sign in sign up
<<
Home , Amanda Flower, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Tony Hiller

the Sisters in Crime Quarterly Vol. 26, No. 1

Steps Forward, Steps Back by Barbara Fister

women, Mystery Scene had fewer reviews Best Paperback Original, and Mary Hig- he Monitoring Project, begun in the but a higher percentage (41%), with rt gins Clark awards was up slightly from last 1980s, continues to chart women Reviews as usual giving the lion’s share of year, but women’s share fell in all but the writers’ percentage of book reviews. T reviews to books by women authors (75%, category and in total The 2012 project results show, that in some up from last year’s 69%). fell from 54% of all submissions in 2011 categories, women authors made progress, to 48% (with duplicate submissions sub- but in others women saw a decline in their Though the number of print publica- tracted). Once again women had a smaller percentage of total reviews. tions monitored has dropped in the past share of submissions for Best Novel (38%) five years, reflecting the dwindling space Among four national newspapers moni- and Best First (35%), but a majority in the devoted to book reviews in newspapers, we tored, gains were made, particularly in the Paperback Original category (66%). have begun monitoring more born-digital New York Times (rising from 34% to 41%); review sources, hoping to capture a sense In the final analysis, women writers have however, the overall number of reviews of how women writers are faring in these made significant progress toward equity appearing in these newspapers dropped by non-traditional but increasingly important in their share of review space over the just more than 10%, a pattern that means information outlets. years. Progress since last year? Not much. in most cases fewer women writers are get- We are pleased, though, to make a start on ting noticed even though they gained in Online reviews examining non-traditional review outlets the share of reviews. An exception is the We monitored three online review publi- that are making up for review space lost Washington Post, which has both increased cations—“Book Bitch,” “I Love a Mystery in traditional publications, and to see that the number of mysteries reviewed and the Newsletter,” and “Reviewing the Evidence.” women authors in the digital environment percentage of women authors covered. All three publications are edited volunteer are being fairly well represented. operations which together published more Among local newspapers, a dozen moni- than 1,000 reviews. We also aggregated Thanks, as always, to the many volunteers tored publications gave 39% of their mys- the contents of a half-dozen book blogs who take the time (and sometimes the tery review space to women writers. This maintained by individual readers, with detective work) required to conduct this percentage is down slightly from 42% last occasional guest reviews. Altogether, these annual census. year, but is higher than in the four previ- blogs contained around 700 reviews. ous years. Though these online sources may have a Prepublication reviews smaller readership than many newspa- The news was mixed in pre-publication pers, they publish far more reviews. Added review sources. All four magazines— together, the reader blogs reviewed more Booklist, Kirkus, Library Journal, and Pub- books by women than men. The multi- lishers Weekly—increased the number of author review sites varied from having less mysteries reviewed, but women’s share than a third to nearly half of their reviews dropped slightly to 45%. Booklist once again devoted to books by women. lagged with 41% of mystery reviews devoted to books by women authors, and Library Gender of published mysteries Journal had the highest percentage, 55%. To gain a sense of the gender breakdown of published mysteries, we once again used Crime fiction magazines were a bit less submissions for as a rough generous to women authors. Deadly Plea- estimate. The total number of submis-

sures gave 37% of its reviews to mysteries by sions to the Best Novel, Best First Novel, Mark Coggins by inSinC Get a Clue the Sisters in Crime Quarterly The mission of Sisters in Crime is to promote the professional development and Hello from Hank advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry. ...... 3 Editor’s Note Hank Phillippi Ryan, President Sally Brewster, Bookstore Liaison Molly Weston ...... 3 Laura DiSilverio, Vice President/Pres.-Elect Cari Dubiel, Library Liaison Chapter News ...... 4 Stephanie Pintoff, Secretary/Publicity Val McDermid, At-Large Beth’s Bits Robert Dugoni, At-Large Cathy Pickens, At-Large Beth Wasson ...... 7 Kathryn Wall, Treasurer/Authors Coalition Liaison Barbara Fister, Monitoring Project Martha Reed, Chapter Liaison Frankie Bailey, Past President We Love Libraries! Mary Boone, Library Adviser Sarah Glass, Web Maven/Social Media Debra H. Goldstein ...... 7 Laurel Anderson, inSinC Proofreader Kaye Barley, inSinC Proofreader SinC into Great Writing Gavin Faulkner, inSinC Proofreader Molly Weston, inSinC Editor/Layout Cathy Pickens ...... 8 Beth Wasson, Executive Secretary, po Box 442124, Lawrence ks 66044-2124 Do You Wanna Be in Pictures . . . . .9 Phone: 785.842.1325; Fax 785.856.6314; e-mail [email protected] Events & Happenings ...... 10 SinC + Writers Police Academy ...... 11 Writing Contests ...... 11 Sisters in Crime Past Presidents Law & Fiction—Getting the Facts Straight 1987-88 1988-89 Leslie Budewitz ...... 12 1989-90 1990-91 Susan Dunlap Red Flags for Mass Murderers 1991-92 Carolyn G. Hart 1992-93 P. M. Carlson Katherine Ramsland, PhD . . . . .13 1993-94 Linda Grant 1994-95 Barbara D’Amato 10 Tips for Better Photos 1995-96 Elaine Raco Chase 1996-97 Annette Meyers Mo Walsh ...... 14 1997-98 Sue Henry 1998-99 Medora Sale ne Crimebake Lives on in Pictures . . 15 1999-00 Barbara Burnett Smith 2000-01 Claire Carmichael McNab SinC Board Minutes ...... 16 2001-02 Eve K. Sandstrom 2002-03 Kate Flora 2003-04 Kate Grilley 2004-05 Patricia Sprinkle The Docket ...... 17 2005-06 Libby Hellmann 2006-07 Rochelle Krich ala Annual Conference—Call for 2007-08 Roberta Isleib 2008-09 Judy Clemens Participants ...... 20 2009-10 2010–11 Cathy Pickens Deadlines & Submissions • Deadline for articles for the June issue of inSinC is April 15. • Include name, e-mail and mail- Legend ing address, and phone number In 2008, the board of directors of Sisters in Crime implemented a new strategic plan. Three with submissions. goals emerged from this plan: inSinC articles will be marked with icons to represent the • Send columns, articles, high-res photos, appropriate goal. ideas, praise, and story ideas via e-mail to Molly Weston [email protected] Advocacy, monitoring, and reporting 919.362.1436 The Docket Professional education and career development • To list your publications and award nominations, login to SistersinCrime. Membership growth, networking, and forums for members org and look for “The Docket” under “Members Only.” Fill in the informa- tion, one entry per publication. • Information on the SinC website will be updated regularly and will be avail- able to anyone under “Resources.” • The Docket will continue as an item in inSinC. just the facts • inSinC is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four times a year. • One-year dues are $40 for professionalus and Canada writers and $35 for non-professionals, (add $5 for other countries). Two-year dues are $80 and $70; lifetime, $400 and $350. • Address and all other changes can be made by members on www.SistersInCrime.org. If you do not use a computer or need a username please contact Beth Wasson at 785.842.1325 or [email protected] • Informa- tion in inSinC 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. No material may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime ©2013. inSinC -2- March 2013 Hello from Hank

A few years later, she came back to Chan- appy New Year! Can it be 2013? Are nel 7—as my producer. College-age dream we all looking at each other and fulfilled. Hurray! But that’s not all. A few asking—how can the time go by so H years later, she decided to write a book. quickly? I am. And it’s also a good time to Which she did. And she asked me to read contemplate—if “contemplate” is possible and critique it. Sure, I thought. I like books. in this fast-paced life!—how we got where Can do. we are. And how we can make a difference in the time we have. So I read her book—and loved it. It sold, it was a success, she wrote more. She became Quick story for you. And, I promise this has very connected in the publishing world, she a point. knew the score and the system and all the When I started working as an investigative people. Hurray! But that’s not all. reporter in , I had an intern named I thought—huh. I bet I could write a book, Marianne. A college junior, she arrived in too. (How hard can it be, I thought. Ha. But my office with “Hello Kitty” barrettes in her

