IInnSSiinnCC The Sisters in Newsletter Volume XXII • Number 4 December 2009

The Yin and thecauYse oaf thenaltegrnatinog POfV,Sreade.rsJget.to fRind oChzristaie, An llingham, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ellery Text and Photography By out what they think of each other. That they have Queen. So yes, it's changed considerably. Gotten BoLnongietiJm.eCSainrCdomnee mber and grown close is clear — but their future is murky. more realistic — you can't get away with the 2009’s Toastmaster, S.J. Rozan is a woman of un - Will they ever get together? Maybe, maybe not. kinds of things those authors got away with; usual and diverse talents. She plays basketball Rozan says even she doesn’t know. readers will call you out. Also, obviously, it's got - (though she’s only five feet tall) and composes All of Rozan’s books delve into a social prob - ten more inclusive. haikus; enjoys poker and knitting; and writes a lem. In Winter and Night it is the high price of a Where it's headed, I couldn't begin to guess. series featuring a big, middle-aged white man “winning is everything” mindset in high school Two trends I don't like are over-the-top, Grand (Bill Smith) and a small, young Chinese-Ameri - football; In This Rain features the struggle of two Guignol violence and the emphasis on forensics. can woman (Lydia groups —each with its own agenda — for control The first disgusts me and the second bores me. Chin). The books’ of a plot of land in Harlem. I'm interested in human interaction and in mo - POV alternates; it is The Smith-Chin books have garnered Rozan tive. Bill’s in one, Lydia’s an Edgar, a Nero, a Macavity, a Japanese Maltese BJC: Your Smith-Chin series didn’t sell right in the next. Falcon and two Shamuses. S.J. and away. How many books did you write before that A native New are the only women who have received two of happened and why was one with Lydia’s POV Yorker, Rozan grew these latter awards for Best PI Novel (Louise Ure published first? up in the Bronx and and Carolina Garcia-Aguilera each have one). S.J. S.J.: I'd finished two from Bill Smith's POV; has lived in Green - is also one of only four women who have been he was my first character because he's that Ameri - wich Village since president of PI Writers of America, the organiza - can icon whose world-weary voice-over I was in - 1982. Her dad was tion that presents the Shamus Awards. The other terested in. By the time I was in the middle of the an aeronautical engi - three are Sue Grafton, and Linda first book I also became interested in Lydia neer who went into life insurance and eventually Barnes. Chin's take on things and I asked my agent if he became an actuary so he could raise his family in Does she do everything well? Apparently. thought it would be okay if I started a second se - one place instead of moving around. Her mother Rozan also has a short story Edgar. ries. He pointed out we didn't actually have a se - was a phys ed teacher, “a jock and tough cookie. Our interview was conducted via e-mail in ear - ries, just two unsold books, so go ahead. I did. It But she taught nursery school.” Rozan has an old - ly October, not long after Rozan spoke at the Na - was Keith Kahla at St. Martin's whose idea it was er brother and two younger sisters. tional Book Festival in Washington, DC. to do it as an alternating-voice series, not two dif - S.J. (the initials stand for Shira Judith) worked Bonnie J. Cardone: Who did you read when ferent series, and the Lydia Chin book was pub - as an architect for many years — specializing in you were growing up and how did you discover lished first because she was unique in the field, an police stations, firehouses and zoos — but she al - these authors? Asian-American woman PI. ways wanted to write. Her books feature a PI S.J.: Rozan: I was a MAJOR Nancy Drew fan. BJC: You have said that Bill’s voice has been in named Bill Smith, a loner who drinks and smokes I couldn't wait for the next book. I also read sci-fi. your head since you were 12. Were you writing too much and gets into fights all too often — but A young adult mystery I remember, which I must books then? who is also a classical pianist. have read two dozen times, was Bill Bergson Lives S.J. : Not books, but I was one of those kids Smith’s sidekick isn’t a big bad dude à la Dangerously . I also couldn't get enough of the who was always writing stories, changing my real - Spenser’s Hawk but a disarmingly small, sensible Lucky Starr series, by Paul French, who was really ity into one I liked better. Luckily for posterity Chinese-American woman, Lydia Chin. Thor - Isaac Asimov. These were outer-space horse op - none of those early stories survived. oughly modern and independent with tradition - eras about a teenage Space Ranger, but really, BJC : You and Lydia are different people. For al roots, she drinks nothing stronger than tea and each was a mystery at heart. one thing, she’s Chinese and you’re Jewish. Also, has four older brothers. Because she is unmarried, Everything I read as a kid I first discovered at she seems to have little interest in playing basket - she lives with her mother in ’s the library. ball or poker and I don’t think she knits or writes Chinatown. BJC: Why write PI? haikus! Rozan was born in the 1950s. Her first book S.J.: The PI form is about moral ambiguity. If S.J.: No, but she plays softball (shortstop) and (China Trade ) was published in 1994; the 11th you need the law enforced, you get a cop. PI's op - she embroiders. (Shanghai Moon ) was released last February. erate in the gray area, and actually, most of life is BJC: When I read Lydia’s words, I hear your There are two stand-alone suspense novels, Ab - the gray area. voice in my ear and see someone with a slight re - sent Friends and In This Rain , and nine Bill BJC: Has the genre changed since you started semblance to you (small, with dark hair). Smith-Lydia Chin books. reading it? Where do you think it is headed? S.J.: Well, yes. While all of the books are well plotted and su - S.J.: Well, I started reading it as a kid, and by BJC: This was not the case in the first book perbly written, the series also offers the intriguing the time I started reading adult books they were relationship between Bill and Lydia. And be - a couple of decades old: Chandler, Hammett, Continued on page 3 Get aClue Sisters in Crime Newsletter S.J. Rozan ...... 1 The mission of Sisters in Crime is to promote the pro - fessional development and advancement of women President’s Message ...... 3 crime writers to achieve equality in the industry. , President Jim Huang , Bookstore Liaison Time to Renew Your Membership .…..3 Cathy Pickens ,Vice President/President Elect Mary Boone , Library Liaison Mar y Saums , Secretary , At Large Kathryn Wall, Treasurer/Authors Coalition Liaison Nancy Martin , At Large Dues Waivers ...... 3 Sandra Parshall, Chapter Liaison Julianne Balmain , Monitoring Project Ellen Hart, Publicity Judy Clemens, Past President Greenway House ...... 4 Bonnie J. Cardone , InSinC Editor/ Graphic Designer Peggy Moody , Web Maven Should You Use a Freelance Editor? ....5 Beth Wasson , Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044-8933; Phone: 785/842-1325; Fax 785/856-6314; e-mail: [email protected] Narcissistic Immunity ...... 6 Presidents of Sisters in Crime 1987-88 Sara Paretsky ; 1988-89 ; 1989-90 ; 1990-91 Susan Dunlap ; 1991- Minutes of the October 15, 2009, 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 ; 1999-00 Bar - bara Burnett Smith ; 2000-01 Claire Carmichael McNab ; 2001-02 Eve K. Sandstrom ; 2002-03 Kate Flora ; Board Meeting ...... …..6 2003-04 Kate Grilley ; 2004-05 Patricia Sprinkle ; 2005-06 Libby Hellmann ; 2006-07 Rochelle Krich ; 2007-08 Roberta Isleib; 2008-09 Judy Clemens; 2009-10 Marcia Talley SinC’s $1,000 Library Grant ...... 7 Crime on Loan ...... 7 DEADLINES AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES The next Sisters in Crime Newsletter will be Please send mailing address, phone number, Review Monitoring Project ...... 7 out in March. The deadline for all submissions is and e-mail with submissions. If you have an idea January 15 . for a story, please query the editor: Law and Fiction ...... 8 Members’ publications since the last edition of Bonnie J. Cardone the newsletter will be listed in The Docket. Please 805/938-1156 Chapter News ...... 8 include publication dates when submitting. E-mail: b jcardon e@ hotmail. com Docket material will be due January 10 and should be sent to: Chapter Spotlight ...... 9 Patricia Gulley 1743 N. Jantzen Avnue Moving? Conferences ...... 10 Portland, OR 97217-7849 You may change your address on E-mail: [email protected] www.sistersincrime.org in your mem - SinC at PLA ...... 10 bership profile. You will need to be Other honors, awards and events of great “pith logged onto the site to make the changes. If you don't have your username ALA Midwinter ...... 10 and moment” should be written up as short, sepa - rate notices. These can be as short as a paragraph. and password please contact Beth Was - No publicity/promotion of individual members, son at [email protected]. If you In Memoriam ...... 10 please. just have your username you will be able We particularly welcome reprints from SinC to have your password sent to you Minnesota Crime Wave ...... 11 chapter newsletters. through the website. Address and other Send columns, articles, ideas and praise via e- changes may be sent to: Sisters in Crime, Al Blanchard Contest ...... 11 mail. P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044. The Docket ...... 12 SinC Into Great Writing! ...... 13 Keep your membership profile up to date by making the changes at: Bouchercon ...... 14 www.sistersincrime.org Deadlines ...... 16 Promotional materials available to SinC members — Have your bookmarks or postcards designed in color or black and white. SinC’s publicity mailing list of 5,000 bookstores, libraries, reviewers, etc. is available via direct ad - dressing through Rowan Mountain, Inc., P.O. Box 10111, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0111. For more information, write Gavin Faulkner. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.rowanmountain.com. 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 are $40 for U.S. and Canada, add $5 for all oth - er countries. 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] • 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. No material may be reprinted without writ - ten permission from Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime©2009 December 2009 - 2 A Firm Foundation Itʼs Time to Renew ByI wMalakercd iiant To amlyle fiyrs,t S SiisnteCrs iPn rCersimidee lunnt cheon in suburban Maryland more than 17 years ago, Your SinC knowing no one, but was made to feel almost at once among friends. If you had told me then that I’d be president of the organization one day, taking over the office from a long line of pioneering MRenemwal bnoteicers wsillh bei spent to all mem - women stretching back to Sara Paretsky, Nancy Pickard, Margaret Maron and other authors whose bers during December and mailed to mem - work I had long read and admired — well, it seemed about as likely as bers who don’t use computers. the mystery novel I was working on ever getting published. Dues are $40 for the U.S. and Canada, add Yet both things have happened, thanks to Sisters in Crime. $5 for all other countries. The deadline for As I accepted the Great Seal of Office from immediate past presi - renewal is January 31, 2010. dent, Judy Clemens, at the Sisters in Crime breakfast at Bouchercon There are seven ways to make the renewal in October, a hymn kept running through my head: “How Firm a process quick and easy: Foundation.” I’m stepping into some big shoes, for sure, but those 1. Use the new SinC website at shoes are planted on solid ground. The last couple of years, in particu - www.sistersincrime.org. lar, have seen Sisters in Crime mature as an organization. We ap - 2. Please don’t use your e-mail or old proach our Silver Anniversary over 3,000 members strong, with 48 (prior to September 1) username and pass - local chapters, an Internet chapter, and the Guppies, our online word. support group for unpublished writers with an enviable track record 3. If you have not logged onto the new for changing the “GreatUnPublished” into well-published writers. website, check your messages from Septem - Sisters in Crime began 2009 with a new mission-oriented strategic plan and ended it by in - ber 1 for an e-mail from Sisters in Crime that stalling a state-of-the-art interactive website: www.sistersincrime.org. In between, we’ve intro - contains your username and password. duced Mentor Mondays and SinC Links, and continued the Publishers’ Summit, now in its third 4. If you need a username and password year, and InSinC, our quarterly newsletter, all geared to bring industry-specific information to our please e-mail Beth at sistersincrime members to help them make intelligent career choices. @juno.com. In 2010 we hope to build on these successes. Share your talents as a volunteer. Spread the word 5. Once you have logged onto the site click about your “new” Sisters in Crime by helping to recruit new members and gather former members on Join/Renew on the right hand side of the back into the fold as we join together to promote the professional development and advancement of home page. There you will find the ability to women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry . review and change your membership profile and renew your SinC membership by using Marcia Talley may be contacted at: [email protected]. MC/Visa. You may also choose a “mail a check” option. All checks should be made out to Sisters in Crime and sent to: Sisters in so bad for me, though. Unlike some writers I Crime, P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS know — especially lawyers — I never made much S.J. Rozan 66044. Continued from page 1 money and could afford to maintain the lifestyle 6. If you would like one-on-one help with you wrote ( Stone Quarry , which became number I'd gotten used to on a writer's paycheck. logging onto the site and using it to pay your six in the series), but it is in the later books. Has BJC: Do you think publishers are supporting dues please call Beth Wasson at 785/842- Lydia become your alter ego? strong women writers? 1325, weekdays, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm S.J.: Interesting question. I think of them both S.J.: No. I don't think publishers are supporting CST. When you call please be ready to use as my alter egos: Lydia's me as I was, and Bill's me anyone these days, except James Patterson and your computer as I will walk you through the as I am. She's unsure of herself, but convinced that Dan Brown. I do think they would support a process. It will not take long. As always you not only can the world be saved, but she can help woman writer in a flash, if they thought she could can e-mail Beth at sistersincrime save it. He's been around too long for that. He's earn them as much as Patterson and Brown. @juno.com. more centered in himself, knows who he is and BJC: Which women writers do you read? 7. Renew early so you don’t miss newslet - what he can do, but he doesn't think there's really S.J.: I love Naomi Hirahara and Lisa See, ters, SinC Links or informative e-blasts. The much hope. But one of the things he loves about though she's lately gone away from crime; Megan deadline is January 31, 2010. her is her optimism, and he'll do anything to help Abbott, , Val McDermid, Dana her be right. Cameron, , Laurie King. I loved BJC: You kept your day job until your eighth Diane Setterfield's Thirteenth Tale and would book was published. Was this because being an ar - grab up anything she wrote next. I'm also a fan of chitect was a lot more lucrative than being a crime the Japanese writer Natsuo Kirino, who was nomi - DSuisteers isn C Wrimea Niatvionealr iss continuing its writer? nated for an Edgar for Out . need-based dues waivers for 2010. We want S.J.: No, not at all. Architects really make very BJC: What can women writers do to help to help members who are not able to pay little. Two reasons: clients treat architects like themselves and other women? their dues. Partial payment is also available. contractors, expecting them to bid for a job and S.J.: BUY BOOKS. And help your Sisters pro - To make this happen for you please e-mail giving it to the low bidder; and one of the require - mote. Beth Wasson at [email protected]. ments for a license is that you spend three years BJC: S.J. Rozan’s website is: www.sjrozan.com. working for a licensed architect, getting various It has a link to her less-is-more blog, which fea - kinds of experience. This sets up a system where tures her haikus, photos and comments (usually the people at the bottom of the pole — those just brief) on events in her life. Have you heard out of school, who have to complete this "intern" process — can be paid a low wage, or, if the job is Bonnie J. Cardone has been the editor of InSinC about SinC’s in the office of a hot-shot star, sometimes nothing. for nine years but this is her last issue. She’s moving This cheap labor at the bottom depresses salaries on to other projects. $1,000 Library Grant? all up the line. This article supports SinC’s Professional Educa - See page 7. This lousy state of affairs turned out not to be tion and Career Development goal. December 2009 - 3 Greenway House:

Agatha ChristieʼGsree nRwaye is ntotr a emusaeumt with “do not ByM Hy paanrennatsh w Dere anvnidi sreoanders. Every other Sat - touch” signs and roped-off rooms that provide urday, we’d troop to the library to select our next mere glimpses of the treasures beyond. It feels read. Naturally, Agatha Christie was often among more like an open, private home where the own - the stack of books we brought home to devour. ers have just popped out and will be back shortly. Greenway was Agatha Christie’s summer Anthony Hicks’ hat collection is stacked on an home in England and is just five miles from oak gate-leg table, family photographs are scat - where my mother lives in Totnes, Devon. Mum tered throughout and an antique drinks tray is set © NTPL/Nick Guttridge has worked as a volunteer for the National Trust up, ready for an evening cocktail. Christie and Max made to the Orient. I nearly for 30 years and this summer, she added Green - Visitors are invited to play the grand piano in fainted when I saw a camel from the Tang dy - way to her ever-growing list of things that keep the drawing room and use the tennis court. nasty sitting happily on the sideboard, instead of her busy. Not bad for someone who just celebrat - The dining room can also be hired for private being protected under reinforced glass. ed her 80th birthday. dinner parties. The highlight of my visit was reading facsimi - We’d known for ages that Greenway had been Some of the chairs can be sat on, making it les of Agatha Christie’s notebooks. It is of great undergoing a massive restoration process — to more comfortable to leaf through wonderful comfort to know that even the Queen of Crime, the tune of $7.8 million. The house and glorious scrapbooks filled with anecdotes. I particularly with more than 80 books under her belt, said, woodland garden were given to the National enjoyed the “Confessionals,” listing each family “To begin with I had no joy in writing, no élan. I Trust in 2000 by Agatha Christie’s daughter Ros - member’s favorite flowers, pet peeves, cherished had worked out the plot – a conventional plot – I alind and her second husband, Anthony Hicks, values and fears. In fact Greenway is such a warm knew, as one might say, where I was going, but I and Rosalind’s son, Mathew Prichard. When and welcome place to visit, my mother related a could not see the scene in my mind’s eye and the Rosalind and Anthony passed away in 2004 and people would not come alive. I was driven des - 2005 respectively, Mathew took the generous Getting to Greenway perately on by the desire, indeed the necessity to next step of gifting virtually the entire contents to write another book and make some money.” the National Trust. Greenway is 200 miles southwest of London. This year there have been Another Agatha Christie gem is a tape record - Mathew said that his parents were fiercely pro - ing of an interview she had with a BBC radio pro - tective of the Greenway legacy. His greatest wish 80,000 visitors — the house is small with a lot to see. If traveling by car it is essen - gram in 1955. When asked to describe her writ - was for people who visit Greenway to feel some ing method, she said “…the real work is done in of the magic and sense of place that he felt as a tial to pre-book a parking spot. There are no exceptions as it is physically im - thinking out the development of your story and child in the 1950s and 1960s. Hence the house worrying about it until it comes right. That may has been recreated in the style of those years that possible to park on the narrow roads leading to Greenway and you will be take quite a while. Then, when you’ve got all your Mathew remembers as his happiest — during his material together, all that remains is to find time grandmother’s heyday. turned away. The recommended route is either by old-fashioned steam train from to write the thing!” The current house was actually built in 1790 Unfortunately, if anyone is expecting to see her by an American from named Roope Har - Paignton or Dartmouth or even better, the “Green Way” along the tranquil Riv - writing room, they will be disappointed. Robyn ris Roope. Over the years, Greenway was rebuilt, Brown, Greenway’s Property Manager who has altered and extended by various owners, includ - er Dart. Ferries run from Dartmouth, Torquay or Brixham. On disembarking at overseen the entire rebirth of Greenway, said that ing local MPs, merchants and bankers, until Agatha Christie wrote when traveling with Max Agatha Christie — known locally as Mrs. Mal - Greenway jetty, it’s a very pretty short walk up to the house. on digs throughout the Middle East. Greenway lowan — or just “Mrs. M” — bought the house was a family summer retreat and the place where for £6,000 in 1938 with her second husband, For opening times and events, check www.nationaltrust.or.uk/greenway and she celebrated finishing a book. Max, the famed archaeologist. Greenway was clearly the inspiration for many They, too, made changes — although Christie ferries www.greenwayferry.co.uk. For diehard fans, one floor of the main house of her plots. Dead Man’s Folly (1956) was set at was to remark later that she wished she’d had the the late Georgian, early Victorian Boat House — foresight to add a small kitchen next to the din - has been turned into a five-bedroom apartment available for rent — so con - complete with plunge pool — overlooking the ing room. It had never occurred to her there River Dart and the Scold’s Stone, supposedly would come a day when there was no domestic tinuing Greenway’s legacy as a holiday re - treat. where disobedient wives were trussed up to help! drown in medieval times. Shortly afterwards World War II came. As part As my mother and I finished our champagne of the preparations for D-Day, the Admiralty story that caused much merriment among the and ate the last of her birthday cake, a certain eventually requisitioned Greenway for the use of volunteers. One afternoon, a four-year old girl chill came over me. The dark waters of the plunge the United States Coast Guard. Greenway be - was discovered snuggled under the duvet, fast pool seemed to glimmer ominously. Was some - came the Officers Mess for the 10th U.S. Coast asleep in Agatha Christie’s bed. She’d even taken thing lurking beneath the muddy waters, or were Guard Flotilla based in the Dart Estuary. Among off her shoes. our eyes tricked by the dappling sunlight pouring them was Lt. Marshall Lee, who was to become The Victorians were great collectors and in through the half-opened door? an unofficial Greenway war artist. He created a Agatha Christie — born in 1890 — was no ex - Now there’s an idea for a story … vividly poignant frieze around the walls of the li - ception. The mind-boggling collection of an - brary that can still be enjoyed today. tique furniture, house wares and accouterments Hannah Dennison writes the Vicky Hill myster - The National Trust has kept their promise to at Greenway span five generations. They include ies. Her third book, Expose! will be released this Mathew Prichard. Greenway remains in a 1950s Tartanware, Meissen, Maunchlinware, papier month. See her website at: www.hannah English time warp — right down to the thick mâché, enameled boxes, Bargeware, Verge watch - dennison.com. Bronco medicated toilet paper in the Victorian es, Stevengraphs, Treen and Tunbridgeware. This article supports SinC’s Professional Educa - lavatory. Many items were collected from trips Agatha tion and Career Development goal.

