InSinC The Sisters in Crime Newsletter Volume XIX • Number 4 December 2006 The History of the Mystery By Carolyn Hart Mary Roberts Rinehart, at one time the high- the genre when he said that the private eye novel Elements of the mystery are present in much est paid writer in America, debuted in 1907 is about the protagonist, not the crime. literature, both ancient and modern, but the with the serialized publication of The Circular In 1939, Raymond Chandler’s first Philip world waited until Edgar Allan Poe for the Staircase. It appeared as a book in 1908. In that Marlowe novel, The Big Sleep, was published. first true mystery stories. Scholar Jon Breen first book, she set her standard of humor and a His has been the most profound influence on believes deductive mystery fiction became beleaguered heroine. private eye novels. Chandler wrote with elegance possible only after countries with a rule of law The watershed year in mystery fiction was and has never been surpassed as a stylist in this organized professional 1920. That year, The Mysterious Affair at Styles genre. That same year is also remarked for the police forces devoted to by Agatha Christie was published. Christie was publication of Erle Stanley Gardner and Brett solving crimes on the and is the most influential of all mystery writers Halliday. basis of fact. A detective with sales in the hundreds of millions. What The Golden Age between the world wars in- wasn’t necessary if crimes was her magic? cluded great practitioners of both the traditional were solved by guess, hap- Christie never forgot what she was about. She mystery and the private eye novel. penstance, black magic or created clever puzzles and wrote with charm Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer and Ross brute force. and grace about characters familiar to readers Macdonald’s Lew Archer appeared in print in Jon believes that Poe whether they spoke Finnish or Urdu or English. 1947. was familiar with the She was unpretentious, honest and clear-eyed. There are names to conjure with after WW II, rather self-serving auto- She never walked a mean street, but she under- authors of both the traditional mystery and the Carolyn Hart biography of the French stood human passions. She knew that life in a private eye novel: Rex Stout, Patricia Highsmith, detective Francois Vidocq humdrum English village was as subject to evil John D. McDonald, Margaret Millar, George and that Poe’s disdain for professional police as any Bristol slum. Harmon Cox, John Creasey, Dick Francis, Ross capabilities prompted him to create the world’s Christie equated the modern mystery with Thomas, Tony Hillerman, P.D. James, Emma first amateur detective, Auguste Dupin. What- the medieval morality play. In the morality play, Lathen, Ed McBain, Charlotte MacLeod, Eliza- ever Poe’s motive, we know that the modern trades fair audiences were offered a graphic repre- beth Peters, Ruth Rendell, Georges Simenon and mystery traces its beginning to the publication sentation of the seven deadly sins. In a more so- Donald E. Westlake. in1841 of the Murder in the Rue Morgue. All of phisticated guise, this is what Christie addressed The ’60s and the Cold War saw a diminution the elements necessary for a mystery novel were in her books. Do you want to understand the of interest in both the traditional mystery and first gathered together in fiction by Poe: pain and agony inflicted on the human spirit by the crime novel. This was the heyday of spy fic- • The amateur detective whose exploits are greed? Read the Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Would tion, which had its early incarnation with John chronicled by an admiring friend you like to contemplate self-righteous arrogance Buchan and the publication of The Thirty-Nine • The locked room mystery lifted to madness? Read Ten Little Indians. Steps in 1915. Eric Ambler and Graham Greene • An innocent suspect in jeopardy Some critics have dismissed Christie’s books were brilliant successors. Building on that tradi- • Careful detection through following clues as puzzles devoid of realistic characters. Death tion in the 1960s and ’70s were Len Deighton, fairly offered on the Nile, Murder is Easy and Five Little Pigs John Le Carre, Frederick Forsyth, George V. • A trap laid for the true villain are among many of her books that make that Higgins and Ken Follett. The 1960s also saw • The solution through the efforts of the detec- claim absurd. perhaps the zenith of romantic suspense. I tive Christie was the leading light of the Golden mentioned Mary Roberts Rinehart as a very • The first series character Age, that glorious period between the two world early and wonderful and enormously success- All of this was achieved by Poe in three stories, wars that saw the publication of Dorothy L. Say- ful American mystery author. She was also The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Mystery of ers, Philip MacDonald, H.C. Bailey, Earl Derr perhaps the earliest mystery author to combine Marie Roget and The Purloined Letter. Biggers, Ellery Queen, John Dickson Carr, Nich- romance and suspense. Perhaps the finest novels Early writers who contributed to the genre olas Blake, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, of romantic suspense were penned by Daphne include Wilkie Collins (The Moonstone 1868), Josephine Tey and Phoebe Atwood Taylor. DuMaurier with Rebecca in 1938 and My Cousin Charles Dickens (Bleak House 1853) and These writers excelled with the mystery as Rachel in 1952. Topping the charts in the 1960s Anna Katharine Green (The Leavenworth Case conceived by Poe. A different kind of mystery was the brilliant stylist Mary Stewart. Victoria 1878). springing from a different heritage made its Holt and Phyllis Whitney also captured readers Arthur Conan Doyle carried the idea of the debut in 1929 with the publication of The Red and hearts. Barbara Michaels debuted in 1967 amateur detective to great fame with his Sherlock Harvest by Dashiell Hammett. with The Master of Black Tower. Her first novel Holmes stories. The first, A Study in Scarlet, The private eye novel is rooted in the 19th as Elizabeth Peters, The Jackal’s Head, was pub- appeared in 1887. G.K. Chesterton’s Father century action-oriented dime novels with the lished in 1969. Brown, the first fictional clergyman sleuth, ap- hero prevailing against the forces of evil. Modern peared in 1908. day crime writer Robert B. Parker forever defined Continued on page 6 Get a Clue Sisters in Crime Newsletter Purpose: The purpose of Sisters in Crime shall be to: combat dis- crimination against women in the mystery field, educate publishers History of the Mystery . . . . . 1 and the general public as to the inequities in the treatment of female authors, raise the level of awareness of their contributions to the field, and promote the professional advancement of women who President’s Message ...... 3 write mysteries . Book Club Database ...... 3 Rochelle Krich, President S.J. Rozan, At Large Roberta Isleib, Vice President Donna Andrews, Chapter Liaison Marcia Talley, Secretary Judy Clemens, At Large New SinC Listserv ...... 3 Kathryn R. Wall, Treasurer Victoria K. Huston, Publicity Doris Ann Norris, Library Liaison Jim Huang, Bookstore Liaison Don’t Forget to Renew . . . . . 3 Vicki Cameron, Books in Print Editor Bonnie J. Cardone, InSinC Editor Peggy Moody, Web Maven Gavin Faulkner, Newsletter Graphic Designer Crossword Puzzle ...... 4 Beth Wasson, Executive Secretary; P.O. Box 442124; Lawrence KS 66044-8933; Phone: (785) 842-1325; Fax: (785) 856-6314; E-mail: Crafting Richer Characters . . . 5 Presidents of Sisters in Crime 1987–88 Sara Paretsky; 1988 –89 Nancy Pickard; 1989–90 Margaret Maron; 1990–91 Clipping Service ...... 6 Susan Dunlap; 1991–92 Carolyn G. Hart; 1992–93 P.M. Carlson; 1993–94 Linda Grant; 1994–95 Barbara D’Amato; 1995–96 Elaine Raco Chase; 1996–97 Annette Meyers; 1997–98 Sue Henry; 1998–99 Medora Sale; 1999–2000 Barbara Burnett Smith; New England Calendar . . . . . 7 2000–2001 Claire Carmichael McNab; 2001–2002 Eve K. Sandstrom; 2002–2003 Kate Flora; 2003–2004 Kate Grilley; 2004–2005 Patricia Sprinkle; 2005–2006 Libby Hellmann; BIP ...... 7 2006–2007 Rochelle Krich. Anthony, Barry, Derringer, DEADLINES AND GUIDELINES The next InSinC Newsletter will be out in mail. Manuscripts that arrive by U.S. Mail will Dilys, Macavity and March. The deadline for all submissions is January also be accepted. 15. Please send mailing address, phone number, fax, Shamus Awards ...... 8 – 9 Members’ publications since the last edition of and e-mail with submissions. If you have an idea the newsletter will be listed in The Docket. Please for a story, please query the editor: include publication dates when submitting. Docket Authors of Color ...... 9 material will be due January 10 and should be sent Bonnie J. Cardone to: 3116 S. Trisha Court New SinC Listserv ...... 9 Santa Maria, CA 93455-7137 Patricia Gulley Phone: (805) 938-1156 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue E-mail: Conferences ...... 10 Portland, OR 97217-7849 E-mail: BookExpo America ...... 10 Moving? Other honors, awards, and events of great “pith Change of address (postal & e-mail) Crossword Solution ...... 10 and moment” should be written up as short, sepa- notifications should be sent toboth Beth rate notices. These can be as short as a paragraph. Wasson, SinC Executive Secretary, P.O. No publicity/promotion of individual members, Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044-8933, 20th Anniversary News/Events . 11 please. We particularly welcome reprints from SinC and to Rowan Mountain, Inc., P.O. Box chapter newsletters. 10111, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0111. Bookstore/Library Grants . . . 11 Send columns, articles, ideas and praise via e- Review Monitoring Project . . . 11 Send Us Your E-mail Bookstore Beat ...... 11 It’s a special year and we want to send out e-mail bulletins so you can take part in all the 20th Anniversary programs, celebrations and publicity opportunities. The Docket ...... 12 Be assured your e-mail will remain private and will not be distributed. Send to Beth Wasson: . Contact Management System . . 13 Promotional materials available to SinC members — Have your bookmarks or postcards designed Bouchercon 2006 ...... 14 in color or black-and-white. SinC’s publicity mailing list of 5,000 bookstores, libraries, reviewers, etc. is available via direct addressing through Rowan Mountain, Inc., P.O. Box 10111, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0111. For more information, write Gavin Faulkner. E-mail: . Web: . Phone: 540-449-6178.

