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Home , Barbara Mertz, Bouchercon, Edith Maxwell (author), Hank Phillippi Ryan, Marcia Talley, Margaret Maron

the Sisters in Crime Quarterly Vol. 26, No. 3

Strategic Planning Overview by Laura DiSilverio

f you read inSinC front to back, you women crime writers.” We dropped the goal, ranging from expanding the moni- probably haven’t read Hank’s letter about phrase “to achieve equality in the indus- toring project to developing new edu- Ithe SinC strategic planning session… try” from the 2008 statement not because cational opportunities for members, to what? You haven’t? So go to Page 3 and male and female crime writers operate sharing webinars and information across read it—we’ll wait. Okay. Aren’t you excited on a level playing field, but because we chapters, and many more which you can now? This organization is going places, think the idea of promoting recognition read about in the full report. moving forward, heading for new heights. encapsulates our unchanged commitment Believe us, we came away from the two days to ensuring women crime writers receive Your national board is totally excited about of meetings totally jazzed up, not exhausted the reviews, publishing opportunities and our new direction and committed to it. like you usually get after a couple of days awards their excellence demands. Our hope is that as you read the full plan locked in a conference room. You’re prob- and discuss it, it will stimulate you to come ably wondering however, what, exactly, we • We broadened our mission statement forward with ideas, or even to volunteer accomplished. Let us tell you. to “Serve as the voice for excellence and in one of the goal areas. We’ll be forming diversity in crime writing.” We’re all about standing and ad hoc committees to propel The full report will be forthcoming in a getting better at our craft, helping others us forward and we hope each of you will month or so, after we polish it and add some get better, and being inclusive, as well as choose to be an active part of the process. photos and such. [Photos are on Page 13.] raising the bar for crime writing and excel- Email your board members with your ideas, In the meantime, here’s the Reader’s Digest lence across the crime fiction spectrum. or chat with us at conferences and conven- version: tions. We look forward to a fruitful and •We changed our tag line from “SinC into ongoing discussion! • We refined the mission statement to read a Great Mystery” to “SinC Up with Great “Promote the ongoing advancement, rec- Crime Writing!” to show that we encom- ognition and professional development of pass a broader spectrum of writing than straight mysteries.

• We established four goal areas to strive Strategic Planning Committee for over the next five years and appointed Rather than a summit conference this board goal champions (not necessarily the year, SinC President committee chairs) for each: called for a strategic planning session. • Membership Growth, Retention and The last such meeting was held in 2008. Value Creation (Frankie Bailey) Bill Pawlucy of Association Options facili- • Chapter Relations (Martha Reed) tated the meeting of seven board mem- • Voice of the Industry and Promotion bers (Hank, Frankie Bailey, Sally Brewster, Laura DiSilverio, Cari Dubiel, Barbara Fister, of the Professions (Barbara Fister) and Martha Reed), three former SinC presi- • Educational Excellence (Laura dents (, Kate Flora, and Judy DiSilverio) Clemens), and three staff members (Sarah Glass, Beth Wasson, and Molly Weston). • Finally, we generated specific strategies and even some tactics for achieving each Get a Clue inSinC the Sisters in Crime Quarterly Hello from Hank Hank Phillippi Ryan ...... 3 The mission of Sisters in Crime isPromote the ongoing advancement, Editor’s Note recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Molly Weston ...... 3 Chapter News ...... 4 Hank Phillippi Ryan, President Sally Brewster, Bookstore Liaison Laura DiSilverio, Vice President/Pres.-Elect Cari Dubiel, Library Liaison Board & Officers ...... 6 Stephanie Pintoff, Secretary/Publicity Val McDermid, At-Large Awards & Rewards Robert Dugoni, At-Large Cathy Pickens, At-Large ...... 7 Kathryn Wall, Treasurer/Authors Coalition Liaison Barbara Fister, Monitoring Project We Love Libraries! Martha Reed, Chapter Liaison Frankie Bailey, Past President Debra H. Goldstein ...... 8 Mary Boone, Library Adviser Sarah Glass, Web Maven/Social Media Beth’s Bits Laurel Anderson, inSinC Proofreader Kaye Barley, inSinC Proofreader Beth Wasson ...... 9 Gavin Faulkner, inSinC Proofreader Molly Weston, inSinC Editor/Layout Sarah Weinman on Domestic Suspense Beth Wasson, Executive Director, po Box 442124, Lawrence ks 66044-2124 Barbara Fister ...... 10 Phone: 785.842.1325; Fax 785.856.6314; e-mail [email protected] SinC into Great Writing Cathy Pickens ...... 12 SinC’s Strategic Planning Committee . 13 Events & Happenings ...... 14 Sisters in Crime Past Presidents RIP ...... 14 1987-88 1988-89 Writing Contests ...... 15 1989-90 Margaret Maron 1990-91 Susan Dunlap Law & Fiction—Getting the Facts Straight 1991-92 Carolyn G. Hart 1992-93 P. M. Carlson Leslie Budewitz ...... 16 1993-94 Linda Grant 1994-95 Barbara D’Amato Katherine Ramsland, PhD ...... 17 1995-96 Elaine Raco Chase 1996-97 Annette Meyers The Docket ...... 18 1997-98 Sue Henry 1998-99 Medora Sale Awards & Nominations ...... 19 1999-00 Barbara Burnett Smith 2000-01 Claire Carmichael McNab Writing Contests ...... 19 2001-02 Eve K. Sandstrom 2002-03 Kate Flora 2003-04 Kate Grilley 2004-05 Patricia Sprinkle Deadlines & Submissions 2005-06 Libby Hellmann 2006-07 Rochelle Krich 2007-08 Roberta Isleib 2008-09 Judy Clemens • Deadline for articles for the December 2009-10 Marcia Talley 2010-11 Cathy Pickens issue of inSinC is October 15. 2011-12 Frankie Bailey • Include name, e-mail, mailing address, and phone number with submissions. • Send columns, articles, high-res photos, ideas, praise, and story ideas via e-mail to Molly Weston Legend [email protected] 919.362.1436 In 2008, the board of directors of Sisters in Crime implemented a new strategic plan. Three goals emerged from this plan: inSinC articles will be marked with icons to represent the The Docket appropriate goal. • To list your publications and award nominations, login to SistersinCrime. Advocacy, monitoring, and reporting org and look for “The Docket” under “Members Only.” Fill in the information, one entry per publication. Professional education and career development • Information on the SinC website will be updated regularly and will be available to anyone under “Resources.” Membership growth, networking, and forums for members • The Docket will continue as an item in inSinC.

