthrifty friend of mine, make dogs drink his yearly budget and decides decision of yours. Thank you! the cold rubbery water that’s once again to write a cheque to poured out of a hot-water bottle Sisters in Crime. — Catriona

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¡ ¡ Tell Tale Heart of Speed City SpeedCitySistersInCrime.org Central Virginia ews r N sinc-centralva.wix.com/ e t he first months of 2015 p sinc-centralva a

h were productive for the C hapter members were Speed City Chapter. We guests of the Virginia have projects under way Tand we’re attracting new members. Romance Writers for their Valentine’s Day Many Speed City Sisters and Cprogramming. Our Mary Bur- Misters have been busy putting ton explained her the finishing touches on our writing and editing upcoming anthology, Decades of techniques. Accord- Dirt: Murder, Mystery and Mayhem ing to Mary, “Every from the Crossroads of Crime. mystery can use a Sixteen members contributed fif- little romance; every teen stories taking place between romance a little mys- the 1600s and the relatively tery.” recent past. The editors are in the In March, the team hosted a final stages of copy editing, and Skype Social Media Bootcamp the publicity committee is explor- with Rachel Thompson ing ways to promote the anthol- of Bad Redhead Media. ogy and the chapter. The team is putting her Indiana will celebrate its bicen- ideas and advice into tennial in 2016 and the chapter practice by develop- hopes to use the celebration to ing a social media and its advantage in promoting the communications strat- anthology. The publicity com- egy for our chapter mittee is also seeking out ven- and anthology, Virginia ues receptive to live readings of is for Mysteries. members’ original work, includ- Our authors have also ing open mic opportunities in been busy signing books in the the area. Richmond area. They Our critique group continues to team together as the be prolific, with multiple submis- Lethal Ladies to pro- sions for critique every month. mote each other’s We’ve been fortunate to have works and our chap- some excellent speakers present- ter’s anthology. ing at our meetings, including Our chapter also has a attorney Forrest Bowman. His strong critique group presentation focused on his book that meets monthly at local Sylvia, describing his perspective libraries. as the defense attorney for two 2 juveniles charged in the murder of teenager Sylvia Likens. 2

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¡ ¡ Chapter Presidents’ Meeting

inC chapter presidents, offi- The suggestion was met with an enthusiastic cers, and representatives gath- response. Irma Baker offered NeoSinC as the ered after the SinC breakfast first test subject, if possible. The at Malice Domestic on Satur- chapter needs a speaker for a September 16, day, May 2, to share chapter 2015 event; however, it was noted that the news and ideas, and to brain- Speakers Bureau is still in development, and storm ways to make communication between the final plans need to be approved by the Sthe SinC chapters more effective. Board. It is unknown if the Speakers Bureau will be up and running by fall. Attendees included Martha Reed, Chapter Liaison/Mary Roberts Rinehart (Pittsburgh); Next, Martha asked everyone to remember Julie Hennrikus, New England; Diane Vallere, to update their chapter contact information LA; Kendel Lynn, North ; Irma Baker, using the interactive form on the Chapters NEO SinC (Northeast Ohio); Lesley Mang, page of the website, and to double-check ; Molly Weston, Triangle (North their web page URLs to keep meeting infor- Carolina)/inSinC Quarterly; mation current. Teresa Inge, Mysteries by She also mentioned the Sea (Virginia Beach); that the Chapter Kaye George for Michelle President’s Yahoo Drier, Guppies; and Sandy listserv has proven to Cody,Delaware Valley. be an effective means of communication. Martha opened the meet- ing with the news that the We continue to national SinC organization see a steady rise is working to develop a speakers bureau. The in the number of chapter anthology idea is that SinC will develop a slate of nation- requests. Anthology guidelines are avail- ally known member author speakers and cover able on the Chapters page of SinC’s website. the expenses for these speakers to travel to Additionally, Karen Pullen’s inSinC article individual local chapters to host workshops or “Awesome Anthology: 10 Not-So-Easy Steps” to support membership drive events. has been linked as an additional resource.

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¡ ¡ Molly Weston reminded everyone that inSinC is thing more robust, especially for new chapter always on the lookout for chapter news items launches. and high-quality photographs. After a very productive, hour-long meeting, it Martha reminded everyone that 2015 chapter was suggested that a chapter president/officer/ event grants are still available. Grant guide- representative meeting should be scheduled at lines outlining dollar amounts and grant Malice every year, with the possibility of a sec- requirements are available on the Chapters ond get-together at Bouchercon. page of the website. Martha has followed up by posting minutes The topic was raised on the value members to the listserv, and to Beth Wasson, Catriona get for joining a chapter. It was agreed that McPherson, Leslie Budewitz, Sarah Glass, and the main reasons were 1) collegiality, 2) the the Board for review. 2 chance to mingle with established writers, and 3) access to resources.

This raised the suggestion that SinC take advantage of members attending confer- Dorothy S. Stewart (left) was delighted to win the ences like Malice or Bouchercon, and set up (right) Scholarship offered by agent Meg Ruley to honor her long-time a SinC Conference Corner where members client. The $1,000 scholarship is offered to Guppy members annually to support attendance at Malice Domestic. would be asked to respond to the question: What value do you get from Sisters in Crime? A further suggestion was made to video these quick, one-minute casual interviews; to create a YouTube SinC channel to host the videos, which could then also be Tweeted. The videos could be linked back to individual member or chapter websites. It was suggested that the program be called “The Faces of Sisters in Crime,” and that it would make the organiza- tion more human and personal.

The perennial question of chapter tax sta- tus was raised. Everyone agreed that tax sta- tus must be determined at the chapter level because of individual state requirements; this is outlined in the “How To Launch a Chapter Guidelines” posted on the Chapters page. Teresa Inge and Martha Reed volunteered to follow up on this topic, to try to develop some-