that’s another story.) Suarez Essdrass by Photo pigtails, ripped jeans, and a tendency to say “like” more than one might hope. She also Anyway, I turned to Marianne for help. By on this creative journey. So let’s look for- came with a dream. She said, “All I want to this time I was 54 years old, and Marianne— ward to our first steps this year. Veterans, be is your producer.” my new mentor!—was 34! The result, a little remember when you were the new kid more than a year later? My first novel, Prime Okay, then. Smart girl. I thought, you know, and how important (and exciting) it was Time. Hurray! people helped me when I was new. Now, it’s to get guidance from someone more expe- rienced? And new writers, don’t hesitate to my turn—okay, Marianne, you’re my girl. All because of that college girl in pigtails, ask for help and support! That’s what we’re And I proceeded to teach her everything and my decision—so long ago!—to offer here for, right? For each other? I knew. her my experience. Let me know what I can do. And what Soon after, she graduated and came back So, sibs, that’s my wish for all of us in 2013. Sisters in Crime can do. That’s what we’re to Channel 7 as an assistant producer. (In To offer a hand, a heart, a helpful word—a here for. Hurray! a black suit and pearls.) Hurray! But that’s shoulder, a martini, a critique, a pointing not all. Soon after that, she left and went in-the-right-direction. You know how I With much affection, off to a big fancy producing job in Califor- always talk about first steps, and my goal as nia. Hurray! But that’s not all. president to help each sister (and brother) —Hank Editor’s Notes The prefix “re-” The Docket oes anyone else remember newspa- Although my mother was a first-grade I was glad to see so many sisters and mis- per “fillers”? I used to love reading teacher, she was a non-reformed Latin ters submitting information this quarter. those little tidbits of information D scholar. Any time someone on tv used Let me stress a few points: that just didn’t come up in school or on quiz the phrase “report back” or “refer back,” • Titles and awards cannot be older than six shows. I miss them. Hoping that you do, I’m Mother would start her lecture: “Re means months prior to inSinC’s publication date. slipping in some that may be useful. to go back. You don’t need to say refer back. For the June edition, titles must have been Two spaces after punctuation That’s redundant.” Mother hated redun- published no earlier than January 2013. • Enter information exactly as it should Do you know why this rule changed? Com- dancy—and it still grates on me. appear. Book titles have initial caps except puters (unless you use fixed width fonts Unnecessary prepositions for articles and conjunctions, i.e., “The such as Courier) build in proportional Sometimes conversational English makes Scary Example of Mother Goose.” spacing. The rule now is only one space its way into writing. Right now, I’ve noticed • Awards are for only the title you’re sub- after punctuation. If you’re still putting in the word “of” sneaking into ‘way to many mitted. We’re happy you may have won two spaces, take a look at a full page print- sentences: “She went outside of the house for other books or stories, but we cannot out of your work. See the “tunnels” created to her car.” Think about it. Would she ever list them for this entry. at the end of sentences? It will help stop go of the house? them (or at least make them smaller) if you —Molly convert to only one space.

inSinC -3- March 2013 Chapter News

Desert Sleuths Chapter www.DesertSleuths.com SistersInCrimeAtlantaChapter.com Desert Sleuths (Arizona) were thrilled to “History’s No Mystery” according to Atlanta learn that their latest anthology SoWest: SinC member, Dr. Annette Liang, a histo- Desert Justice has been named one of the rian who quit her academic career to write Best Anthologies of 2012 by Suspense and perform what she calls “non-boring Magazine. This is the second year in a row history for kids.” She presented an enter- our anthology has received this accolade taining program providing numerous tips from one of the finest mystery magazines. on researching and using history in fiction The trade paperback edition is available on at the January meeting. Annette is author Amazon and an e-book is in the works. of “The Snipesville Chronicles,” a series of More than 50 Desert Sleuths members middle-grade mystery novels about three attended our annual Member Appreciation kids from America’s most boring town who Party at 5th and Wine in Old Town Scott- find themselves reluctant time-travelers sdale on December 12. They responded to in British and American history. She also an invitation saying, “After a year of kidnap- performs her creative history programs ing, murdering and terrorizing people, you in schools and libraries, and gives teach- deserve a little love.” ers’ workshops and keynote speeches. Her scholarship includes “Heathens and Infi- Coming soon is our annual hands-on work- dels?” an article on African Christianity in shop “Nuts & Bolts: Fine-tuning Your early America that is recognized as a major Mystery for Publication,” on February 9. work in its field. Read more about Annette Desert Sleuth authors will give presenta- at www.AnnetteLaing.com. tions on Plots that Kill, Scene of the Crime, Cop Facts, and other topics at this free, In February, Debby Giusti presented her all-day event held at the Scottsdale Civic “Pitch Perfect” talk on getting an agent. Her Center Library. intriguing “elevator speech” taught us how to better summarize our novels. She spends most of her time writing inspirational romantic suspense. (www.debbygiusti.com)

Guppies Tina Whittle, a mystery writer living and www.Sinc-Guppies.org working in the Georgia Lowcountry and another escapee of academia will spur our By the time this is published, our chapter will be gearing up for imagination in March and demonstrate nominations for the June election. We’ll need a new president using the tarot to spur creativity. Read more and more Members At Large—the number depending on what about her and her hip Southern mystery the membership is at that point. series set in Atlanta at www.tinawhittle. We also have a new editor for “First Draft,” our newsletter. com. Susan Evans, who has done the job for seven years, goes out New officers for 2013 include president, on a cloud of glory, having built this publication into something we’re all proud of. We had Debbie Rasure; vice president, Louise Rich- many applications for the position when she announced she was leaving to pursue her own ardson; secretary, Nancy Hogue; treasurer, writing after all this time and the choice was hard! We settled on Lourdes Venard, who Anne Lovett. Committee chairs are mem- comes to us with a long list of credentials and experience, and bursting with enthusiasm. bership, Mary Anne Edwards; publicity, Meanwhile, in January, Linda Lovely taught an online class on dialogue; and, Jacqueline Nancy Hogue; newsletter, Rebecca Butler; Corcoran gave one on Opening the Mystery. Hank Phillippi Ryan taught us how to do website, Debbie Yutko. public speaking in February and Pepper O’Neal is giving us Wordpress instruction in March. More incredibly helpful classes are scheduled throughout the year.

inSinC -4- March 2013 Chapters—continued Los Angeles Chapter www.SistersInCrimeLA.com

Chicagoland Chapter Holidays are all about tradition, and the www.SinCChicago.com Los Angeles chapter continued three of its longest and most cherished customs at our Sisters in Crime Chicagoland had a busy fall O’Donohue (author of the Kate Conway December Holiday Potluck. After humming season. Vice president and program chair mysteries and the Someday Quilts myster- holiday tunes played by our favorite pianist Diane Piron-Gelman aka D.M. Pironne, ies). This workshop was a great success that and watching magic tricks performed by author of No Less in Blood, arranged for a we hope to repeat in coming years. two of our author members, we paused to series of well-attended programs. First in introduce Tammy Kaehler, Linda O. John- September, at Centuries & Sleuths Book- In November the group returned to Centu- ston, and Darrell James as the editors of our store in Forest Park, Lori Andrews dis- ries & Sleuths for a session “How to Polish sixth chapter anthology, Last Exit to Murder, cussed her latest bestselling book I Know Your Manuscript!” Emily Victorson, pub- slated for publication in 2013. The theme is Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: lisher of Allium Press, and Diane Piron- short stories that capture, with crime, the Social Networks and the Death of Privacy. Gelman, editor of Word Nerd, Inc., walked essence of the Los Angeles car culture. In this new book, Lori explores how our the group through several important steps in refining work before submitting it for digital identities on the Web—e-mail, per- Anthologies are big business. Avid readers publication. sonal websites, and social media pages—are love them. A quick look on Amazon reveals starting to overshadow our physical identi- On Saturday, December 8, SinC-C’s Annual nearly 54,000 short story collections in books ties. And that made for a fascinating dis- alone. History shows that inclusion in one cussion of current trends and problems. Holiday Luncheon at the Greek Islands Restaurant featured thriller author Jamie of our anthologies adds to a writer’s resumé and has even led to an agent or a publishing In addition to authoring a series of thrill- Freveletti (author of the Emma Caldridge contract. The 16 contributing authors were ers, Lori is the director of the Institute for mysteries and The Janus Reprisal) as spe- selected from more than 60 blind submis- cial guest speaker. Jamie gave an engaging Science, Law and Technology at the Illinois sions from bestselling authors to first-time talk about how she was asked by the estate Institute of Technology. writers. The 2013 anthology authors are: of Robert Ludlum to write the most recent Lori Dillman, Donna May, Laura Brennan, In October SinC-C and the Schaumburg entry in his Covert One series under his Lynn Allyson, Andrew Jetarski, Miko John- Township District Library presented a day name. From the first approach to her agent ston, Beverly Graf, Sally Carpenter, Laurie long Writers’ Workshop Day that was a hit through the writing, publication, and mar- Stevens, Stephen Buehler, Nena Kelty, Julie with members. Hands on classes included keting, Jamie described her experiences. It Beers, Eric Stone, Avril Adams, Bonnie Car- “Creating Memorable Characters” with was great fun for all of us. Gail Lukasik (author of the Leigh Girard done, and Paul D. Marks. SinCC was well represented at the Love Is mysteries and The Lost Artist); “Crafting In keeping with our mission to promote Suspense” with Patricia Rosemoor (author Murder conference in Chicago February the professional development and advance- of the McKenna Legacy series and Hot Trick 1–3. A panel of local published and aspiring ment of our members, we have, since the a Detective Shelley Caldwell Novel); “Point authors talked about how Sisters in Crime early 1990s, used the holiday party to show- of View” with Michael Allen Dymmoch has helped them, and there was an inter- case several emerging writers who have yet (author of the Thinnes Caleb series and view with David Walker, a local member to be published in the crime fiction genre. m.i.a.); “Killer Opening Scenes” with Clare and the conference local guest of honor. The following members read a short pas- sage from work-in-progress: Diann (D.J.) la Chapter 2013 Anthology authors Adamson, Arlene L. Walker, Craig Faustus Buck, Jill Amadio, Kerri Kahn and Cyndra Gernet.

