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Home , Amanda Flower, Anthony Awards, Bouchercon, Dorothy Cannell, Elaine Viets, Hank Phillippi Ryan

The Sisters in Crime Quarterly, Vol. 27. No. 3

Muddle in the Middle Writes of Passage Forensic Day SinC-Up Blog Hop Swear vs. Affirm Creative Starters Cannell Scholarship Get a Clue Editor’s Note Molly Weston ...... 3

Laura’s Letter Laura DiSilverio ...... 4

The Muddle in the Middle The mission of Sisters in Crime is to promote the Karen Harper ...... 5 professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry. Membership: Why Two Types? . . . . 7 Laura DiSilverio, President Chapters ...... 8 Catriona McPherson, Vice President Awesome Anthology Stephanie Pintoff, Secretary 10 Not-So-Easy Steps Julie Hennrikus, Publicity Karen Pullen ...... 12 Lori Roy, Treasurer Martha Reed, Chapter Liaison Writes of Passage Sally Brewster, Bookstore Liaison Adventures on the Writer’s Journey Carolyn Dubiel, Library Liaison ...... 14 Barbara Fister, Monitoring Project/Authors Coalition Frankie Bailey, At Large SinC into Great Writing: Robert Dugoni, At Large A Forensic Day with Val McDermid, At Large Molly Weston ...... 15 Hank Phillippi Ryan, Immediate Past President Molly Weston, inSinC Editor Board & Officer Nominees ...... 16 Laurel Anderson, inSinC Proofreader Gavin Faulkner, inSinC Proofreader SinC at Library Associations Marisa Young, inSinC Proofreader Cari Dubiel ...... 18 Sarah Glass, Web Maven/Social Media SinC-Up with Blog Hop Barbara Fister ...... 19 Beth Wasson, Executive Director Creativity Starters PO Box 442124 Katherine Ramsland, PhD . . . . .20 Lawrence, KS 66044-2124 Email: [email protected] Val McDermid Mortuary ...... 21 Phone: 785.842.1325 Getting Facts Straight Fax: 785.856.6314 Leslie Budewitz ...... 22

© We Love Libraries! 2014 Sisters in Crime International Andrea Smith ...... 23

Beth’s Bits inSinc is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four Beth Wasson ...... 24 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; Awards & Nominations lifetime, $500 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 user name, please Gay Toltl Kinman ...... 25 contact Beth Wasson at the address above. Information in inSinC is submitted or reprinted from sources listed in each article. Where required, permission to reprint has Events & Happenings ...... 26 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 mate- The Docket ...... 27 rial may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime.