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¡ ¡ What’s in It for Me? by Martha Reed

oney is tight, and each year, Festival of Books, Left Coast when membership dues time Crime, Love is Murder, and rolls around again, it pays to the Printers Row Literary ask, “What’s in this for me?” Festival. And who doesn’t like the chance to fan-girl their It’s a fair question. favorite national author at a One of the things I like best festival or fair? Mabout belonging to Sisters in Crime is that the orga- Local chapters host monthly meetings offering nization is all-inclusive. SinC strives to be open to insightful speakers like police or fire chiefs, medical everyone: Newbies, Guppies, readers and fans, book- examiners or coroners, judges, defense attorneys, sellers, librarians, traditionally and independently members of law enforcement, forensic or criminal published authors, sisters and misters—the list goes behavior specialists, paranormal investigators, K-9 on. drug or rescue teams, detectives, domestic abuse or The common value in being a SinC member is simple: arson experts, and FBI, DEA, or CSI agents. I believe we’re paying for fellowship, and community. Chapters have offered classes in firearm safety and The networking benefit isn’t restricted to SinC’s planned outings to shooting ranges or to dem- professional members. Ask anyone who has been a onstrations of self-defense. On the lighter side, SinC member for a few years how nice it is to walk chapters have hosted elaborate high tea events and into a conference anywhere in the world and see holiday gift book exchanges. familiar, friendly faces. How cosmopolitan it feels All of that sounds like a pretty good value to me. to catch up with SinC friends in Bethesda one year, and in Raleigh the next. Or, to keep your finger on If you’re still not convinced, I invite you to take the pulse of the crime fiction and mystery commu- a look at your local chapter, and step forward to nity, and to be able to recommend that breakout see what you can do to beef up things. Everyone bestseller to your book club ahead of the pack. is looking for that fresh, new volunteer. You don’t need to be a chapter officer to put a committee All of this is available to SinC members at the together to develop a weekend love-your-manu- national level, but I’d also like to sing some praise script retreat, or to plan a one-day writers work- for the benefits of being involved in SinC at the shop, or to help find that intriguing speaker for chapter level. your next monthly chapter meeting. Chapter members actively participate in special Look around—does a local college or university events and venues instead of sitting on the side- offer interesting resources? How about a tour of the lines. Chapter members can be seen supporting county morgue? Could you coordinate a one-day book festivals and backyard mystery conferences event with a national author’s promotional new book like the Toronto International Book Fair, the launch tour? How about putting a manuscript Book Festival, Killer Nashville, the LA Times critique group together? Is there any interest

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¡ ¡ We Love Libraries! by Diane Piron-Gelman

n April 15, SinC Chicagoland Chapter President Diane Piron-Gelman presented a $1,000 check from the Sisters in Crime “We Love Libraries!” lottery to the board of Evanston Public Library in Evanston, Illinois. For more than 140 years, the Evan- ston Public Library has provided educational, culturally richO resources for all residents, helped children prepare for school through the joys of reading and learning, celebrated Evanston’s diversity, and helped residents find information they seek. The Library is more than a building of books; it is a place to meet, connect, learn and explore. Sisters in Crime is proud to support our public libraries, where writers and readers connect. Congratulations from the Chicagoland Chapter to Evanston Public Library and all the other We Love Libraries! lottery winners! To learn more about Evanston Public Library, visit www. epl.org. To learn more about Sisters in Crime and the Diane Piron-Gelman (center) was all smiles when she presented the We Love Libraries! check to the Evanston Chicagoland Chapter, visit www.sistersincrime.org and Public Library! www.sincchicago.com. 2

What’s in It for Me? - Cont’d.

in working with an author or an editor to develop If you don’t already belong to a chapter, and read- an online workshop program through Yahoo? As a ing this article fires your imagination and makes reminder, chapter event grants are still available; you think that you should, why not launch a new guidelines for event grants are available on the web- one? SinC launches four to five new chapters a site to help you replenish your treasury. year. Chapter launch guidelines are also available Recently, we’ve seen a spike in interest in chapters on the Chapters page. I invite you to take a look at publishing anthologies. Yes, it might take a year or so them, and let it rip! to produce one, but new writers can experience the 2 path to publication while earning a publishing credit. Martha Reed is the SinC Chapter Liaison and the author of Guidelines for producing a chapter anthology are the award-nominated John and Sarah Jarad Nantucket Mystery available on the chapters page of the SinC website. Series, The Choking Game and The Nature of the Grave.

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¡ ¡ Celebrating Twenty Years of Guppiesby Leslie Budewitz

appy and be offered dozens of virtual In the beginning, our big sisters Birthday to shoulders, followed in due time weren’t quite convinced our plan the Gups, by practical advice. A group would succeed. “Can the unpub- Happy where someone knows something lished really teach each other?” Birthday to the SinC board asked. But it about almost anything—from the Gups!” didn’t take long to realize that we Antarctica to Zaire, from pass- In 1995, Diane Cooper Gottfryd, were on to something. Many of words to perfume and every a SinC member from Chicago, us had been published in nonfic- had a brilliant idea. She thought computer program devised—and tion, and we sweated as we tried unpublished writers ought to willingly shares. to transfer those skills to our new share information and support passion for mysteries, learning In those early Internet days, the each other on the path of writing what was similar (punctuation challenge was finding informa- Hand publishing their first myster- and spelling, for example) and tion about publishers, agents, and ies. She posted notices on SinC’s what was different (just about Genie forum and in inSinC, the everything else). national newsletter, inviting other We formed critique groups and new writers to band together. started a newsletter, sharing Half a dozen responded initially, information on law, medicine, including me, with more over the forensics, technology, and more. next year. When the Internet and email And so began the Guppies, the process. We communicated became widespread, Krista Davis started our first on-line although the nickname came through round robin letters, pack- listserv. We established a Steering later when Diane referred to us ing large envelopes with photo- Committee, and ultimately as the Great Unpublished. The copied clippings, articles, and name—and the smiling fish became a formal SinC chapter. sample chapters, and mailed them logo—have since become rec- And we began to get our short to the next woman on the list, ognizable symbols of the best stories and novels published. The who poured over the contents, writers’ group on the planet, a pond was so warm and welcoming group where no accomplishment added her contributions, and that many of the published chose is too small to be cheered. A sent them on. (We were all women to stay, to share what they’d group where writers can honestly back then, but we’ve welcomed learned and to keep on learn- express their fears and failures, many brothers over the years.) ing. Turns out that while a