Finally, each year chapter members donate to charity. This year we collected nearly $600 for the American Red Cross Hurri- cane Sandy relief.

The chapter took a hiatus in January, but behind the scenes, plans were underway for a “noir” panel at our February meeting; our signing schedule at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and, the California Crime Writers Conference program.

inSinC -5- March 2013 Chapters — continued

Mary Roberts Rinehart Chapter www.pghsinc.com

Members of the Mary Roberts Rinehart (Pittsburgh) Chapter gathered in the small town of Confluence pa for our annual writ- ers’ retreat on the sunny weekend of Octo- ber 12–14. We took over That Dam Yough House and the neighboring mobile home for three days of writing, eating, workshops, eating, brainstorming, eating, and socializ- ing. And eating.

Friday afternoon, members found their way to the rental house and ordered pizza. Well fed and comfortably attired (in some cases, in pajamas), we gathered in the living room for a critique session led by our guest instructor, Susan Meier. This gave us all a chance to find out what our compatriots were currently working on, as well as to receive some invaluable input into what worked and didn’t work with our stories.

Saturday we opened the retreat to “day pass” members—those who weren’t able to attend the entire weekend, but wished to partici- Mary Roberts Rinehart Chapter members already look forward to their next retreat! pate in Susan’s workshops. The morning’s session, titled “Know Your Story,” guided us through coming up with our core story, a one-paragraph summary, a back-cover blurb, and the synopsis—in addition to fig- uring out our plot points. After lunch, Susan continued her presentations with “Execu- tion,” instructing us on journey steps and making each of our scenes work for us. That evening, we took a stroll in the brisk autumn air to the River’s Edge Café for dinner. Murder We Write Sunday wrapped up with a session on “Pull- www.MurderWeWrite.com ing it all together.” Things are popping in the Triad area (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem) of North Between workshops, participants enjoyed Carolina! On February 10, Editor Chris Roerden shared the “Must Know 10 Ps & a Q for free time to write or to walk or bike around Submitting.” For the March 10 program, Teresa Fannin, Regional Advisor for the Society the quaint town nestled in Pennsylvania’s of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, talked about writing for children and young Laurel Highlands. Other than the take- adults—and knowing the differences. Both programs were held at the High Point Library. out pizza and the Saturday night dinner, food was provided by the attendees, which Members look forward to the April 14 meeting at the Pennybyre Conference Room in helped keep our costs down. Jamestown which will be “Meet a Police Dog and Bring Your Book to Life.” Everyone is hoping for good weather for outdoor “play.” Everyone who attended came away feeling a fresh bond with our fellow Sisters in Crime, The May 19 meeting will be led by Lynette Hall Hampton whose topic will be “Put Romance not to mention a renewed enthusiasm for in Your Mystery and Mystery in Your Romance.” This meeting will be back at the High our works in progress. Point Library.

inSinC -6- March 2013 Beth’s Bits

Sisters in Crime had an incredible 2012!

inC was able to complete a web redesign and enhance benefits to its Smembers. Malice Domestic • The first new feature is the streaming book Sisters in Crime will have its annual Malice covers at the bottom of the home page. All Domestic Breakfast. Registration for the SinC authors were asked to send their breakfast is on www.SistersInCrime.org book cover and author web site to me. and will be on Saturday, May 4, at 7:30 am. Magazine Lawrence Your book cover with a link to your author The cost is $20 for a full breakfast. Register web site will be put in the module and will on line or by mail. Deadline for reserva- Courtesy appear in a rotation throughout the year. tions is May 1. Send your check for $20 to We will send you an e-mail when your book cover is featured. We will market Sisters in Crime this feature to libraries. Bookstores, and po Box 442124 others who buy books. You may send Lawrence ks 66044-2124 your book cover and web site to me at [email protected]. Your name will be on the reservation list at the door. Hope to see all of you at Malice! • We didn’t stop with the covers and were able to have a custom designed interac- Sisters in Crime will also have a table in the We Love Libraries! tive map put together by our web maven, Malice Dealer’s Room. Stop by and say hi Good News! Sisters in Crime will enter its Sarah and our data management com- or bring your questions to the table. Stop by fourth year of We Love Libraries money pany, Affiniscape. The goal was to create and get your official SinC lapel pin. Free to giveaway. Encourage your local libraries to a map where librarians, book clubs, all members. enter. Hundreds of SinC authors have been bookstores and conferences coordinators featured in the required photo and SinC has could experience a convenient way to find Dues renewal given away $36,000 to libraries around the SinC authors, contact authors, and link to We are in our final days of the official SinC country. Debra Goldstein, volunteer event author web sites. The map is on the home Dues Renewal Period. It you have not coordinator, is working with each library to page of www.SistersInCrime.org and may renewed for 2013 this will be your final set up an event for the authors in the area be accessed by anyone. Send the link to inSinC Quarterly. Don’t miss out, jump on and for the library. Many SinC authors have your area libraries and book stores, post it www.SistersInCrime, log in and pay your participated in these events and everyone to your Facebook or send it out on Twitter. $35/$40 dues. involved has reported having a great time!

We Love Libraries! by Debra Goldstein

he reports are consistent! Libraries receiving randomly chosen Sisters in Crime “We Love Libraries” $1000 awards are uniformly grateful for the opportunity to enhance Ttheir collections. Their lists of purchased books and submitted pictures showing interaction between SinC members and library patrons clearly demonstrate the impact “We Love Libraries!” has in communities.

It is most fitting that, as SinC members have been reacting to the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, the “We Love Libraries!” October and November, 2012 lot- tery winners were schools. As their librarians explained, not only will the children presently attending St. Paul School in Genesee Depot, Wisconsin and South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia enjoy the books and materials purchased with the “We Love Libraries” award, but future students will also benefit from the generosity of Sisters in Crime.

inSinC -7- March 2013 SinC into Great Writing V— CREATE Your Writing Career! by Cathy Pickens & Bob Dugoni

For four years, Sisters in Crime has partnered with to hold a writing workshop at or very near the confer- ence hotel the day before the world mystery conference begins. Every past president charged with planning the conference has targeted a slightly different focus aimed toward offering helpful information to both aspiring and well-published authors. Bouchercon 2013 will be in Albany ny. SinC into Great Writing V will be on September 18, at the Hotel Albany, in the afternoon. All details have not been completed, but we will keep you apprised. Plan now to be part of this dynamic workshop!

The Create Process

Creativity is not simply a mysterious muse- bestowed gift that some of us get in more abundance than others, but even the most creative artist is left to discover the creative process on her own.

The creative process is a discipline that can be developed, and we can learn to use that process to tap into our creativity more deeply and to produce creative work more Selling Your Novel readily. You’ve written your novel. Now what? In the workshop, we will use tools devel- oped from research into brain science and How do you get an agent’s attention? How the nature of creativity to help you develop do you convince an agent or an editor to and strength your own creative process. take a chance on you? How do you write a knock-out query that catches an agent’s You will learn to interest and a synopsis that forces her to ask • Make better use of your writing time, to see your first three chapters? • Capture and develop ideas, What can help make the sale and what can • Draw on unlikely resources, kill your chances? • Take risks, • Deal with success as well as failure, In the workshop, you will learn techniques • Seek and use critique, to correct the most common mistakes so • Understand procrastination, and that the query, synopsis, and first chapters • Produce more regularly. become tools, rather than an obstacle, to getting your novel published. Presenter In addition to being the author of the South- Presenter ern Fried Mysteries (St. Martin’s), Cathy Bob Dugoni is a New York Times-bestsell- Pickens is also a business professor and con- ing author of legal thrillers. His first book, sultant who has worked with groups ranging the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, from Fortune 500 companies and not-for- was named a Washington Post Best Book of profits to writers’ groups and school prin- the Year. The accolades for his novels have cipals on developing the creative process. continued, including being named a final- Every year, her mba elective fills as soon as ist for the coveted Harper Lee Award. In it opens; and, she is a popular lecturer and addition, he offers a popular series of work- creativity coach. Cathy is a past-president of shops to lawyers (and others) interested in Sisters in Crime. She serves on the board for writing thrillers. Bob is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, and as presi- Sisters in Crime board and lives in Seattle dent of the Forensic Medicine Program. with his family. inSinC -8- March 2013 Do You Wanna Be in Pictures?