JUST THE FACTS: • InSinC Newsletter is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four times a year. • Dues and other Sisters in Crime cor- respondence (membership, orders for booklets, changes of address, etc.) may be sent to: M. Beth Wasson, SinC Executive Secretary; P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044- 8933; Phone: 785-842-1325; FAX: 785-856-6314; E-mail: • Information in the Newsletter is submitted and 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 articles in no way constitute an endorsement of products or services offered. • Other information on Sisters in Crime is available from the President, who is the only person who may speak for the organization officially. Send queries and requests to: Rochelle Krich, 459 N. La Jolla Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90048-2232; E-mail: • No material may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime © 2006 December 2006 –  men and women — but men reading books written by women? Not And the Survey Says… so much. And that only men can write with realism and with intricate By Rochelle Krich plotting. SinC President Turns out that’s not true. Parnell knew it all along: Sisters in Crime is celebrating. Sisters in Crime, boys, You may think it’s because we’ve grown from a core group of visionary Sisters in Crime female crime fiction writers, led by Sara Paretsky, to 50 chapters and You show me your gun more than 3,400 members in the U.S., Canada I’ll show you mine and abroad. They have car chases If so, you’re right. Stop on a dime Or because we began our 20th year a few months Just like the guys do ago at Bouchercon in Madison — a milestone; Sisters in Crime because the enthusiastic audience that attended So we’re celebrating. our Sisters in Crime Thursday noon panel filled a Still, our celebration is tempered. It was tempered at our dessert large auditorium (many of the conference attend- reception because our founder, Sara Paretsky, was unable to join us. We ees hadn’t yet registered and we were admittedly felt her absence and that of our other Goddesses who couldn’t come to nervous); because, at our Saturday night dessert Madison. And that of Barbara Burnett Smith, who died nearly two years reception, hundreds joined us to pay homage to our “Goddesses” and to ago. And of Marilyn Wallace, whose passing is still raw. hear SinC member Parnell Hall perform the instant classic he composed Our celebration is tempered because we recognize that statistics for the occasion. alone will not change perceptions overnight, that some will continue Right again. to exploit prejudices and take pleasure in denigrating women crime Or because, under the able leadership of past president Libby Hell- fiction writers. mann and her dedicated board — most of whom, I’m happy to say, will It’s tempered when we hear of yet another crime fiction writer who continue to serve — SinC had a banner year: has lost a contract – not for lack of critical acclaim or even award • We were a strong and welcome presence at several regional library nominations, but because of inadequate sales. Does gender play a role conventions, where programs with SinC panels invariably sell out. in how long a book remains on a store shelf? Sara wondered the same • We provided grants for author signings at independent bookstores. thing when she founded Sisters in Crime. Twenty years later we still • We partnered with Borders stores across the country in September to don’t have a good answer. highlight national and regional SinC writers. Will the survey make a difference? I hope so. We are disseminating • We awarded grants to libraries in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the results to those whose opinions and purchasing decisions can have and will continue to help libraries in need. a significant impact on the marketplace: booksellers and librarians, More Excellent Reasons reviewers, wholesalers. Agents, editors, publishers. There’s another reason to celebrate. This summer, at the suggestion of That’s one of our goals for the coming year. We’ll be doing much more. Schindler Communications, we asked Zoomerang, a third-party survey We celebrated our anniversary with independent bookstores in Oc- services firm, to ask people about their reading preferences. Of the 254 tober and we’ll do the same with libraries in March. people who took the 28-question survey (it’s posted on our website), 56 We held a highly informative three-day November Hollywood confer- percent were male; 44 percent were women. The respondents were between ence. Read the details on our website. the ages of 25 and 65. None were selected because they read mysteries. We’re helping chapters around the country fund their 20th anniver- The most significant findings? sary events. • 93 percent of survey respondents have no preference for books written We’ve added a bookstore liaison to our national board. by men or women, regardless of genre or reader gender We’re starting a national SinC listserv to facilitate communication • Respondents believed that male and female authors wrote equally among our members, in this country and around the world. graphic and realistic novels. For all these reasons, and many more, we’re celebrating. • Crime fiction was the second most-read genre of books, next to non- Seventeen years ago I made my first friends in the mystery community fiction. through Sisters in Crime. As president, I’m honored that you’ve placed We were surprised. We were elated. These statistics fly in the face of your faith in me. I invite you to join in and make your voice heard. the commonly held perception that women will read books written by Rochelle Krich can be contacted at .

Club contact preference: phone, fax, e-mail for blatant self-promotion and topics must be SinC Book Club Send promotional materials: yes, no mystery and publishing related. Sandra Parshall Genre preference: women’s fiction, mysteries, will be the moderator. Database non-fiction With more than 3,400 members, several hun- By Lorraine Bartlett Specific book format required: yes, no dred of them outside the U.S., SinC is already Sisters in Crime is developing a database of If yes, please indicate: mass market, trade a powerful advocate for equality in the mystery book clubs to help its published authors reach paperback, hardcover field. We’re also a community of people who dedicated mystery readers. Send this information to me at: or use the form at: . to know one another better. To join the conver- library, church, synagogue or other organization, This database could be the link that puts SinC sation, go to . For each book club we need the following: Group Name Contact Name New SinC Phone Number Don’t Forget E-mail Address to renew Fax Number Listserv your Sisters in Crime membership! Location (Street, City, State, Zip/Postal By Sandra Parshall Use the form you received in the mail Code) SinC has launched a listserv that will allow all or renew on the website Book Club meets: monthly, bimonthly of us — writers and non-writers — to exchange other ideas, information and opinions about the genre Meeting date (i.e., first Thursday of month) we love and support. The list will not be used with PayPal. December 2006 –  A Passionate Intellect By Verna Suit

Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1. Scent 14 15 16 5. Little drinks

9. Not covert 17 18 19 14. The __ Red Herrings: 1931 mystery by 20A 20 21 22 15. Thought 23 24 16. Punches out 17. March time? 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 18. Valley 34 35 36 37 38 19. Kentucky Derby margin sometimes 39 40 41 20. Mystery writer with “a passionate intellect,” theme of 42 43 44 this puzzle 45 46 47 48 49 23. Dye brand 24. Cell closers? 50 51 25. Writer translated by 20A 28. Indigo plant 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59

30. Bowl 60 61 62 34. Foucault’s Pendulum author 35. Haitian citrus fruit 63 64 65

37. San Luis __, CA 66 67 68 39. 20A’s main protagonist 42. Obvious fact 43. Amontillado holder © 2006 Verna Suit 44. Mystery writer Glatzer Down 30. Not very bright 45. Perry or George 1. Comic strip “The Wizard __” 31. Start of question about a 46. “__ to differ!” 2. Queen of Carthage woman 48. French river 3. Above 32. Rigid murder weapon 50. African antelope 4. Vacation destination 33. Game authority 51. Indisputable evidence letters 5. Gaudy __: 1935 mystery by 36. Zodiac twins 20A 38. Beachwear 52. Title of 1934 mystery by The solution is on page 10. 20A, taken from bell-ringing 6. Casually 40. What murder victims do tradition 7. Emma __ of “The Avengers” 41. Trib or Times, e.g. 60. Mystery writer Lippman 8. Grandchild of Japanese 47. 39A’s trusty manservant 61. Harness racing gait immigrants 49. Tea brand 62. “You get __ on the back!” 9. Approves 50. Grind, as teeth 63. __ Shrugged 10. Harriet __, 39A’s fiancee 51. Palm produce 64. Glamour competition 11. One who ogles 52. London art gallery 65. __ of Denver, 39A’s brother 12. Legendary birds 53. Hoop type 66. __ Bredon, 39A’s middle 13. “Shame!” 54. QED part names and occasional alias 21. Traffic jams 55. Perry’s penner 67. Commies 22. Permits 56. Confessed Verna Suit, longtime head of SinC’s Clipping Service, is also a 68. At __ price (not like at 25. Fourth Greek letter 57. Numbered musical work auction) professional cruciverbalist (crossword 26. Squirrel snack 58. Libertine puzzle constructor). This mystery-re- 27. Good hosiery quality 59. Leave as is lated puzzle is part of a series created specially for InSinC. 28. Keyboard key 60. Boyo 29. Female relative