10 inSinC June 2015 - ¡ ¡ new Guppy might to allow a Guppy to attend the not yet know how Malice Domestic convention, cel- to create a com- ebrating the traditional mystery. I don’t know what I would pelling antago- In the last twenty years, pub- have done if I hadn’t discov- nist, she might be lishing options have changed a whiz about grammar, Twitter, or ered the Guppies. Probably tremendously. Where we once latent fingerprinting—or other continue writing and send- scrounged for information, we’re details that interest both novices ing in to markets that would now deluged by it. What the and more experienced fish. keep rejecting me. Through Guppies provide each other— the Gups, I learned how to Subgroups added another dimen- support, encouragement, the write mysteries, how to query sion, with Agent Quest and Goals voice of experience, inside agents, pacing, structure, for Guppies two of the most pop- knowledge of nearly every step of ular. We created our own unique nearly every variety of publishing and all the things a mystery contests, and began offering experience, and craft knowledge writer needs to know to tell online classes, many subsidized. stretching from the opening line the story so that someone We also published two antholo- to “the end”—is more important will want to read it. I came gies, with a third in the works. than ever. upon the Gups, online, just after we had moved out As our numbers grew, we began to SinC’s mission is “to promote the of Dallas. I had left my meet in person, at local chapter ongoing advancement, recogni- Sisters in Crime chapter events and at national confer- tion, and professional develop- ences. Guppies became best sell- ment of women crime writers.” and was lost, marooned in ers and earned so many awards For twenty years, the Guppies a place with only romance and nominations, we stopped have provided help along the writers. They were extremely keeping track. way with sisterly—and broth- nice and welcoming, but they erly—support for the highs, lows, weren’t mystery writers. Along the way, we’ve become and every point in between. The When I found the Guppies, the largest SinC chapter. Two Guppies may be the only fish on I found my people. I was Guppies—Judy Clemens and the planet who celebrate with Hank Phillippi Ryan—have glad to give back to them, feather boas, champagne and served as SinC president; as eventually, as treasurer then chocolate, and above all, friend- vice president, I’ll welcome the president for two years. ship. Because no writer should fluffy white Seal of Office home They saved my sanity, and ever have to swim alone. to Montana this fall. Agents 2 the connections I’ve made

and editors recognize the line, SinC vice president Leslie Budewitz through them are responsible “I’m a member of the Guppies,” writes from Montana, home of her Food for my successful writing in a query letter as a sign of a Lovers’ Village Mysteries. She also writes the Spice Shop Mysteries, set in Seattle. career. dedicated writer. In 2015, we’re The first author to win Agatha Awards — Kaye George/Janet Cantrell honored to inaugurate the first for both fiction and nonfiction, she tells former president anyone who’ll listen that it all began Dorothy Cannell Scholarship, with the Guppies. funded by agent Meg Ruley,

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¡ ¡

I was there at the beginning of the Guppies Joining the Guppies was like finding a and I like to say that makes me a big, ol’ family. fish. But it also means I’ve gotten a great deal from the group. I doubt I’d have the Michele Drier, Guppy president success I’ve achieved without it. Guppies have been a support system, a cheering section, an I joined the Guppies on the day after amazing source of information, and some- Valentine’s, and it has been a ten-year love times a much needed kick you-know-where. affair. As a newbie writer I sucked up the Where else could you find people who knowledge and wisdom of those who had would happily talk for days about poison or journeyed ahead of me. I took classes, partici- pushing someone down the stairs? I’ve made pated in subgroups, joined a fabulous critique Guppy friends who have become close friends group, and made my first big splash in the I cherish. Guppy connections helped me find pond when in 2009 I donned the required opportunities I might not have found on high heels and tiara as the reigning Queen of my own. The Guppies were always the first Rejection. It was not my last sartorial foray people I turned to when I had a writing away from my normal attire. At the 2014 success to celebrate, and the same people were Malice Domestic I proudly wore my boa to quick to offer hugs and commiseration when demonstrate I was one with my sisters. things didn’t go so well. I became a better writer because of the group and I know I As much as the advice, counsel, and criti- had a lot more fun in the process. Here’s to cism helped me become a published author, 20 more great years! what I treasure most from the Guppies are – Darlene Ryan aka Sofie Kelly and Sofie Ryan the friendships I have developed. Serving co-founder, former Steering Committee member as anthology coordinator, Web Guppy, and member of the Steering Committee allowed I was lucky enough to serve the Guppies, me to get to know many fabulous people. first as Member at Large, then as It has been work; it has been fun. I feel President. It was an honor, and a hell of blessed that by serving and sharing and a lot of fun. Maybe that’s the essence of participating I have found joy and support Guppies. Guppies take writing seriously, but and had fun along the way. they never forget that writing is fun. I love – Jim Jackson being a Guppy. Love going to conferences and former Steering Committee member meeting other Guppies, love it that I know people all around the world, even if I’d never recognize a face. All of them are my sisters and brother in crime. — Kait Carson, former president

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¡ ¡ The Virtual Shingle Your Author Website by Laura Brennan

las, the days of an author “plat- to make the next Big Decision: form”—meaning an overturned to blog or not to blog. If you soapbox—are long behind us. decide to blog, think about it The good news is that building from your audience’s point of a website—widely seen as the view. Why would they want to foundation of your platform—can read your weekly musings? What’s in it for them? helpA every author find and connect with readers Often, the answer lies in why they read your books. around the world. Thanks to the Internet, your For instance, whether you write about a specific voice today can carry far beyond the town square. historical period or NYPD police procedurals, blog- That can be both exhilarating and downright scary. ging about research speaks directly to your fans So the first question many authors ask themselves is, do I in a way that blogging about writing, for example, really need a website? does not. The answer is yes. Yes, you do. Lots of people will tell you that you *must* blog in order to build an audience, but that’s simply not Here’s why true. What is important is reaching out to read- We all know the publishing landscape is changing ers on occasions other than your launch dates. almost daily. The one thing that will always remain No one likes to feel they’re being spammed. On constant, however, is that authors need to be able the other hand, everyone wants to feel connected, to get their books into the hands of the readers particularly to people they admire—such as their who love them. favorite author. In other words, you. Your website is your direct link to your read- Blogs are a good way to create this connection, but ers. It is real estate on the Internet that you own so are things like monthly newsletters (Susan Wittig and operate. It is how your readers will be able to Albert offers an herbal-themed newsletter osten- keep track of you and your various books, whether sibly from her series protagonist, China Bayles), you are traditionally published, self-published, or or podcasts ( and D.P. Lyle’s Crime and changing publishing houses now and ten years Science Radio is riveting), or Facebook engagement down the line. (Tonya Kappes is a whiz at this), or even tweets. There are lots of ways to make your fans feel they’re It’s also how you can keep track of your readers, by “in the know” without investing in a weekly blog. collecting e-mail addresses from fans who come to visit. But more on that later. First, once you’ve But, you may say, if I’m engaging on Twitter and decided you do, in fact, need a website, it’s time Facebook, do I still need a website?