If you or anyone you know fits the mold of re you a budding Sherlock Holmes an aspiring gumshoe then APPLY today. looking to put your amateur crime You MUST be at least 21 years old and a solving skills to the test? Do you A legal us resident to be eligible. always figure out the ending before every- body else? Have you always seen yourself as For more information and complete eligi- the main character in mystery novels? bility requirements visit abc.com/Cast- ing or e-mail CastingCatrina@gmail. From the creator of “csi,” Anthony Zuiker, com. Include name, age, phone number, and 51 Minds comes a brand new mystery brief description of yourself, why you think reality competition for abc. Agents are you would be a great crime solver, and two currently scouring the nation for armchair recent photos. Make the subject line your detectives, perceptive problem solvers, or current city and state. All submissions anyone who believes they have the mental become property of the producer. Good acuity to go up against other like-minded luck. sleuths for $250,000. This show is for every- body from ex-detectives who’ve solved Please Note crimes all their lives, to a mother of three Sisters in Crime in no way endorses your who has to figure out when her children are participation in this tv program. We are lying, or where they hid her keys. simply announcing this opportunity.

inSinC -9- March 2013 Events & Happenings

Edgar Symposium & Banquet Thrillerfest VIII Killer Nashville New York ny• May 1–2 New York ny • July 10–13 Nashville tn • Aug. 22–25 Margaret Maron and Ken Folllett will Thriller Masters Anne Rice and R. L. will be guest of honor receive Grand Master awards; Oline Stine, Spotlight Guests Michael Con- at the “place for thriller, suspense, Cogdill and Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore nelly, T. Jefferson Parker, and Michael mystery writers and literary lovers.” will receive Raven Awards; and Akashic Palmer, and Silver Bullet Award www.KillerNashville.com Books will receive the Ellery Queen Recipient Steve Berry will highlight Awards.www.MysteryWriters.com the event. www.ThrillerFest.com Writers’ Police Academy Jamestown nc • Sept. 5–8 Malice Domestic 25 Public Safety Writers Conference A trip to a firing range, suiting up with Bethesda md • May 3–5 Las Vegas nv • July 11–14 the dive team, with top experts—and The conference honoring the traditional Crime writers—fiction, non-fiction, or much, much more. SinC will pay mystery will feature Laurie R. King, technical—will hear experts on topics more than half the registration. guest of honor; , toast- ranging from book promotion to gender www.WritersPoliceAcademy.com master; , lifetime achieve- issues to dna to serial murder, to pros- ment; , Amelia Award; titution, to blog to book to public safety Creatures, Crimes & Creativity Peter Robinson, international guest of websites. tinyurl.com/ahe4y9k Baltimore md • Sept. 13–15 honor; Cindy Silberblatt, fan guest of The literary conference to gather readers honor; Dick Francis, Malice remem- Theaksons Old Peculier Crime and writers of mystery, suspense, horror, ber. www.MaliceDomestic.org Writing Festival, (aka Harrogate) sci-fi, and steam punk will feature keynote Harrogate uk • July 18–21 authors Jeffrey Deaver and Christopher Crimefest Chair Val McDermid will be joined by Golden and special guest authors John Bristol uk • May 30–June 2 Special Guests Kate Atkinson, Charlaine Gilstrap and Trice Hickman. The annual convention draws top crime Harris, Susan Hill, and Ruth Rendell www.CreaturesCrimesAndCreativity.com novelists, readers, editors, publishers and interviewed by Jeanette Winterson. reviewers from around the world and gives HarrogateInternationalFestivals.com Bouchercon delegates the opportunity to celebrate the [Click on “Crime Writing Festival.”] Albany ny • Sept. 19–22 genre in an informal atmosphere. Featured Honorees include for life- guest authors will be announced soon. Midwest Writers Workshop time achievement, P. C. Doherty as www.CrimeFest.com and Indianapolis in • July 25–27 international guest of honor, Tess Ger- [email protected] mww helps writers become published ritsen as American guest of honor, Steve Hamilton as toastmaster, and Chris Historical Novel Society Conf. authors! Faculty incudes John Gil- strap, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Matthew Aldrich and Lynn Kaczmarek as fan St. Petersburg fl • June 21–23 Clemens, D.E. Johnson—and more. guests of honor. www.Bcon2013.com Authors, agents, and editors will share www.MidwestWriters.org their experiences and expertise through Escape to Write panels, lectures, and workshops. Steve Deadly Ink Chester ct • Sept. 27–29 Berry and Anne Perry, guest of honor. New Brunswick nj • Aug. 2–4 Seaside hands-on weekend workshop Two pre-conference workshops with The conference features Hank Phillippi for brainstorming, critiquing, and Charlotte Cook. hns-conference.org Ryan as guest of honor, Rosemary Harris revising with Hallie Ephron, Roberta Isleib aka Lucy Burdette, and Hank California Crime Writers as toastmaster, and Bob Daniher as fan guest of honor. [email protected] Phillippi Ryan tinyurl.com/afvnpob Pasadena ca • June 22–23 LA-SinC and Southern Chapter of Mystery St. Hilda’s Mystery Conference & Writers of America co-sponsor this bien- Yorkshire Tour nial event geared to emerging and estab- Magna cum Murder Cambridge uk • Aug. 15–27 lished mystery writers. Sue Grafton and Indianapolis in • Oct. 25–27 Attend 20th Mystery & Crime weekend will be keynote speakers. The 14th crime writing festival will feature and visit mystery crime sites and hear speakers.www.CCWConference.org Steve Hamilton as guest of honor and Yorkshire mystery writers. Full details of Hank Phillippi Ryan as banquet speaker. tour at www.BritishMysteryTrips.com tinyurl.com/a66o3vr

inSinC -10- March 2013 SinC + Writers Police Academy Happenings - continued isters in Crime is delighted to partner once again with Writers Police Academy (wpa) 2014 for SinC members. SinC will pay $100 toward wpa registration. If you’ve got a writ- Sing buddy who isn’t yet a member, there’s even a link where one can join SinC! Love Is Murder The 2013 Academy will be held September 5–8 at the Guilford Technical Community Chicago il • Feb. 7–9 College Public Safety Building in Jamestown nc. New York Times bestselling author Lisa Featured authors are Jamie Frev- Gardner will be the keynote speaker; New York Times bestselling author, forensic anthro- eletti, Heather Graham, Peter Korn- pologist, and producer of tv’s “Bones” Kathy Reichs will be a special guest speaker; and bluh, Marcus Sakey, and Shane world-renowned dna expert Dr. Dan Krane will also be a special guest speaker. Gericke. www.LoveIsMurder.net Workshops will be staffed by real police, fire, and ems personnel at an actual police acad- Left Coast Crime emy. Drawings will be held for ride-alongs or tours. Monterey ca • Mar. 20–23 Calamari Crime will feature Marcia Sisters and misters have been enthusiastic in their praise after past wpa experiences. Regis- Muller and Bill Pronzini as lifetime tration is underway now. www.WritersPoliceAcademy.com achievement honorees, Cara Black as us guest of honor, as inter- national guest of honor, Sue Grafton as “G” is for Guest, Brad Parks as toastmas- ter, Sue Trowbridge as guest of honor, and Collin Wilcox as ghost of honor. www.LeftCoastCrime.org/2014 Bouchercon Long Beach ca • Nov. 13–16 Writing Contests Honorees inclulde Jeffrey Deaver for lifetime achievement, Edward Marston as international guest of honor, J.A. Jance as Poisoned Pen Press Claymore Award American guest of honor, Simon Wood as Discover Mystery Award June 1 toastmaster, and Al Abramson as fan guest Deadline March 15 Killer Nashville sponsors this con- of honor. First book contest for unpublished writers. test for any subgenre of mystery or www.Bouchercon2014.com www.PoisonedPenPress.com/contest thriller. www.ClaymoreAward.com 2015 Minotaur Books/ pwa Best First Private Eye Malice Domestic Competition Novel Competition Bloody Words IV Check in April July 13 Halifax ns • June 4–7 Sponsored by the Private Eye Writers of Planning is underway for Stormy Weather! Rules for the 2013 competition will America and St. Martin’s Press, the compe- More information will be forthcoming. be posted. tinyurl.com/kkb6gq . tition is open to any unpublished author of www.BloodyWords.com/2015 a private eye novel. tinyurl.com/dxd3pn4 Minotaur Books/ Bouchercon Mystery Writers of America Golden Donut Raleigh nc • Oct. 8–11 (mwa) First Crime Novel August 19 “Murder Under the Oaks” will feature Check in mid-April Short story contest sponsored by the Writ- Margaret Maron, lifetime achievement; Contest rules and guidelines will ers’ Police Academy. tinyurl.com/9wbc2av Kathy Reichs and Tom Franklin, Ameri- be posted. tinyurl.com/qyvt7e . can guests of honor; Zoe Sharp and S. William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Allan Guthrie, international guests of The Prize Grants Program for honor; Sean Doolittle and Lori Arm- Unpublished Writers strong, toastmasters; and Sarah Shaber June 1 and Ron Rash, local guests of honor. Co-sponsored by the Tony Hiller- Usually mid-November Bouchercon2015.org and @Bcon2015 man Writers Conference and Minotaur Grants to two unpublished writers in the Books, the prize is awarded annually malic domestic genre. to the best debut mystery set in the www.malicedomestic.org/grants.html Southwest. tinyurl.com/qyv73 inSinC -11- March 2013 Law & Fiction—Getting the Facts Straight Life Insurance by Leslie Budewitz

Can a character buy a life insurance policy on someone else, without that person’s knowledge?