December 2006 –  Crafting Richer Characters By Marisa D’Vari essential to the Mover, and everyone in his social right and their terror of being wrong or unable Successful mystery writers know that char- or business circle must prove his worth. to convince others of their keen, superior intel- acters, even more than plot, hook readers and Male Movers can be overbearing in personal ligence. Anxious by nature, many Observers lose generate a successful series. Yet ask yourself if relationships, as their desire to prove their supe- it completely when a world they’ve defined by you are using the right variation of characters riority takes place both in the office and private their own logic suddenly seems illogical — and in your book. residence. Their macho behavior can be prob- there’s nothing they can do about it. Planning your characters’ personality types lematic in marriages and their desire to conquer The Relater can pave the way to a work filled with greater can take form in adulterous affairs. The women In an office environment, the Relater can usu- tension, conflict and emotion. who do earn a Male Mover’s respect think as they ally be found in the Human Resources depart- When you assign a personality type to your do and are Movers themselves. ment. Unlike the Mover personality style — who characters, you can better: The Observer demands just the bullet points of whatever you • Understand how your character relates to and In the world of literature, Sherlock Holmes, are going to say, the Relater wants you to sit conflicts with other characters. Miss Marple, and Detective Poirot share the down first, make yourself at home, have some • Ensure you have a variety of personality types Observer personality style. The hallmark of an tea and nibble on a cookie. in your story. Observer is that they observe everything with As you may suspect, the Relater is a people • Understand each character’s phobias and extraordinary perceptiveness and insight, even if person. This personality style enjoys being help- preferences. they don’t seem the type – such as Lt. Columbo, ful and of service to everyone, even strangers. • Plot a more realistic developmental pathway played by Peter Falk in the TV series Columbo. Relators also like to be in agreement with others to your characters’ goals. In real life, this group includes virtually every and will go out of their way to go with the flow • Devise more credible dialogue as your charac- profession, yet its members are characterized by rather than insist on their own agenda. In old ter will speak in accordance to his/her type. their analytical nature. James Bond films, a perfect Relater would be Personality Styles In contrast to the Energizer, this personality Bond’s secretary, Miss Moneypenny. In my new book Creating Characters: Let Them style demands verification of all information. Relaters are always looking out for the welfare Whisper Their Secrets I reveal an easy way to Before giving a talk, an Observer reads volumes of others, particularly if they are secretaries, create intriguing character types with the More- of information and is careful to backup all wives or mothers to the other party. They like to Personality system, which is loosely based on the sources. talk and gossip and tend to touch people a lot. ancient Enneagram, in addition to personality As a group, they are highly independent and People pleasers, they often resort to flattery typecasting theories developed by Hippocrates, to motivate other people to like them and want Carl Jung, Myers-Briggs and others. them around. Relaters set out to make them- The four basic styles include: selves needed. Mover: brash, Type A personality, result As mothers, they often suffocate in their driven, fast moving and thinking. desire to impose their love on their offspring, Observer: factual, observant, often insecure, though their real desire is to be loved in return. focused on detail, aloof. Because they give so freely, they expect love in Relater: encourages and motivates others, return and often are devastated when it is not service-oriented, likes human contact. reciprocated. Energizer: storyteller, confident, ambitious, In a family environment, Relaters position likeable, charming, quick thinking. themselves to be at the center of things. They are The Mover the ones who keep in touch with distant family Seen in his best light, the Mover personality members and check in with close relatives often makes the world go around. Like Energizers, to see what’s up and how they can be of service. they are often the main character of the story or In return, they expect to be viewed as the cement film because of their drive and ability to focus that holds the family together. on the bottom line. A good fictional example of a Relater is the focused, often to the extent that they live in their The Mover protagonist is admired by those female impersonator/mother played by Nathan own world. They are wary of strangers and new who know him and is seen as a stern but be- Lane, co-starring with Robin Williams in The information until credibility can be established. nevolent taskmaster. Movers work hard for their Birdcage. Though a bit over the top, Lane’s drag When President Regan spoke of a new alliance seat of power and pride themselves on their queen character Mrs. “Mother” Coleman drama- with the Russians, he used the words: “Trust, accomplishments. Unlike the Energizer, the tized the lengths a Relater would go to sacrifice but verify.” Mover does not believe in the concept of “Fake himself and prove loyalty to the family. This is the credo of the Observer. it until you make it” or spinning a career with Relaters hold a similar position in an office Well-educated Observers take pride in their smoke and mirrors. environment, where they are the go-to person keen intelligence and excel in occupations In real and reel life, Movers are usually not for all the latest gossip. They are nosey, asking involving law, science, mathematics, architects immediately likeable. They don’t try to charm the most personal of questions and violating and, of course, as detectives. Albert Einstein was or take pains to be pleasant. In fact, their blunt personal space, sitting close to strangers and an Observer, as are Stephen King and director manner can put many people off. Yet when they taking liberties of friendship. David Lynch. are at their best, Movers are natural leaders to The Energizer Observers function at many different levels. whom everyone looks in a time of crisis. They The world of film and literature is rich with At their best, they are top-notch scientists or at- can be excellent but stern mentors and can go characters with the Energizer personality. Often, torneys, well versed in every aspect, every minute out of their way to help others climb the ladder Energizers are the main characters of the story detail, of their profession. Many Observers can of success. or film because they are exciting, attractive and be found on Court TV where, as attorneys, they Movers crave control and power above all energetically in quest of a goal. More passive find the most obscure detail of the law that gets else. Unlike the Energizer, they have the focus personality styles are drawn to them in fascina- their client out of jail, free. Most detectives are and patience to methodically plot their course tion and because they secretly wish to have their Observers, as they take pleasure in analyzing and and can wait years, even decades, for their plan energy, drive and passion. piecing together elements of a crime. to come to fruition. Scarlett O’Hara, played by Vivian Leigh in Observers usually play out a scenario in their Keenly observant of the world around them, the filmGone with the Wind, is a good example minds before taking an action. Reasons for this Movers take nothing at face value. Credibility is include the Observers’ intense desire to always be Continued on page 6 December 2006 –  History of the Mystery Continued from page 1 Clipping Service Snippets The 1980s was a fateful decade for all mystery By Verna Suit Charlaine Harris, Erin Hart, Lois Foster writers. It saw the resurgence of the Hammett- January is a good time to remind authors Hirt, Heidi Holzer, Linda Hutton, Linda Chandler type private eye novel. There was also who have a new book out, or one coming O. Johnston, Peg Kennedy, Annette Mahon, a major transformation of the private eye novel, out soon, about the Sisters in Crime Clip- Sujata Massey, Ann Mummenhoff, Susan which opened the window of opportunity for ping Service. For a mere $10 a year we’ll scan Oleksiw, Sandra Parshall, Susan Persak, authors of traditional mysteries. newspapers, magazines and Roxanne Piccen and Judith New and good in the 1980s were Robert some internet sites looking for Skillings. Crais, Loren Estleman, Joe Gores. But some- reviews of your books and send However, there are always thing quite amazing occurred with the advent you anything we see. gaps. We are currently in need of women as private eyes. Prior to the novels of The prodigious task of gath- of clippers for: Marcia Muller, Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky, ering reviews is accomplished Kirkus New York publishers had a narrow view of the with the help of a loyal cadre of The Baltimore Sun private eye novel. It was considered to be the volunteer clippers who moni- The Washington Times American mystery, novels written by men with tor publications and forward If you (or a library where male protagonists. The traditional mystery was mystery reviews to me year in you work) subscribe to any of deemed the preserve of dead English ladies, and year out. A big thank you these publications and would no American women need apply. Sharon Mc- to them all and to the several be willing to send their mys- Cone, Kinsey Millhone and V.I. Warshawski new clippers who joined the tery reviews to me on a regular changed American mystery publishing forever. effort this year: Carol Baier, basis, please get in touch. Their huge success convinced NY publishers Margaret Baker, Elizabeth Contact me also if you’d like that American mystery readers were interested Becka, Luisa Buehler, Lillian to sign up for Clipping Service in books by and about American women. This Stewart Carl, Judy Cater, Kathleen Chalm- coverage or would like more information: opened the window of opportunity for writers ers, Nancy Cohen, Anna Ashwood Collins, , or 3111 Helsel Drive, such as myself. By the end of the ’80s, publish- Jeanne Dams, Jinnie Y. Davis, Ann Granger, Silver Spring, MD 20906. ers were scrambling for mysteries set in America with female protagonists. Among the early au- thors who caught that first wave of change were Nancy Pickard, Margaret Maron, Joan Hess, Creating Characters Barbara D’Amato and me. Continued from page 5 Female Energizers are drawn to male Movers The traditional mystery continues to thrive. or a high-powered Observer, while male Ener- It has many incarnations, including regional of an Engerizer. So is the sports agent played by mysteries such as Patricia Sprinkle and JoAnna Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire. Real life examples gizers are drawn toward any of the remaining personality styles. Although it’s possible for a Carl write. Susan Wittig Albert’s present day of the Energizer include a fair number of actors books are a brilliant example of taking an appeal and individuals who have achieved fame for their female Energizer to build a relationship with a male Relater, her main objective is power and to a niche audience and lifting it to national abilities and are noted for their engaging charm. popularity. Susan’s historical mysteries, both This group includes athletes O.J. Simpson and status. She needs a mate who can help fuel and accomplish her dreams. her own and those written with her husband Kobe Bryant, who have faced violent criminal Bill, are prime examples of successful historical charges yet retain a core fan base. Reel and Real Life mysteries. Both luck and hard work are responsible In the 1970s, comedians poked fun at swing- Other new currents in the mystery are ap- for the Energizer’s success, but charm goes a ers visiting bars and asking an attractive person parent in the chick lit novels of Mary Kay An- long way in helping him along in life. Of all their astrological sign in order to strike up a drews, aka Kathy Trocheck, Sarah Strohmeyer the styles, the Energizer is the most likeable conversation. The answer didn’t matter – it was and Susan McBride. New and different are the because he operates with a win-win mentality simply a come-on line. futuristic novels of J.D. Robb. The forensic and feels a responsibility to dazzle and charm However, in many Indian cultures, parents mystery was first lifted to bestsellerdom by on command. This style can be used to build of marriageable children take astrological signs Patricia Cornwell. a character who manipulates his way through quite seriously and may refuse permission if the The mystery thrives because it is an important life, trading on a heady combination of intel- signs are not compatible. part of literature. Mysteries address the bedrock ligence, wit, inherent likeability, natural ability As an author, your goal is to deliberately find issue of good and evil. The mystery states clearly and instinctively knowing how best to play the discord between personality styles to increase and absolutely that evil exists, but the efforts of hand he’s been dealt. conflict and tension. Where would the tension the detective offer a testament that the human Energizers often have a smile, good word be in the Odd Couple if Oscar Madison shared an spirit seeks goodness and decency and justice. and quick joke for everyone, but are often quite apartment with a slob? Or if Felix Unger found a As long as hearts beat and minds care, there different in their private lives. If your character roommate who enjoyed cooking and cleaning? will be mysteries. is an Energizer, consider that he may have two By tweaking the individual personality styles distinct sides to his personality. For example, of your characters to create maximum conflict, This was first presented as part of a panel on an Energizer is always “on” — whether trying you create a more enjoyable experience for your the History of the Mystery at the Manhattan (KS) to charm colleagues or his kids at home. Yet readers. Mystery Conclave on October 1, 2005. Patricia radiating all that energy is draining. Try to place Sprinkle traced the beginnings of mystery litera- him in scenes where you capture his reflective Marisa D’Vari is the author of Creating Char- ture from The Bible to Poe. Susan Wittig Albert nature to give the character (and the audience) acters: Let Them Whisper Their Secrets. explored history as mystery. a break from all that excitement. As a general rule, Energizers do not have other Energizers as friends or lovers. Such a relation- Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership ship is competitive by its nature, as Energizers You can renew your SinC membership online with PayPal at: . have a deep-rooted need to be the star. One can Click on “Join SinC.” speculate that the Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman Renewals are due January 31, 2007. Dues are $40 for U.S. and Canadian members and marriage didn’t work out because they are both $45 for all other countries. To renew by mail, send the form you get from SinC and a check Energizers. to: Sisters in Crime, P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044. December 2006 –  New England BIP in Hibernation Sisters “Kill” Nude By Vicki Cameron arrived through the website. I suspect it will Last summer BIP got a rave review on become more popular as people get used to Calendar: Opt for Dorothy L. Some members were discussing the idea. the problem of keeping track of what books E-mail continues to be the preferred Mysterious Version you had bought and/or read. A woman named method, with 443 entries. Usually, I receive Caroline said: about the same number of faxes and mailed Instead “I also just went through my copy of Books entries. This year, 59 faxes and 111 regular By Roberta Isleib in Print 2006 from Sisters in Crime (hard mail entries arrived. I attribute this shift to copy). I quickly annotated over 300 books the difficulty of getting through on my fax What do a poisoned martini, a body buried which I already own/have read but also high- — the line always seems busy. In addition, in the suburbs and a deadly car ride have in lighted about 20 new authors I intend to check my fax sulked on the humid days and refused common? They are all part of a mysterious cal- out in the near future — either brief descrip- to accept anything. I received a record eight endar published this fall by the New England tive lines piqued my interest or the location phone calls this year and it was a delight to Chapter Sisters in Crime. When the SinC board of the book may have aroused my interest talk to each one of you. challenged its chapters for proposals to help and then I checked out Amazon for further BIP 2007 will arrive in your mailboxes in celebrate the organization’s 20th Anniversary, information, with the intent to January. I warn you now that if buy. I did notice that several of you didn’t respond to the request my ‘favorite’ authors aren’t listed for entries last May, your entry is in there, though. I would heartily gone. Those are the rules. recommend that authors get their I confirmed receipt of the entry info to Vicki Cameron for the to every e-mail, fax, and mail that SinC Books in Print. It’s a great included an e-mail address. There reference work for those of us were a few confirmations that who love to read and are always bounced because I was unable to looking for new authors.” decipher the handwriting. Inter- Thank you, Caroline, I hope estingly, there are only a handful you enjoy BIP 2007 — 206 new of authors without e-mail. authors are included and there are If you find your entry was 138 new books from BIP veterans. That’s a lot deleted, simply go to the website and enter of reading. With 645 authors listed, the variety again. of books is sure to suit every taste. We’ll do regular updates on the website, New England chapter treasurer Ruth McCarty The world of new and small presses is vi- so your entry will get electronic airtime even came up with this winning idea. brant. About 90 new presses spring up every though it missed the print version. More than 60 members, both published and year and I have to delete about 80 presses. I Please note that our web service is in its unpublished, were photographed by Roger don’t know if that’s because the venture failed, early days. I know you all expect to have your Leo in mischievous rather than naughty poses. or the author didn’t get around to sending in entry posted within the hour, but we are still Despite the popular movie, Calendar Girls, her BIP information. But there have been working on the details of how to do that for starring nude British women, enthusiasm for more presses springing up than failing for the members while holding non-members at bay. last five years. We also agreed that it is pointless to update the The authors are full of enthusiasm. It shows website while the new BIP is being collected, as in the large volume of entries that appear in the this would mean an overhaul every day. We’ll first few collection weeks, the liveliness of the work our way through these concerns in the book descriptions, and the attention to detail next year, so please bear with us. shown by the authors I contact for clarification Vicki Cameron’s e-door is always open for your of various points. BIP entry: . (This is The website BIP form was a huge success in a new e-mail address.) So is Web Maven Peggy’s its first full BIP season. Two hundred entries website door: .