December 2009 - 4 The InSinC Inquirer:

Should Youyou r Uexpesctateion sa — wFhethrere they alrea simnply cebly i snE’t thde rigiht moover. ? By Bonnie J. Cardone copy editing for grammar or whether you are ex - If in my judgment the book is not a draft or InISs iynoCur Ebodoikto thr e best it can be? Could a free - pecting help with plot and character — and to be two from one that can be submitted with reason - lance editor help you make it even better? Ex - sure that you have a freelancer who is experienced able hopes, I say so early on. (I always point out actly what do these editors do? How much do in editing what you require. I would also caution that I’m one editor. Another may make a differ - they charge? How do you choose one? Read the writer not to assume that then the book is ent assessment.) The author can then call me off, what Minotaur editor Kelley Ragland and three “finished,” as undoubtedly an editor at a publish - no charge, but if she chooses, I’ll use the freelance editors (Nora Cavin, Ramona Long ing house will want to be assured that more edit - manuscript as the basis for a teaching eval, in and Elizabeth Lyon) have to say and decide for ing can be done for things that she sees as areas which I demonstrate the fundamentals: how yourself whether or not using a freelance editor for improvement. Editing is a very subjective characters develop, how authentic plot comes out would be right for you. skill, and there could be many differing visions of character, how effective narrative does — and for one book — just imagine how often you dis - doesn’t — work, and so on. A Publishing House Editor’s View agree with other readers about finished books Ramona Long: A story that comes to me for Has your job changed in the past ten years? you’ve read! editing will be critiqued for both strengths and What emphasis is placed on marketing and weaknesses. I critique on all aspects of the story sales, how much time is spent on actual line Three Freelance Editors’ Views — plot, character, voice, theme, setting. I will let editing? What qualifications or qualities should a you know what is working and what needs Kelley Ragland: Certainly my job has writer look for in a freelance editor? shoring up or changing. I generally toss out mul - changed, as the market has gotten more competi - Nora Cavin: She should be able to give good tiple suggestions when I see a problem and it is up tive; it takes a truly superlative book to stand out references; get high marks from writers who’ve to the author to make changes or not. I make ed - in today’s competitive bookshelves. And it takes a worked with her or know her work. She should its and comments on the manuscript and return very strong book to stand out to me during the also lay out, upfront and in detail, just how she it with a long, explanatory e-mail. Basically, I acquisition process. But the biggest part of my goes about it, and what she can and can’t offer. communicate with the author until we are both job is still editing — the part I like the best, and Ramona Long: I’d say the three E’s: Educa - satisfied with the critique. the most important part. An editor’s job is many tion, Experience and Enthusiasm. When a new My turnaround time varies, depending on my things, and the aspects that have to do with pitch - client approaches me, I offer a basic CV with an schedule; once I start a project, it’s generally a few ing the book to sales staff in-house, to help craft introductory letter. Experience means not only days for a short story; a week to ten days for a par - the pitch that will be made to booksellers, librari - prior editing jobs, but familiarity and knowledge tial; two to three weeks or so for a novel, depend - ans, and reviewers, are very important. But none in the writer’s particular genre. A writer should ing on length. of it matters terribly much if the book isn’t the seek an editor who has genuine enthusiasm for Elizabeth Lyon: My editing work and compa - best that it can be. the story and understands the authorial intent. I ny, Editing International, is known for compre - Does anyone edit for story anymore? Or are ask, very directly, “What are you trying to say hensiveness. Evaluations are detailed, providing books with weak stories simply rejected, rather with this piece?” Once I understand what the examples of how to make improvements using than the editor working with the writer to make writer is trying to accomplish, I read with that excerpts from the writer's work. The evaluations the story stronger? goal in mind, because I want to give an edit that is are instructional — providing explanations and Kelley Ragland: When I am editing, I am more than simply a good job or a competent cri - outlines of elements of craft. I limit work to 100 watching all parts of a book, trying to make sure tique. Ideally, an editor will connect to the heart pages plus a synopsis and query if sent, for my it is strong in character, plot, and prose. And of the story and will take both a professional and first time working with a new writer. Most of the when I am reading submissions, I am not expect - an emotional interest in the final product. strengths and weaknesses in craft will show in ing a book to be perfect. I often take notes when a Elizabeth Lyon: To gain a best match in an ed - those pages. The synopsis is my MRI for the au - submission excites me about the things that I itor, writers should identify whether they need thor's plan for the whole work, revealing prob - might want to work on with the author, and I of - developmental, substantive or line editing. Most lems as well. ten ask to speak to the author before making an freelance editors specialize. I recommend that My Achilles' heel is turnaround time, although offer so that I can make sure we are on the same writers read editors' websites, find out how long I hope that will improve by next year. In 2010, I page, that we have the same “vision” for the book. they have been in business, learn about client suc - plan to work on two manuscripts per month and But the competition for spots on a publisher’s list cesses and ask for a copy of a typical evaluation. give two-week turnarounds. Often, because of is fierce, and a weak book will have a harder time Ask how much correction or comments the edi - the number of inquiries I am now receiving, I use getting through an editor and her readers on the tor usually makes on the pages. Medium to heavy a waiting list that is many months out. editorial board. It’s not as simple as saying that corrections and comments will be more helpful Do you work with both new and established weak stories are rejected, though, and much of it to your revision needs. Also ask the editor to writers? is about personal taste. In my opinion, good writ - please note what you've done well. Nora Cavin: Absolutely. ing and good characters with interesting, strong What expectations should a writer have Ramona Long: Yes. voices are much more difficult for a writer to exe - when entering in a partnership with you? Elizabeth Lyon: Yes. cute than a good story — it’s easier to fix a plot Nora Cavin: Publishing is a crapshoot. All I What are the common mistakes that you fix? than to fix narrative drive or prose that is less than claim to be able to do is help an author get the Nora Cavin: I’d say a great many mistakes of - artful. best possible book out of the manuscript, help ten have the same root cause. Chief among them, Do you encourage authors to hire freelance her take her very best shot. But I’m just the edi - the author’s focus and awareness is on what he editors? Do you know if many do? tor; the author has to be comfortable taking full himself is doing, on his agenda, on the effect he Kelley Ragland: I do not encourage authors responsibility for the results. Writers — and intends his writing to have. He’s “writing with that I work with to hire freelance editors; I would manuscripts — come to me at various stages of one eye on the mirror.” Both eyes, sometimes. A like to do the work myself. If an author is interest - development. There are no guarantees. I tell ev - writer has to switch perspective at times of ed in using a freelance editor before submitting ery author that unless she understands this and is course, to review his work critically, but it’s essen - the manuscript, my advice is to be clear about comfortable with it, a developmental edit proba - Continued on page 9 December 2009 - 5 ed mirror-gazing is not sufficient. They must hear from others how great they are. Their egos are box” scream at him in court and testify about quite fragile, so they respond badly to being chal - NByT Dhaer o. fKfreantdcheresr wiinhseo mRsoastm miseslsamnedtrizie ucs dis pIlamy nigmhtmareus thant stilli pltagyued her. lenged or humiliated. They harbor grudges and a perplexing resilience. It’s called narcissistic im - The DSM-IV-TR, the diagnostic bible for fiercely defend their view of themselves, blaming munity (NI) or “Teflon narcissism” and it offers mental health experts, includes narcissistic per - others whenever something goes wrong. They can writers a complex and twisty character trait. NI sonality disorder (NPD) in Cluster B on Axis II, also get defensive and needy, which damages their often shows up in the most audacious and preda - with three other disorders that manifest in ego - inflated sense of self and makes them dangerous. tory people. You might see it in a CEO, a celebrity centric behavior. A personality disorder is a persis - When they retaliate, it can be deadly. athlete, even an artist, tent pattern of maladaptive behavior that causes Despite their annoying arrogance, narcissists but you’ll definitely dysfunction in relationships or at work. While not can attract an entourage of admirers, because they find it in repeat of - all people with NPD are criminals, NPD and its have worked hard to learn what it takes to become fenders who take sig - close cousin, psychopathy, are the disorders most — and remain — the center of attention. They nificant risks. They commonly found among predatory sex offenders may possess a terrific sense of humor or the ability have a talent for re - and lust killers. Some, like Michael Ross and Ted to inspire others to believe that everything is un - bounding from set - Bundy, have admitted that taking a human life der control. Yet despite how fascinating they backs, because they’re makes them feel as powerful as God. The driving might be, most people will eventually tire of them. so certain of their in - force is a need for complete control. Such relationships are a one-way street, with the vulnerability — even NI is akin to magical thinking, a distorted be - narcissist reaping all the rewards. when the evidence is lief about how the world will support them. They Narcissism overlaps with the condition known clearly against them. believe they’re “protected” via their special status, as psychopathy because both are characterized by That’s because NI is a survival mechanism. Some and that something will always save them. They extreme self-centeredness and a lack of empathy. experts think it’s a fixation from childhood, when have a “destiny.” Often this psychological shield is In fact, many people diagnosed with NPD might the child felt special, pampered and grandiose. a reaction to a world that feels too capricious, dan - as easily be psychopaths. While not all narcissists The narcissist never grew up. gerous or harsh, but narcissists would never admit are psychopaths, all predatory psychopaths are The peculiar resilience of NI derives from arro - to such a weakness. They believe they’re smarter malignant narcissists. Those who repeatedly suc - gance and disdain. Narcissists possess a smug than any police officer and even if they’re caught ceed rely on narcissistic immunity for their sense sense of superiority that allows them to thought - they’re certain they’ll figure their way out of it: of security. lessly exploit others for their own gain. They even punishment is for ordinary people, not them. “I’m believe their victims were “privileged” to have not accountable,” they think, “and nothing will been in their orbit. This attitude is more than just stick.” They pride themselves on duping people Katherine Ramsland is a writer, professor of overblown self-esteem. It’s a clinical disorder that and believe no one is clever enough to see through forensic psychology and former therapist. Among her distorts reality, because excessive narcissists are their manipulation. (It’s more often their charisma 35 books are True Stories of CSI , The Criminal enveloped inside a cocoon of their own concerns that works than their skill.) Mind and The Devil’s Dozen . She has also written that buffers them from what others may feel. One The irony is that while they believe they’re set more than 900 articles, mostly about forensics or sexual torturer, David Parker Ray, claimed that his apart from others, they desperately need others to criminal psychology. greatest joy came from giving a woman pleasure affirm their superiority. Unlike the myth that fea - This article supports SinC’s Professional Educa - — despite hearing a survivor who escaped his “toy tures the self-loving Greek figure Narcissus, isolat - tion and Career Development goal.