y federal law, insurance is left to their stars, because their contractual state regulation, and, of course, relationship gives the producers an Blocal laws vary. In most states, the economic interest in the actors’ life and owner of the policy—not the beneficia- health. In some states, charities may ries, but the person who buys it and pays buy policies on named insureds who the premiums—must have an “insur- consent, as a way of providing a benefit In most states, if a married person able interest” in the named insured, to the charity when the insured dies, wants to buy life insurance on his or her unless the named insured or his estate if the insured pays the premiums. A spouse, the spouse must sign the appli- is the beneficiary. person always has an insurable interest cation or be given notice of it. Again, in him or herself. the public policy reason—that is, the An “insurable interest” typically means legislative goal—is to protect the person either being financially dependent on A creepy example insured from being killed for the payout. the named insured, or if owner and The insurable interest requirement, In real life, many insurance companies insured are closely related by blood or however, is sometimes treated as just a require medical exams or other infor- law, “a substantial interest engendered box to be checked on a form. In 2008, mation directly from the person to be by love and affection.” Other financial two elderly Los Angeles women, Olga insured. But that’s the kind of plodding relationships may also qualify, such as Rutterschmidt and Helen Golay, were detail that often sinks a plot. Leave it out a debt from named insured to policy convicted of first degree murder and and let your black widows—or widow- owner. The obvious purpose is to elimi- conspiracy to commit murder for finan- ers—spin their webs. nate motives for buying insurance and cial gain in the deaths of two home- knocking off the named insured to col- less men they met at shelters, Kenneth (Adapted from Books, Crooks & Coun- lect the booty. McDavid and Paul Vados, by staging selors, by Leslie Budewitz) fatal accidents. Suspicion focused on A corporation can buy life insurance the women when investigators saw sim- Leslie Budewitz is a practicing lawyer on its officers and directors, called “key ilarities between the two hit-and-run and a fiction writer. Her book for writ- man” insurance, and provide life insur- deaths, which were six years apart, and ers, Books, Crooks & Counselors: A ance as part of an employee benefit discovered that the same women had Fiction Writer’s Guide to Getting the package. Film producers often insure purchased multiple life insurance poli- Law Right (Quill Driver Books) won the cies on the men, collecting $2.8 mil- 2011 Agatha for Best Nonfiction, and lion. On the applications, one woman was nominated for the 2012 Anthony claimed to be the man’s cousin and and . Death al Dente, the other his fiancée. The prosecutor first in “The Food Lovers’ Village Mys- described the case as “like Arsenic and teries”, will debut from Berkley Prime Old Lace, except that it doesn’t have Crime in 2013. For more help getting the Cary Grant,” and the media nicknamed law right in your stories, visit her web- the two women “Black Widows.” [An site, www.LawandFiction.com and blog, episode of “The Closer” exploited this www.LawandFiction.com/blog . true story very closely.]

inSinC -12- March 2013 Red Flags for Mass Murder by Katherine Ramsland

ince 1982, we’ve seen more than 60 the body as an emotional record. The record incidents of mass shootings in the remains intact, motivating attitudes and us. Nearly half occurred during the behavior, until some mitigating experience S influences a change. past six years, with three in December 2012. The youngest mass shooter was 11, and four Those who resist change will likely continue were women. Most had a mental illness but in the same mindset. In addition, those with no record of violence. Some never even greater exposure to violence in the environ- made threats. ment show an increased tendency to dupli- We do not know which specific behav- cate it, especially if they suffer from certain • A tendency to blame others for life’s iors clearly predict mass murder, but sev- forms of mental illness or acquire military unfairness; eral show up in these incidents more than experience later in life. others. For crime writers, it’s a good idea to • An ability to dehumanize others; This is not to say that angry children will know about the development of a rampage turn into killers or that passive children • Withdrawal and alienation; murder mentality. What follows is from my will not. However, since behavioral patterns book, Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers. in adapting to stress can point toward the • Poor coping skills, especially for any type of change; Many criminologists and forensic psychol- potential for more serious problems down the line, it’s helpful to identify those indi- ogists have theories about which combina- • Sense of superiority or entitlement; tion of factors is likely to precipitate a mass viduals in need of treatment. murder. Essentially, they look at those con- Given that many mass shooters had rigid • Poor or malformed self-esteem; ditions that form a mind that can ponder— temperaments, it’s clear why their fanta- and rehearse—a fatal assault against others. • Intolerance and rigidity; sies about being picked on, neglected, or The development of this mind set gener- thwarted can build pent-up energy and ally begins with frustrations experienced • Suspiciousness and paranoia; explode. This might be in the form of sui- during childhood and it grows increasingly cide, it might involve killing a relative, or it • Substance abuse; aggressive in private fantasies. could become a public mass murder, espe- • If psychotic, the presence of anosognosia, A look at the backgrounds of rampage kill- cially with suicidal intent. We’ve seen this paranoia, and aggression; ers makes it clear that many behaved in in schools, businesses, malls, theaters, and even a military base. ways that suggested they might eventually • Avid collection of weapons or expressed explode: an inability to deal with stress, for Red flags fantasies about war or assault. example, chronic discontent, and angry Specific traits or behaviors that feed into a outbursts or retaliations against others No single factor is causal, but many ram- constellation of red flags for potential vio- (especially specific targets). The buildup of page shooters have a number of these traits. lence (but should not be construed as suf- frustration seems to result from the way Thus, finding several together in someone ficient in themselves) include: they learned (or did not learn) to manage who is having difficulty coping with anger frustration and disappointment. This is • Obsession with themes of violence, espe- or distress signals the need for intervention. rooted in how their observations of role cially attention to such incidents in the Books that explain why so many violent models blended with their response to the news, movies, or a gaming environment; incidents involve the mentally ill, such as in teaching strategies of those responsible for the Newport and Aurora incidents, are The their development. The final factor is their • Low frustration tolerance and few or no Insanity Offense, by E. Fuller Torrey, and individual manner of cognitive processing. behaviors that show resilience; Crazy, by Pete Earley.

In others words, several children subjected • Significant stressors, such as broken rela- Katherine Ramsland is a professor of foren- to similar conditions can exhibit quite dif- tionships, loss, humiliation, or a number sic psychology, has published 46 books and ferent responses. The development of vio- of such incidents in quick succession; more than 1,000 articles, and writes a blog lence results from a cumulative exchange for Psychology Today. Her latest books are between our experiences and our neuro- • Collecting perceived injustices, especially Paranormal Forensics and Snap! Seizing chemistry. This information is coded into as written lists; Your Aha! Moments.

inSinC -13- March 2013 Ten Tips for Better Photos by Mo Walsh, New England Chapter

Everybody likes to see pictures in magazines—and­ we love them to feature people we know. Often the photos are what draws readers to an article. Although I’d love to be at every mystery conference and chapter event to make these photos, I can’t. So, I depend on SinC members to send visual documentation. Sometimes I simply can’t use the pictures I receive: Many are out of focus, lots are too small to print, and often the color or contrast is bad. When I received several e-mails from Mo, all of them with great photos, I asked her to share some tips with inSinC read- ers. Please read Mo’s article, examine her ne Crimebake shots, then go out and practice taking wonderful photos—and share them with inSinC!

5.  Get close or zoom in. Get faces, and ou don’t have to be a professional get subjects close to each other without (I’m not) to take good pictures at dead space in between. YSinC gatherings and events. These tips and your enthusiasm will help, so will 6. Be bossy. Your subjects want to look taking a lot of pictures—you can toss the good. Tell them what to do. Make it fun! ones where someone blinked, the flash failed, or the antlers on the wall are growing 7. Check for lighting problems: backlight- out of the speaker’s head. Of course, the best ing and glare, reflecting surfaces, low photos may break any or all these rules! light and shadows. Beware light that makes subjects squint and hat brims 1. Know your camera and work within its that shadow faces. capabilities. 8. Check foreground and background for 2. Know basic composition: rule of thirds, distractions (bad) and contrast (good). leading lines, angles, filling the frame. Think in two dimensions: objects that Check online and printed resources for appear to be poking into or growing out tips and examples. of subjects; hands in front of body parts. Think in gray scale: dark faces or hair 3. Know what you want to shoot. Be in disappearing into mahogany wood- position. Make your subject your focal work, blondes in beige against white point. Don’t try to include too much. walls. Vary your angles and positions to get the best shots. Note the contrast in Conga 9. Use software tools to fix red-eye and Dames’ expressions! to crop, adjust exposure, straighten, 4. Catch your subject being interesting: a Femme Fatale Leslie Wheeler, left, sharpen shots. [Omit this step if you’re gesture, expression, interaction. Avoid leads Cruella de Vil (aka Sharon Day- sending them to inSinC.] bland head shots. nard) in the Costume Conga. 10. Know the specifications for your intended market in terms of file format, Wait for the right “hold it” moment before About resolution image resolution, dimensions, orienta- you snap. tion (if you don’t know, make some hori- Most images posted on social media are Michele and Steve Dorsey bust up the zontal and vertical. Ask! joint as Boston’s notorious couple, Cath- fine at low resolution, 72 pixels per inch erine Greig and Whitey Bulger. (ppi). For many print and some online publications [including inSinC], high resolution or “hi-res” ideal is 300 ppi (often mixed up with the printing term dots per inch, dpi). [If you don’t want to do the math, look at the size of your file: 1mb is a good rule of thumb for inSinC—nothing smaller than 500 kb.]