authors from Rockport, ME to Hanover, NH to Roger saw this as a very different opportunity New Haven, CT to Cambridge, MS. According from his usual work in Middle East war zones. to vice president Cathy Cairns, we went into (Maybe not as much as you thought, eh Roger?) the photo shoots with some vague ideas about We also hired talented graphic designer Jane posing without clothing was underwhelming. a theme. But then each group of authors took Kennedy to put the calendar together. So we concluded that naked calendars had been on its own life. As you might imagine, distribution and sales done to death and went with poison and other And we called on the flexibility of all our are our next big hurdles. Cathy Cairns has spent mayhem instead! sisters. For example, when many attempts to many hours developing a page on our website In the original proposal, we imagined au- borrow motorcycles for the shoot with Janet that will handle online orders with a secure shop- thors clustered according to the “concept” of Evanovich fell through, we climbed onto an ex- ping cart. But now the presses and the cart are their books: Tess Gerritsen in a morgue, Janet cavator conveniently parked in her yard. Authors rolling! The calendars are selling for $12, with Evanovich in front of an exploding car, Linda in Maine bought scrubs to join Tess Gerritsen discounts for large orders. Barnes as a cabbie, Bill Tapply gone fishing, for an autopsy with Jerry Healy laid out on the The calendar team conclusion? This project Dana Cameron on an archeological dig and so slab and a group in Connecticut showed up in was far more work than anyone anticipated, but on. We soon realized we had too much talent cocktail dresses and drank “martinis” at a funky also a lot more fun! Our New England sisters for 12 months, not to mention a problem with Irish bar. were good-natured and supportive. And we’re including as many members as possible. Not to The concept changed in other ways as well. thrilled with the results — this calendar cel- mention a logistical nightmare! Rather than use different photographers for each ebrates the very best of Sisters in Crime. Instead, our calendar team traveled across photo, we were able to secure the services of Check out our website: . December 2006 –  Kiss Her Goodbye Allan Guthrie The Dead Don’t Get Out Much Mary Jane Maf- Anthony Six Bad Things Charlie Huston fini* Inside Out John Ramsey Miller Awards Special Service to the Field Best Short Story George Easter, Deadly Pleasures Steve Hockensmith “The Big Road” AHMM The Anthony Awards were presented Sep- Janet Rudolph*, Mystery Readers Interna- Peter Lovesey “Needle Match” Murder is My tember 30, 2006 at Bouchercon in Madison, tional Racket WI. The winners are in bold, * indicates a SinC Maddy Van Hertbruggen, 4 Mystery Addicts Nancy Pickard* “There Is No Crime on Easter member. Sarah Weinman, Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Island” EQMM Mind Joan Richter “Love and Death in Africa” Best Short Story EQMM “Driven to Distraction” Best Mystery Novel Tom Savage “The Method in Her Madness” Marcia Talley* Chesapeake Bloodlines Jan Burke* AHMM Crimes II The Lincoln Lawyer Michael “House Rules” Libby Fisch- Connelly Don Sandstrom Memorial Lifetime Achieve- er Hellmann* Murder in Mercy Falls William Kent ment in Mystery Fandom Vegas Krueger* Janet Rudolph* Mystery Readers Journal/ Barbara “Killer Blonde” Elaine Red Leaves Thomas H. Mystery Readers Inter- Viets* Drop-Dead Blond William Kent Cook national Seranella “Misdirection” Barbara To the Power of Three Laura Seranella* Greatest Hits Krueger Lippman* “There is No Crime on Easter Island” Nancy Pickard* EQMM