just the facts • inSinC is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four times a year. • One-year dues are $40 for professional us and Canada writers and $35 for non-professionals, (add $5 for other countries). Two-year dues are $80 and $70; lifetime, $400 and $350. • Address and all other changes can be made by members on www.SistersInCrime.org. If you do not use a computer or need a username please contact Beth Wasson at 785.842.1325 or [email protected] • Information in inSinC is submitted and reprinted from sources listed in each article. Where required, permission to reprint has been granted and noted. SinC does not investigate each submission independently and articles in no way constitute an endorsement of products or services offered. No material may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime ©2013. inSinC -2- September 2013 Strategy vs. Tactics—SinC & YOU But what about how you’re to get there? Will e do it every day—but we prob- you get up earlier every day to write before ably don’t think of it in military you leave for work? Will you make a word- terms: Strategic decision-mak- W count-per-day chart? Will you promise to ing vs. tactical decision-making. Sounds more like a Bruce Willis movie than the writ- write first, before you check your email and er’s life—and I clearly remember my high Facebook page? Will you come to the SinC school history teacher trying to explain the into Great Writing Workshop at ? difference as he taught us about World War Those are your tactical decisions—the little II. But in an oak-paneled conference room picture. The specific individual steps you at a hotel this June, I began to real- choose to take—every day—on the way to ize how fascinatingly important that way of achieving the goals in your mission statement. thinking can be. By creating that statement—which takes Even more fascinating, how successful it can thought, consideration and passion—you’ve be to apply those skills to our own lives and set the stage for your future. An attainable, careers—and to our writing community. possible, powerful future. By listing your tac- tics, you’ve set the path to get there. Here’s what I mean. Do you have a mission statement for your writing career? A new And that’s just what we’re doing at Sisters author might say something like: A power- in Crime! In that oak-paneled boardroom ful story, a quality manuscript, continuing in Chicago, a group of board members and Kate Flora suggested a wonderful motto for education and devotion to my task—lead- past presidents and Beth, Sarah, and Molly Sisters in Crime: You write alone, but you’re ing to publication and success. Okay, good met to think strategically and tactically not alone. I’ve thought about that every day. one. If you looked at that every morning, it about the future of Sisters in Crime. We’re would keep you on your path, right? If you focusing on chapters, and new members, If you’re on a mission, you have to know were trying to decide whether to do some- and education, and finding our voice. what it is. Now we do—and I hope you’ll thing, you could ask yourself—does that fit join us. You write alone—but you’re not You’ll read a lot more about it in this issue in to my mission statement? And if not— alone! We’re all in it together. well, just say no. That’s strategic planning. and when we send you the specifics, but Big Picture. Stating your broad-based goals it was exciting, powerful, and incred- Let me know what you think! And now— to yourself and to the universe. ibly inspirational. To sit in a room all of us get back to writing! together, and talk about SinC—where we’ve (Keeping your day job and doing laundry been and where we’re going and why we With much affection, may not be in that “no” category—we’re care so much. It was being part of history, and I am so grateful to be included. talking philosophy here, not fantasy.) Hank Editor’s Note

sually when Malice is over I have Cathy Pickens and Bob Dugoni will be opportunities SinC has given me into the a huge blank spot on my calen- wonderful in Albany and I look forward to mystery community. When I joined the Udar until Bouchercon. This year is hearing them. If you haven’t registered yet, organization shortly after its formation, totally different! I was honored to be part Beth gives the url so you can take care of there was no internet. The SinC newsletter of both the Strategic Planning Committee that online. (it didn’t have a name then) was the only and the ala booth in Chicago. In August way I found about conferences, new books I attended Killer Nashville as SinC’s repre- It’s been too long since I last went to Magna cum Murder, so I’m looking forward to from favorite authors, new authors to read, sentative at the Friday night welcome party. being back with my Midwest friends in and how to get in touch with them. I’m looking forward to my first Writer’s in October. I truly treasure the wonderful friendships Police Academy here in North Carolina I hope I get to meet many of you as we cross SinC has afforded me and the opportunity (I hope I don’t have to play a victim!) in paths along the way. Be sure to wear your to have the best job in the world! September as well as the aforementioned membership pins! Bouchercon. Having been to four of the Happy writing—and reading! SinC into Great Writing Workshops, I can Hank just spoke of being grateful to be part attest that they’re not to be missed. I know of SinC’s history. I’m grateful for the many Molly

inSinC -3- September 2013 Chapter News

Murder We Write www.MurderWeWrite.com New SinC Chapter Logo Plan Death Comes to the Our chapter will change its meeting day Good news! The SinC Board approved Old Dominion the launch of our new Chapter Logo beginning this fall to the third Sunday of TellTaleHeartOfVirginiaSinC.org Plan. The idea behind the plan is to the month. All our programs take place at Tidewater - [email protected] the High Point Library from 2:00 until 4:00 enhance the professional appearance of SinC chapters by developing a consistent pm unless otherwise listed. Great things happen when Sisters in Crime logo style to be used on websites, mem- work together! Two small SinC chapters Whether thriller, mystery, sci-fi, or bership drive, marketing, and promo- in Virginia, Tell Tale Heart of Virginia urban fantasy, readers and editors can tional materials. Best of all, there is no (Central Virginia) and Mystery by the tell when writers fake the facts. A profes- cost to participate! Sea (Tidewater,) decided last year to band sional private investigator will present together to do an anthology of short mys- “Investigation/Forensics: Write it Right!” Here’s how the plan works: tery stories by their members. All the on September 15. You’ve lots of time to pre- stories were required to have a Virginia pare the questions you’ll need answered for • Interested chapters should email landmark in them, and this helped unite the your next book or short story. chapter liaison, Martha Reed directly. different story styles—plus the geographic Martha will work with professional Our October 20 program is twofold: “ebooks differences. graphic designer and fellow Sib Karen For Readers: How To Borrow Them From Phillips. Karen will draft both red and Their book, Virginia is for Mysteries, The Library, Select The Right Device For white logo versions for review. attracted the eye of Virginia publisher, You, And More”; ebooks for Writers: Learn Koehler Books and will come out in January What Your Readers Expect.” 2014! The Virginia theme also excited the The Bibliography of nc Writers of Mystery & Virginia Tourism Board and the Library True Crime is a resource your books can be of Virginia, which is planning to host the listed in if you are a traditionally published launch in the Capitol Building in Richmond. mystery, suspense, or crime writer living in North Carolina. Download this free direc- • Once a chapter approves their final tory—accessible to everyone everywhere New York/TriState to read—from MurderWeWrite.com (click logo design, Karen will provide an rgb jpeg file, suitable for web and online Resources). Info on your book(s) being Our annual June chapter party was held at use, plus a cmyk tiff file for use with listed in the bibliography appear at the end Cowgirl Restaurant in Greenwich Village. printed materials. Both file types are of the download. Everybody had a good time as the recent easily resizable for multiple uses and slate of officers bid adieu and the new group Any reader, writer, or librarian—member will work with various software appli- stepped up to lead. The new president wore or not—Chris Roerden is seeking your cations. The anticipated turnaround her tiara; the outgoing president received help in sharing the updating of this labor of time for new logos is about two weeks. flowers. love. Very little time is involved. Email her at [email protected] and put “Help with • The logo plan is voluntary, and the Bibliography” in the subject line. decision to revise an existing chap- ter logo remains at the discretion and action of each chapter and its officers. Going forward, new chapters will be directed to use the plan as part of their initial set-up.

New York/TriState’s new officers and board are ready to go! Left to right—Catherine Maiorisi, treasurer; Cathi Stoler, vice-president; Kate Lincoln, member at large; Peggy Ehrhart, president; Cynthia Benjamin, member at large; Laura Joh Rowland, member at large; Stephanie Wilson-Flaherty, treasurer; and Kathy Ryan, member at large. inSinC -4- September 2013 New England www.SinCNE.org

The New England chapter is having an small, medium and large press-published. Chapter changes eventful and event-full year. We started 2013 She explained differences between old and Our chapter took a big step this year in with a “no winter travel involved” online new publishing models and what writers can considering changing the term of president course for members, “Pacing for Mysteries” do to reach more of the right readers and sell from one to two years, with the president (or by Mary Buckham. more books. She even sold us on metadata! someone she designates) serving as co-chair of Crime Bake only in the second year, and Although in February we were snowed out April, May, and June brought a shower of then serving in that role for two years. These by winter storm Nemo, we were able to new books by our SinCNE members with are two huge jobs to tackle at once, so Past- reschedule our speaker for April. Meanwhile President Barbara Ross will take on Crime several more ready to launch by the end we repeated last year’s successful “Read Bake again this year while President Julie Across New England” weekend in March, of the year and many new contracts! Our Hennrikus concentrates on chapter devel- with group readings throughout the states speakers bureau has been busier than ever opment. we cover. scheduling author panels. Thank you, Leslie Wheeler, for coordinating this important We continue to work on leveraging social Spring/Summer venture. Our Speakers Bureau. Our web media to support our members, and engage authors, librarians, and readers. Our blog, The week before our April event, we were page includes authors and titles. shaken by the events surrounding the “Pen, Ink, and Crimes,” has several mem- Marathon bombing, including the As this is written, we are revving up for bers contributing. It included a great six- part series by Beth Kanell on writing a evacuation of our president from her home another hot online course in August by young adult (ya) mystery. We are also on during the search for suspects. (They used a Gwen Hernandez, popular teacher and nearby house as a workshop. Allegedly.) Facebook, and on Twitter @SinCNE. author of Scrivener for Dummies, thanks to We gathered two days after the Boston lock Programming Guru Michele Dorsey. down for a fantastic workshop with Kristen Fall McLean on “Understanding the Market for Your Book and How to Reach It.” Kristen With Bouchercon next door in Albany this founded a company, Bookigee, and devel- September, we expect a good turnout of oped a product, WriterCube, to empower all our members. Look for us on many of the writers—pre-published, self-published, and panels, too!