So 2” x 3”= 600 x 900 pixels, 4” x 6” = 1200 x 1800 pixels, etc. Length by width gives the total pixels. A megapixel is 1 million pixels. The number of megapixels your camera has determines the maximum size of the image you can shoot at a given resolution. Got it? Check online for longer, clearer explanations! inSinC -14- March 2013 ne Crime Bake 2012 Lives on in Pictures!

By waiting for the “aha moment,” Mo was able to capture Sheila’s intensity. Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib) and Sheila Connolly discuss why today’s series sleuths are “Not Your Mother’s Miss Marple.” Grouping subjects in different levels make photos more interesting. Winners of the Al Blanchard Awards for New England short crime fiction are Honorable Mention Christine Bagley, left, Al Blanchard Award Winner VR Barkowski, committee chair Leslie Wheeler, Hon- orable Mention Christine Eskilson, and Honorable Mentions Ben and Beth Oak, writing as B.B. Oak. Not Pictured: Frank Cook.

To get all subject’s eyes open at the same time, ask everyone to close them and open on the count of 3. (Tip from Elizabeth Craig.) New England chapter board members Barbara Ross, left, Michele Dorsey, Julie Hennrikus, Nancy Gardner, and Sharon Daynard welcomed guests at the SinC reception.

Always be on the lookout for similarities and differences. Who’s Who? “twins” Marian Lanouette, left, and “Developing Brand You!” speaker Jennifer Fusco.

inSinC -15- March 2013 Sisters in Crime Board of Directors Meeting January 6, 2013

future of SinC and ways we can best sup- Convention planning resident Hank Phillippi Ryan con- port our members going forward. Hank, Laura requested and received unanimous vened the [conference call] meeting Cathy, and Frankie suggested that we pro- approval for $1,500 funding for the SinC- at 5:02 pm est. P duce a report following the Session; the sponsored reception at Left Coast Crime in Attendees: Hank Phillippi Ryan, Laura rest of the Board agreed. March 2013. DiSilverio, Stefanie Pintoff, Martha Reed, Legal Services for Members Volunteer Day Cari Dubiel, Barbara Fister, Frankie Bailey, With e-publishing on the rise and many Hank convened a committee including Mary Boone (non-voting), Beth Wasson SinC members handling contract nego- Barbara and Frankie to coordinate plan- (non-voting), Molly Weston (non-voting), tiations on their own, some members have ning for “Sisters Love Mysteries Day” with Cathy Pickens, and Bob Dugoni. expressed their desire for legal advice. The Jim Huang. The event would center on Members not present: Sally Brewster, Val Board discussed and determined not to Valentine’s Day 2013 and encourage mem- McDermid, Kathy Wall (non-voting) proceed at this time. bers to buy or check out mysteries and Facebook/Tweet/otherwise publicize their Ad Planning and Budgeting for 2013 Malice Domestic 2013 choices. In addition to promoting our love • Stefanie reported on the estimated cost The Board discussed ideas for recognizing of mysteries, the goal would be to show of print advertising in the coming year. the special service of chapter presidents at appreciation for our favorite booksellers Because of SinC’s advertising emphasis on the SinC breakfast. and librarians by patronizing them during educational programming and member Valentine’s Day week. We Love Libraries benefits, most 2013 expenses should be The Board voted to continue the We Love eligible for Author Coalition Funds. The Docket Libraries grant program for another year at Molly requested that an e-blast be sent out • The Board discussed advertising goals a cost of $12,000. requesting all members to send in their and potential new venues. It was voted latest publication information for The New Guidebook Book for SinC unanimously to increase the advertising Docket. The e-mail will have a one-click Hank and Martha received unanimous budget for 2013 to $20,000. link that members can follow. support to explore the possibility of cre- Summit Report ating a new guidebook for members on Monitoring Project • Frankie reported on the Summit Team’s “What I Wish I Knew” about the publish- Barbara reported on the progress of the September trip to New York, which ing business. It would be available to all Monitoring Project Report, which is almost explored the current state of the pub- new members. completed for 2012 [see article on p.1] lishing industry by interviewing agents, Evaluation of Social Media Membership editors, reviewers, and other industry The Board reviewed progress on the blog insiders. Beth reported that new membership sub- and Facebook, including ideas for expand- stantially increased in 2012. • The report is expected to release prior to ing readership in the coming year. The Malice Domestic. Board also discussed possible public rela- The meeting adjourned at 6:46 pm est. tions goals and agreed to explore these • The Board approved $8,000 in funding to issues further during the Strategy Session. —Stefanie Pintoff support a wide distribution of the report to Secretary all members and other interested parties. Panel Proposal for PLA Mary reported on planning for a panel at SinC into Great Writing 2013 the March 2014 Public Library Associa- Frankie and Cathy reported on plans for tion meeting in Indianapolis. The Board this fall’s SinC into Great Writing workshop discussed potential topics that would draw to be held September 18. This year’s work- on connections between readers and writ- rip Margaret Frazer shop will be led by Cathy Pickens and Bob ers. Mary asked for suggestions to be sent Gail Frazer, who wrote as Margaret Frazer, Dugoni. The topic will focus on the path to to her before February 28, 2013. died on February 4, 2013, after fighting publication—developing the creative pro- Creating a Go-To Website long and stubbornly against cancer. She cess as well as pitching queries to agents. was 66. There was a memorial service at Barbara presented ideas to make the SinC the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel in Min- Strategic Planning Session website the go-to source for information neapolis. Donations to her memory may Plans for the Board’s Strategic Planning about mysteries and women mystery writ- be made to Heifer International. Session, to be held in Chicago in advance ers. The Board unanimously agreed to of ala on June 27 and 28, are proceeding explore further and place this topic on the well. The Board will explore goals for the agenda for the Strategy Session.