Best Fan Publication Barry Awards Janet Rudolph Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine’s Barry Awards were presented during Bouchercon in Madison, WI. The winners are in bold, * denotes Derringer a SinC member. Awards Best Novel Jon and Ruth Jordan Bloodlines Jan Burke* The Short Mystery Fiction Society recently Red Leaves Thomas H. Cook presented its annual Derringer Awards. The win- Crimespree Magazine Jon and Ruth Jordan* Mercy Falls William Kent Krueger* ners are in bold, * denotes a SinC member. Deadly Pleasures George Easter Sudden Death David Rosenfelt Mystery News Lynn Kaczmarek and Chris Al- Mr. Lucky James Swain Best Flash Story drich* The Power of the Dog Don Winslow “Secondhand Shoe” Patricia Harrington (2005, Mystery Scene Magazine Brian Skupin* and A Flasher’s Dozen) Kate Stine* Best First Novel “The Last Journey” Mary Schenten Mystery Readers Journal Janet Rudolph* Die a Little Megan Abbott “Word Power” Michelle Mach* Immoral Brian Freeman “Hell Hath No Fury” BJ Bourg Best First Mystery The Baby Game Randall Hicks “No Atheists in Foxholes” Stephen D. Rogers* The Baby Game Randall Hicks Dark Harbor David Hosp Die a Little Megan Abbott Cold Granite Stuart McBride Best Short-Short Story Immoral Brian Freeman “Zipped” Stephen D. Rogers* (2005, Wind- Officer Down Theresa Best British Novel chill: Crime Stories by New England Writers) Schwegel* Blood-Dimmed Tide Rennie Airth “Twilight of the Fireflies” John Weagly Tilt-a-Whirl Chris Gra- Lifeless Mark Billingham “Roses at His Feet” Todd Robinson benstein* Silence of the Grave Arnaldur Indridason “The Day the Bad Men Came” Andy Henion A Good Day to Die Simon Kernick “Hangman’s Tree” Deanne Boast Best Critical/Nonfiction Field of Blood Denise Mina Behind the Mystery Stuart Lost Michael Robotham Best Mid-Length Short Story Kaminsky “One Step Closer” Iain Rowan for (2005, Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew Best Thriller Hardluck Stories) and the Women Who Cre- Company Man Joseph Finder “Best Wishes” JR Chabot Chris ated Her Melanie Rehak Consent to Kill Vince Flynn “The Spare” Woody Hanstein Grabenstein Heirs of Anthony Boucher The Inside Ring Michael Lawson “Johnny Cash is Dead” Jordan Harper Marv Lachman New An- Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly “A Death in Ueno” Mike Wiecek notated Sherlock Holmes Leslie S. Klinger Map of Bones James Rollins Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel Hallie Private Wars Greg Rucka Best Longer Short Story Ephron* “The Safest Place on Earth” Mark Best (Spring Best Paperback Novel 2005, Thrilling Detective Website) Best Paperback Original The James Deans Reed Farrel Coleman “Monday, Sweet Monday” John F. Dobbyn Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Susan McBride* Six Bad Things Charlie Huston “Good Shepherd” Frank Zafiro* The James Deans Reed Farrel Coleman Night’s Child Maureen Jennings* “Fish” Stephen Johnston A Killing Rain P.J. Parrish Now You See Me Rochelle Krich* “The Cherries of Lucullus” Steven Saylor