Panelists for a discussion on what real authors are doing to reach audiences are Sheila Connolly, left, Kristin McLean, Barbara Ross, , and Julie Hennrikus. Arlene Kay reads from her book Die Laughing. Kristin McLean speaks on The Rise of the Empowered Author in an age when writ- ers and readers have more choices. Photos by Mo Walsh. inSinC -5- September 2013 SinC Board and Officers

Note: Because Bouchercon is early this year, in late September, you will have already received your ballot for electing our SinC Board and officers. The following article will introduce you to the Nominating Committee’s recommendation for new members and re-introduce you to who remains from previous election(s).

very year at this time, SinC ventions. She plots murders and three Level offers a new slate of prospective parents teens in Colorado, trying Best antholo- Eboard members and officers. to keep the two tasks separate. gies, Thin Ice, While it’s an honor to be nominated, Dead Calm and it is a real labor of love to serve. Once As required by our bylaws, SinC Blood Moon. again, everyone extends thanks to members received a ballot. The She is the 2013 Kathy Wall who has stepped down Nominating Committee sug- president of as treasurer. gested your approval of two Sisters in Crime new board members and exten- New England. Wayne Lynn The position sion of term for one member. of treasurer is If confirmed, the new members the only non- Nominated will begin their terms at the SinC elected SinC for vice presi- Board meeting at Bouchercon. officer and the dent, Catriona only one with- McPherson is the With the exception of the depar- out term limits. Agatha, Macavity, ture of member-at-large (and past After review- Ritter Valeriya and Lefty award- president), Cathy Pickens, who has ing applications winning author completed her term, the present from several outstanding candidates, of the Dandy board members have all agreed to the Nominating Committee recom- Gilver series of continue their service on the board. historical mys- mended and the board approved Lori Martha Reed Roy for the position. Lori graduated teries, and a new strand of contem- porary stand-alones, beginning will continue as from Kansas State University and chapter liaison. worked as a tax accountant before with As She Left It. She moved to Northern California in 2010, where Her Nantucket pursuing a writing career. Her debut Mystery, The novel, Bent Road, was awarded the she is a member of both the Capitol Crimes and NorCal chapters. Nature of the Grave Edgar for Best First Novel and named won a 2006 ippy a ny Times Notable Crime Book. Edgar-winner for Mid-Atlantic Her second novel, Until She Comes Stefanie Best Regional Home, was recently published. Pintoffserved Fiction. Her story “Strangler Fig” Since the SinC as secretary in will appear in the Pittsburgh chap- vice president 2012–13 and ter’s Lucky Charms e-anthology. automatically has agreed to extend her term The owner of steps into the Park Road Books presidential into 2014. The Alison Sheehy in Charlotte nc, position, Laura former attorney is now a full-time writer and mom. Sally Brewster DiSilverio will will again be assume the J.A. (Julie) Hennrikus, execu- bookstore liai- presidency. The tive director of StageSource, has son. She is a past author of 12 crime novels, Laura agreed to serve as publicity chair president of the is a former Air Force intelligence as an at-large member. Her short Southeastern officer. She teaches and speaks stories have appeared in the past Independent Booksellers widely at conferences and con- Association. inSinC -6- September 2013 Cari Dubiel, At-Large Criminal justice who just put ny Times bestsell- professor by together her ing author Robert day—crime first SinC booth Dugoni, a former writer by at the American civil litigator and night, Frankie Library reporter, lives Bailey is a past Association in and writes in the president of Chicago, will Pacific North- SinC and part continue her west. He will of the 2013 Photography Foley Jeff work as library liaison. She is the also join Cathy Bouchercon committee. She computer services manager at the Pickens in presenting the SinC lives in Albany ny. The first in Twinsburg Public Library in Ohio. into Great Writing Work- a new series, The Red Queen shop prior to Bouchercon. The Dies, will be out this month. Having worn Conviction, a David Sloane several SinC thriller, came out in June. SinC’s immediate “hats,” Barbara past president, Fister will serve Widely published Hank Phillippi again as moni- in short stories, Ryan, has won toring coordi- series and stand- the Mary Higgins nator. Barbara, alone novels,Val Clark, Anthony, who writes the McDermid Macavity, and Anni Koskinen lives and writes two Agathas series, is a librarian at Gustavus in the North for her crime Adolphus College in St. Peter mn. of England. fiction. She is also an Emmy- She has won Andy Peebles winning investigative reporter multiple awards, including the in Boston. The second in her Gold Dagger. A new thriller, The new Jane Ryland series, The Vanishing Point is out this month. Wrong Girl, is out this month. Awards and Rewards by Margaret Maron

most thorough reading. Waiting till the end of the year may well n the best of all possible worlds, the discerning public would buy every SinC book simply because one of us authored it. Alas, mean a quick scanning instead of the thoughtful consideration Ithe world is sometimes a wee bit thick and is attracted to such you deserve. phrases as Edgar Nominee, Agatha Winner, Shamus Award for Best No book or story of your own out there this year? Then how about Short Story of the Year—Macavity—Anthony—Nero, etc. So far as a little collegial altruism? If you read something that moves you or as I know, the Edgar, Shamus, and Nero are awarded by appointed knocks your socks off, especially if it’s been published by a small committees of objective-minded peers drawn from mwa and pwa house, please don’t let it fall through the cracks. Contact the chairs (the Nero is a blind judging). The Macavity, Agatha and Anthony are nominated and voted on by subjective-minded fans and enthu- of the appropriate committees and bring the work to their attention. siasts who are subscribers to or participants of Mystery Readers If you are eligible to nominate someone for an Agatha, an Anthony International, Malice Domestic, and Bouchercon respectively. or a Macavity, don’t waste your nomination. Take a minute to fill out that form when you get it. Then take another minute to send it in. There is little you can do to influence fan votes short of standing them all to a drink, but there is something you can do about the Who knows? Even as you read this, someone may be taking two peer awards: Make sure your work reaches the proper committee! minutes to do the same for you.

By the time you read this, your publisher should have received Former SinC President Margaret Maron received mwa’s Grand Master the lists of this year’s Edgar and Shamus committees. If your book Award this year. She has won the Edgar, Anthony, Macavity, and has already been published, ask your publicist or editor if it’s been Agatha awards. Her debut Deborah Knott mystery, The Bootlegger’s submitted yet. If you’ve ever served on one of these committees, Daughter, is the only novel to have won all four awards. She lives and you know that it’s the earliest books and stories that receive the writes at her family’s homeplace near Raleigh nc.