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¡ ¡ Sorry, the answer is still “Yes.” Twitter and with a little learning curve, you can build a website Facebook could vanish tomorrow or change their yourself. Many programs are available to help and terms of service, or for their own inscrutable rea- a lot of them are free. One absolute must, however, sons close your account. And all those fans would is to have it hosted on a domain name that you be lost to you; even if you started over on the same own. Again, you don’t want Wordpress or whom- or similar platform, you would have to rebuild one ever to have the power to take down your site. Sites fan at a time. like Bluehost and GoDaddy are the biggest, but are This is why, no matter what else you do, you need by no means the only companies who can help you to have a way on your website to collect a visitor’s purchase and host your own domain name. e-mail address. Nothing else you do will be as valu- It’s tempting to purchase a domain name based on able for your career as this one step. There are lots your first book or series protagonist, but it’s bet- of Internet tutorials specifically for authors on how ter if you can get the domain rights to your own to build and maintain an e-mail list, but in a nut- name. Unfortunately, if, like me, you have a com- shell, the steps are: mon name (I’m not even the only Laura Brennan in my Facebook writers group!), you may have to get Have a way for a visitor to sign -  a little creative. I eventually settled up to your e-mail list on your on LauraBrennanWrites.com, with website, either with an opt-in links to other websites for my blog, form or a link to a sign-up page. my consulting business, and my writ- ing. Ask them to sign up and offer -  them something special for doing Once you’ve secured the domain, you so, such as a PDF for one of your need to design your website—preferably short stories (which you deliver before you start building it. So, other via e-mail). If this is an exclusive than a way to sign up via e-mail and offer—something they can’t get (possibly) a link to your blog, what else anywhere else—even better. should your website have?

Manage the list with something like MailChimp A home page. Think of this as your hub. -  -  (free until you’ve collected 2,000 addresses), Include a friendly welcome message, a high- Aweber, or some other e-mail solutions com- resolution image of you, and information on pany. Send your fans updates to your blog, your most recent book. Make the links to other announcements of good news, notice of your pages obvious and easy to follow. If you write in latest podcast, etc. You want them to feel part different genres, make that crystal clear; ditto if of your team, and that means staying in touch you use pseudonyms. I write only under my own about something other than “buy my book.” name, but my work includes both an upcoming horror film and a bi-weekly mommy blog. Either Getting Started audience would be understandably miffed if I When it comes to designing the website, simple is shunted them to the wrong work. For me, the best. It’s nice to have a web designer, but if you solution was to cop to the fact I wear many hats don’t have the budget (it can run from $600– and use my home page to offer distinct links $1,500 to get a professional designer on board), to both identities.

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¡ ¡ Use the menu function to link across all pages. Speaking of press, having a Press Kit page is -  -  Don’t make people go back to the home page in a great idea. Include multiple bios (of differ- order to navigate the entire site. If you have too ent lengths— even includes word many links for the menu in the header, provide lengths on her bios), a list of awards, download- additional links—for instance, to bookstores— able high-res photos of both you and your book in the footer. covers, and key information about your latest book. Again, include a contact e-mail on the Include a list of your books, in series order. page. -  Don’t forget to mention any awards won for each. You should certainly have a separate page A calendar of upcoming events is a nice bonus, -  for your most recent book, and you might con- but ONLY if you plan to keep it up-to-date. sider having one web page per series, as Parnell Nothing is more off-putting than a calendar of Hall does. Include a series description as well fun events, all of which took place last year. as review quotes for both the series and the individual books. If readers need to start with Let readers know how they can engage with -  the first book to understand the action, let them you. Where are you social? Facebook, Twitter, know. Pinterest, Instagram? Provide links.

Have a direct link to booksellers. Laurie R. King provides a page with resources -  -  Many authors will link their titles to for book clubs on selected titles. This is a Amazon, but you should consider wonderful idea. Think, too, about what else you providing buttons for each of the retailers who can provide readers. If you’ve done extensive carry your books. Include Kobo, Nook, and research on Roman gladiators, for instance, or iTunes if appropriate. Consider, too, giving a stumbled across a forgotten or under appreci- prominent shout-out to your favorite indepen- ated author, that information can be shared on dent bookstore—although check with them first your website as well as in a blog post, newsletter, to make sure they’ll ship to your readers. This or Pinterest page. is a wonderful way to build a relationship with your local indie store. Ultimately, your website is your way of providing readers with information they want and need in order to become even bigger fans of your work. Create an “About” page. Readers want to con- - nect with you as a human being; consider Use it not just as a billboard, but as a way to con- including high-quality candid shots of you in nect—and you might even find yourself enjoying it! addition to your headshot. Also, don’t think 2 of your bio as a résumé, but instead as a way to speak directly to your fans. Tell us a few unex- As a Hollywood writer, Laura has created, critiqued, and lis- pected things we’d enjoy knowing (for instance, tened to hundreds of pitches. She likes to introduce herself as Catriona McPherson mentions she’s “a born a Goddess, but likes it even more when her friends introduce swot” who likes Doctor Who. I totally relate!) her as one. Find out more at PitchingPerfectly.com Include a way to contact you via e-mail—and remember to check that e-mail address periodi- cally. Not just fans, but press may use it to get in touch.

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¡ ¡ Beth’s Bits by Beth Wasson

Chapters A new vinyl podium banner is available to all chapters free of charge to keep and use at meet- ings or book events. It is 20” x 40” and has the SinC logo along with the tag line and web site. To get one for your chapter, e-mail me at admin@ sistersincrime.org. SinC into Great Writing Order free SinC materials at any time. Membership This great pre-Bouchercon workshop “Write Your Novel from the Middle and Make it Shine at Both brochures, bookmarks and lapel pins are available Ends” with James Scott Bell will be on Wednesday, for your chapter members or for a book event. SinC October 7, in Raleigh NC. Laura DiSilverio has a continues to offer a 6’ retractable banner to be great article about it on page 20. Cost is just $50 used at larger events. Contact me 30 days prior to for SinC members and $150 for non-members. your event to borrow a banner. SinC pays the ship- This is a good time to offer SinC membership to ping both ways. your writing friends! Log into SistersInCrime.org Chapter leadership members are encouraged to and search for “SinC into Great Writing 2015.” 2 sign up for the Chapter Yahoo Listserv. E-mail Beth SinC’s WRITES OF PASSAGE, edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan won the at [email protected]. I will send you an for Best Nonfiction. invitation through the Listserv.

Bouchercon Breakfast Don’t forget to make your reservations for the Bouchercon Breakfast. This informative, friend- ship-building breakfast is on Friday this year!

Log in to www.sistersincrime.org and click on the rotating banner. The cost is $25 and will be held on Friday, October 9, 2015 at 7:30 am. We hope to have the breakfast at the Marriott Hotel. The room isn’t set as of press time, but we’ll let you know when we know!