December 2006 –  Sue Feder Historical Mystery Award “So many assumptions are made about what Dilys In Like Flynn Rhys Bowen* an African-American, Asian or Hispanic lifestyle Spectres in the Smoke Tony Broadbent is that characters get pigeonholed into outdated, The War of the World Murders Max Allan incorrect, and insulting situations,” says Patricia Award Collins E. Canterbury, the founding president of the Night’s Child Maureen Jennings chapter. “It is important that we support those The Independent Mystery Booksellers Associ- Pardonable Lies Jacqueline Winspear* who write real fiction about our culture so that ation presents the Dilys Award to the book they the ‘old times’ are not repeated.” most enjoyed selling throughout the year. The Formed in 1999, our chapter seeks to promote 14th annual award went to Thirty-Three Teeth Shamus the growth and development of writers of color and was presented by Pat Kehde at Bouchercon. in the mystery genre and to increase their vis- Author Colin Cotterill was speechless — liter- ibility. We plan to achieve this by taking the same ally. He held up two, hand-lettered signs that Awards approach adopted by SinC’s founders, combin- read, “I lost my voice, Thanks for this.” ing our collective voices and writing power to Nominees for the Dilys included: The Shamus Awards were presented Sep- effect change via education, networking and Half Broken Things Morag Joss tember 29, 2006, at the Private Eye Writers of mentorship, and by taking on an activist role. In a Teapot Terrance Faherty America’s 25th anniversary banquet in Madison, The segregation of the works of authors The Cold Dish Craig Johnson WI. The winners are in bold, * denotes a SinC of color in bookstores is one of our primary The Power of the Dog Don Winslow member. concerns. Canterbury says that it’s her hope The Tenor Wore Tap Shoes Mark Schweizer that “the writings of African-American, Asian, Best Hardcover Hispanic/Latin American, and Native American Oblivion Peter Abrahams writers will some day be displayed in the mystery Macavity The Lincoln Lawyer Michael Connelly section of local and chain bookstores in alpha- The Forgotten Man Robert Crais betical order by author rather than in the Black, In a Teapot Terence Faherty Far East, Latin American and Native American Awards The Man with the Iron-On Badge Lee book sections.” Goldberg* The Authors of Color chapter is open to all The winners of Mystery Readers Interna- Cinnamon Kiss Walter Mosley fans, pre-published writers and published writ- tional’s Macavity Awards were presented at ers of color anywhere in the world who are also Bouchercon. The winners are in bold, * denotes Best Paperback Original members of SinC National. Even if you’re not a SinC member. Falling Down David Cole* a person of color, you’re eligible to join if you’re The James Deans Reed Farrell Coleman committed to the goal of raising the awareness Best Novel Deadlocked Joel Goldman* of the contributions of people of color to the One Shot Lee Child Cordite Wine Richard Helms mystery genre. The James Deans Reed Farrel Coleman A Killing Rain P.J. Parrish The chapter’s business will be conducted The Lincoln Lawyer Michael Connelly primarily online, but we plan to host local Vanish Tess Gerritsen* Best First Novel events that will give us an opportunity to net- Strange Affair Peter Robinson Blood Ties Lori G. Armstrong work, share resources, and discuss the unique The Power of the Dog Don Winslow Still River Harry Hunsicker problems we face. We are currently seeking to Solomon vs. Lord Paul Levine* The Devil’s Right Hand J.D. Rhoades fill five steering committee positions and are in Forcing Amaryllis Louise Ure* need of volunteers who can help out on an oc- Best First Novel casional basis. If you’re hardworking, energetic Immoral Brian Freeman Best Short Story and innovative, we welcome you. Please look for All Shook Up Mike Harrison “Oh, What a Tangled Lanyard We Weave” Par- a gathering of Authors of Color at the upcoming The Baby Game Randall Hicks nell Hall, Murder Most Crafty Left Coast Crime conference in Seattle. The Firemaker Peter May “Two Birds with One Stone” Jeremiah Healy,* If you would like to join the Authors of Color AHMM chapter, have a project you’d like us to undertake Best Nonfiction: “The Big Road” Steve Hockensmith, AHMM or just want to send a word of encouragement, Tracks to Murder Jonathan Goodman “A Death in Ueno” Michael Wiecek, AHMM please e-mail me at . It is our hope to soon have a web viewed Stuart Kaminsky; photographed by page up and running, so stay tuned! Laurie Roberts Lifetime Achievement New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Novels Max Allan Collins Leslie S. Klinger Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Join SinC Listserv Created Her Melanie Rehak Authors of By Sandra Parshall Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife Mary Roach SinC has launched a listserv that will Color Chapter allow all of us — writers and non-writers Best Short Story — to exchange ideas, information and “It Can Happen” David By Pamela Samuels-Young opinions about the genre we love and sup- Corbett in San Francisco President port. The list will not be used for blatant Noir Twenty years ago, when a handful of women self-promotion and topics must be mystery “Everybody’s Girl” Robert joined forces to create Sisters in Crime, they set and publishing related. Sandra Parshall will Barnard out to address inequities faced by female mystery be the moderator. “The Big Road” Steve Hock- writers as well as the unfavorable depiction of With more than 3,400 members, several ensmith, AHMM women in mysteries. In the years since their first hundred of them outside the U.S., SinC “There Is No Crime on meeting, tremendous progress has been made. is already a powerful advocate for equal- Easter Island” Nancy Pick- Writers of color in the mystery genre face ity in the mystery field. Let’s talk and get Nancy ard* EQMM similar biases. SinC’s recently revived Authors to know one another better. To join the Pickard of Color chapter seeks to address the unique conversation, go to . world of publishing. December 2006 –  tention from Master Writers Barbara D’Amato and Libby Hellmann. The chapter is still ham- Coming up: Conferences mering out registration and program details and more information will be forthcoming. If you have any questions, please contact Silvia Foti, Chicago chapter president, at . MURDER GOES SOUTH with authors, publishers and agents. The confer- SMYRNA, GA ence will be held April 20 to 21, 2007, at the Friends of Smyrna Library and the Atlanta Ramada Inn in Fresno. Registration is $125. chapter of SinC will co-sponsor the fifth annual Faculty will include keynote speaker Jan BookExpo America Murder Goes South conference from January Burke, Earlene Fowler, Cara Black, Patricia 26 to 27, 2007. Smyrna is a close-in suburb of Wynn, Dylan Shaffer, Naomi Hirahara, Tim In the Big Apple Atlanta and the Friends of the Library organiza- Wohlforth, Simon Wood, Camille Minichino, tion is a member of SinC. Dr. Cynthia Clark, Victoria Heckman, Ann By Cynthia Baxter, President Margaret Maron will deliver the Friday Parker, Margaret Dumas, and John Daniel of New York/Tri-State Chapter evening keynote address. While the conference Fithian Press. focuses on Southern mystery writers or mysteries New York City will be hosting BookExpo with a Southern setting, all writer members of America (BEA) from June 1 to 3, 2007, at the Sisters in Crime are invited to attend and sign MAYHEM IN THE MIDLANDS Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. books in a variety of Smyrna Village venues. OMAHA, NE It promises to be great fun as well as a chance for published authors to get some good exposure. Registration is $50. For more information, see Margaret Maron will be the guest of honor . On those three days, Friday through Sunday, and Nancy Pickard, toastmaster, at Mayhem in we’ll need volunteers in the booth who can the Midlands, to be held May 24 to 27, 2007, answer questions and hand out literature about LEFT COAST CRIME 2007 at Embassy Suites Hotel in Omaha. Registration Sisters in Crime. Volunteers will be admitted to is limited to 200. For more information, check SEATTLE, WA the exhibition hall at no charge. In addition, we out the website at . coordinating tasks: one to coordinate author Coast Crime, to be held February 1 to 4, 2007, signings, one to take care of badges (they have at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, 515 Madison MURDER IN THE GROVE to be passed from one person to another), and Street, Seattle, WA 98104. one to take charge of SinC materials, having The guest of honor will be Gayle Lynds; the BOISE, ID them mailed to her house and delivering them fan guests of honor, Diane Kovacs and Kara Murder in the Grove, featuring guest of honor to the Javits Center. Robinson; and the toastmaster, Gary Phillips. Robert Crais, will be held June 8 to 9, 2007, at We also need published authors who are will- For more information, check out the website: the Boise Center on the Grove. The conference ing to autograph and give away (not sell) 30 to . is for fans and writers of mystery, thriller and 50 copies of their books, which their publishers romantic suspense fiction. Author panels and should provide. Authors should also consider LOVE IS MURDER writing workshops, forensic and criminology volunteering to stay in the booth before or after workshops, as well as appointments with top their book signings. SinC members from all over ROSEMONT, IL agents and editors will be available. PLUS, on the country are invited to sign up for an hour The ninth annual Love is Murder Mystery June 8, a full day master class for writers, “Em- of autographing in the booth on a first come, Lover’s Conference will be held February 2 to powering Characters’ Emotions,” will be given first served basis. 4, 2007, at the Wyndham O’Hare Hotel in by Margie Lawson, M.S. If you’re interested in volunteering to run the Rosemont, IL. The convention is for readers, The conference cost of $100 includes all booth, take on a special coordinating task and/or writers, librarians — any and all fans of the workshops and panels, a book fair, dessert party, autograph books, please contact me at . For more information on favorite books and authors. tertainment. The master class, agent and editor about the event, visit . ing classes by Anne Perry and Nancy Pickard; are additional. Special rates of $99/night for a Saturday tea party; and a banquet and award conference participants are available at the bou- ceremony followed by an author talent show. tique Hotel 43 in downtown Boise. Also, Idaho’s Crossword Puzzle Solution There will also be a whiskey tasting party, com- Popular Fiction Association, Inc., sponsors a plete with bagpipe music, and an evening of contest for unpublished writers in connection O D O R N I P S O V E R T ghost stories with Carolyn Haines. Expect to see with the conference (you do not need to attend editors, agents and a bookstore full of surprises, the conference to participate). F I V E I D E A K A Y O S along with a crime scene reenactment; readings For more information (including lots of things I D E S G L E N A N E C K at Twilight Tales; handwriting and polygraph to do in Idaho) and registration, visit , call 208/343-8739, or R I T E L S Chicago Swordplay Guild. write P.O. Box 4762, Boise ID 83713. D A N T E A N I L D I S H For information, visit or call 847/891-6588. THE MYSTERY WEEKEND L O R D P E T E R W I M S E Y DES PLAINES, IL T R U I S M C A S K H A L RAISIN’ WRITERS The Chicago chapter of Sisters in Crime is A N N E I B E G I S E R E planning its first annual retreat for mystery FRESNO, CA G N U D N A writers, open to all Sisters in Crime members. T H E N I N E T A I L O R S The San Joaquin chapter of Sisters in Crime It will be held at the Cabrini Retreat Center, L A U R A T R O T A P A T is pleased to announce its inaugural Raisin’ 9430 Golf Road in Des Plaines IL, from June Writers Conference, which will offer something 29 - July 1, 2007. A T L A S E L L E D U K E for writers of all genres. The idea is to bring Participation will be limited to 25 to allow D E A T H R E D S A S E T emerging writers throughout California together for a productive experience and maximum at- Verna Suit ©2006 December 2006 – 10 20th Anniversary What’s a Girl (or Female Mystery Events Author) to Do? March 1–30, 2007 Public libraries celebrate 20 years of Sisters in Third Quarter Summary, Crime with special displays and reviews. Review Monitoring Project May 4–6, 2007 SinC celebration at Malice Domestic. By Judy Clemens, Chair Maron, Nancy Pickard and many, many others Review Monitoring Project in our membership. Just because something is August 30–September 3, 2007 The numbers for the third quarter of the considered a traditional mystery doesn’t mean SinC and the Chicago chapter host a National Review Monitoring Project are rolling in. So it won’t have an avid and well-numbered audi- Mystery Writers’ Workshop. far we’re seeing a possible one percent rise in ence – these Sisters prove that. women’s books being reviewed – a solid 45 per- Anne Gallagher, our monitor of the Toronto September 29, 2007 cent, as compared to men’s 55 percent. This is a Globe and Mail, wonders if the industry itself Closing celebration at Bouchercon. lot better than when the Project began 20 years is the problem: ago. Lots better than even five years ago. “Is it likely that there is greater industry sup- October–November 2007 This isn’t to say every publication is at this port and therefore better publicity for male au- Release of SinC anthology edited by Sara level. We’ve got our 20/80 papers, our 38/62 thors? Do publishers consider male authors to Paretsky. papers and even a couple around 50/50. And of have more prestige and wider readerships than course, we have our stand-by Romantic Times female authors? Such as it is with books and at 86/14 and a nice surprise in some others that shows by celebrity chefs where male chefs are Bookstore/Library lean toward women authors, such presented as important tastemak- as the Contra Costa Times and the ers with exclusive restaurants but Grants Winston-Salem Journal. women chefs are marketed as home Sisters in Crime has budgeted $10,000 from So of course our job is not done. entertainment experts with lines of Authors Coalition money to assist independent How do we explain Booklist being kitchenware. Think of Wolfgang bookstores and public libraries in promoting au- the 62/38 publication? It’s a maga- Puck versus Rachel Ray. By this thor events that are not funded by the publisher. zine for librarians that sells a lot point I am wondering if women Funding runs to August 31, 2007. of books. Or the New York Times authors are marketed differently Bookstores and libraries can apply for up to Book Review, which reviews 60 per- by their publishers and therefore $300 for one event in a calendar year. cent men? Is it that a lot of women the publicity machine works less Money is to be used only for additional ad- are published in paperback? Or that aggressively for them. Are women vertising/publicity (radio, newspaper ads, special a lot of women write traditional authors given the softer peddle? Has mailings). It cannot be used for what bookstores mysteries? Or simply that the reviewers prefer the thinking that went into the so-called chick and libraries would normally do, i.e. newsletter male authors? (Or think they do.) lit followed into the mystery market? Does the or website listings. But you may come up with MaryFrances Clinton, co-president of the publishing industry believe there is a special ideas that we haven’t thought of. Cochise County Chapter of SinC, wrote to market for women authors with an almost Any author being promoted must be a current me after reading my last article. She noted exclusively female readership?” member of Sisters in Crime. In a group event, all that part of the explanation for some of our So many good questions to ask. I certainly participating authors must belong to Sisters in higher review percentages may be that women don’t have the answers, but I can say with cer- crime. Authors can join before the event. are writing more of what sells at today’s Top tainty that a lot of us are searching for them. Authors must have at least two books in print Ten Level and what reviewers are looking for: Laura Lippman spoke about these very ideas by an established publisher; no self-published strong police procedurals and thrillers. The at Bouchercon, when she talked about reviews or POD books can be promoted by Authors problem, MaryFrances says, is that we need to of men that speak of their “genius” and “spec- Coalition money. do that “without losing our special women’s tacular plotting” while women are discussed as Funding may be spent on the same author touch of sensitivity to the personalities, emo- “hard workers” or writers who “really do their only twice and must be in different geographic tions and relationships of both good and bad homework.” Aren’t we the little worker bees? areas. characters in our stories. That added value Hurrah for us. Only independent bookstores and public brought to a strong factual story filled with the So, really, what is a girl to do? libraries can apply for the money. You may want story-teller’s art of suspense and surprises won’t I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to to “reserve” your money in advance since only just move women to the fore in the economic keep talking to reviewers. I’m going to keep about 34 stores/libraries can be funded, and we side of writing. It will also shift our booksell- talking up my Sisters’ books, I’m going to keep have to rule out duplication of funded authors. ing market into the genuinely added value of my eyes on the media and I’m going to write You will be reimbursed when receipts of print- exploring those real questions of who/what/ the best darn novels I can. And I’m going to ing, postage, etc. are sent to the SinC treasurer why/how of life and living. That in turn can write them well because I’m smart and creative. after the event. offer a desperately needed counter-balance to Not just because I do the best I can. Sisters in Crime must be listed as a sponsor the current economic and media overload of of the event. extreme and un-real story-telling.” Judy Clemens is the coordinator of the Review Address questions/applications to: Mary Lou This isn’t to say that only thrillers can sell Monitoring Project. If you’d like to share your Wright, P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044- these days. We have very successful women thoughts and comments about the state of our 8933; fax 785/843-5909; e-mail . ditional mysteries: Carolyn Hart, Margaret write to her at .

Bookstore Beat If you have any information about bookstores cluelass.com> or write to Kate Derie, 6702 N. By Kate Derie opening, closing, or moving or you want to rec- Casas Adobes Drive, Tucson, AZ 85704-6124. We did not detect any bookseller changes ommend an independent bookstore that has an For up-to-the-minute changes, consult the Deadly from July to September 2006. excellent mystery section, please e-mail .