inSinC -7- September 2013 We Love Libraries! by Debra H. Goldstein

inC members truly went the distance to make a difference in June. Dr. SAnne Louise Lovett and her husband, Joe Sullivan, traveled almost 300 miles to award $1000 to the William S. Smith Library of South Georgia State College in Douglas, while in Henderson nv, author Kate Carlisle modified an interview program to present the SinC grant to Henderson Libraries. In Georgia Anne Lovett, treasurer of the chap- ter, is a medical researcher-turned-author. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in numerous publications and her novel, Rubies from Burma, was a 2008 Pacific Northwest Writers competition finalist. In Nevada Joy Gunn, virtual branch manager of Hen- ated by romance writer Robyn Carr. In the The June 20 William S. Smith Library event derson Libraries expressed similar feelings few instances Carr has been unavailable, was attended by students, faculty, and of appreciation in Nevada. She underscored Deborah Coonts has served as the inter- library staff. The program included welcom- the significance of the “We Love Libraries” viewer. The June 21 Carr-Carlisle interview, ing remarks by Library Director Jacqueline grants “… [e]specially now when our bud- which was attended by 40 people, compared Vickers and South Georgia State College gets are cut. We recently had to close two the differences between writing romance President Dr. Virginia Carson. Dr. Lovett of our locations due to budget cuts but our and mystery novels. presented the $1000 check while explaining circulation (especially of mystery, suspense the SinC history and mission before hold- and thrillers) has not decreased.” As Gunn noted, mysteries are an important ing an open question and answer session. part of the Henderson Libraries’ collection. SinC member Kate Carlisle, the ny Times Approximately 10 years ago, SinC member The library underscored its partnership bestselling author of the Bibliophile Chloe Ducharme started a Henderson with SinC by creating a special display Mysteries (the seventh is A Cookbook Libraries mystery book club. The book club, case featuring books by member authors. Conspiracy) presented the “We Love whose monthly attendance averages 20–25 Vickers expressed the library’s appreciation Libraries” check to Henderson Libraries members in attendance, is now led by of the award by noting, “I applaud Sisters during a June 21 Carr Chat Author Series Gunn and Adult Services Librarian Patricia in Crime for supporting libraries with the I Love Libraries award and look forward to event, an interview program organized by Wiesner. As it tries to balance its resources purchasing books that augment instruction Michelle Mazzanti, head of Acquisitions and avid readers, Henderson Libraries is, as and promote research and reading at South and Bibliographic Services and Tiffany Gunn explained, most appreciative of SinC Georgia State College.” London, adult services librarian moder- “helping libraries with this great contest.”

Left: South Georgia State College’s Dr. Virginia Carson, Anne Lovett, Jacqueline Vickers

Right: Kate Carlisle, Henderson Nevada’s Pat Wiesner, and Joy Gunn inSinC -8- September 2013 Beth’s Bits by Beth Wasson

Library Team Happenings SinC into Great Writing V! Did you know Sisters in Crime has This exciting pre-Bouchercon a library team? Cari Dubiel, library workshop offered by Cathy Pickens and Robert Dugoni, will liaison, Doris Ann Norris, retired Magazine Lawrence librarian extraordinaire, and Mary be on Wednesday, September 18, Boone, library advisor worked their from 1:00 to 5:30 pm. We will meet at the Hotel Albany, one of the con- Courtesy magic June 27–July 2, in Chicago at ference hotels. The cost for SinC the American Library Association’s members is $50. This includes (ala) annual convention. More the workshop and a snack break than 35,000 attendees experienced during the workshop. More details the ala—and SinC was there! are on Page 12. Register online by The team scheduled more than 25 logging onto www.sistersincrime. authors in the booth to talk about org and clicking on the rotating Attention Authors! banner “Writing Workshop.” their books and Sisters in Crime. They • To make sure you are on the SinC were telling the librarians about SinC’s Author Interactive Map, log in to Author Interactive Map on www. SinC’s Annual the SinC web site, SistersInCrime. sistersincrime.org and how to sign Bouchercon Breakfast org, and check your membership up for our We Love Libraries money profile. Enter your most recent title The Bouchercon SinC Breakfast will giveaway. They had daily drawings— and your web site’s url. Librarians be held at the 74 State Hotel, a bou- giving away member books—and use the map on a regular basis to tique hotel close to the other confer- a final drawing for a Kindle Fire. find authors. Five days of hard work on their part ence hotels. The breakfast will be on brought happiness to many SinC Friday, September 20, 2013, at 7:30 • Send your most recent book cover authors and ala attendees. am. Register now as we have limited and your author web site’s url to space this year. The cost is $25 and me at [email protected] Don’t miss your chance to work we will have a full breakfast, busi- to be posted in the streaming book the booth at the Public Librarians ness meeting and fun. cover module on the home page of Conference (pla) March 11–15, 2014 Log into www.sistersincrime.org the SinC web site. We will send you in Indianapolis. Contact Cari Dubiel at and click on “Our Events” to pay by an e-mail when it is posted. Please [email protected]. ala will mc/Visa. You may also send a check note that the cover may not go up be in Las Vegas, June 26–July 1, 2014. for $25 to: right away. Stay tuned for more information. Sisters in Crime po Box 442124 One of the proposals that sur- Lawrence ks 66044. Be part of a SinC Team faced at the Strategic Planning Sign up on www.sistersincrime.org Committee meeting in Chicago Deadline to receive check in was that Beth’s title be changed. Lawrence is September 13, 2013. under “Volunteer Opportunities.” I The SinC Board of Directors are Online registration will continue will contact you and see what your delighted to announce that Beth is until we are sold out. interests are and let you know what now SinC’s executive director. committees have openings. inSinC -9- September 2013 Sarah Weinman on Domestic Suspense interview by Barbara Fister