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¡ ¡ SinC in Chicago by Cari Dubiel

id you know that mysteries are the $1,000 monthly We Love Libraries! most-circulated books in urban, sub- grant lottery. But the real heart urban, and rural libraries? I didn’t, of the program didn’t happen until I read it in a recent issue of until Lori, Susie, and Clare started Library Journal. But it makes a lot of answering my questions about sense. Readers love a good mystery, their work, the writing process, the and librarians know it. That’s one reason I put together appeal of mysteries, and more. The authors were funny, aD special Sisters in Crime panel for the Adult Reading easy to talk with, and candid. Roundtable (ARRT), a group of librarians in the Chicago area who study the art and science of reading. My favorite part of the event was at the end, when the librarians got to ask their questions. A big concept Perhaps you know that librarians actually spend time in reader’s advisory is that of the “readalike”—when uncovering the reasons why people read, the best ways a patron loves a book, we librarians scramble to find to suggest books, and resources to help readers find new another book that has the same appeal factors as the one books on their own. In library lingo, this is called read- they just finished. When asked for readalikes on their er’s advisory, and the ARRT group includes a bunch of works, Clare, Susie, and Lori rattled off a list, including experts in the field. Becky Spratford, one of the group’s each other (Clare offered Lori as a readalike for her Kate leaders, is one of those experts. She runs a blog called Conway series). I frantically wrote them down to e-mail “RA for All,” and I’ve been a faithful reader for many to the ARRT librarians later. I couldn’t help laughing years. One day, she posted that her group was doing a genre study on crime fiction, and I jumped at the chance when a librarian asked how to classify mysteries. This is to get SinC involved. the endless debate in libraries: How do we know when something is a straight mystery or a thriller? What about Becky requested a three-member panel of local SinC psychological suspense? So many books blend elements authors to talk about their work, mystery and crime fic- even within the crime fiction genre. tion as a genre, and the writing process. The last time I was in Chicago, for the American Library Association I had such a great time in Chicago: with Becky, with conference in 2013, I met a number of wonderful writ- ARRT, and of course, with Susie, Clare, and Lori. Even if ers. It was a tough decision to choose only three, but I I can’t be at every event nationwide, I would love to help ultimately went with authors I knew and loved: Susanna more SinC authors and chapters put together library Calkins, Clare O’Donohue, and Lori Rader-Day. Each of events in their areas. Contact me if you ever have any their works brings a different spin to the mystery genre, questions about how libraries and authors can work and I hoped the librarians would learn a lot. together! [email protected]. 2 The panel took place at the lovely Deerfield Library in Deerfield, Illinois. The building was brand new, and I As SinC’s library liaison, Cari puts together booths and events at library conferences, most notably the American Library marveled at the state-of-the-art meeting rooms. After Association (ALA) and the Public Library Association (PLA). introductions, I told the librarians a little bit about She is the computer services manager at Twinsburg Public Sisters in Crime and the benefits we offer, including the Library in Ohio.

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¡ ¡ Grant Award Fulfills Dreams by Maria Kelson

roblem: writing can be a lonely ven- involved shootings and hand- ture filled with self-doubt and uncer- to-hand violent confrontations. tainty. Solution: SleuthFest! (To tide • Novelist Deborah’s Sharp’s you over for the other 361 days of the useful craft session on writing year: Sisters in Crime membership, of “Dynamic Dialogue.” course.) • An outstanding session on In August 2014, I was blessed to receive the SinC P promotion via TV/radio spots Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of and online blog radio featuring Color award for my manuscript in progress. The such luminaries as the nationally-known reviewer award provided funds to be used for my develop- of mysteries, Oline H. Cogdill, and the eminent, ment as a writer, but allowed the freedom for me to award-winning novelist/television investigative select the activity that would best move me for- reporter (and devoted Sister par excellence) Hank ward. Phillippi Ryan. Dreaming of SleuthFest Living in Colorado, I had kept an envious eye on Pitch Sessions annual SleuthFest announcements. Put on by the Roller-coaster-like stomach lurches and thrills were Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, ready to hand with ten-minute pitch sessions with Sleuthfest features a great line-up of panels, guest editors and agents. These sessions were free with speakers, and opportunities to meet editors, agents, conference registration, as was the opportunity and publishers. When I received notification of the to present a three-minute pitch Sunday morning award, I wanted to shout “I’m going to Disneyland! in front of the entire conference’s line-up of eight Metaphorically! I’m finally going to SleuthFest!” editors and agents. During the one-on- Conferees queue up for a Pitch Tank session. The Land of Enchantment qualities of this confer- one pitch sessions, I ence made this an even more apt metaphor than I was given a chance could have predicted. As with a trip to Disneyland, to pitch to agent I got to meet some of my favorite characters, I went Victoria Skurnick, on thrilling rides, and the mutually supportive who represents Alice communities that spontaneously formed around LaPlante, author meal tables, in the conference hotel bar, and in of the innovative chats with other writers between panels made the and inspiring mys- Deerfield Beach Doubletree Inn the happeningist— tery Turn of Mind. if not the happiest—place on earth. Skurnick is with My highlights of the conference included: Levine, Greenberg, Rostan Literary • Novelist and former law-enforcement offi- Agency, which also cer David Putnam’s talk on “The Anatomy of represents Gillian Violence,” and his first-hand accounts of officer- Flynn—giving me a

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¡ ¡ thrilling two degrees of separation from one of my At the happening-ist place on earth, I found myself crime writing heroines. dining and cocktail partying with writers at all career levels, ranging from those just recently During a very helpful “Agents’ Roundtable,” Ms. infected with the must-write virus to full-blown Skurnick advised writers to append the first few paragraphs of their novel to the end of electroni- cases of success and glory like New York Times and cally-sent query letters. She noted that “We’re word USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham people, we like to read,” and that this could be a (who hosted a murder mystery/dance party for good enticement for an agent to keep reading. She all attendees featuring her rockin’ band) and the even offered to read the first few pages of a manu- amazing Suzi Weinert, who published her first script during the pitch session—so I brought her novel at age 75, and has now sold the concept a little Chapter 1 packet. She said “the writing is of her mysteries to a producer who filmed three good,” and asked to see the manuscript! Hallmark original TV movies with it. Agents and editors joined participants at meals and A thousand bows and most of them also mingled gamely at an “agents & a lifetime of toasts to editors cocktail hour.” A couple of my new confer- the SleuthFest 2015 ence buddies and I gave each other courage to organizers, Victoria approach Kristyn Keene of International Creative Landis and JoAnne Management. We asked her informal questions Sinchuk, and to their about her definition of sub genres in the thriller endlessly cheerful category (she advised that, when uncertain, writers community-building should paint their book with a broad brush in the team of volunteers query and let the industry pros decide on the finer who ran their meticu- points of describing and marketing it), and she gra- lously well-organized ciously asked about—and heard our cocktail-hour show with vim and mini-pitches for—our books. Her candid insights grins, alacrity and and her willingness to share a bit more about her spunk. life and work put us all at ease. And in my next life, Co-organizer Joanne Sinchuk pauses The keynotes alone, by the conference Guests of I’ll name my first- between sessions. Honor, were worth the cost of registration. Ric through tenth-borns Gillespie gave a riveting slide-show presentation after the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award Committee based on his Finding Amelia—The True Story of the members and judges who made this trip to the Earhart Disappearance. The charming and generous Land of Enchantment possible for me. Little James W. Hall gave us a sneak peek into the system- Frankie Y. Bailey Kelson of the future, let me tell atized analysis he’s made of America’s greatest best- you—the warm chats I had with your namesake, sellers of all time, which he chronicles fully in Hit and our brainstorming for future efforts to support Lit: Cracking the Code of the Twentieth Century’s Biggest and promote women writers of color—they were Bestsellers. The incomparable humorist Dave Barry among the highlights of four bright and high-lit (whose crime-writing debut, the comic thriller Big days. Trouble, appeared in 2010) closed things out at the 2 final event, a Sunday brunch. My favorite Barry quip Maria Kelson has published two books of poetry (as Maria came from among his affectionate jabs at his home Melendez) and is sacrificing chickens, giving alms, revising, city: “Miami is trying to clean up its bad reputation. and doing anything else you tell her to do to get her first So the mayor came up with a new slogan: ‘Come mystery novel ready to send out to agents. She is a member back to Miami. We weren’t shooting at you!’ ” of SinC and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and tweets from @MKelsonAuthor.