tences on why they love SinC. Each month, a win - ner will be drawn for the $1,000 prize earmarked Minutes of the SinC Board Meeting for book purchases and the winning library's pho - to will go on our website. Drawings begin January OVcotitnog mbemebers i1n a5tte,n d2an0ce:0 Ro9be,r taI nIsledib, iason faar. Tpheo telamis co,n tIinN ues to progress in adding 2010. Bonnie Cardone will post the winners in Judy Clemens, Marcia Talley, Charlaine Harris, features that make it easier for members to use our the newsletter. Beth Wasson mentioned that li - Julianne Balmain, Robin new website resources. Robin Burcell added that brarian bookmarks will be available for download Burcell, Mary Saums. now our SinC publications ( Brazen Hussies , etc.) from the website. Non-voting members could be added to the members-only section of Mary Boone, our library liaison, will be in in attendance: Beth the website. Roberta Isleib and Beth volunteered charge of organizing the SinC booths for PLA Wasson, Bonnie Car - to form an editing team to bring those publica - and ALA next year. done, Ellen Hart, Sandy tions up to date. Judy headed a discussion on the new strategic Parshall. Judy suggested that Ellen Hart, incoming PR li - plan we created at last year's Bouchercon. We re - Board members un - aison, re-start our website blog. Discussions fol - visited each goal and found that, point by point, able to attend: Nancy lowed with ideas on how to make that more useful we have moved forward and made great progress Martin, Mary Boone, and interesting for members. New content for our this year. Ideas on ways to expand and improve Cathy Pickens, Jim newsletter plus new special reports, along the line were discussed. Huang, Kathy Wall . of the Summit Meeting report that was so success - The SinC Into Great Writing! workshop at President Judy Clemens called the meeting to ful, were also discussed. Bouchercon was a huge success. The possibility of order at 9:00 am. Julianne Balmain reported that the Monitoring similar future programs was discussed. Treasurer Kathy Wall's financial report was dis - Project needs more monitors. In general, the pro - Suggestions were made on how SinC can part - tributed. She reports that we remain in a healthy ject's numbers currently reflect the shrinking re - ner with other writing organizations for mutual financial position, with sufficient funds for our view space in publications. More possible online benefit. operating needs and for the projects planned for review sites were discussed. The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 am. the next year. Judy talked about our upcoming monthly li - Respectfully submitted, Beth Wasson and Vice President Marcia Talley brary grants program. Libraries will send photos Mary Saums, gave reports on how Affiniscape is working for us of patrons and librarians along with a few sen - Secretary December 2009 - 6 SinCʼs $1,000 So Far, Not So Good for 2009: Library Grant ByS iMstearsr iyn Craimllae his aplnea Bseod oton ae nnounce the first Female Mystery Writers in Review "We Love Libraries" lottery. Monthly grants of $1,000 will be awarded from January through De - ByT Nhraeed qiuaa rGteorsr odf onunm (bJeursl iaaren inn efo Br oaulrm Siastienrs) i,n M Corimniet oMroinigto Prinrog jPerocjte cLti anids tohn e results are cember 2010. Winners will be drawn from entries not particularly encouraging. Of 50 publications, only two have reviewed more mystery novels received at our website: www.sistersincrime.org. written by women than those written by men. One is the Bay Area’s Contra Costa Times at approx - To enter, simply log on, fill out a simple applica - imately 63 percent books by women, the other is Romantic Times at just under 78 percent. tion form and upload a photo of one or more of Of the other 48 publications, many of the splits as of the end of September were worrisome. your staff with three books in your collection by Several large publications reviewing many mystery novels were heavily weighted in favor of books Sisters in Crime members. At the end of each written by men. Among them are Ellery Queen magazine at nearly 81 month, a random drawing will be held and the percent male, the Times at more than 85 percent male, the winner announced. Please, only one entry per li - Detroit Free Pres s at 100 percent male, the Morning News at brary system. Those not successful in one month nearly 79 percent male, NPR Radio at more than 80 percent male and will automatically be entered for subsequent the Washington Post at more than 79 percent male. We still have a full drawings. The only restriction is that grants must quarter of numbers to report, so these statistics will change. However, be used to purchase books and not used for gener - what appears to be a downward trend of review coverage for books al operating expenses. Book purchases are NOT written by women is certainly a cause for concern. restricted to the mystery genre nor to those by Sis - As the newspaper and magazine businesses change in order to remain ters in Crime members. competitive and relevant in the age of the internet, so the Monitoring My two and a half years serving as Library Liai - Project will be reevaluating how we track web-only reviews. For exam - son have reinforced something I always suspected ple, this year saw both the Seattle PI and the Christian Science Monitor cease publishing their print to be true: when it comes to being friends of li - editions. Happily, there are also emerging online-only entities that are giving mystery novels the braries, no one out does Sisters in Crime. The serious attention we need to add to our project. (I welcome your suggestions.) All this, as well as proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating. Oh, attrition and our expanded efforts to track key placement at B&N and Costco, mean the Moni - what a delicious pudding the SinC board served toring Project could use your help. up to librarians at the Indianapolis Bouchercon, If you would like to participate, please visit the Monitoring Project page at where the above announcement was first made! www.sistersincrime.org and send me an e-mail. Being a monitor is easy. You simply read a publica - Please be sure to clip out this article and share it tion you enjoy, track the gender of those authors reviewed and add your numbers to our database with your local librarian! each quarter. With so much changing in the media, it’s especially important for those interested in the professional status of women writers to continue to observe and report the facts about our industry. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. This article supports SinC’s Advocacy, Monitoring, and Reporting goal. contact them online, through their websites, blogs Libraries are hurting right now. They’re shut - Crime on Loan and . Back then, I was able to contact Sue ting doors, cutting hours, cutting book budgets. Grafton, Edna Buchanan, T.J. MacGregor, James But librarians are still passionate about books and W. Hall. And, each time an author did me a favor, reading and we’re eager to share that passion with spoke for the library and made us look good to our our library patrons. You may not even know us, elected officials and library patrons, we sold their but we’re reading, reviewing and sharing mysteries books, and exposed them to a number of readers. with our patrons. We buy these books for our li - Lee County Library Day became the Lee braries, push them on our library websites and County Reading Festival, a day-long event. We personal blogs, feature them with our book clubs asked authors to do us a favor, and , Den - and in brown bag luncheons. And, in return, we The Librarian/ nis Lehane, Les Standiford, Michael Connelly, want mystery authors to continue to write exciting Carl Hiaasen, Sue Grafton, Tim Dorsey, Nancy crime novels and, once in a while, acknowledge Author Partnership Pickard, , Jonathon King, P.J. Parrish that libraries do benefit authors. We’re rooting for ByI’ mLe alswaay Hs soliglshttilny be emused when authors com - and Barbara Parker were some of those who said them. We’re their fans and some of their biggest ment that they’d rather readers bought their yes. Dennis Lehane was writing Mystic River at the supporters. We’d like authors to think of us as books than borrowed them from libraries. Is the time and Jan Burke hadn’t yet attained her current their silent partners. slight profit from one sale better than the benefits stature. Mary Anna Evans appeared at the festival of a partnership built with libraries? before her first book was even out. We exposed au - Lesa Holstine began her library career as a page I’ve had the opportunity to do programming thors to crowds that grew larger and larger over when she was 16. She returned home as director of and book selection in public libraries since 1981, the years and packed the park, and then rooms, her hometown library in Huron, OH, on the shores in Ohio, Florida and Arizona. This isn’t a column with readers eager to meet and hear them. of Lake Erie, at the age of 22. She lived in Florida for about me. It’s a column about partnerships and I’m now in Arizona. Like other librarians, I do 18 years, where she was a librarian/administrator, opportunities — but I’m going to use examples readers’ advisories. I talk about books. I hold before moving to Glendale, AZ. She is a library from programming and work I’ve done with brown bag luncheons and push mysteries to my manager and a contributing book reviewer for Li - crime novelists. patrons. For four years, I’ve had a blog, Lesa’s brary Journal , Mystery News , Mystery Readers Mysteries are my favorite books and mystery Book Critiques, in which I get to talk about mys - Journal and various websites. Lesa's Book Critiques authors are my rock stars. That means, when asked teries, interview authors, talk about debuts. My li - is syndicated through Blogburst and reviews have to find authors to speak at our Lee County Li - brary features an “Authors @ The Teague” pro - been picked up by Reuters, USA Today and other brary Day in Florida, a celebration for library sup - gram. Authors such as , Louise Ure news distributors. She is the winner of the 2009 porters and county officials, I turned to my first and Betty Webb have appeared at the library. The Spinetingler Award for Best Reviewer. love. Mystery authors are accessible. In those days, Poisoned Pen Bookstore sells the books, and the This article supports SinC’s Professional Educa - it was a little harder to find them, but now I can relationship benefits all of us. tion and Career Development goal. December 2009 - 7 Chapter News Desert Sleuths Chapter (Arizona) Law and Fiction: Desert Sleuths unveiled our first anthology, How Not to Survive the Holidays , at our highly suc - Getting the Facts Right cessful Write Now! 2009 conference. We are look - By Leslie Budewitz ing forward to the coming year's meetings as our Can a child testify in a criminal trial? line-up of stellar speakers continues. Rhys Bowen Yes, but very young children must first be found competent to testify. In Idaho, Joseph Duncan and Simon Wood are just two of the notable was set to stand trial for murdering a woman, her boyfriend and her teenage son, and kidnapping names we will hear from in 2010. her two younger children for sex; he later killed the younger boy but was captured in Montana with Internet Chapter the girl, nine at the time of trial. Idaho law requires a judge to interview privately any child under The Internet Chapter of Sister in Crime (SinC- ten to determine competency. Days before trial, the judge found the girl IC) has a new website and is planning to produce a competent to testify. newsletter. We are also starting a blog for members Some states establish competency review requirements by statute, only. If you live too far from your local chapter to while others rely on case law. Most states require that witnesses under drive to meetings, or if you just like to hang out on ten be interviewed to determine their competency, either before trial or the 'net, SinC-IC is for you. We are actively solicit - during trial but outside the presence of the jury. Older children’s compe - ing content for the website and the newsletter, so tency may also be challenged if the lawyer opposing the testimony files a here's your chance to share your ideas and your motion requesting a determination. In the Duncan case, the nine year nonfiction writing and see your name in e-print. old was the only living witness to a triple homicide; the judge deter - We have a slew of new members, and welcome mined her competency before trial because of the potential effect on all Sisters and Brothers. Dues are $15 for a year plea discussions and trial if she were unable to testify. and $7.50 if you join mid-year or later. We would The issue in determining competency is whether the minor witness has the ability to 1.) Under - like a few more web mavens, particularly anyone stand the obligation to tell the truth and 2.) Accurately relate events seen, heard or experienced. who knows Wordpress (complimentary member - ship.) For more information, contact Judy Copek (The same rules apply to adult witnesses whose mental capacity is in question.) Those criteria are via [email protected]. broken down further into these elements: Mary Roberts Rinehart Chapter • Capacity to observe On Sunday, September 13, 2009, members of • Sufficient intelligence Pittsburgh’s Mary Roberts Rinehart Chapter • Adequate memory gathered at their namesake’s nature park in • Ability to communicate Sewickley, PA, to help plant a tree purchased as a • Awareness of the difference between truth and falsehood community service project. The eastern hemlock, • Appreciation of the obligation to tell the truth in court native to Pennsylvania, is also the state tree and Judges are trained to use age-appropriate terms and measures. A young child may say that if she will grow quickly, adding to the magical ambiance lies she’ll be punished or if she doesn’t tell the truth, God won’t love her any more. In most cases, of the park. that’s enough. The Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park over - In Washington State, a three year old was allowed to testify about abuse that occurred when she laps property once owned by the mystery-writing was two, because she met the basic criteria for competence as to the subject of her testimony. Obvi - maven. Born on August 12, 1876 in Allegheny ously, she could not be asked more complex questions that a seven or ten year old could understand and respond to, but she demonstrated her understanding of the difference between the truth and a lie, and the importance of telling the truth; the judge concluded that she had the necessary ability to observe and communicate what had happened to her. However, it’s entirely possible that another three year old or an older child might not be found competent. When a child is unable to testify, their prior statements to parents, counselors, doctors or law en - forcement may be admissible at trial under some circumstances; check the law in the state in which your story is set. As a direct result of the Idaho court’s competency decision in Duncan’s case, on the day jury se - lection was scheduled to begin, Duncan pled guilty in state court to three charges of first degree homicide and three charges of first degree kidnapping. He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole on the kidnapping charges. He also pled guilty to federal kidnapping and Left to right: Annette Dashofy, homicide charges for taking the two young children to Montana where he molested both and killed the boy, and was sentenced to death in August 2008. The girl, then 11, did not testify at the sen - Martha Reed, Gina Sestak, tencing trial, after Duncan and prosecutors agreed to use video and audiotapes as her testimony Cathy Corn. about the . Duncan said he wanted to spare the family and community any more pain. But City, PA, Rinehart started writing as a way to earn it's unlikely that he would have pled guilty to the state or federal charges had she not testified earlier. income after a heavy stock market loss in 1903. A Two other states are still considering charges against him for unrelated kidnappings and killings, al - registered nurse, wife and mother of three sons, so of young children. prolific and dedicated to her art, she wrote The The possibility that a child will testify can add a lot of drama and tension to a case. You can use Circular Staircase in 1908. That book propelled that possibility, the competency evaluation and the trial testimony to complicate your plot and add Rinehart to national fame. layers to your story. After assisting with the planting, president Martha Reed, VP Annette Dashofy, treasurer Gina Sestak, and member Cathy Corn joined the Leslie Budewitz is a practicing lawyer and a fiction writer. For more columns and help on getting the park’s staff in a picnic, including tea and cucum - law right in your stories, visit her website, www.LawandFiction.com. ber sandwiches as well as cookies and fresh straw - This article supports SinC’s Professional Education and Career Development goal. berries.