arah Weinman, crime fiction this widespread neglect, he said, “sounds critic, blogger, author of short fic- like there’s an anthology in this. Why don’t Stion, and news editor for Publishers you send me a proposal?” It took a while to Marketplace, is the editor of Troubled organize, but eventually I did, and Penguin Daughters, Twisted Wives: Stories from bought the anthology. Publishing being the Trailblazers of Domestic Suspense, an what it is, it’s taken a little less than two anthology of works by notable (though in years from acquisition to release date. some cases, nearly forgotten) women crime writers of the post-war era. We caught up At your companion website, domesticsus- with her to ask her about the new book and pense.com, the tagline is “Celebrating an the contributions these authors made to overlooked generation of female suspense involved in wartime resistance efforts, and crime fiction. writers.” Who are these writers? What did was very much in tune with what the femi- they contribute to crime fiction? Why have nist movement would become. Tell us about your new book. What moti- they been overlooked? What influence do vated you to put this anthology together? you think these women writers had on the Dorothy B. Hughes is thought of more in genre and on culture generally? the hard-boiled vein, but “Everybody Needs Troubled Daughters emerged from an a Mink” is both outlier and in keeping with essay I wrote for the literary magazine Tin There’s a great essay that Tom Bissell wrote everything she did as a writer. It’s funny, but House titled “The Dark Side of Dinner for the Boston Review back in 2000 about also devastating on a middle-class woman’s Dishes, Laundry, and Child Care” (and yes, his time as an assistant editor at Norton, dis- struggle with the costs of living and run- that was the working title of the anthol- covering, and then republishing, the work of ning into richer folk. Plus it was published ogy). I’d been approached by an editor Paula Fox, and the tremendous responsibility two years after her final novel, at a point there to write something for their themed (and related fear) of being responsible for a when Hughes decided it was more impor- “The Mysterious” issue, and I’d long con- writer’s renaissance, since fate has a tendency tant to focus on her family than her writing. templated why it seemed that a fair number to be cruel and quixotic about who merits of female crime writers working around posthumous recognition and who does not. Millar was a master at human behavior or after World War II through the mid- I feel much the same way about these 14 and psychology, how the wants and needs 1970s weren’t really part of the larger criti- writers. So many of them won or were nomi- of people become their undoing, and “The cal conversation. They weren’t hard boiled nated for awards (like the Edgar), sold many People Across the Canyon” brilliantly dem- per se, but they weren’t out-and-out cozy, thousands of copies, and were well-reviewed. onstrates this. I also knew I had to end the either. Hammett and Chandler and Cain, But, it’s hard not to think that because their collection with Celia Fremlin’s story, not yes; but why not Marie Belloc Lowndes subjects were primarily “feminine” and just because it features the most elderly and Elisabeth Sanxay Holding and Vera “domestic” they weren’t taken as seriously woman, but because that woman acts in Caspary? Why Ross Macdonald but not his as the men, even though in many cases, the a manner that subverts stereotypes about wife, Margaret Millar, who published books women wrote with less sentimentality and infirm octogenarians. before he did and garnered critical and com- more subtlety (see Leonard Cassuto’s great mercial acclaim first? I knew after writing 2007 critical examination of this phenom- What I really hope is that the anthology the essay enon, Hardboiled Sentimentality, for more allows readers to sample and be introduced that I details.) to writers hardly mentioned at all anymore. wasn’t Raymond Chandler held up Elisabeth done with Some of the writers included in Troubled Sanxay Holding as his equal. Helen Nielsen the sub- Daughters, like Patricia Highsmith and is something of an enigma to me, but “Don’t ject, and Shirley Jackson, may not need my edito- Sit Under The Apple Tree” demonstrates when I had rial assistance, but looking at Highsmith’s the anxiety of being the other woman- lunch with first-published short story “The Heroine” turned-new wife and how it never recedes. an editor at or Jackson’s “Louisa, Please Come Home” Charlotte Armstrong could create suspense Penguin on in the broader context of what was going out of nothing (read A Dram Of Poison Or an unrelated on over this three-decade period adds Lemon In The Basket to see how she did it). matter and more potency to the stories, I believe. Vera started going Caspary is best known for Laura, the book Dorothy Salisbury Davis’ story “Lost on, rather and the movie, but her entire life and work Generation” is short, tough, and devastat- enthusiasti- is fascinating, because she often operated ing, but contains all of the literary quality of cally, about as the lone woman in a man’s world, was her novels, none of which are currently in inSinC -10- September 2013 print. Joyce Harrington was already fully- Flynn, , Megan Abbott, choice in terms of who published mysteries, formed with “The Purple Shroud”—her Sophie Hannah, Tana French, and many and domestic suspense novels were fairly first published story, and an Edgar winner more would not be possible without the likely to get hardcover publication (and in that category! (I’m also a big fan of her likes of Hughes, Jackson, Millar, Highsmith, presence in libraries) along with more lucra- novels, especially her last, the unfortu- and—though not included in Troubled tive paperback release. Most of the women nately-titled Dreemz inn the Night, which Daughters for reasons outside the scope of in my anthology were reviewed by Anthony ended up being a chronicle of a mid-1980s this interview—Ruth Rendell, Mary Higgins Boucher in his New York Times “Criminals at that no longer exists.) Clark, Mignon Eberhart, and more. Large” column, or by Hughes in her columns for the LA Times or Albuquerque Tribune, Nedra Tyre was both an avid mystery fan If this kind of fiction grew out of the fault (as her first novel Mouse In Eternity, with lines that ran through post-war culture, or by other mystery columnists for other a great many references to classic tales, particularly the idealization of women’s papers. Now there are blogs, and online out- attests) and passionate about social justice role in the domestic sphere and the anxiet- lets, and Marilyn Stasio, who’s been at the and the poor, stemming from a previous ies and yearnings hidden behind that glossy nyt seven years longer than Boucher ever life as a social worker; it’s why “A Nice Place picture of the happy home, is there anything was. Consolidation and a great need to sub- to Stay” packs the punch it does. So too analogous being written today? categorize makes it hard to break out these does “Mortmain” by Miriam Allen deFord, days, unless books are packaged as strad- who was a prolific writer of historical fic- Would that these anxieties could disappear dling genre lines. “Mystery” doesn’t sell, tion (and nonfiction) and science fiction, entirely! But it’s pretty clear that any day’s but “fiction” or “psychological suspense” as well as an early feminist advocate. And headlines show how far we still have to go. does. Mass market paperback originals Barbara Callahan may be my most favorite (Case in point: Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In.) I were always a longshot to get review cover- find. She never published a novel through- do think it’s why Gone Girl was such a mas- age; now it’s even more difficult with ebook out her lifetime, but her short stories, like sive hit, and why publishers are now on the originals (as mass market declines further “Lavender Lady,” were uniformly excellent. hunt for that “next Gone Girl’ idee fixe (best and further). current candidate: A.S.A. Harrison’s debut What is “domestic suspense”? What rela- The Silent Wife, just published as I write this, tionship does it have to other kinds of This is a somewhat fraught question for a and released more than two months after her crime fiction? woman who personally knows nearly every- premature death from cancer). Now we have one in the business. Who are your favorite Domestic suspense is a catch-all term for domestic suspense mixed with the anxieties women writers in the crime fiction genre? work largely published by women and associated with technology, and there’s a great Are there any standouts who you feel are describing the plight of women—wives, deal of terrain to explore there. being overlooked today? daughters, the elderly, spinsters, the under- I also don’t want to exclude men unduly here; served, the overlooked, and many other I mention many of them in my introduc- and Linwood Barclay also phrases used then but thankfully, not so tion to Troubled Daughters! And left far too write very gripping domestic suspense tales. much now—as World War II was coming to many of them out. So I will say that Dorothy a close and the feminist movement dawned. You have a terrific cover. Did you have B. Hughes remains my all-time favorite Without domestic suspense you couldn’t much input into its design? crime writer (and is up there for favorite have contemporary psychological suspense. writer, period) and that some of my favorite Conversely, the work of people like Gillian Thank you. I am over the moon about that domestic and psychological suspense reads cover! Penguin did such a phenomenal job of 2013 include: and most amazingly, got it right, pretty A.S.A. Harrison, The Silent Wife much, on the first try. Hallie Ephron, There Was An Old Woman Sisters in Crime was founded in 1987 to pro- mote equality for women in the crime fiction Alafair Burke, If You Were Here genre. Since then, women mystery writers Kimberly McCreight, Reconstructing have gained ground in terms of publication Amelia opportunities, review space, and recognition Kelly Braffet, Save Yourself (particularly compared to the literary land- Barbara Fister is the author of the Anni scape charted by the annual Vida count), Koskinen series and coordinates the Monitoring but are still less likely than men to have their books reviewed in the most prestigious Project. She lives in Minnesota, where she works publications or be recognized with major in a college library and blogs for Inside Higher awards. How would you compare the obsta- Ed and Library Journal. She recently published cles the authors in your anthology faced an essay, “The Millennium Trilogy and the with the climate for women writing today? American Serial Killer Narrative,” in an anthol- ogy of criticism published by Palgrave. In some ways it might be more difficult now than it was then, because for women writers publishing 40–70 years ago, there was more [Sarah Weinman furnished her photo.] inSinC -11- September 2013 SinC into Great Writing V— CREATE Your Writing Career! by Cathy Pickens & Bob Dugoni

Bouchercon 2013 will be in Albany ny. SinC into Great Writing V will be on September 18, at the Hotel Albany, in the afternoon. All details have not been completed, but we will keep you apprised. Plan now to be part of this dynamic workshop! SinC past-president Cathy Pickens’ create process has been a hit with busi- ness and artist audiences. Bob Dugoni, a Harper Lee Award finalist, offers popular writing workshops around the country. SinC has packaged them both in a dynamic afternoon designed for both established writers and those just beginning their writing careers.

o help you prepare for SinC into Learn to Great Writing, Cathy (who just • Make better use of your writing Tcan’t help being a professor!) has time, prepared a Bouchercon Pop Quiz to • Capture and develop ideas, kick-start your thinking. Don’t worry, • Draw on unlikely resources, you don’t have to show your work and • Take risks, there will be no final grade. Plus—she’s • Deal with success as well as given you the answers! failure, • Seek and use critique, • Understand procrastination, and 1. I know I’m creative. Is there truly • Produce more regularly. a process or discipline to creativity I can learn? [Yes] Find out how to 2. As a writer, can mastering this • Get an agent’s attention, process help me be more produc- •  Convince an agent or an editor to tive more often? [Yes, whether you take a chance on you, are well-established or just starting •  Write a knock-out query that out.] catches an agent’s interest and a synopsis that forces her to ask to 3. Once I’ve completed a manu- see your first three chapters, and •  Help make the sale and what can script, are there ways to make my kill your chances. query and submission stand out from the rest? [Yes] SinC into Great Writing V will be on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, from 4. What are the common mistakes 1:00 to 5:30 pm. The workshop will be and can I learn to avoid them? held at the Albany Hotel, a conference [Many … and yes] hotel. The cost for SinC members is only $50. This includes the workshop 5. How can I learn this? [Sign and a snack break during the workshop. Log in to www.sistersincrime.org and up for SinC Into Great Writing, click on the rotating banner “Writing the pre-Bouchercon confer- Workshop.” ence, Wednesday, September 18. tinyurl.com/7syswpj We look forward to seeing you there! inSinC -12- September 2013 SinC Strategic Planning Chicago • June 27–28