inSinC -16- March 2013 The Docket

September 2012 Margaret Grace, “Majesty in Miniature” in Dolls’ Maddi Davidson, Denial of Service, Createspace David Ciambrone’s The Trashy Gourmet, L&L House Magazine, October-December, 2012 E.B. Davis, “No-Hair Day” in A Shaker of Dreamspell, was nominated for the Love Is Jane Isenberg, The Bones and the Book, Oconee Margaritas: Bad Hair Day, Mozark Press Murder’s Lovey Award. Spirit Press Jill Downie, A Grave Waiting, Dundurn Press Sheila Connolly’s Once She Knew*, Beyond the Amnon Kabatchnik, Blood on the Stage, 1975- Jacqueline Fleming, fun Can Be Murder*, Page Publishing, was nominated for Barnes 2000, The Scarecrow Press fastpencil.com & Noble Best Paperback Books of 2012 and Kurt Kamm’s Code Blood was nominated for Richard Godwin, Apostle Rising*, Black Jackal Barnes & Noble Best Original Ebooks for 2012. the usa Best Book Awards—Horror 2012 and Books Ltd. Elissa D. Grodin, Physics Can Be Fatal**, Cozy the International Book Awards Cross Genre Stacy Green, Into the Dark*, MuseItUp Cat Press, September, 2012 Fiction Awards. Publishing Kathleen Heady, Lydia’s Story**, Sage Words Rob Kresge, “Ground Truth” in Outlaws and Kathryn Gualtieri, Murder Takes the Stage: Publishing Lawmen, Mike Harris, ed., La Frontera Press A Carmel-by-the-Sea Mystery, Tin Lantern Thonie Hevron’s By Force or Fear, won third B.V. Lawson, “Beside Still Waters,” in For When Publications place in the Public Safety Writers’ Association the Veil Drops Peg Herring, Killing Silence, LL-Publications Writing Contest. D.J. McIntosh’s The Witch of Babylon, Forge, Linda Joffe Hull, The Big Bang, Tyrus Books M.E. Kemp, “Who Wears the Pants?,” The Sister October, 2012 was a finalist for the Debut Fidelma Mysteries Dagger Award. M.E. Kemp, Death of a Cape Cod Cavalier, L&L Dreamspell Susan Koefod, Broken Down, North Star Press G.M. Malliet, A Fatal Winter, Minotaur David E. Knop’s Poisoned by God’s Flesh*, Marian Lanouette, If I Fail, A Jake Carrington Jack Martin, Hail, Columbia, Fireship Press Bookbaby.com was nominated for the Military Mystery*, MuseItUp Publishing Rosemary & Larry Mild’s Death Goes Postal, Writers Society’s Bronze Medal. Molly MacRae, Last Wool and Testament, nal/ Magic Island Literary Works**, won 3rd prize Obsidian in the Writers’ Workshop of Asheville nc’s Rob Kresge, Death’s Icy Hand, abq Press Steven P. Marini, Connections, Gypsy Shadow Meet the Author contest. Ellen Larson, In Retrospect, Five Star Publishing Press Sandra Murphy, The Obituary Rule*, Untreed Linda Lovely, Final Accounting**, MuseItUp Marilyn Rausch & Mary Donlon, Headaches Reads Publishing Can Be Murder**, North Star Press P.M. Steffen, The Profiler’s Daughter: A Sky Stone Cricket McRae, Deadly Row to Hoe, Midnight Patricia Rockwell, Murder in the Round, Cozy Thriller*, Lion Dog Press Ink Cat Press B.K. Stevens, “Fifty Ways to Catch Your Killer” Judith Mehl, Game, Set, Murder**, Pennystone Toby Speed, Death Over Easy, Five Star in The Third Degree, Mystery Writers of Books America Elizabeth J. Morris, Carrigan’s Promotion, October 2012 Maxine Nunes, Dazzled, Five Star Publish America Pamela Beason’s Bear Bait, Berkley Prime Deborah Reardon, Blue Suede Shoes**, B.B. Oak, “Death from a Bad Heart” in Blood Crime, won the rwa Daphne Dumarier Award. Greenleaf Book Group Moon, Level Best Books & Thoreau at Devil’s E.B. Boatner, M-o-t-t-e-r Spells Murder, P.M. Steffen, The Profiler’s Daughter: A Sky Stone Perch, Kensington iUniverse Thriller*, Lion Dog Press Terry Odell, Deadly Bones, Create Space Miriam Clavir, Insinuendo: Murder in the Cathi Stoler, Keeping Secrets, Camel Press Helen Macie Osterman, Maker’s Mark, Helen Museum, Bayeux Arts Diane Vallere, Pillow Stalk, Polyester Press Osterman Janet Costello, ed., The Whole She-Bang, R.M. Vassari, Murder at the Leopard* Ann Philipp, Grand Theft Death*, Bookbaby. Toronto Sisters in Crime Kirsten Weiss, The Shamanic Detective*, com Bridges DelPonte’s Deadly Sacrifices, won a Misterio Press John Russo, Dianne’s Dilemma*, Museitup Royal Palm Literary Award (second place, Publishing unpublished mystery) from the Florida Writers Kate Wyland, Wyoming Escape* Ilene Schneider, Unleavened Dead, Oak Tree Association. November 2012 Press Joanna Dymond, Crazy as a Loon, Birchtree Publishing Group Claire Applewhite, Tennessee Plates**, L&L Jane Sevier, A Billy Sunday Kind of Love, Jane Dreamspell Sevier/Kindle, Nook, Kobo Jen Estes, Curveball (A Cat McDaniel Mystery), Camel Press Kathleen L. Asay, Flint House, Bridle Path Press Linda Howe Steiger, Fog**, CreateSpace Nora Gaskin, Until Proven: A Mystery in 2 Peg Brantley, The Missings**, Bark Publishing Susan Sundwall, The Red Shoelace Killer—A Parts* Richard Brawer, Keiretsu*, L&L Dreamspell Minnie Markwood Mystery, Mainly Murder Press Kate George, Crazy Little Thing Called Dead, Donis A. Casey, The Wrong Hill to Die On: An klmg & Broke**, Untreed Reads, Smashwords Alafair Tucker Mystery**, Poisoned Pen Press Pamela Turner, Family Tradition*, MuseItUp Barb Goffman, “Murder a la Mode*,” Untreed Sheila Connolly, The Rising of the Moon*, Publishing Reads in The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Second Beyond the Page Publishing & Kept in the , Murder Is a Piece of Cake: A Josie Helping Dark, Level Best Books Marcus Mystery Shopper Mystery**, Obsidian