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¡ ¡ SinC into Great Writing with James Scott Bell by Laura DiSilverio

ames Scott Bell, Give us a brief idea of what respected author and you’ll talk about during your teacher will conduct a Bouchercon workshop. pre-Boucheron work- shop in Raleigh NC on “Plotting a Book They Can’t Put October 7. He is the Down.” The real secrets of plot and #1 bestselling author of Plot & structure, including the unique “write JStructure, and numerous thrillers. from the middle” method. This mate- rial is good for both plotters and pant- Jim studied writing with sers. World peace can’t be far behind. Do not let “Happy People in Happy Raymond Carver at the University Land” into your book. Even into a of California, Santa Barbara. He What do you struggle with in scene. If they start off happy in a graduated with honors from the your own writing? scene, make sure they’re unhappy at University of Southern California the end of it. Law School and has taught novel No struggles, only high standards writing at Pepperdine University that I view as challenges. So each Which of your published novels and numerous conferences in the book becomes a unique adventure in would you most like the oppor- US, Canada and Great Britain. trying to raise the bar...without end- tunity to revise and why? ing up in one. Jim served as fiction columnist No doubt my first legal thriller, for Writer’s Digest, to which he fre- What’s the most important craft- Circumstantial Evidence. It was quently contributes. He has writ- related thing you’ve learned over a good plot and all, but the writ- ten four craft books for Writer’s the course of your writing career? ing style still needed tightening and Digest Books: Plot & Structure, refining. I’ve gotten a whole lot bet- Revision & Self-Editing, The Art The “mirror moment” of a book, ter over the course of 20 years! of War for Writers and Conflict & which tells you what your story is Suspense. His Write Your Novel from really all about. I discovered this Who are you biggest writing The Middle was an instant #1 aspect of structure a few years ago influences? Amazon bestselling writing book. and am still excited about it. That will be part of the workshop I teach John D. MacDonald, Raymond A former trial lawyer, Jim now at Bouchercon. Chandler, Michael Connelly, Mickey writes and speaks full time. From Spillane, William Saroyan, Jack his home in Los Kerouac, Stephen King, Dean Then there is learning to put some- Angeles, he blogs Koontz, Daphne DuMaurier. every Sunday at thing surprising in every scene. It’s a “The Kill Zone.” way of approach that you can train Don’t miss the opportunity to for, and then use forever. learn from one of the best! Sign He recently took up now for SinC Into Great time to answer a What one piece of advice do most Writing at www.sistersincrime. few questions for writers continue to need to hear org/events/event_details. inSinC. throughout their writing lives? asp?id=629799&group=. 2 20 inSinC June 2015

¡ ¡ Malice Memories

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¡ ¡

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Sleuths by Katherine Ramsland, PhD

rime writ- Attention is limited, and when ers and the it’s split among several tasks at investigators once, we become less effective they create with each task. Effective sleuths should know make their time and effort count. how their They prioritize, organize, and ownC brains work. Why? So they figure out how best to achieve to draw one. Most were confident can put it to best use. Below are their goals. Their focus is single- that they could. When put to some habits that help: minded, channeled toward what the test, those who’d believed in most matters. their memory made fundamen- Habit #1 tal errors in their drawings. It’s Retain I-Contact Habit #3 good to remind yourself that your Our decisions are influenced by Develop vigilance awareness does not automatically personal factors, many of which From focus to alertness, this is assess its own limitations. You elude our awareness, so it’s where we get productive. Our must initiate this, because your important to know your tenden- brain’s default mode is lazy; it brain will not make the effort. cies and then to remind yourself prefers the path of least resis- of them during investigations. tance. Those who remain ready Habit #5 If you have a strong need for and who steer their attention Be mentally flexible closure, for example, you might with a sense of purpose will spot In one case, two adult women and jump to conclusions and miss opportunities for solutions and two children were missing from a crucial items. I-contact reminds innovations. They also have more home. The lead detective told me you that this tendency leaves you aha! moments. that when they discovered that the vulnerable to error. estranged boyfriend of one of the Habit #4 women seemed unconcerned, they Habit #2 Test yourself focused on him as a solid suspect. Protect mental energy We know from research in cogni- It made sense, according to their Most of our everyday encoun- tive psychology that we aren’t experience. But a crime scene ters involve diffuse awareness. aware of the limits of our knowl- processor noticed a small item in a Psychologist Stephen Wolinksy edge. Thus, we don’t test them. bag in the house that was inconsis- calls this a trance state; it’s filled In one experiment, subjects were tent with the homeowner’s habits, with personal concerns that pre- asked if they could remember so the team decided to follow this occupy us and blunt our senses. how a bicycle looked well enough clue. It broke the case.