Top left—Barbara Fister, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Frankie Bailey

Top right—The Willis Tower, aka the Sears Tower

Center—Bill Pawlucy

Bottom left front row—Sarah Glass, Laura DiSilverio, Sally Brewster, Judy Clemons, Cari Dubiel; back row—Beth Wasson, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Marcia Talley, Martha Reed, Kate Flora, Frankie Bailey, Molly Weston, Barbara Fister;

Bottom right—Sally Brewster, Martha Reed, Hank Phillipi Ryan, Judy Clemons, Laura DiSilverio

inSinC -13- September 2013 Events & Happenings Writers’ Police Academy 2014 Jamestown nc • Sept. 5–8 A trip to a firing range, suiting up with Love Is Murder RIP the dive team, with top experts—and Chicago il • Feb. 7–9 July brought sad news to the crime much, much more. SinC will pay more Featured authors are Jamie Freveletti, writing community—we lost two than half the registration. Heather Graham, Peter Kornbluh, fine writers within a few days. www.WritersPoliceAcademy.com Marcus Sakey, and Shane Gericke. www.LoveIsMurder.net On July 17, in her Aunt Agatha’s Creatures, Crimes & Creativity blog, “Death in the Stacks,” from Book ’Em North Carolina md • Sept. 13–15 the Burbank Library, Louise Paziak Lumberton nc • Feb. 22 announced, “A little piece of San The literary conference for mys- The writers conference and book fair Francisco’s heart was lost when tery, suspense, horror, sci-fi, and brings together authors, publishers, mystery author Dianne Day steam punk features Jeffrey Deaver, literarary agents, and readers. passed away in Eureka, California Christopher Golden, John Gilstrap, www.bookemnc.org on July 11. Ms. Day was the award- and Trice Hickman. winning author of the Frement www.CreaturesCrimesAndCreativity. Left Coast Crime Jones mysteries…. com Monterey ca • Mar. 20–23 Her books brought Victorian San “Calamari Crime” will feature Marcia Francisco alive, making the city as Bouchercon Muller and , Cara Black, much of a character as any of the Albany ny • Sept. 19–22 , , Brad Parks, other inhabitants of her stories.” Honorees include Sue Grafton, P. Sue Trowbridge, and Collin Wilcox as Juliet Grames of Soho Press sent a C. Doherty, Tess Gerritsen, Steve ghost of honor. www.LeftCoastCrime.org/2014 moving letter to members of the Hamilton, and Chris Aldrich and Lynn crime community, “I grieved to Kaczmarek as fan guests of honor. Bouchercon learn of the passing of Leighton www.Bcon2013.com Long Beach ca • Nov. 13–16 Gage on Saturday, July 27th. I speak not only as his editor but Escape to Write Honorees inclulde Jeffrey Deaver, Edward Marston, J.A. Jance as on behalf of Soho Press, his pub- Chester ct • Sept. 27–29 American guest of honor, Simon Wood lisher, and his Soho Crime confed- Seaside hands-on weekend workshop as toastmaster, and Al Abramson as fan erates when I say we are bereft, for brainstorming, critiquing, and guest of honor. both at the loss of the gentleman revising with Hallie Ephron, Roberta www.Bouchercon2014.com himself and at the reality that his Isleib aka Lucy Burdette, and Hank last book will, indeed, be his last book.… I am heartbroken to think Phillippi Ryan 2015 that Leighton will not witness the tinyurl.com/afvnpob Bloody Words IV critical reception of his forthcom- Magna cum Murder Halifax ns • June 4–7 ing The Ways of Evil Men, which is due to be published in January Indianapolis in • Oct. 25–27 Planning is underway for Stormy Weather! International Guest of 2014—I am certain it will be the The 14th crime writing festival will Honour Dr. D. P. Lyle. warmest yet.” feature Steve Hamilton and Hank www.BloodyWords.com/2015 Phillippi Ryan. Leighton was a long-time member tinyurl.com/a66o3vr Bouchercon of SinC and “a mentor and friend Raleigh nc • Oct. 8–11 to many authors at various stages ne Crime Bake “Murder Under the Oaks” will feature in their careers. Dedham ma • Nov. 8–10 Margaret Maron, Kathy Reichs, Tom In lieu of flowers, the family would Writers and readers conference spon- Franklin, Zoe Sharp, S. Allan Guthrie, appreciate donations to the sored by SinC-ne and Mystery Writers Sean Doolittle, Lori Armstrong, Sarah Pancreatic Cancer Action Network of America. Guest of Honor Meg Shaber, and Ron Rash. at pan.can.org. Gardiner. www.crimebake.org Bouchercon2015.org & @Bcon2015 inSinC -14- September 2013 Sisters in Crime at ALA by Cari Dubiel

very June, more than 14,000 As SinC’s library liaison, I organized librarians travel to a different city our booth, along with Library Advisor Eto meet for the American Library Mary Boone and past Library Liaison Association conference (ala). The con- Doris Ann Norris. More than 40 ference is so big that only a few cities Sisters, many of whom are members of can accommodate everyone. This year, the Chicagoland Chapter, joined us for librarians of all ages, races, and special- shifts in the booth. At the opening ses- izations (academic, public, school, and sion on Friday night, we were thrilled to more) congregated in Chicago to meet have Board President Hank Phillippi with vendors, serve on committees, and Ryan, Vice-President Laura DiSilverio, attend learning sessions. Joining them and Past Presidents Frankie Bailey and were more than 5,000 exhibitors—and Marcia Talley signing and giving away Sisters in Crime was one of them. books. Librarians were likewise excited proverbial hot cakes. Many more Sisters to receive them. The spiffy red tote bags sent books to give away in our daily with the SinC logo also went like the bundle raffles.

The booth was a win-win situation for everyone:

• Librarians got the opportunity to meet some great authors, learn about our We Love Libraries program, and dis- cover the benefits of joining SinC.

• Authors were able to make connec- tions with the librarians who buy their books and plan and deliver programs for the public.

• And I, as both a librarian and a writer, got the best end of the deal—I got to talk about libraries and writing all weekend.

Thank you to all Sisters who donated time, books, and energy to the event. If you’d like to be part of the fun at another library booth, we’ll be at two conventions in 2014: the Public Library Association (pla) in Indianapolis in March, and ala again in Las Vegas in June. Mark your calendars, and e-mail me if you’d like more information. I can be reached at carolyn.dubiel@gmail. Clockwise from top: Susan com. Happy reading and writing! Furlong-Bolliger, Barbara Fister (Cari Dubiel in back- Cari Dubiel is the computer services ground) and Mary Boone manager at the Twinsburg Public Library talked with librarians, gave in Ohio. A new mother, she is also writ- away books and tote bags ing her first novel. and spread the word about Sisters in Crime.

inSinC -15- September 2013 Law & Fiction Getting the Facts Straight by Leslie Budewitz

What is evidence?