December 2009 - 8 Middle Tennessee SinC President Judy Clemens (now past presi - dent) visited the Middle Tennessee Chapter in Chapter Spotlight: September and is pictured here with the officers. Greater Saint Louis When founded? 1998 Anything else you’d like to add? We meet How many members? 35 once a month. In 2010 meetings will be in a What area does it cover? Saint Louis city, room in a Barnes & Noble store. Our programs municipalities in Saint Louis County, adjoin - range from writers speaking on certain subjects ing counties of Jefferson, Franklin and Saint (building characters, how to write descriptive Charles, and counties in Illinois that border the scenes, etc.) to police detectives, ATF agents, a city of Saint Louis. canine officer and his dog and sessions where Website: members can bring in a few pages www.sistersincrimestl.org. of a work in progress for critique. Left to right are Barbara Jernigan, secretary-trea - What activities are upcom - In December we have a holiday surer; Beth Terrell, vice president; Chester Camp - ing? Midwest MysteryFest 2010: party and book exchange. bell, president, and Judy Clemens. two days of workshops, panels, We are also negotiating with If you would like a SinC board member to visit speakers, etc. for mystery writers, Esther Luttrell, Hollywood your chapter, please contact Beth Wasson at the readers and fans. Forensic experts, screenwriter, TV producer, docu - national office ([email protected]). There professionals in the mentary writer and mystery is funding available to help with expenses. writing/publishing fields and novelist, to conduct a half day authors will be speaking on vari - workshop next spring on using This article supports SinC’s Membership Growth, ous subjects. Literary agent pitch - screenwriting techniques to Networking, and Forums for Members goal. es will be available. There will be enhance mystery novels. Esther is keynote addresses by nationally- a talented, creative lady and has known authors. given workshops to literally We are hoping to have a “crime thousands of people throughout scene” — a room furnished as if it the country, so we know we will CTohnteinu Iend fSromin paCge 5 Inquirer is in a house or office, or perhaps learn a lot from her experiences. tial that he be fully aware of the characters, of their something outside — that participants can — Jo Hiestand, chapter president. own, authentic concerns — which are very differ - study to figure out whodunit. ent from his. It’s fascinating how many problems This will happen during a four-hour session they’ll solve for him once he has that awareness. with law enforcement officers who will con - This article supports SinC’s Membership A lack of trust in the readers, and in the writer’s struct the scene and then explain the clues and Growth, Networking, and Forums for Members own abilities, commonly results in unnatural, in - where the clues would lead if it were a real case. goal. structive, micromanaging narrative, and wooden dialogue. Far more effective to let readers experi - mechanics (errors of grammar, punctuation, and confidentiality to anyone who sends me a story. ence and respond firsthand, without interference spelling; overused “pet” words). Elizabeth Lyon: The contract I use has a para - — to allow the characters themselves to do so. How much do you charge? graph indicating I would like to advertise the suc - When characters “start to live lives,” as I heard one Nora Cavin: My current rate for a standard edit cess of the writer on my websites and, in general, very successful writer put it, that’s when things get is $60 an hour. to be allowed to mention names, book titles and interesting. Ramona Long: For short stories, $25 for a sto - publisher. It is rare that one of my clients does not Ramona Long: Back story! New authors are ry up to 20 manuscript pages, plus $1 per page be - agree to this and happily do so. often in love with their characters and want to yond that. For novels, from $1.25 - $1.50 per page. How do you handle the conflict if a writer share every detail of their characters’ lives. Authors I offer a “package” called Better Beginnings, for takes offense at your editing? writing a series have a different twist to the same $100. This includes the first 50 pages, plus an out - Nora Cavin: It’s only happened a few times in problem — how much back story must be shared line or synopsis, for an intensive edit/brainstorm. over 12 years and not at all recently. I think the to bring new readers up to speed without boring If the author comes back with the entire MS, I M.O. I’ve developed soon makes it clear whether their returning readers. don’t charge for those pages, even though I’ll re- my approach will suit an author. If she finds any of For new writers, I often find POV shifts, pro - read them. my arguments unconvincing, certainly I’m not of - noun confusion, characters pointlessly dithering Elizabeth Lyon: $100 per hour. I cover five to fended. around (stalling) before the author takes the ten pages per hour, because I go through the Ramona Long : I try to nip conflict in the bud. I plunge into an action scene. With mysteries in manuscript twice. This includes the time it takes let clients know from the onset that my focus is particular, errors in 911 protocols, clues that are to write the evaluation. I indicate on my contract the story and my goal is to make the story as strong glaringly obvious and problems in pacing. I often to expect 15 to 25 hours. I ask for a retainer of half as it can be. It is the author’s story, not mine, and devote time to analyzing the story’s structure, to of the lowest figure, i.e., $750. the final decisions and changes are always hers. make sure the author correctly places the highs Do most writers prefer not to let others know Elizabeth Lyon : I am a peacemaker by nature. and lows in the story arc. they’ve used your editing services? When a writer takes offense, and that does happen Elizabeth Lyon: I have a long list that includes Nora Cavin: On the contrary. The few times I’ve and is bound to happen in this kind of highly per - (but is not limited to): whole book structure, asked, because I thought an example might be help - sonal criticism, I recommend talking about the theme, story goal and psychological need, back ful to other writers, there were no objections. I ask problems, on the phone, in e-mails and shifting story, deep motivation for choices, characteriza - that authors recognize me in the acknowledgments the sting of criticism toward the mutual goal of tion and dimensionality, point of view and use of as an editor, and they’ve all been happy to do so. making the writing the best it can be. tense, scene structure and clarity of scene goals, Ramona Long: My clients come to me by character reactions and emotion-processing se - word of mouth, so I’d have to say no, although quels, turning-points or set-piece scenes, pace, I’m not sure all writers who use independent edi - This article supports SinC’s Professional Educa - character attitude and passion, style and voice, tors go around announcing it. I do guarantee tion and Career Development goal.