*e-book **e-book and print inSinC -17- March 2013 The Docket - continued

Dick C. Waters, Branded for Murder* Ada Madison, A Function of Murder, Berkley Marian Lanouette, As the World Ends, Sharon Wildwind, Loved Honor More, Five Star/ Prime Crime Createspace & Burn in Hell, a Jake Carrington Gale/Cengage Maryann Miller, Stalking Season, Five Star/ Mystery, MuseItUp Publishing Lois Winston, Crewel Intentions, an Anastasia Cengage Gale Colby Marshall, Chain of Command**, Stairway Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery* J.J. Murphy, A Friendly Game of Murder, nal- Press Nancy Means Wright, “Acts of Balance” in Blood Obsidian Sylvia A. Nash, “Ministering to Shut-ins” in Moon, Level Best Books & Walking into the Sylvia A. Nash, The Missing Calico**, Mature Living Wild, L.L. Dreamspell CreateSpace, Kindle, Smashwords Terri Nolan, Burden of Truth, Midnight Ink Teagan Oliver, Obsidian*, Kindle Barbara Corrado Pope, The Missing Italian Girl, December 2012 cj petterson, “A Fool’s Gold” in Mod Mobilian Pegasus Terry Ambrose, License to Lie, Oak Tree Press Press Tributaries 2012 Karen Pullen, Cold Feet, Five Star Cengage Mike Befeler, Cruising in Your Eighties Is Lisa Regan, Finding Claire Fletcher, Sapphire Jonette Stabbert, The Last Laugh*, Kings River Murder, Five Star Star Publishing Life and Black Stuff*, Sein und Werden, D.V. Berkom, Bad Traffick*,Amazon Kindle Juliet Rosetti, The Escape Diaries**,Random January (possible delay for Winter issue) Beate Boeker, Delayed Death*, Smashwords House B.K. Stevens, “No Good Deed” in To Hell in a Irene Bennett Brown, Where Danger Danced**, Priscilla J. Royal, The Sanctity of Hate, Poisoned Fast Car, Dark Quest Books Riveredge Books Pen Press Richard A. Thompson’s Big Wheat, Poisoned Janet L. Buck aka Ally Shields, Fire Within Hank Phillippi Ryan’s The Other Woman was Pen Press, was nominated for the 2012 (Guardian Witch Book Two*), Etopia Press nominated for the Edgar’s Mary Higgins Clark Minnesota Book Award. Gayle Carline, The Hot Mess, Dancing Corgi Award. E.F. Watkins, Dark Music, Amber Quill Press, Press Clea Simon, True Grey: A Dulcie Schwartz Feline llc Bailey Cates, Bewitched, Bothered and Biscotti, Mystery, Severn House Nancy G. West, Dang Near Dead, Southwest nal/Signet Nancy Sweetland, The Virgin Murders* Publications Erika Chase, Read and Buried, Berkley Prime Shannon Teper, Through the Door to Danger, Lois Winston, Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, Crime Royal Fireworks Press Midnight Ink Jan Christensen, Organized to Death*, Britt Vasarhelyi’s Message from Panama, February 2013 CreateSpace Hanging Moon Press, was a finalist for the C. Hope Clark, Lowcountry Bribe, Bell Bridge Daphne du Maurier Award and nominated for Avery Aames, To Brie or Not to Brie, Berkley Books, Audible the cwa Dagger Award. Prime Crime Sharon Love Cook, The Legend of Judgment Alana White, The Sign of the Weeping Virgin, Frances Brody, Dying in the Wool, St. Martin’s Rock and other Mystery Stories*, Neptune Five Star Minotaur Books, Thorndike Press large print Rising Press N.S. Wikarski, The Dragon’s Wing Enigma** Sheila Connolly, Buried in a Bog, Berkley Prime Donna Fletcher Crow, A Tincture of Murder*, Elizabeth Zelvin, Death Will Save Your Life*, Crime Greenbrier Books BooksBNimble Press , A Plain Scandal, B&H E.B. Davis, “A Task For Christmas Eve” and Publishing “The Christmas Present” in Kings River Life January 2013 Susan Furlong-Bolliger, “Murder’s Brewing,” Magazine* Elaine J. Anderson, Priority #1, Code Name: Woman’s World Magazine Lesley A. Diehl, Grilled, Chilled and Killed, Oak Marty**, iUniverse Leighton Gage, Perfect Hatred, Soho Crime Tree Press Mollie Cox Bryan, Scrapped: Cumberland Creek Lynda Hilburn, Blood Therapy, Silver Oak, R. Barri Flowers, The Dynamics of Murder: Kill Mystery #2, Kensington Publishing Sterling Publishing or Be Killed, crc Press/Taylor & Francis Nancy Famolari, The Yellow Diamond Caper, Linda O. Johnston, Oodles of Poodles, Berkley Bob Doerr, No One Else to Kill, TotalRecall Createspace Prime Crime Publications Bobbie Vetter Fite, Storm Damage* April Kelly and Marsha Lyons, Murder: Take Kaye George, “The Last Wave*” in Dark R. Barri Flowers, Seduced to Kill in Kauai* and Three*,Flight Risk Books Valentine/Nightfalls Count Dracula’s Teenage Daughter** Sofie Kelly, Cat Trick, Penguin June Gillam, House of Cuts*, Gorilla Girl Ink , The Road to Cardinal Valley, Susan Koefod, “Boys will be Boys” in Ellery Barb Goffman, “Bon Appetit” in Nightfalls, Berkley Prime Crime Queen Mystery Magazine Dark Valentine Press & “Ulterior Motives” in Kaye George, “Yellow Roses”, Texas Gardiner/ Deborah J. Ledford, Crescendo**, Second Wind Ride 2*, Typeflow, Inc. Seeds Kathryn J. Bain, Knight & Day*, Write Publishing Joel Gomez-Dossi, Pursued, Bold Strokes Books Words, Inc. Alice Loweecey, Veiled Threat, Midnight Ink Christine Husom, The Noding Field Mystery, Helen Ginger, Dismembering the Past**, High Staci McLaughlin, All Natural Murder, Second Wind Publishing Canyon Books Kensington Mercedes King, O! Jackie, Amazon, Kindle Penny Grubb’s The Doll Makers*, Fantastic M.E. May’s Perfidy, True Grit Publishing, won Eleanor Cawood Jones, A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Books Publishing, was nominated for the cwa the Lovey Award for Best First Novel. Tales of Murder and More*. Bookbaby.com Dagger Award. Carolyn Mulford, Show Me the Murder, Five Deborah J. Ledford & Susan Budavari’s, eds., Parnell Hall, Stakeout, Pegasus and Arsenic and Star/Gale, Cengage SoWest: Desert Justice, ds Publishing, was in Old Puzzles, Minotaur C.J. Petterson, Deadly Star*, Crimson Romance Suspense Magazine’s Best of 2012 Anthology Rita Lakin, The Four Coins of the Kaballah* Julia Pomeroy, No Safe Ground, Five Star List. inSinC -18- March 2013 The Docket - continued Mar Preston, Payback, Pertinacity Press/ Tina Whittle, Blood, Ash, and Bone, Poisoned May 2013 Createspace Pen Press Lou Allin, Twilight Is Not Good for Maidens, L.J. Sellers, Rules of Crime, Thomas & Mercer Adele Woodyard, Final Payment, Palm Print Dundurn Connie Shelton, Sweets Galore: The Sixth Press Gretchen Archer, Double Whammy, Henery Samantha Sweet Mystery, Secret Staircase Press April 2013 Books Maegan Beaumont, Carved in Darkness, Mari Sloan, Road Trip, It’s ME! Ink Press Suzanne Adair, A Hostage to Heritage: A Michael Midnight Ink Stoddard American Revolution Thriller** e-pub Triss Stein, Brooklyn Bones, Poisoned Pen Press Duffy Brown, Killer in Crinolines, Berkley Cathi Stoler, The Hard Way, Camel Press Connie Archer, A Broth of Betrayal, Berkley Prime Crime Prime Crime Wendy Webb, The Fate of Mercy Alban, Ann Cleeves, Silent Voices, Minotaur Ella Barrick, The Homicide Hustle, Obsidian Hyperion , Dead Ever After, Ace Pamela Beason, Undercurrents, Berkley Prime Kenneth Wishnia, Soft Money, pm Press Carolyn Hart, Dead, White and Blue, Berkley Crime Prime Crime Janice Cantore, Avenged, Tyndale House March 2013 R. Franklin James, The Fallen Angels Book Club, Publishers Victoria Abbott, The Christie Curse: A Book Camel Press Erika Chase, A Killer Read, Berkley Prime Collector Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime Liz Mugavero, Kneading to Die, Kensington Crime Cathy Ace, The Corpse with the Golden Nose, Books C. Hope Clark’s Tidewater Murder, Bell Bridge TouchWood Editions , The Body in the Piazza, Books, was nominated for an Eppie Award. Ellery Adams, Peach Pies and Alibis, Berkley Wm Morrow Judith Cobb Dailey’s Animal, Vegetable, Murder, Prime Crime Bernadette Pajer, Capacity for Murder, Poisoned Five Star, was nominated for a Claymore Shannon Baker, Tainted Mountain, Midnight Pen Press Dagger. Ink Robin Spano, Death’s Last Run, ecw Press, Colleen Collins, The Next Right Thing, Waverly Curtis, Chihuahua Confidential, Kensington Rochelle Staab, Hex on the Ex, Berkley Prime Harlequin Crime Susan Cory, Conundrum**, Createspace Catherine Dilts, “The Jolly Fat Man” in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine B.K. Stevens, “All That Glisters” in Alfred Hilary Davidson, Evil in All Its Disguises, Forge Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Laura DiSilverio, Malled To Death, Berkley Lee Driver, The Vaporizer,Full Moon Publishing Prime Crime Elaine Viets, Board Stiff: A Dead-End Job Hallie Ephron, “Growing Up Ephron,” O, The Mystery**, Obsidian Marie-Jo Fortis, Chainsaw Jane, Liburu Press Oprah Magazine Kaye George, Eine Kleine Murder, Barking Rain Sara Hoskinson Frommer, Her Brother’s Keeper, June 2013 Press Perseverance Press Mike Befeler, Care Homes Are Murder, Five Star Diana Gould, Coldwater, Gibraltar Road W.S. Gager, A Case of Volatile Deeds, Oak Tree Dee Brice’s It Takes a Thief** won Ellora’s Cave Press Jean Harrington, Killer Kitchens, Carina Press Sleeping with the Enemy Award. Rebecca Grace, Shadows from the Past, The Dorothy H. Hayes, Murder at the P & Z**, Krista Davis, The Diva Frosts a Cupcake, Berkley Wild Rose Press Mainly Murder Press Marie Moore, Game Prime Crime Drive, Camel Press Naomi Hirahara, Strawberry Yellow, Prospect Donna Del Oro, Lies in Wait*, Musa Publishing Tammy Kaehler, Braking Points, A Kate Reilly Park Books Beth Groundwater, Fatal Descent, Midnight Ink Racing Mystery, Poisoned Pen Press James M. Jackson, Bad Policy, Barking Rain Danelle Helget, Destroyed and Detained, North Kay Kendall, Desolation Row—An Austin Starr Press Star Press Mystery**, Stairway Press K.A. Laity, Lush Situation: Chastity Flame 2*, Karen Keskinen, Blood Orange, Thomas Dunne/ Robert Lewis, Untold Damage, Midnight Ink Tirgearr Publishing Minotaur Press Gary D. Phillips, “The Occult Science” in Black B.V. Lawson, “Double Your Pleasure” in Beat to Eleanor Kuhns, Death of a Dyer, Minotaur Press Pulp**, Gary Phillips (co-ed.), Pro Se Press/pod a Pulp: Hardboiled 2 Jeanne Matthews, Her Boyfriend’s Bones, G.B. Pool, The Johnny Casino Casebook 2— Elizabeth J. Morris, Carrigan’s Responsibility, Poisoned Pen Press Publish America Looking for Johnny Nobody, and Hedge Bet, SYGAME Press Darden North, Wiggle Room**, Satoris Literary Sheila Simonson, Beyond Confusion, Group Perseverance Press Connie Shelton, Buried Secrets Can Be Murder: Charlie Parker Mystery #14**, Secret Staircase Morgan St. James & Meredith Holland’s Who’s Joanna Campbell Slan, Wave Good-bye, Berkley Books Got the Money? won usa Best Books Award in L.A. Starks, Strike Price**, L&L Dreamspell, the Chick Lit category. Clea Simon, Parrots Prove Deadly: A Pru OmniLit Marlowe Pet Noir, Poisoned Pen Press Mickie Turk’s The Delilah Case was a 2012 Orest Stelmach, The Boy From Reactor 4*, Amazon/Penguin Contest Finalist. Joanna Campbell Slan, Death of a Dowager, Thomas & Mercer Berkley & Picture, Perfect, Corpse, Midnight Terry Shames, A Killing at Cotton Hill, Seventh Kay Stewart, Unholy Rites, TouchWood Editions Ink Street Books/Prometheus James Thompson, Helsinki Blood, Putnan Lea Wait, Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding: An Reba White Williams, Restrike, Delos Kari Lee Townsend, Trouble in the Tarot, Antique Print Mystery, Perseverance Press Berkley Prime Crime Lauren Willig, The Ashford Affair, St. Martin’s Nancy G. West, Fit to Be Dead**, Southwest Press Publications

inSinC -19- March 2013

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BLACKSBURG, VA PO Box 442124 PERMIT NO. 158 Lawrence ks 66044-2124

www.SistersInCrime.org Change Service Requested

ala Annual Conference—Call for Participants

here are two ways Sisters in Crime members can par- Whether you volunteer to work in the booth or donate a book ticipate in this summer’s American Library Association’s for our raffle, this is an unsurpassed opportunity to connect (ala) Annual Conference in Chicago: as a volunteer T with librarians (17,000–20,000 librarians attend ala Annual) worker in SinC’s booth in the exhibit hall, or by donating a signed book which will be given away during daily raffles. who recommend your books to readers every day. .

Author members who live in the area or who are planning to This year’sala conference marks the first event organized by be in Chicago during ala are invited to spend an hour (or two) SinC’s new Library Liaison, Cari Baker Dubiel. Helping Cari will in SinC’s booth talking about the organization, and, if they be Doris Ann Norris, library liaison emeritus and Mary Boone, wish, giving away and signing books. The Conference Exhib- immediate past library liaison. If you are interested in working its, at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will be open from late Friday ala or donating a book for the raffles, contact Cari at Carolyn. afternoon, June 28 through early afternoon, Monday, July 1. For [email protected]. helping in the booth, SinC will register authors—which will include passes valid for the exhibit hall all four days. Hope to see you in Chicago!