vidence is anything that tends Protecting Evidence to prove a fact important to the How is physical evidence protected for Ecase. Evidence may be witness trial? testimony; or, it may be documentary, such as records of a stock sale, medical To insure the accuracy and integrity of reports, building plans, or photographs. physical evidence, and to prevent tam- Evidence may also be physical things: pering, the party introducing physi- drugs, blood-stained clothing, a broken cal evidence at trial must be able to bolt, or a knife or gun. Except when show where it has been at all times by the justice system breaks down—due establishing the chain of custody. This to human failure or corruption—your applies equally to a gun, a tire iron, a characters will be convicted or acquit- blood sample, or a baggie of green leafy vegetable matter. From the moment an ted based on the evidence presented. item is seized, it is accompanied by a Rules of Evidence form describing the item and the date and time and name of each person in The rules for excluding or admitting possession. evidence may seem unduly technical Though chain of custody may seem at times. They have evolved to ensure For example, a detective finds a pipe in like a formality, it is crucial insurance that jurors hear and consider only a car after an accident. The detective against false testimony or shoddy evi- reliable evidence that’s been properly bags it and labels the bag with the date dence handling. Imagine a fatal acci- and time, the case number, his initials, disclosed—“subjected to scrutiny and dent where a hash pipe came from the a brief description, and where the pipe challenge from both sides,” as one law car of the victim but was mistakenly was found. At the crime lab, he fills professor put it. thought to have come from the defen- out a chain of custody form. The lab dant’s car. That simple mistake could And as a judge I knew on the clerk initials receipt of the evidence destroy yet more lives. Washington State Court of Appeals and locks the bag away. The tech who liked to say, the law is technical. tests the pipe (The Book Links page on my web- for drug resi- site includes a link to a sample chain due initials the of custody form.) Excerpted from form, noting Books, Crooks & Counselors: How date, time, and to Write Accurately About Criminal purpose; when Law and Courtroom Procedure, by the test is Leslie Budewitz, winner of the 2011 done, the pipe Agatha for Best Nonfiction. Leslie’s first goes back mystery, Death al Dente, first in The to the clerk Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries, was who again initials the form. And so just published by Berkley Prime Crime. on. When the item is introduced into For more help getting the law right in evidence at trial, the chain of custody your stories, visit Leslie’s website, www. form goes with it and is part of the LawandFiction.com and her blog, authentication process. www.LawandFiction.com/blog.

inSinC -16- September 2013 Name Your Killers by Katherine Ramsland, PhD

reating a specific impression is key Some killers are named for their modus to your writing tone, so when you operandi (mo), i.e., the “.44 Caliber Killer” Cdecide to nickname a villain, it’s and the “Acid Bath Murderer.” Joined with useful to learn how killers are named in real the mo might be a geographical location: life. There’s a psychological aspect. The “Tacoma Axe Killer,” the “Beltway To be memorable, the moniker must Sniper,” the “Sunset Strip Slayer,” and the flip a switch in the unconscious mind. “Tamiami Strangler.” Sometimes loca- Neuropsychology today tells us that mes- tion alone provides the name: The “Moors sages aimed for impact should be embed- Murderers,” the “Long Island Serial Killer,” ded in structures or phrases that strike and the “Green River Killer.” simultaneously at the heart and gut. They should evoke emotion that reverberates We also have names that indicate motive, A few killers have named themselves, to through layers of cultural associations. Let’s such as the “Thrill Killer” and “Lust Killer,” ensure maximum mystique. “Zodiac” sug- consider examples. or names that associate a killer to a vicious gested this name in a creepy note, and animal: “Black Panther,” “Gorilla Murderer,” Dennis Rader played with several possibili- Richard Ramirez, who died in June, became and “Black Widow.” the dreaded “Night Stalker” in the 1980s ties, such as the “Poet Strangler,” before he settled on b.t.k for “Bind Them, Torture during an editorial meeting at the Los Alternatively, killers might be associated Them, Kill Them.” He hoped to inspire Angeles Herald Examiner. Reporters had with their victim type, i.e., the “Co-ed widespread fear (and did). learned that a string of murders during Killer,” the “Brides in the Bath Killer,” and home invasions were linked, so the edi- the “Servant Girl Annihilator.” The most recognizable killer nickname, tors tried out names that would give this of course, is “Jack the Ripper,” and some offender a provocative persona. They Rarely are killer names associated with odd accounts hold that he named himself in a wanted to inspire reader recognition for quirks, but “Singing Strangler” Edward letter, but most Ripperologists believe that successive stories as well as the urge to Leonski murdered women to “get to their a reporter actually created this moniker to know more. voices.” Post-arrest, Alexander Pichushkin increase readership. Either way, the name Someone offered “The Walk-in Killer,” became the “Chessboard Killer” because has a notable ring. he hoped to kill one person for each square another “The Screen-Door Intruder.” Nah! For your own purposes, you could try on a chessboard. The “Beer Can Killer” of “The Night Stalker” was initially rejected out the various “villain name generators” Mumbai left beer cans near his victims, and because of a tv series by the same name, but online, but it’s better to consider the impact it did capture the disturbing aura of a killer the “Red Spider” wrote to police in red ink you wish to achieve and do it yourself. creeping around in the dark, looking through with a spidery style. windows. Night Stalker it was. (Ramirez Here’s a suggestion: Consider whether your liked it when he saw it in the papers.) Females typically get softer names, such own name reflects your sense of self. If not, as “Angel of Death,” “Giggling Granny,” what name would you pick, and why? Now Names have emotional, non-verbal asso- “Damsel of Doom,” or “Jolly Jane.” This try this for your villain. The idea is to cap- ciations that our minds will retain. They’re reflects a cultural bias against viewing ture the essence and make a lasting impact. automatic, and with killers, the associations women as bloodthirsty brutes. One female are often about menace, fear, and power. was called “Satan in a Skirt,” but they don’t In Germany, for example, police arrested get handles like Ripper or Terminator. “The Darkroom Murderer,” who’d drugged and strangled three men. One victim was When law enforcement provides a name, it’s Katherine Ramsland is a professor of forensic killed in the dimly lit sex room of a gay bar, generally more practical than artistic. The psychology. She has published 47 books and but the others died in mundane places, so fbi settled on “Unabomber” for Theodore more than 1,000 articles and writes a blog for the news staff picked the location with the Kaczynski, for example, which was shorthand Psychology Today. Her latest books are Blood most sinister connotations. for bombs sent to universities and airlines. and Ghosts and an e-book, The Sex Beast.