December 2009 - 9 Coming up: Conferences ALA Midwinter BSoistesrs tino Cnrim,e 'sM NeAw England Chapter is ex - hibiting at the American Library Association's & Happenings Midwinter meeting at the Boston Convention [email protected] or Manya Shorr at mshorr and Exhibition Center from January 15 to 18, LEFT COAST CRIME 2010 @omahapubliclibrary.org. 2010. An estimated 12,000 library professionals will visit Beantown — NE SinC members will be LOJanS B uArkNe aGndE LeLe EChSil,d CwiAll be the guests of there to welcome them and you can, too. A num - honor at “Booked in LA” (aka Left Coast ber of signing slots and volunteer opportunities Crime), at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles from BLOODY WORDS are available and if you can't make it in person, March 11 to 14, 2010. Janet Rudolph will be fan we'll be happy to distribute your bookmarks, guest of honor and Bill Fitzhugh will serve as VICTORIA, VANCOUVER postcards or excerpts. Contact Rosemary Harris toastmaster. at [email protected] to arrange for The event will feature three tracks of panels ISBLloAodNy DWo, rCdsA wNill AtakDe Aplace at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, Vancouver Island, a signing or to volunteer at the booth no later and presentations, including one tailored to pub - than December 23, 2009. You must be a Sisters lished writers, as well as local crime-related tours, Canada, from June 3 to 5, 2011. Guests will in - clude Laurie R. King and Michael Slade. The in Crime member. special events and a charity auction. All SinC authors may send 50 bookmarks or For more information and to register online, ghost of honor will be Amor de Cosmos. The early bird rate is $150 Canadian, which 50 postcards to Rosemary to be given away at visit www.leftcoastcrime.org and click on the ALA Midwinter. No books can be shipped to link to 2010. includes a banquet and catering events. For more information, visit the website: the convention center. If you plan to attend you www.bloodywords2011.com. will need to make arrangements to bring your books to the venue. Please package your small promotional materials and e-mail Rosemary for MALICE DOMESTIC 22 an address to send them to. They must arrive on or before January 5, 2010. AMRaLliIcNe DGomTeOstiNc 2,2 V wAill be held April 30 to These announcements support SinC’s Profes - May 2, 2010, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in sional Education and Career Development goal. Arlington, VA. The guest of honor will be Par - SinC at PLA nell Hall; the toastmaster, Rhys Bowen; and the Lifetime Achievement award recipient, Mary Conference and Higgins Clark. For more information see the ETxheh Puiblici Ltiiborarny Association conference, to In Memoriam website: www.malicedomestic.org/. be held in Portland, OR, from March 24 to 26, William G. Tapply died July 28, 2009, at his 2010, is a great opportunity for SinC members home in Hancock, NH, from leukemia. He was to make connections with librarians. 69. One of the most prolific mystery authors in SinC authors living near the Portland area, or New England, he published more than 40 books CRIMEFEST who plan to be in the area during the conference in 25 years. Beginning in 1988, he also wrote dates, are invited to help meet and greet the nonfiction essays on fishing. BCRrIiSmeTfeOst,L th, eU inK ternational crime fiction many public librarians who make stopping by With his second wife, mystery writer Vicki convention, will be held May 20 to 23, 2010, at the SinC booth a high priority. Stiefel, Tapply also ran the Writers Studio at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel in Bristol, UK. Exhibit hours are: Chickadee Farm in New Hampshire. Featured guests will include Colin Dexter; the Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm (3 - In addition to his wife, Tapply leaves a son, toastmaster will be Gyles Brandreth. 4 booth workers needed) Michael; two daughters, Melissa and Sarah; two For more information see the website: Thursday, March 25, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (8 - stepsons, Blake Ricciardi and Ben Ricciardi; his www.crimefest.com. 10 booth workers needed) mother, Muriel, and his sister, Martha Van Friday, March 26, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm (6 - 8 Drunen. booth workers needed) Patricia Wells Lunneborg died August 17, Attending authors may chose to sign and give 2009, of heart failure in Seattle. A University of MAYHEM IN THE away books (ARCs are welcomed!) but it is not Washington Department of Psychology profes - MIDLANDS necessary to have books to give away in order to sor, she was a widely published academic who help in the booth. Librarians are always excited taught field courses on careers in psychology. OMMaAyheHmA in, t hNe MB idlands will be held May 27 to meet SinC authors! She also introduced a pioneering program of to 29, 2010, in Omaha, NB. The guest of honor A local contact is needed to receive the pro - women's studies. will be Deborah Crombie; the toastmaster, Mar - motional materials sent by SinC members un - Among the books she wrote during her retire - cia Talley; the Caroline Willner Special Guest, able to attend the conference. ment was an anthology (co-written with her sis - Steve Hamilton. SinC authors who can’t attend PLA can still ter) that was nominated for an Agatha in 2001. Registration is $100; students pay $50. The have their work represented by sending 50 - 75 Patricia was preceded in death by her hus - fee includes all conference sessions, Thursday copies of one (1) promotional item (e.g., a book - band, Clifford. She is survived by her sister and night cocktail party and Friday night auction. A mark, postcard or business card) for booth hand - brother-in-law, Bobbie and Paul Ryan, step - Day Pass for the conference sessions alone is $50. outs. Non-attending authors are also invited to mother Grace McElwee Wells and by Clifford's Options include a Gritty City Trolley Tour on send one copy of a book (ARCs are welcomed!) sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Harold Thursday morning for $15; Sisters in Crime Buf - to be used in our daily booth raffles. Kulm. fet on Friday evening for $20; and a Mystery For more information about how you can par - Dinner on Saturday night for $45. ticipate in the PLA conference, please contact For more information and online registration Sisters in Crime Library Liaison, Mary Boone, at Check out our new website: see the website: www.omahapubliclibrary.org/ [email protected] mayhem or contact Sally Fellows at sallyfel - Thanks in advance! See you in Portland! www.sistersincrime.org December 2009 - 10 ber a group of crime writers who came through the the reader to give one of our books a shot. Appear - BTyT Ehhel loeftne t oHlda trMatle aboiutn hown the meemsberso of thte aTw inC Citires miamny yeaers ag oW. They awerev slated to Ring itodgetheer crseate!s a bigger event. And if some - Minnesota Crime Wave first met is this: Kent, appear together at a local theater. I was very excit - one comes to see Carl, they get the chance to meet Carl and I all had the same parole officer. A second ed to attend and made sure I got a front row seat. two other writers. It’s win/win. fiction I’ve heard blowing around the country is As the event wore on, I remember thinking that As Carl wrote in one of our earliest promotion - that we met in a drunk tank. I can assure you that they didn’t look at each other, never commented al pieces: neither is true. (That’s my story and I’m sticking back and forth, never smiled. None seemed terri - “Not since the 1930s have authorities across the to it.) bly happy to be there. As a group, they had abso - Midwest been put on such high alert. Not since Nine years ago, I invited Kent to come to a class lutely no chemistry. And when they were done, the demise of the dime novel and pulp detective I taught (and still teach) at The Loft Literary Cen - they all walked off in different directions. I think magazines, or the period when John Dillinger and ter in . He gave a terrific lecture on you can tell when someone is having fun, really in - Baby-Faced Nelson walked the streets of the Twin suspense. Afterward, as we were standing in the to what they’re doing. I’ve always believed that, Cities, has this sort of marauding band been seen hall saying our goodbyes, he asked if I was doing because we respect and like each other, it comes in these parts. much touring for my new book. I’d heard that he’d “Known to be traveling together, this danger - done some events with Carl Brookins. I didn’t ous trio of writers, dubbed The Minnesota Crime know either one of them very well back then, but Wave, is armed and dangerous and should not be they didn’t look too dangerous, so I invited them, approached without a degree of humor. Their along with Deborah Woodworth, to my house to M.O. is to appear at local bookstores or libraries, explore the idea of traveling together. My recollec - engage the patrons and staff in amusing repartee, tion is that we sat around the dining room table then relieve all and sundry of disposable cash and with a pot of coffee, but Kent tells the story a little leisure time in exchange for terrific mystery sto - differently. He maintains that we met and talked ries. over a glass of wine. Later, that glass got turned in - “Among them, the members of this nefarious to a bottle. And somewhere along the line, the gang have committed over 40 crime novels and bottle morphed into a “vat.” The next time Kent won more than 20 national and regional awards. tells the story, I’m sure he will insist that we were “Be on the lookout for: William Kent ‘Iceman’ crushing grapes with our feet. The dim mists of Krueger; Ellen ‘ Most Fowl’ Hart; and memory grow darker — and the tales taller — Carl ‘Sailor’ Brookins.’” with age. At the time, we’d all toured individually, on our Ellen Hart is the author of 25 mysteries in two own dime, organizing all the details, doing the different series She is the five-time winner of the promotion, sending the media kits, booking the Left to right: Carl Brookins, William Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery airlines, the rental car, the hotel and everything Kent Krueger and Ellen Hart. and the three time winner of the Minnesota Book else a writer has to do today to make sure the book across in the presentation and creates a warmth Award for Best Crime & . Her gets noticed. We understood how much work it that puts the audience at ease. newest book is The Mirror and the Mask . was and thought that sharing the load made a cer - Here’s the down and dirty on how we’ve divid - This article supports SinC’s Professional Educa - tain sense. Thus, on that cold afternoon (or wine- ed up the work. Kent used to makes the cold calls: tion and Career Development goal. soaked evening), The Minnesota Crime Wave was “Would you like the Minnesota Crime Wave to born. Deborah Woodworth left the group several come visit your store?” We don’t do that much years later to concentrate on her writing. We still anymore, so Kent has ended up being our contact miss her and wish her well. guy. He works with everyone’s schedules and finds Al Blanchard In our time together, the MCW has done three a date when we’re all free. Carl is our business national tours, created a website (with just under a manager. He keeps the books, writes the checks, ShToher Nt Cewr Eimngela nFdi cCtriiomne B Cakoen Ctoemsmt ittee million hits), edited two Minnesota mystery an - organizes and administers our databases, finds the congratulates Hollis Seamon, winner of the 2009 thologies, ( The Silence of the Loons , Resort To Mur - motels and books them, creates the maps we use to Al Blanchard Short Crime Fiction Contest, and der ) begun a TV show — The Minnesota Crime get where we need to go, and his car is the official the four honorable mentions: Daemon Crowed, Wave Presents (episodes available on YouTube and Crime Mobile. As for me, I do the promotion, Shirley Jump, Caroline Roberts and Maureen at our website, www:minnesotacrimewave.org), send out the press packets, organize our photo “Mo” Walsh. The committee is also pleased to an - generated a twice yearly newsletter and created a shoot photos, and with my partner (a graphic de - nounce that the 2010 contest is now officially wealth of promotional materials. We’ve traveled signer), I’ve helped generate all of our promotion - opened. to hundreds of bookstores and libraries across the al brochures. We’ve actually become a very active The contest is sponsored by the Crime Bake country, giving our patented panel presentation, small business. Committee and held annually in memory of Al which always turns out to be a mixture of hilarity We’ve learned a lot over the years — both what Blanchard, who was the co-chair of the first three as well as thoughtful musings on writing. We’ve al - to do and what not to do. We’ve heard comments Crime Bakes, president of NEMWA and a mem - so done writing workshops, something we’re be - (grumbles from the grim among us) that we must ber of Sisters in Crime. The contest named for ginning to concentrate on, and are exploring the be very silly indeed (and lightweight writers) to him offers a $100 cash award, publication in Level idea of creating another anthology. The best part appear in costume. Let me put that one to rest Best Books’ annual short Crime Fiction antholo - is, if we appear at a bookstore and nobody shows right now. Just because we like to show the audi - gy and admission to New England Crime Bake. up but the bookstore owner and the bookstore ence a good time, be outrageous — and have fun Submissions should be crime stories by New owner’s cat, we can look at each other and shrug. ourselves — doesn't mean we don’t take our writ - England authors — or with a New England set - And then we go out for a great dinner and have an - ing seriously. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, at ting — no more than 5,000 words in length and other vat — I mean, ah, a glass — of wine. least to our way of thinking. It’s hard to get read - may include the following genres: mystery, thriller, None of us could have predicted that we would ers’ attention these days because there’s so much suspense, caper and horror (no killing of children hit it off personally, but we did. Kent and Carl out there vying for our time. What we’re doing is or animals). For more information, visit the have become two of my dearest friends. I remem - just another way of raising our hands, asking for Crime Bake website: www.crimebake.org.