December 2006 – 11 THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET By Patricia Gulley Carole Shmurak, DEATH BY COMMITTEE, Deep South; A LOVER’S UNDERSTAND- Announcements for new books (please, no re- SterlingHouse, October 2006 ING, Exfactor Anthology, both October prints), short stories, articles and plays (all relating June Shaw, RELATIVE DANGER, Five Star, 2006 to mysteries), also nominations December 2006 Bonnie Hearn Hill, PART LIGHT, PART and awards, may be sent to Connie Shelton, OBSESSIONS CAN BE MEMORY, Death Do Us Part MWA anthol- Patricia Gulley via snail mail MURDER, Intrigue Press, November 2006 ogy, August 2006 to: 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue, Nancy Springer, THE CASE OF THE MISS- Elaine Menge, BOXES OF HELL, Alfred Hitch- Portland, OR 97217-7849 or ING MARQUESS, February 2006; THE cock’s Mystery Magazine, October 2006 e-mail to: . Please put Sisters in January 2007, Philomel DUTCHMAN AND THE MADAGASCAR Crime, The Docket or InSinC PIRATES, The Mammoth Book of Jacobean in the subject line — otherwise Patricia Sprinkle, DEATH ON THE FAM- Whodunnits, Carroll & Graf, (U.S.), Robin- your e-mail won’t be opened. ILY TREE, Avon, January 2007; GUESS son (UK), June 2006 The deadline for the next The Docket is January WHO’S COMING TO DIE?, Signet, Feb- 10, 2007. ruary 2007 Beverle Graves Myers, HAVEN CITY, Spinet- J. B. Stanley, CARBS & CADAVERS, Midnight ingler Magazine, Fall 2006 Books Ink, September 2006; A FATAL APPRAISAL, Radine Trees Nehring, THE HANGING, Mys- Megan Abbott, THE SONG IS YOU, Simon Berkley Prime Crime, October 2006 teries of the Ozarks Vol. II, September 2006 & Schuster, January 2007 Vicki Stiefel, THE GRIEF SHOP, Leisure Press, Judith R. O’Sullivan, SUICIDE AT THE SEA Suzanne Adair (Suzanne Williams) PAPER September 2006 ISLE CITY, Deadly Ink 2006 Short Story WOMAN, Whittler’s Bench Press, October Denise Swanson, MURDER OF A REAL BAD Collection, Deadly Ink, June 2006 2006 BOY, Signet, August 2006 Margaret Searles, K.M. Kavanagh, Victoria Mignon F. Ballard, THE ANGEL AND THE Heckman, James M. Murphy, Suzanne JABBERWOCKY MURDERS, St. Martin’s How to Send in Your Entry Caplette Champeau, Bonnie J. Cardone, Press, December 2006 Please do not send publicity sheets or your Marilyn Meredith, Kris Neri, Sunny Frazier, Nash Black (Irene Black and Ford Nashett), website address as your announcement to The Earl Staggs, Gay Toltl Kinman, Jill Cogen, QUALIFYING LAPS, OutSkirts Press, June Docket. The format is simple: JoAnne Lucas, Candii Vedrin, Sherri Patton, 2006 Name of author, TITLE OF BOOK, Name Molly Rae Doust, Chelle Martin, Hap E. Judy Boettcher, SWEETER THAN HONEY, of Publisher, Month to be released. Traylz, Charla Maine and Kit Sloane, GONE Wings Epress, October 2006 Name of Author, TITLE OF STORY, COASTAL Anthology, Seven Sisters Publish- Name of magazine or anthology, Month to ing, September 2006 Nancy J. Cohen, PERISH BY PEDICURE, be released. Kensington, December 2006 William G. Tapply, UNPLAYBABLE LIES, The awards and nominations should be in Murder In The Rough, Mysterious Press, Genie Davis, FIVE O’CLOCK SHADOW, sentences. June 2006 Kensington, February 2007 No ISBNs, character names, series names or Carole Nelson Douglas, NOAH’S RIDE — A places to buy the books will be listed. Young Adult Collective Novel, Chapter 11, TCU Press, Lauren E. Smith, ASHLEY ENRIGHT INVES- October 2006 William G. Tapply, OUT COLD, St. Martin’s TIGATIONS, PublishAmerica, May 2006 Carola Dunn, GUNPOWDER PLOT, St. Press, September 2006 Non Fiction/Articles Martin’s Minotaur, September 2006 J.D. Tynan, JILL 9, A Better Be Write Publish- Patricia Harrington, LESSON LEARNED: Silvia Foti, THE DIVA’S FOOL, Echelon Press, ing, February 2006 NEVER SAY NEVER, Mystery Readers May 2007 Charlene Weir, EDGE OF MIDNIGHT, St. Journal, Murder in the Far East edition, Chris Grabenstein, SLAY RIDE, Carroll & Graf, Martin’s, December 2006 Summer 2006 November 2006 Gayle Wigglesworth, INTRIGUE in Italics, Gay Toltl Kinman, THE CHILDREN’S Jo A. Hiestand, PEARLS BEFORE SWINE, Koenisha Publications, October 2006 HOUR: MYSTERIES SET IN ITALY Hilliard & Harris, September 2006 Short Stories/Anthologies (SECONDO), Mystery Readers Journal, Bonnie Hearn Hill, IF IT BLEEDS, September Spring 2006 Leslie Budewitz, THE END OF THE LINE, 2006; CUTLINE, October 2006; OFF THE Kris Neri, WRITING KILLER MYSTERIES RECORD, November 2006, Mira Books Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, De- cember 2006 DVD, T2G Productions, July 2006 Gay Toltl Kinman, DEATH IN COVENT William G. Tapply, GETTING STARTED: GARDEN, Hilliard and Harris, May 2006 Warren Bull, A LADY OF QUALITY, Down- GoSun, September 2006 WRITING THE MYSTERY NOVEL, The Lorena McCourtney, STRANDED, Revell, Writer November 2006 October 2006 Abby Chambers (Barbara J. Williams) MALL MADNESS, Deadly Ink 2006 Short Story Awards/Miscellaneous Susan McDuffie, A MASS FOR THE DEAD, Collection, Deadly Ink, June 2006 Five Star, November 2006 Elaine Sandra Abramson’s TRICK OR TREAT Sharon Love Cook, LEGEND OF JUDG- took first place in June in the First Ever Pat Leslie Meier, BAKE SALE MURDER, Kensing- MENT ROCK, Great Mystery and Suspense DeClue Writing Contest and third place in ton, December 2006 Magazine, October 2006 the Youth Themed category for THE CON- Marilyn Meredith, CALLING THE DEAD, Peggy Ehrhart, TURNABOUT, Futures Mystery TEST. In May 2006, her children’s story Mundania Press, September 2006 Anthology Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2006; MRS. HOW ARE BABIES MADE? took second Joan Opyr, IDAHO CODE, Bywater Books, WASHBURN, Crime and Suspense, October prize in the National Association of American March 2006 2006; PHOTO OP, Flashing in the Gutters, Pen Women’s literature competition. Excerpts Katherine Hall Page, THE BODY IN THE IVY, 20 September 2006 from CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE: THE William Morrow, November 2006 Patricia Harrington, IT’S IN THE BLOOD, MEMOIR THE CANADIAN GOVERN- Ann Ripley, DEATH IN THE ORCHID GAR- Silver Moon Magazine; VYING FOR A MENT CONFISCATED - SILENCE IS A DEN, Kensington, November 2006 SOUL, AlienSkin, May 2006; ANTIGUAN LIE and DAMNED IF I DO both were final- ists in the Writers’ Network Competition. Jinx Schwartz, JUST ADD SALT, Treble Heart MEMORIES, Amazon Shorts, July 2006; Books, November 2006 MOONLIGHTING ISN’T EASY, USA Continued on page 13 December 2006 – 12 Using a Contact Management System By Wendy Gauntt and the system automatically ignores missing data, for spam trigger words to help you keep your Eleanor Sullivan in this case, a postal address. Similarly, missing e-mails Inbox-friendly. We know you’ve been collecting names in e-mail addresses are disregarded when sending Once a year, perhaps right before you send anticipation of using a contact management electronic mail. holiday cards, go through the system to clean system we told you about in the June 2006 In- By the way, don’t break the CAN-SPAM law! up your data. Eliminate duplicates, add notes SinC. You’ve selected a system (we recommend We assume you have permission to e-mail your you may have missed during the year, remove Act! for most of you) and you’re ready to enter contacts, but just to be safe, include an opt-out contacts you no longer need, and check that your valuable contacts. option so recipients can politely decline if they contact information is as up-to-date as you Before you enter any contacts into your change their mind. Be sure to update your con- know. If you have a large database of contacts, system, you need to decide how you want to tact system with those requests so that they don’t this may be time-consuming. Tackling the task categorize them. Some people are lumpers, put- inadvertently get future emails. a few hours at a time over a week or two makes ting everyone into just a few buckets. Others are So you’re using your system and sending out it easier to keep focused. When your eyes begin dividers, splitting their contacts into dozens of announcements. How do you keep your contacts to blur, it’s time to take a break. highly specific categories. up-to-date? Periodically (weekly or monthly) As with any other project, once you’ve been Too few groups, and you can’t target your go through both received and sent e-mail mes- working with the system for a while, you will marketing; too many, and it quickly becomes sages. Select significant messages that might be find it becoming more and more routine. Be a maintenance nightmare, consuming far more relevant for future contact, such as an offer to adventurous and try new features on a regular time than necessary. A reasonable compromise? review an upcoming book or an offer to host a basis — as you move from beginner to power Start with five to eight categories and tie the book event. Cut and paste that information on user, you’ll find more and more ways to reach categories to the kind of marketing activities you out to your network. Then sit back and enjoy plan to do. For instance, reader/fan, bookseller, the benefits of reaching more people and selling and writer are useful categories for most of us, more books! because we’ll send different announcements to each of these groups. You’ll probably want a cat- Wendy Gauntt is president of CIO Services, an egory for friends and family and, since you can the appropriate contact’s page in the “notes” sec- on-demand tech company specializing in computer put people into several groups, add anyone who tion, and mark it for follow-up, if appropriate. support and website design. Visit to learn more. Eleanor Sullivan is the Now that you’re organized, it’s time to enter and other updates. And if you’ve done a group author of the Monika Everhardt medical mystery your contacts. Begin with your friends and fam- e-mail, double-check any bounced emails to see series (Twice Dead, Deadly Diversion, Assumed ily members, then add colleagues from your day if they are still valid. Dead) and served as Secretary on the SinC Board jobs, neighbors, and those you know through This updating should take only 15 to 30 min- of Directors. Visit her at . tions. You may be surprised to discover how enough to capture into the system. You can do many people you know and who know you. the same with necessary information from phone Be selective. Choose only people who will be calls or voicemail messages. If you think this pleased to hear from you. Your old high school periodic process might be too time-consuming, The Docket boyfriend’s wife might not be happy to find remind yourself of how much time you spend Continued from page 12 her names on your mailing list! Add everyone hunting through piles of notes to find exactly who has contributed to your writing work: the information you need. Judith Cobb Dailey’s erotic mystery romance, publishers, booksellers, readers who attend your As with all systems, there are some disad- AMAZON ROSE, won first place in the ro- signings, author colleagues and writers’ organiza- vantages. Integration with your website or mail mance category at the 2006 Pacific Northwest tions, among others. system, such as Outlook, may not link smoothly, Writers Conference. For some contacts, you may only have an despite vendor promises. Electronic contact Genie Davis’ THE MODEL MAN, a chick lit e-mail address; for others you may have several data are changed frequently, often resulting in mystery, received the reviewer’s choice award phone numbers, work and home address, and a bundle of returned messages. One helpful from Romance Readers at Heart. more. Add a note about where or how you met option is to use an online tool, such as Plaxo. A play based on Gay Toltl Kinman’s short story, the person, such as “friend of Mary’s” or “Bor- com or CardScan’s Accucard service, which will MYSTERY IN A SMALL THEATER, was der’s signing May 06” to refresh your memory e-mail your contacts regularly to request updated produced by The Lizard Theater in Alhambra, in the future. You’ll find there’s a place to enter information. These services only work, however, CA in August and September. nearly anything, from birthdays to pet names, with a valid e-mail address. Christy Tillery French won the 2006 Single but it’s generally best to stick with the informa- Another issue — some spam filters are so Titles Reviewers’ Choice Award for THE tion most relevant to your marketing efforts. finely tuned that they stop messages even from BODYGUARD AND THE SHOW DOG When you’re tracking thousands of contacts, known contacts. Universities and government from the Cata Network on August 18. less is more. Address, e-mail, and phone are addresses are especially selective, and you may most important. find those nearly impossible to reach via your Marlene Stephens won First Place in the Deadly What happens when you want to market but simultaneously sent messages. For starters, Ink Short Story contest in June 2006 for THE you’re missing data? Systems like Act! are pretty avoid large graphics or file attachments, along SPOTTED PONY. smart. When you’re ready to contact all your with intensive use of popular terms like “free,” Ronda Wells’ GIFT OF DEATH won the readers, for instance, you select the “reader” “amazing,” “great offer” and “order now.” You “2006 Unpublished Division – Inspirational” group to send an electronic message or print ad- can even run your e-mail through a spam- Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in dress labels. If you’re printing labels and you have checker, like Lyris’ popular free service . It looks chapter. December 2006 – 13 SinC Launches 20th Anniversary Celebration at Bouchercon XXXVII, September 26 to October 1, 2006, Madison, WI Text and Photography By Bonnie J. Cardone The highlight of the long weekend was SinC’s Just Desserts party on Editor, InSinC Saturday night. Hundreds of people enjoyed key lime pie, cheesecake, It was an exceptionally busy Bouchercon and SinC was everywhere. cream puffs, chocolate covered strawberries and birthday cake. As lines The white canvas book bags, stuffed with as many as 20 books and a snaked along two buffets with water fountain centerpieces, new president, bright red umbrella, bore our 20th Anniversary logo. Among the opening Rochelle Krich spoke welcoming words and introduced the seven God- panels was “Sister Act: Sisters in Crime’s 20th Anniversary,” moderated desses (aka former presidents) present. Then Parnell Hall sang a song he by Jim Huang and featuring Carolyn Hart, Rochelle Krich, S.J. Rozan, wrote for the event, accompanying himself on the guitar. By the end, the Zoe Sharp and Dana Stabenow. Held in a large room, it was packed with audience was singing the refrain with him. a vocal, appreciative audience. The 1,000 people who came to Bouchercon were housed in three hotels The convention’s Fan Guest of Honor and Toastmaster were “Mister” and traveled to four venues for panels and other special events. Interviews Sisters Jim Huang and William Kent Krueger. They seemed to be having with the International Guest of Honor, M.C. Beaton, and Special Guest, fun. Joseph Wambaugh, were at the elegant Monona Terrace, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed facility on Lake Monona (Madison sits between two lakes). The American Guest of Honor interview and the Anthony Awards were held at the beautiful Overture Center. It was here that Libby Hell- mann accepted a proclamation issued by Wisconsin’s governor in honor of SinC’s 20th. Private Eye Writers of America, celebrating its 25th an- niversary, also received a proclamation. Lifetime Achievement honoree, Robert B. Parker, was unable to come to Bouchercon and David Corbett delivered a tribute to him during the Anthony Awards ceremony. As usual, I learned many things, including: • Madison harbors a large herd of fiberglass cows, each uniquely painted, soon to be auctioned off for charity. • International Guest of Honor Marion C. Beaton is a delightful British Left to right: Goddesses Kate Flora, Carolyn woman who authors the Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin books, among others. And no, she does not intend to write another Regency Hart, Libby Hellmann, Nancy Pickard, Sue romance, she thinks 100 are quite enough. Henry and Margaret Maron. • Joseph Wambaugh was a closet poetry reader during his 14 years as a cop. Interviewed by James O. Born, Wambaugh recounted anecdotes from his career with the LAPD and said he’s writing a TV pilot based on his latest book, Hollywood Station, for David E. Kelly. • SinC member Nevada Barr hasn’t written an Anna Pigeon novel for two years because she’s been busy razing her life to the ground and