inSinC -17- September 2013 The Docket

April Roberta Rogow, Murders in Manatas, Zua Dawn Eastman, Pall in the Family, Berkley, p Connie Archer, A Broth of Betrayal, Publications, p,e Gigi Pandian, Artifact: A Jaya Jones Berkley Prime Crime, p,e June Treasure Hunt Mystery, Henery Press, p Amy Beth Arkawy, Dead Silent: An Eliza Sparkle Abbey, Yip/Tuck, Bell Bridge Sam Cabot, Blood of the Lamb, Penguin Gordon Mystery, Cozy Cat Press, p,e Books, p Blue Rider, p Mike Befeler, The V V Agency, Oak Tree Warren Bull, Killer Eulogy, Untreed Reads, e Marcia Talley, Dark Passage, Severn House, p Press, p,e and “Dream Job” in Dandelions of Mars, Maggie Toussaint, Dime if I Know, Five C. Hope Clark, Tidewater Murder, Bell Jean Goldstrom, ed., Whortleberry Press, p Star, p Bridge Books, p S. Furlong-Bolliger, Booneville Retribution, Lauren Willig, The Passion of the Purple Libby Fischer Hellmann, “War Secrets” Untreed Reads, e Plumeria, NAL, p in the Mystery Writers of America’s The Donna Del Oro, Lies in Wait: Book 2, Jake Mystery Box, p,e,a Bernstein fbi Mystery-Thriller, Musa September Carol Kilgore, Solomon’s Compass, Kindle Publishing, e Kathryn J. Bain, Beautiful Imperfection, & CreateSpace, p,e Beth Groundwater, Fatal Descent, Pelican Book Group, p,e Lizbeth Lipperman, Shattered, Midnight Ink, p,e Libby Fischer Hellmann, Havana Lost, Story Vault, p Peg Herring, The Lady Flirts with Death, The Red Herrings Press, p,e,a Kathryn Orzech, Premonition of Terror, Five Star, p Laurie R. King, The Bones of Paris BookBaby, e Theresa M. Jarvela, Home for the Bantam Books, p Peggy Rothschild, Clementine’s Shadow, Murder,North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc., Anna Loan-Wilsey, Anything But Civil, Moonstone/CreateSpace, p,e p,e Kensington, p,e Lea Wait, Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding, Kim Kash, Ocean City Lowdown, e Barbara Ross, Clammed Up: A Maine Perseverance Press, p Bette Golden Lamb & J. J. Lamb, Bone Pit, Clambake Mystery, Kensington, p Laurinda Wallace, Family Matters, 3-Mice Two Black Sheep Productions, p,e Eleanor Sullivan, Graven Images, A Productions, p,e D.A. Lampi, Shadow Play, North Star Press, p Singular Village Mystery, Yesteryear, A Cora J Ramos, Dance the Dream Awake, Wyatt-MacKenzie Imprint, p May Oak Tree Press, p,e Hank Philippi Ryan, The Wrong Girl, Forge Sheila Connolly, Relatively Dead, Beyond Susan Reiss, Tarnished Silver, Ink & Books, p,e,a,l the Page/Kindle, Nook, e Imagination, Amazon, p,e Theresa Crater, “The Judgment of Osiris” October in , Scribes Books, e July M. E. May, “Uncle Vito and the S. Furlong-Bolliger, Surprise Larceny, Bonnie Jean Cardone, “The Last of the Cheerleader” in Speed City Indiana Untreed Reads, e Recycled Cycads” in SinC/la’s Last Exit to Chapter Sisters in Crime’s Hoosier Hoops and Hijinx, Brenda Stewart & Tony Sally Goldenbaum, Angora Alibi, Penguin/ Murder, Darrell James, Linda O. Johnston, Perona, eds., Cardinal Publishing, p Obsidian, p,e Tammy Kaehler, eds. p,e and The Bride Peg Herring, Killing Memories, Wore Black, Kindle, e LL-Publications, e Meg Waite Clayton, The Wednesday docket Submission Guidelines Daughters, Random House/Ballantine, Morgan James, Sing Me An Old Song, • Enter information online. From SinC The Malabar Front, Kindle, p,e Dreamscape, Center Point, p,e,a,l home page, scroll to the bottom and look Lizbeth Lipperman, Heard it Through the Kristen Elise Ph.D., The Vesuvius Isotope, for “Quick Links.” Click on “The Docket.” Grapevine, Midnight Ink, p Murder Lab Press, p,e S. Furlong-Bolliger, “Another Murder • No titles older than six months from Michael Mallory, Kill the Mother! Borgo inSinC issue. Press, p Undone” in Woman’s World Magazine, p Sharon Marchisello, Live Cheaply, Be M. E. May, Inconspicuous, M&B Literary • Titles may be announced only one time. Happy, Grow Wealthy, Smashwords, e Creations, p,e • Do not use all capitals! Rosemary McCracken, Black Water, Imajin August Books, p,e • Capitalize first and major words in title Cathy Perkins, For Love or Money Leslie Budewitz, Death al Dente, Berkley (i.e., The Case of the Missing Letter). Entangled Publishing, e Prime Crime, p Vicki Delany, A Cold White Sun, • Check your information before hitting Poisoned Pen Press,p,e,a “submit.” P—Print • For a short story, put quotes around title. E—Electronic Always give the anthology or magazine A—Audio title. For an anthology, list editor. L—Large Print inSinC -18- September 2013 Nominations & Awards

Sisters and Misters are lighting up the awards and nominations. Congratulations to all of you for these well-deserved recognitions!

Susan M. Boyer’s Low Country Boil was L.C. Hayden’s Ill Conceived was nominated Hank Phillippi Ryan’s The Other Woman nominated for the Macavity Award’s Best for the El Paso Writers Guild’s Best of the was nominated for the Macavity Award’s Mystery First Novel Best Literary Award and her When the Best Mystery Novel and for the Shamus Eileen Brady’s manuscript for Dog Shows Past Haunts You was nominated for the Award’s Best Hardcover P.I. Novel. Are Murder won the Discover Mystery™ Left Coast Crime’s Watson Award. B.A. Shapiro’s The Art Forgerwas nomi- Award from Poisoned Pen Press. Danelle Helget’s Destroyed and Detained nated for the Macavity Award’s Best Rebecca Cantrell’s A City of Broken was nominated for the Minnesota Book Mystery Novel. Glass was nominated for the Sue Feder Award. B.K. Stevens’ “Thea’s First Husband” in Historical Memorial Award. Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June Christopher J. Lynch’s One-Eyed Jack was 2012 was nominated for the Macavity Terence Faherty’s “After Cana” in Ellery nominated for the Shamus Award’s Best Queen’s Mystery Magazine was nominated Award’s Best Mystery Short Story. Indie P.I. Novel. for the Shamus Award’s Best P.I. Short ’s “When Duty Calls” in Paul Marks’ White Heat was nominated for Story. Chesapeake Crimes: This Job Is Murder the Shamus Award’s Best Indie P.I. Novel. Barb Goffman’s “The Lord Is My Shamus” was nominated for the Macavity Award’s in Chesapeake Crimes: This Job Is Murder Michael Nethercott’s “O’Nelligan and the Best Mystery Short Story. was nominated for the Macavity Award’s Lost Fates” in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Jaden Terrell’s Racing the Devil was nomi- Best Mystery Short Story. Magazine was nominated for the Shamus nated for the Shamus Award’s Best First Robert Goldsborough’s Archie Meets Award’s Best P.I. Short Story. P.I. Novel. Nero Wolfe was nominated for the Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery was Mo Walsh’s “Double Wedding” in Blood Shamus Award’s Best Original Paperback nominated for the Macavity Award’s Best Moon: Best New England Crime Stories P.I. Novel. Mystery Novel. was nominated for the Derringer Award.

Writing Contests

Black Orchid Novella Award Minotaur Books/ William F. Deeck-Malice May 31, 2014 Mystery Writers of America Domestic Grants Program for The Wolfe Pack contest rules and (mwa) First Crime Novel Unpublished Writers guidelines are posted. December 16 Usually mid-November www.NeroWolfe.org Contest rules and guidelines are Grants to two unpublished writers in posted. tinyurl.com/qyvt7e the malice domestic genre. Golden Donut www.malicedomestic.org/grants. Check in October pwa Best First Private Eye Short story contest sponsored by the Novel Competition Writers’ Police Academy. tinyurl. December 16 The Fine Print com/9wbc2av Sponsored by the Private Eye Writers Organizations sponsoring writ- Minotaur Books/ of America and St. Martin’s Press, the ing contests should submit competition is open to any unpub- information to Molly Weston at Malice Domestic Competition lished author of a private eye novel. [email protected]. October 15 tinyurl.com/dxd3pn4 Rules for the competition are posted. Please note that contest information is current at time of publication; however, tinyurl.com/kkb6gq deadlines and website information may change. Always check websites for further information. inSinC -19- September 2013

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PO Box 442124 PAID Lawrence ks 66044-2124 BLACKSBURG, VA PERMIT NO. 158 www.SistersInCrime.org Change Service Requested

Goodbye Dear Barbara

strong supporter of Sisters in Crime and the creative mind behind the Malice Domestic Conference, , aka Elizabeth APeters, aka Barbara Michaels, died Thursday, August 8, at her home in Frederick md.

Mystery readers need no reminder of the novels written under her pseud- onyms—those as Elizabeth Peters featuring the indominable Amelia Peabody, intrepid librarian Jacqueline Kirby, art historian Vicky Bliss; those as Barbara Michaels—suspense with a touch of supernatural, nor that she held a PhD in from the .

Just as Amelia Peabody was a crusader for women’s rights as she fought to become an Egyptologist in Victorian times, Mertz worked to gain respect for traditional mysteries. She was among the group of like-minded friends who envisioned the Malice Domestic Conference and its associated awards.

She received the Mystery Writers of America’s Grand Master Award in 1998; the Malice Domestic’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003; and, in 2012, she received the Conference’s first Amelia Award, named in honor of her most famous character.

As quoted in “The Life and Loves of a She-Writer” in the Malice conference program, Mertz once said of her work, “I may write fluff, but I write damn good fluff.” The crime fiction world is the better for it!