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¡ ¡ Had this processor accepted the in part, because he created his with two psychiatrists. When he boyfriend as the one and only own methods. To compile a joined the FBI, he brought with suspect, his brain would have collection of crime scenes for him a solid database for develop- turned off the “vigilance” func- analysis and comparison, Teten ing a course, and this became the tion and started looking at items reviewed homicides from several foundation for today’s Behavioral that supported the boyfriend police agencies. Then, he set up Analysis Unit. hypothesis. A good way to stay an experiment. “When I received flexible is to form and analyze Any puzzle solver, whether writer the information,” he said, “I would competing hypotheses. Use a or sleuth, will benefit from these examine all the data and prepare devil’s advocate approach. habits. a tentative description of the 2 perpetrator. Then I would look at Habit #6 Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a professor Update the individual found to have com- of forensic psychology and trainer for mitted the crime and compare the law enforcement. She has published Most behavioral interpretations fifty-eight books and more than 1,000 rely on research, and updates perpetrator to my description.” articles, and writes a blog, “Shadow from new discoveries can shift Boxing,” for Psychology Today. Her recent To check himself on specific psy- books include The Corridor Killer and even the most fundamental chological disorders, he consulted Strangers in the Night. of notions. The art of reading people, for example, follows guidelines based in behavior and anatomy, but there are no simple Independent Booksellers’ Day formulas. For a long time, we’ve SinC honored independent booksellers by inviting them to our break- accepted that there are seven fast and bringing coffee and boxed lunches to them on Independent universal facial emotional expres- Booksellers’ Day. SinC loves our Indies! sions, but recent research chal- lenges this idea. Behavioral ana- lysts who seek to excel in reading people (or crime scenes) must practice a lot and watch people in many different situations. They keep up on the latest research, because theories change, behav- ioral evidence can mutate, and humans can always surprise us!

Habit #7 Create opportunity Howard Teten has been called the “godfather” of behavioral profiling. He acquired this title,

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¡ ¡ Getting the Facts Straight by Leslie Budewitz Law and Fiction

My character’s late husband did not rewrite his will after they married. What rights does she have as surviving spouse?

n most states, if a testator remaining one-third. How much with the testator or asks ques- remarries after execut- of that third Connie receives tions to establish that it’s his will, ing a will, the surviving depends on state law, including his intent, and so on. The testa- spouse will be entitled whether it’s a community prop- tor’s signature block looks some- to inherit any assets not erty state. thing like this: specifically left to a child But if Art specifically left who is not a child of them both, I,______, the testator, sign my everything to Brian, Connie’s asI if the deceased spouse had name to this instrument this only remedy would be to elect died intestate, that is, without a ____ day of _____, 20____, the spousal share we talked will. An illustration: Art wrote and being first duly sworn, do about above. (Books, Crooks & a will leaving two-thirds of his hereby declare to the under- Counselors, Ch. 7) If you want her estate to his only child, Brian, signed authority that I sign left with nothing but anger and and one third in various indi- and execute this instrument as a motive for revenge, tie up Art’s vidual and charitable bequests. my will, that I sign it willingly property in other ways or leave so Art then married Connie, who (or willingly direct another to little cash that she feels destitute. is not Brian’s mother. Art died sign for me), that I execute it as my free and voluntary act without changing his will. Brian’s Who can witness a will? share of Art’s estate is untouched. for the purposes expressed in Anyone over eighteen and legally it, and that I am 18 years of The laws of intestacy apply to the competent can witness a will. In age or older, of sound mind, some states, a beneficiary can’t and under no constraint or be a witness; in other states, undue influence. that’s not a problem. Some testa- tors bring friends with them to Most wills are “self-proving,” serve as witnesses. Often, law meaning that when the will is office staff are called in to listen admitted to probate, it’s not while the lawyer reviews the will necessary to call the witnesses

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¡ ¡ to testify that the testator signed Are handwritten wills handwritten wills do so if the will the will in front of them, and so enforceable? was executed in a state that does recognize them. on. The witness signature clause A handwritten will is enforceable in about half the states if it meets includes a statement like this: Handwritten wills and codicils all the requirements of a will— are often executed in emergen- that is, it’s in writing, signed, and We, ______, and ______, the cies. Real-life examples include witnessed. In other words, a will miners trapped underground, witnesses, sign our names to need not be typed to be valid. airplane crash victims who sur- this instrument, being first duly The handwriting need not be the vived the crash but died before sworn, and do hereby declare testator’s, so long as he signed it rescue, and others who reach to the undersigned author- or directed its signature for him. death’s doorstep rapidly. Veteran The same rule applies to revo- ity that the testator signs and broadcaster Charles Kuralt cations or amendments, often handwrote a letter to the woman executes this instrument as the called codicils. with whom he’d had a secret, testator’s will, that the testator Under the Uniform Probate Code thirty-year relationship, from the signs it willingly (or willingly (the basis of probate laws in my hospital, saying he would “have directs another to sign for the home state, Montana, and about the lawyer visit the hospital to testator), that each of us, in 20 others), a handwritten will is make sure you inherit” certain property. He died two weeks later, the presence and hearing of valid if the material provisions, without calling the lawyer. His the testator, hereby signs this which specify who gets what assets, are written and signed estate characterized the letter will as witness to the testator’s by the testator. No witnesses are as a statement of future intent, signing, and that to the best required. Some states previously but the courts recognized it as a valid codicil intended to amend of our knowledge the testa- required a handwritten will not his earlier will, and gave her the tor is 18 years of age or older, witnessed to be entirely in the property. of sound mind, and under no testator’s handwriting, and a few 2 still do. These wills are called constraint or undue influence. Adapted from Books, Crooks & holographic, meaning all in one Counselors: How to Write Accurately About The signatures should be nota- handwriting. Some people mis- Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure (Quill Driver Books) by Leslie Budewitz, rized. takenly refer to any handwritten winner of the 2011 Agatha Award for will as holographic. Best Nonfiction. Also winner of the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, Some states recognize handwrit- Leslie is the first author to win Agatha Awards for fiction and nonfiction. Still ten wills only if the testator is a practicing lawyer, Leslie lives in NW on active duty military and for a Montana and is vice-president of SinC. For more help getting the law right specific period of time (usually a in your stories, visit her blog, www. year) after his return. A few states LawandFiction.com/blog . that usually don’t recognize

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¡ ¡ Awards 1 Nominations by Gay Toltl Kinman