December 2009 - 11 THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOC KET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET ePress, October 2009 Niche Press, October 2009 ByA Pnnaoturincciaem Genutlsle foy r new books (please, no Stacy Juba, TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Sarah Wisseman, THE FALL OF AUGUS - reprints), short stories, articles and plays (all relat - TODAY, Mainly Murder Press, October 2009 TUS, Wings ePress, October 2009 ing to mysteries), also nominations and awards, Deborah J Ledford, STACCATO, Second Wind Rebecca York, DRAGON MOON, Berkley may be sent to Patricia Gulley via snail mail to: Publishing, November 2009 Sensation, October 2009 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue, Portland, OR 97217- Robin Lehman, PERSEVERANCE, Fogdog Short Stories/Anthologies 7849 or e-mail to: Weyrcottage@ yahoo. com. Press, August 2009 JoAnne Zeterberg, Jean Steffens, Judy Star - Please be sure to put Sisters in Crime, The Docket Jess Lourey, SEPTEMBER FAIR, Midnight Ink, buck, Nancy Nielson Redd, Sarah Parkin, or InSinC in the subject line — otherwise your e- September 2009 Chantelle Aimee Osman, R K Olson, Kris Neri, mail won’t be opened. Mary Ann Mogus, THE LETHE GENE, Wings Merle McCann, Anne Marisky, Deborah J Led - The deadline for the next The Docket is January ePress, Inc. August, 2009 ford, Connie Flynn, Suzanne Flaig, Howard B. 10 , 2010. Lisa Morton, THE CASTLE OF LOS ANGE - Carron, Susan Budavari, CR Bolinski, HOW LES, Gray Friar Press, October 2009 NOT TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS, DS Books Kris Neri, HIGH CRIMES ON THE MAGI - Publishing, August 2009 Joan Albarella, SISTER AMNESIA, The CAL PLANE, Red Coyote Press, October 2009 Mignon F. Ballard, BLACK AND WHITE, Writer's Den, August 2009 Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September Sarah Atwell (Sheila Connolly), SNAKE IN 2009 THE GLASS, Berkley Prime Crime, September How to Send Us Your Entry Judith Copek, BAD TRIP, Quarry, Level Best 2009 The format is simple: Books, November 2009 P.I. Barrington, CRUCIFYING ANGEL, Name of author, TITLE OF BOOK, Eve Fisher, THE MOUND BUILDERS, Oc - Desert Breeze Publishing, November 2009 Name of Publisher, Month to be released. tober, DEATH OF A GOOD MAN, Novem - Lisa Black, EVI - Name of Author, TITLE OF STORY, ber 2009, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine DENCE OF MUR - Name of magazine or anthology, Month to Wendy Hornsby, THE VIOLINIST, Two of DER, William Morrow, be released. the Deadliest, HarperCollins, July 2009 September 2009 Awards and nominations should be in Norma Lehr, FINAL BREATH, PMS: Poi - Cynthia Baxter, sentences. son, Murder, Satisfaction Anthology, L&L MURDER HAD A Always put The Docket in the subject line Dreamspell, May 2009 LITTLE LAMB, Ban - of your e-mail. Anything else may be deleted. Steve Liskow, LITTLE THINGS, Quarry: tam Books, October Don’t send ISBNs, character names, series Crime Stories by New England Writers, Level 2009 names or places to buy the books. Best Books, November 2009 Lillian Stewart Carl, Don’t send newsletters, publicity sheets Debbi Mack, THE RIGHT TO REMAIN THE CHARM or website addressess. SILENT, The Back Alley Webzine, September STONE, Five Star, Don’t send in colors other than black and 2009 November 2009 white. Nina Mansfield, A FELLOW OF INFINITE Patricia E. Canterbury, EVERY THURSDAY, Don’t send entries older than six months. JEST, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Novem - Willow Valley Press, December 2009 Editors of anthologies will not be listed ber 2009 Kathy Carmichael, DIARY OF A CONFES - unless they have a story in the anthology. Anita Page, Barb Goffman, Steve Shrott, Eliz - SIONS QUEEN, Medallion Press, February 2010 If you are using a pen name, we can add abeth Zelvin, THE GIFT OF MURDER, Wolf - Jim Ciullo, MARACAIBO, Mainly Murder your real name after it in parentheses. You mont Press, October 2009 Press, September 2009 must tell me if you do not want this done. Marcia Talley, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW, Sheila Connolly, ROTTEN TO THE CORE, Two of the Deadliest, HarperCollins, July 2009 Berkley Prime Crime, July 2009 Barbara D'Amato, Jeanne M. Dams, Mark , THE BODY IN THE Nonfiction/Articles Richard Zubro, FOOLPROOF, Forge, December SLEIGH, William Morrow, November 2009 Wendy Hornsby, WRITING ABOUT LOS 2009 Neil S. Plakcy, MAHU VICE, Alyson, August ANGELES, Mystery Readers Journal, Fall 2009 Hannah Dennison, EXPOSE!, Berkley Prime 2009 Crime, December 2009 , AIR TIME, Mira Books, Awards/Miscellaneous Hal Glatzer’s script, MURDER ON THE Susan Dunlap, HUNGRY GHOSTS, July, September 2009 AIR, will be performed on radio at the Hilo CIVIL TWILIGHT, August 2009, both Counter - Keith Raffel, Smasher: A Silicon Valley Thriller, Hawaii Cultural Center December 3 to 5, 2009. point Press Midnight Ink, October 2009 Susan Cummins Miller's HOODOO is a Fi - KD Easley, NINE KINDS OF TROUBLE and Sandra Ruttan, LULLABY FOR THE NAME - nalist for Women Writing the West's 2009 WHERE THE DREAMS END, NukeWorks Pub - LESS, Dorchester Publishing, December 2009 WILLA Award in Contemporary Fiction. lishing, August 2009 Sheila Simonson, AN OLD CHAOS, Persever - HOODOO also received this year's Bronze Diane Fanning, A POISONED PASSION, ance Press, September 2009 Award (Mystery) from ForeWord Magazine and September 2009, MOMMY'S LITTLE GIRLS, Carole Shmurak, DEATH AT HILLIARD was a Panelist's Pick for the Southwest Books of November 2009, both from St. Martin's Press HIGH, Sterling House, August 2009 the Year. Robert Fate, JUGGLERS AT THE BORDER, L.J. Sellers, SECRETS TO DIE FOR, Echelon Sheila Simonson’s BUFFALO BILL’S DE - Capital Crime Press, October 2009 Press, September 2009 FUNCT won the WILLA Award for Best Origi - Leighton Gage, DYING GASP, Soho Crime, Kelli Stanley, CITY OF DRAGONS, Thomas nal Softcover Fiction of 2008 from the Women January 2010 Dunne Minotaur Books, February 2010 Writing the West organization. Karen Harper, DOWN RIVER, Mira Books, Marcia Talley, WITHOUT A GRAVE, Severn Jeri Westerson’s VEIL OF LIES was a finalist February 2010 House, August 2009 for the Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel. Hazel Holt, MY DEAR CHARLOTTE, Coffe - Elaine Viets, THE FASHION HOUND town Press, October 2009 , Signet, November 2009 Wendy Hornsby, IN THE GUISE OF MERCY, Peggy Webb, ELVIS AND THE GRATEFUL This article supports SinC’s Membership Perseverance Press, September 2009 DEAD, Kensington, October 2009 Growth, Networking, and Forums for Members Norma Huss, YESTERDAY'S BODY, Wings Nancy Glass West, FOREVER FATAL, Deadly goal. December 2009 - 12 Ephron included a six-page handout. Plot and story are the same, and follow certain SSpionnsoCred bIy nSistteros in CGrimre, tehe aSintC IWnto rstiritp dionwng the! dialogue, add three oblique details rules. 1. Story is told (at least partly) from the Great Writing! workshop was held in Indianapo - that could anchor the scene, and rework the first point of view of the sleuth. 2. The reader knows lis on October 14, 2009, from 1:30 to 9:00 pm. It and last lines. These tweaks would help move the everything the POV character (or characters) featured seminars by Donald Maass, Hallie scene along. knows. 3. Bad Things Happen. 4. In the end all is Ephron and Chris Roerden. Nancy Pickard was About one-half hour from the end of the semi - explained. 5. Justice, especially from the viewpoint the dinner speaker. Daryl Wood Gerber, Carl nar, Don admitted that agents skim and make of the POV character, is achieved. 6. Plot follows a Brookins and Debby Atkinson authored the fol - quick decisions. “Make every sentence, every para - formula without being formulaic. lowing reports. graph count,” Don said. That’s micro-tension. The basic ingredients to a successful mystery Writing the Breakout Novel Above all, Don said that most manuscripts are as follows: 1. Intriguing idea as the premise. 2. Don Maass, of the Donald Maass Literary need more: more drama, more substance, bigger Crime scenario that draws the reader in. 3. Secrets Agency, has 14 novels and bestselling nonfiction characters. And he warned, if an agent requests (everyone has something to hide, including the books under his belt, including his latest, The Fire your work, but your work isn’t ready to submit, victim). 4. Protagonist we care for. 5. Three-part in Fiction . don’t submit it. Revise it first. structure to the novel. 6. Planning and more plan - Over the course of a four-hour seminar, Don, a If you want to learn more of Don’s tricks of the ning, whether the author outlines or not. wonderful storyteller, regaled us with stories while trade, get a copy of The Fire in Fiction . I did. — Donald Maass told us how to drive our plots via helping us plow through our works in progress. Daryl Wood Gerber . the characters’ personalities and actions. Ephron Just so you know, no mere article could ever con - explored how writers could use characters’ secrets Dinner with Nancy Pickard to develop credible and exciting plots. vey the impact of what he imparted. Former SinC president and long-time mystery For the first hour, we discussed the role of the Ephron also gave examples of how to find Page novelist Nancy Pickard spoke during a pleasant One of the novel and endings to avoid. Subplots protagonist, with Don asking us a series of ques - dinner supplied as part of the workshop fee. tions and telling us to write down the answers. are an excellent idea and they need to be themati - Nancy talked eloquently about some of her ex - cally linked with the main plot. Why should I (the agent/reader) care about periences, including some embarrassing low this character? Show something the character Plot needs an upward trajectory of action throughout the book. After a dramatic opening, does the same way you or I would do, something photo by Carl Brookins weird or quirky. What is it that your protagonist the three-act structure begins, and each act has a most wants, yearns for? climax and plot twist. This requires two major What is the point in the story when your pro - turning points, and these secrets should be power - tagonist completely gives up? What is the most ful enough to change your characters’ views of the dramatic way that he can quit? investigation. — Debby Atkinson. What is one thing your protagonist would nev - Don’t Sabotage Your Submission er, ever, say? (Hint: have him say it.) Chris Roerden, a successful independent edi - What is one thing your protagonist would nev - From left to right: Hallie Ephron, Roberta Isleib, Chris Roerden, tor, is the author of the -winning er ever conceivably do? (Hint: have him do it.) Don’t Murder Your Mystery , as well as other in - What is one thing your protagonist would never Nancy Pickard and Donald Maass. structional guides. Over the course of an hour and feel, an emotion that is completely out of his points, funny bits about herself and other God - a half, she clued us in on the cold truth of how range? desses (i.e. former SinC presidents), and her agents and editors look at submissions. “The vast Don’t settle for boring characters. Push your rollercoaster ride as a major groundbreaking force majority are not read beyond chapter three. A characters over the edge, out of their boxes, off toward women becoming recognized as of at least great many of them are not read beyond page one.” their pedestals. equal value as writers of crime fiction. Hers was a So, how can we combat a quick rejection? We then moved on to the subject of the antago - message of persistence and inspiration. She related With the help of handouts and interactive exer - nist. How is your antagonist actually right? how many of the pioneering women mystery au - cises, Chris explored the importance of voice and Maybe he reflects ways great leaders think about thors, though successful, had been caught up in the power of strong writing. Many of these hand - the world and how things should be run. What the mid-list purge of the late ’90s, but now, ten outs are on her website: http://writersinfo.info. does your protagonist say or do that catches your years later, had fought back by persevering, writ - The first handout covered voice. Chris said the antagonist off guard, that makes him stop and ing good solid crime fiction, and were rising back vast majority of writers junk up their voice and even admire your protagonist? Don suggested to the financial successes they had once enjoyed. smother it with bad habits. that we write the story from the antagonist’s point Pickard has seen and experienced most of the The second addressed weak or average writing. of view. Writers should know where the antago - essential inspirations the workshop and the fol - The passage we discussed is on her website at nist is and what he’s thinking at all times. lowing sessions were designed to elevate. She is a http://writersinfo.info/GoldCufflinks.html. After a break, we discussed plot, scene structure model of persistence and presence in the field and The third focused on how to write dialogue. and Don’s favorite — micro-tension. a fine writer. And make no mistake, the day was Get rid of chatty words like “Well, hello, how are “Raise the stakes” was one of his catchphrases designed to promote the essential concepts of Sis - you.” Create conflict by disagreement, interrup - during this portion of the seminar. What are you ters in Crime. Being a writer of crime fiction was tion or change of subject. doing to make the problem more personal for the never easy and it hasn't gotten much easier for The fourth dealt with the aspect of show, don’t protagonist? How can you blind or injure your women in the profession. However, since the for - tell. Telling is an efficient way of getting a lot of in - protagonist emotionally, physically? Who can mation of Sisters in Crime as a professional orga - formation across, Chris said, but when it comes to lose faith in your protagonist? nization in 1986, there has been slow but definite characters’ behaviors, telling is nothing and weak - Don suggested that many manuscripts submit - progress toward equality of recognition and, pre - ens your voice. ted to him are predictable. He said, “We’re reach - sumably, of financial compensation. — Carl In closing, Chris said, “Don’t be in a hurry. An ing for high drama, stories that take us on a real Brookins . agent who told you to send chapters is not holding journey and shake up the protagonist.” her breath. Take your time. Make your work as In the last hour, Don had us deconstruct a scene Twisting a Mystery Plot good as it can be the first time you send it out.” — from our WIPs. We wrote reporter-style accounts Hallie Ephron’s Plot Twisting was an excellent Daryl Wood Gerber . of where the protagonist was ten minutes prior to follow-up to Donald Maass’ information on how and ten minutes after the scene. With those mo - to make our writing better. She built on the many This workshop supports SinC’s Professional Edu - ments set in our minds, Don suggested, we then points Maass gave us. To help us stay organized, cation and Career Development Goal. December 2009 - 13 Bouchercon 40 October 15 to 18, 2009 — Indwitiha hnorsa d’opueovrlesi asnd, laItN er, a charity auction ByT Bheoren wnaise s oJ m. Cucah rgdoionng eon, aInt tShein InCd iEandapitoolir s Bouchercon that many of that, along with the silent auction, netted $13,657 us constructed a calendar of events so we wouldn’t miss anything. We were for the charity, Indy Reads. kept busy wending our way over skywalks to various venues and even board - The SinC Librarians’ Tea was held in the elegant ing buses to get to them. I attended panels and events in two libraries, a L.S. Ayers Tea Room, a few minutes’ walk from the Western art museum, a theater, a convention center auditorium, two hotels Hyatt. There, 40 SinC authors mingled with 110 and a tea room. And oh yes, there were plenty of things happening right in librarians. The tables were linen draped and had the host hotel, the Hyatt. beautiful fresh flower centerpieces. The delicacies Last year the financial sky was falling when we gathered in . served included finger and cucumber tea sand - Even though the skies were cloudy and it rained on us this year, the mood was wiches, specialty breads such as carrot-coconut and Sara Paretsky, light. Jon Jordan said it was the happi - banana-cinnamon, a fresh fruit salad and tea cook - SinCʼs Found - est convention he’d ever attended — ies. Attendees got to keep the delicate china cups ing Mother, and I agree. and saucers they used and picked up a free book made a rare donated by a SinC author when they left. The day before the convention convention opened, SinC sponsored a workshop, The tea featured a panel — Charlaine Harris, SinC Into Great Writing! You’ll find a S.J. Rozan, Nancy Pickard, and Eve appearance. report on that on page 13. Sandstrom (aka Joanna Carl) — discussing why S.J. Rozan, the convention’s toast - they loved librarians. master, was everywhere. She handed The SinC breakfast on Friday morning was also a business meeting. Presi - out the Fan Guest of Honor (Kathryn dent Judy Clemens introduced the board members and chapter presidents Kennison) and Lifetime Achievement present, along with SinC’s ListServ moderators and SinC Links stringers. (Allen J. Hubin) awards at a special She told us that the Strategic Plan goals adopted a year ago had been or were luncheon at the Omni Hotel on Thurs - being fulfilled. She also announced that every month in 2010 SinC will be day and presented the Anthonys at the giving a library a $1,000 grant for new books. (See page 7 for the details.) Hilbert Circle Theater on Saturday. Following Judy, Nadia Gordon, Monitoring Project liaison, spoke about She served on three panels (including the need for people to help with the project. (Page 7 also has more on that.) The Seal of Office was the one at SinC’s Librarians’ Tea) and Judy pointed out that board members are available to speak about SinC at passed from Judy was interviewed by Terence Flaherty. chapter meetings. Up to $350 is available from SinC to help defray the cost of Clemens (right) to Mar - Many things done this year were new travel. If your chapter is interested, contact Executive Secretary Beth Wasson. cia Talley at the SinC and fresh. Everyone who registered for Then it was time for the election. Judy moved that the slate be accepted breakfast. the convention was mailed a copy of and her motion was seconded. The motion was put to a voice vote and Rex Stout’s Some Buried Caesar and a carried unanimously. With that, Roberta Isleib and Robin Burcell were town hall meeting convened on Thursday afternoon to discuss it. released from duty and the 2009-2010 board, including new members Ellen Another new thing was the very popular craft room. Almost every hour an Hart and Sandra Parshall, along with president Marcia Talley, vice president author would provide materials and instructions on how to make such things Cathy Pickens and secretary Mary Saums, were installed. Judy called Marcia as a cross stitched bookmark, miniature flowers, crocheted dishcloths, a to the podium and handed over the “Seal of Office.” Marcia presented Judy scarf, a Nancy Drew sleuth kit, party pop-up invitations, knit squares for a with a lovely Tiffany bracelet, a gift from her board members. quilt, a gift basket, scrapbook and bath salts. The convention ended with a blockbuster event: a Book Bazaar in the Also new was Continuous Conversation, which consisted of three or four Hyatt’s huge atrium/main lobby. Instead of books in the bag received at authors talking to each other. Every 15 minutes one would leave and be registration, everyone got five tickets, good for books from participating replaced by someone else. The conversations took place over three days and authors at the giveaway on Sunday morning. The line formed early and just involved 73 writers. grew and grew. Authors settled at long tables that were covered with white There was also a Crime Scene contest. I intended to enter but ran out of cloths and stacked with books. When 9:00 am arrived, the aisles between the time to view the scene and write a report. tables quickly filled and spilled over into the lobby. I would nearly all of An opening Extravaganza was held Thursday night at Gameworks in the the 1500+ registrants were Circle Center Mall, just a skywalk away. All the games were free, as was the there. I had given my tickets food: tacos, hamburgers and a dessert buffet. away so I could take photos, Instead of in a tiny something I quickly regretted overflowing room, the when I saw several of my fa - Barry, Macavity, vorite authors still handing out Crimespree, Derringer books well after the event and Shamus awards began (aaaaargh!). were presented in a Unseen by the adult partici - huge, but still overflow - pants, 700 kids took part in the ing room on Thursday convention, too — but I don’t night. Instead of a have room to tell you about banquet, the Anthonys that! were presented at the You’ll find more Bouchercon Hilbert Circle Theater photos on our website, (volunteers stood on www.sistersincrime.org. Fan Guest of Honor Kathryn Kenni - street corners directing This article supports SinC’s son (left) and Lifetime Achievement foot traffic). The cere - mony was followed by a Professional Career Develop - honoree Allen Hubin with S.J. no host bar reception ment and Networking goal. Rozan. December 2009 - 14 Former president (right) Lib - Daryl Wood Gerber by Hellmann and friends. Hallie Ephron (center) with SinC president Marcia and Rosemary librarians at her table. Talleyʼs table. Harris with their cups and saucers, a gift from the Bouchercon Scenes from the Volunteer Librariansʼ Tea Committee.