Let them eat cake and cream puffs and key lime pie and cheesecake and chocolate covered strawberries...

Goddesses present and future with Parnell Hall (left to right): Margaret Maron, Nancy Pickard, Carolyn Hart, Libby Hellmann (seated) Parnell Hall, Eve Sandstrom, An appreciative crowd reacts to Parnell Hall’s song Kate Flora and Rochelle Krich. December 2006 – 14 The “mister Sisters” Carolyn Hart introduced — Fan Guest of International Guest of Honor, Jim Huang, Honor, M.C. Beaton. and Toastmaster, The Sisters panel (left to right): Zoe Sharp, Rochelle William Kent Krueger. Krich, S.J. Rozan, Carolyn Hart, Jim Huang and Dana Stabenow. starting over. She got divorced, took up painting (cats) and survived Katrina in New Orleans. By the time you read this, she’ll be remarried and working on a new book. Nevada didn’t stand at the podium. Instead, sitting on the edge of the stage, her ankle length skirt spread around her, she talked to us as if we were a few visitors in her living room instead of hundreds of fans in a many tiered theater. The SinC board met before the convention. Preceding the dessert party on Saturday night there was a business meeting, during which the 2006 – 2007 board was unanimously elected. Brand new Goddess Libby Hellmann turned over the white stuffed Seal of Office to brand new President, Rochelle Krich. The other officers are: Roberta Isleib, vice president; Marcia Talley, secretary; and Kathy Wall, treasurer. New board members include Judy Clemens, Special Guest Victoria Houston and Jim Huang (the first male elected to the SinC board). Re-elected were American of Honor, Joe S.J. Rozan, Donna Andrews and Doris Ann Norris Guest of Honor, Wambaugh. Nevada Barr. Sisters in Crime’s Anniversary Song By Parnell Hall I’ll show you mine Libby Hellmann They have car chases Twenty years ago with proclama- Stop on a dime On a dark and stormy night Just like the guys do tion issued by Some feisty woman authors Sisters in Crime Were itching for a fight Wisconsin’s They said, “How come it’s just the guys It started small governor in Having a good time?” Nothing much to see honor of SinC’s They went out and founded All that they wanted Sisters in Crime Was parity 20th. Parity schmarity Sisters in Crime, boys, In next to no time Sisters in Crime Who’s in the forefront You show me your gun Sisters in Crime

Women succeeded In nothing flat How did the fellas Feel about that? I’ve got the answer Here in this rhyme Brothers are joining Sisters in Crime

So gather round And let’s give three cheers Now that we’ve lasted For 20 years Twenty years is nothing It’s next to no time We’re just getting started Mary Lou Wright Sisters in Crime kicks up her heels Now and forever — after 16 years Sisters in Crime The 2006–2007 Board (left to right): Jim Huang, as treasurer, she’s Parnell Hall is the author of the Doris Ann Norris, Victoria Houston, Kathy Wall, handed the job to Puzzle Lady crossword puzzle myster- Roberta Isleib, Judy Clemens, Marcia Talley, Kathy Wall. ies, and the Stanley Hasting private Donna Andrews (kneeling), Rochelle Krich. Not eye novels. pictured, S.J. Rozan. December 2006 – 15 DEADLINES

✔JANUARY 10, 2007 — Deadline for submission of items for March Docket. Send to Patricia Gulley, 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue, Portland, OR 97217-7849 or e-mail . ✔JANUARY 15, 2007 — Deadline for March InSinC newsletter. Contact Bonnie J. Cardone, 3116 Trisha Court, Santa Maria, CA 93455-7137; phone: (805) 938-1156; or e-mail: . Other newsletter deadlines are April 15, July 15, and October 15.

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