Maria Alexander’s Mr. Wicker was nomi- Karen Harper’s Shattered Secrets was Gigi Pandian won The Rose Award for nated for the Bram Stoker Award selected as one of the best suspense the best mystery novel set in the Left for Superior Achievement in a First books of 2014 by Suspense Magazine. Coast Crime region for Pirate Vishnu. Novel. Amnon Kabatchnik’s Blood on the Stage Britni Patterson was nominated for a ’ The Good, The Bad 460 B.C to 1600 A.D was a runner-up Derringer Best Short Story Award for and The Emus was nominated for an in the Compilation/Anthology cat- “The Bad Son” in Carolina Crimes. Agatha Award for Best Contemporary egory for the 2015 Book Novel. Festival awards. ’s The Long Way Home was nominated for an Agatha for Best Rhys Bowen won an Agatha for Best Leslie S. Klinger was nominated by the Contemporary novel. Historical Novel for Queen of Hearts. Horror Writers for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Hank Phillippi Ryan’s Truth Be Told Annette Dashofy’s Circle of Influence was Non-Fiction for The New Annotated won an Agatha Award for Best an Agatha Best First Novel nominee. H. P. Lovecraft. Contemporary Novel; Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer’s Hilary Davidson won the Derringer Best BV Lawson was nominated for a Journey won for Best Nonfiction. Long Story nomination for her “A Derringer Best Short Story Award Hopeless Case” in All Due Respect. for “The Least of These” in Plan B Lori Rader-Day’s The Black Hour won the Magazine. Lovey Award and was a finalist for Vicki Delany was nominated for a the Simon & Schuster Mary Higgins Derringer Best Novelette for her Molly MacRae won the Lovey Award for Clark Award. “Juba Good” in Orca Books Rapid Best Paranormal, Plagued by Guilt. Reads. Cathi Stoler won a Derringer Best Short Catriona McPherson won the Bruce Story Award for “The Kaluki Kings of ’s “The Blessing Alexander Memorial Historical Queens” in Murder New York Style. Witch” was nominated for an Agatha Mystery Award for A Deadly Measure for Best Short Story. of Brimstone. ’s “The Odds Are Against Us” in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine won Dianne Emley’s The Night Visitor was G. M. Malliet’s A Demon Summer was the Agatha for Best Short Storoy; named one of the best books of 2014 nominated for an Agatha for Best “Premonition” in Chesapeake Crimes: by Kings River Life Magazine. Contemporary Novel. Homicidal Holidays was nominated for that award. Kate Flora’s Death Dealer: How Cops and Margaret Maron’s Designated Daughters Cadaver Dogs Brought a Killer to Justice was nominated for an Agatha for Best was nominated for an Agatha for Contemporary Novel. Best Nonfiction. Nominated or Won? ’s “Just Desserts” was ’s Andi Under Pressure was nominated for an Agatha Award for Please send your informa- nominated for the Agatha for Best Best Short Story. tion directly to Gay Kinman Children’s/Young Adult book at gaykinman@gaykinman. Susan O’Brien’s Finding Sky was nomi- Barb Goffman’s “The Shadow Knows” in nated for an Agatha Award for Best com. Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays First Novel. was an Agatha nominee for Best Short Story.

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¡ ¡ 2015 Sigurðardóttir, Stuart Macbride, Denise Mina, Alex Gray, Ann Historical Novel Society Cleeves. CO • June 26–28 Explore time periods, learn about 2016 weaponry, improve your craft, Bouchercon explore publishing opportunities. LA • Sep. GoH Karen Cushman & Chris (C. 15–18 C.) Humphreys. EVENTS “Blood on the Bayou—Down in HNS-Conference.org HAPPENINGS New Orleans” will feature Harlan ThrillerFest X Coben as GoH, Mo Hayder as intl. New York NY • July 7–11 GoH, Julie Smith as local legend, Jon and Ruth Jordan as fan GoH, ThrillerMaster Nelson DeMille, Ladies of Intrigue as toastmaster. Silver Bullet Recipient Kathy Huntington Beach CA David Morrell will be the lifetime Reichs, Spotlight Guests Mark Oct. 3 achievement award recipient. Billingham, , [email protected] Bouchercon2016.com Greg Iles. Bouchercon 2017 ThrillerFest.com Raleigh NC • Oct. 8–11 Deadly Ink “Murder Under the Oaks” will Bouchercon New Brunswick NJ • Aug. feature Margaret Maron, Kathy Toronto ON • Oct. 12–15 7–9 Reichs, Tom Franklin, Zoe Sharp, “Passport to Murder” will feature Brad Parks, GoH; E.F. Watkins, toast- S. Allan Guthrie, Sean Doolittle, Louise Penny, Canadian GoH; master; Ilene Schneider, fan GoH. Lori Armstrong, Sarah Shaber Megan Abbott, American GoH; DeadlyInk2015.org Bouchercon2015.org Christopher Brookmyre, intl. Killer Nashville GoH; B’Con Writers Police Academy 4Kids GoH, Margaret Cannon Nashville TN Appleton WI • Aug. 20–23 fan GoH; Twist Phelan & Gary Oct. 29–Nov. 1 Best-selling authors Karin Phillips, as toastmasters. KillerNashville.com Slaughter and Allison Brennan Bouchercon2017.com join a host of public safety officers Magna cum Murder 2018 for this one-of-a-kind academy. Indianapolis IN WritersPoliceAcademy.com Oct. 30–Nov.1 Bouchercon Four Corners Writers GoH William Kent Krueger, St. Petersburg FL • Sep. Workshop Intl GoH . 13 – 16 Gallup NM • Oct. 2–4 MagnaCumMurder.com The conference will feature Karin Slaughter, Sean Chercover, Sara Readings and workshops by Shetland Noir Blaedel, Mark Billingham, Lisa members of the national writing Mareel UK • Nov. 13–15 Unger, Tim Dorsey, Ian Rankin, community, including publishers The islands’ first crime writ- Judy Bobalik, Ayo Onatade, and literary agents. ing festival in assoication with and as Ghost of Honor John D. www.Gallup.UNM.edu/ Iceland Noir.Workshops, readings, MacDonald. Bouchercon2018. fourcorners Q&A sessions, tours, and more. com Arne Dahl, Håkan Nesser, Yrsa

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¡ ¡ PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PO Box 442124 PAID Lawrence KS 66044 BLACKSBURG, VA www.SistersInCrime.org PERMIT NO. 158

Change Service Requested

The Ubiquitous Up by Molly Weston

ack in the days when schools still had chalkboards, students often bemoaned being forced to learn how to diagram sentences. Of course, part of that dread was being able to recognize the part of speech for every word Bin the sentence and putting it in its correct place on the diagram. Now that sentence diagramming has apparently disappeared with rotary phones, colloquial speech patterns seem to be worming their way into writing. The preposi- tion (in a quote often attributed to Churchill, “…up with which I will not put.”) that ends a sentence is something that often cannot be changed easily. Many others are just superfluous: Finished up, washed up, wrote up (or down) come to mind. Another one—printed out—sets my teeth on edge. Every time I see these extra prepositions I groan audibly. It seems to me that every word in a sentence should be important and worth my time as a reader. Whenever I see a preposition without its phrase attached, I feel the author is wasting my time— something that becomes more valuable every day! Another time I’ll rant about using “refer back.” I’m sure you can’t wait! 2