The Librariansʼ Tea panel: L to R, Carolyn Hart, Joan - na Carl, S.J. Rozan, Charlaine Harris, Nancy Pickard. Julie Hyzy took home an Anthony and a Chris Graben - SinC board member, Jim Barry for Best stein won a Best Huang, was one of PBO. Childrenʼs/YA Boucherconʼs organizers. Novel Anthony.

Jeffrey Marks won a Best Criti - cal Nonfiction Work Anthony. took home a Short Story Macavity. Christa Faust won a Favorite PBO from Crimespree.

Frankie Bailey Toastmaster S.J. Rozan won a Best Non - Jon and Ruth Jordan received and Guest of Honor fiction Macavity. a Special Service Anthony. Michael Connelly.

Ruth McCarty won a Derringer for Best Flash Mystery.

William Kent Krueger received Crimespreeʼs Jack Reacher An escalator delivered attendees right to the second floor Hospi - award. tality Lounge, hosted by SinCʼs Speed City Indiana Chapter. December 2009 - 15 PRSRT STD Sisters in Crime U.S. POSTAGE PAID P.O. Box 442124 BLACKSBURG, VA Lawrence, KS 66049 PERMIT NO. 158 [email protected]

Change Service Requested

D E A D L I N E S

 JANUARY 10, 2010 — Deadline for submission of items for the March Docket. Send to Patricia Gulley, 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue, Portland, OR 97217-7849 or e-mail to: [email protected].  JANUARY 15, 2010 — Deadline for the March InSinC newsletter. Contact Bonnie J. Cardone: [email protected]; phone 805/938-1156. Other InSinC deadlines are April 15, July 15 and October 15.

 JANUARY 31, 2010 — Deadline for SinC membership renewal. See page 3 for details.