Dorothy Cannell Scholarship . . . . .28

2 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Sisters in Crime Past Presidents Editor’s Note 1987-88 1988-89 by Molly Weston 1989-90 Susan Dunlap 1990-91 Carolyn G. Hart 1991-92 appy fall! I always look forward P. M. Carlson 1992-93 Linda Grant 1993-94 to the end of summer—there are Barbara D’Amato 1994-95 so many of my favorites—holiday Elaine Raco Chase 1995-96 Annette Meyers 1996-97 seasons, mystery conventions and Sue Henry 1997-98 workshops, and football! By now Medora Sale 1998-99 many of you are reflecting on the Barbara Burnett Smith 1999-00 Claire Carmichael McNab 2000-01 things you learned (or reinforced) at “Doing Time Eve K. Sandstrom 2001-02 Hwith Sisters in Crime,” the first pre-Killer Nash- Kate Flora 2002-03 Kate Grilley 2003-04 ville workshop in August. I’m looking forward to Patricia Sprinkle 2004-05 Writers Police Academy here in North Carolina, Magna cum Murder Libby Hellmann 2005-06 in , and in Long Beach. Rochelle Krich 2006-07 Roberta Isleib 2007-08 Judy Clemens 2008-09 After “graduating” from WPA and Jan Burke’s Forensic Day at 2009-10 Bouchercon, I’m fully expecting to get a call to be a TV consultant or Cathy Pickens 2010-11 an expert witness—well, in my dreams. Frankie Bailey 2011-12 Hank Phillippi Ryan 2012-13 Going to conferences is such a great way to network with other Sisters and Brothers. I hope to meet many more of you this year. Even Deadline & Submissions though it’s fun to be with friends from other years, I always try to sit Deadline for articles for the with total strangers at conference meals. Some of these folks have December issue of inSinC is October 15. Include name, become good friends (I’ve been going for more than 20 years) and email, mailing address, and phone many have become contributors to inSinC. number with submissions. Send columns, articles, high-res photos, As usual, this issue of inSinC is crammed with articles that will, hope- ideas, praise, and story ideas via fully, inform and amuse you. In addition to our wonderful regular email to contributors we welcome Karen Harper, Karen Pullen, Hank Phillippi Molly Weston [email protected] Ryan, and Barbara Fister. Our publisher and proofreader Gavin 919.362.1436 Faulkner sent me a link to the article about Val McDermid’s new honor in The Scotsman. I condensed it for inSinC, but I hope you’ll The Docket read the whole article at tinyurl.com/mcxtnxk. To list your publications and award nominations, login to There’s a wonderful new opportunity for a fortunate Guppy member. SistersinCrime.org and look for “Quick Links” at the Please see the article about a great scholarship on page 28. bottom of the home page. Fill in the information, one entry per I learned (in the kindest way) that I had confused chapters when publication. Titles released more referring to Virginia Loves Mysteries in the June issue. The collaborat- than six months from inSinC publi- ing chapters were Central Virginia and Virginia Beach. I’m sorry! cation date cannot be included. Happy writing! Molly

3 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ arlier this summer, I or a novel. Having the “almost right” Laura’s renovated my daughters’ tool (like a 10” wet saw) isn’t good Letter bathroom. (I might have enough. In the home reno world, been hoping that hav- you can rent the right tools. That ing tile on the floor and doesn’t work in the novel writing biz new towel hooks would (although you can buy expertise in motivate them to hang their towels the realm of editing, perhaps, to fix Eso one could actually see the floor; if certain aspects of your manuscript). so, I was wrong.) Anyway, I stripped the old linoleum and removed the Still, if the writing task at hand baseboards, peeled off a wallpaper is exposition and the only tool in border, removed the old toilet, and your writing toolbox is dialog, your sanded all the cabinet surfaces. book is going to suffer. The best Then, I laid tile, painted the walls, tool for the job might be summary, primed/painted/polyurethaned the or a flashback scene, or interior cabinets, installed a low flow toilet, thoughts. Acquiring as many tools painted and replaced the baseboards as possible (which means taking and hung the aforementioned new classes, reading craft books/periodi- cals, working with a critique group, towel hooks. It looks like a new and the upcoming SinC into Great and practicing) will make you a bet- bathroom for less than $500. (When Writing program on forensics at I’m feeling richer, I’ll replace the el ter writer and make the job easier. Bouchercon in November. cheapo light fixture and mirror.) Luckily, SinC has ongoing educa- On a different note, this is my last You might think the hardest part of tional programs and opportunities letter as president of Sisters in the project was cutting and laying to help you stock your toolbox. First Crime. It’s hard to believe since I’m tile, or removing the old toilet and and foremost, chapters offer mar- writing this in mid-July and my term seating the new one. That’s what I velous opportunities to improve isn’t up until mid-November. (I’ll be was anticipating. But the hardest your craft. The New England chap- hanging around after that, though, part of the project was scraping the ter recently presented “Can This putting the finishing touches on linoleum off the plywood underlay. Manuscript Be Saved?” and the this year’s Publishing Summit report Why? Because I didn’t have the right Central Virginia chapter is offer- which is going to be a fabulous and tool (which I found out later I could ing “Plotting the Cozy Mystery” in enlightening look at bookstores in have rented from Home Depot). October. Most of the chapters have the digital era. The team is hard I used a rigid, hand-held scraper exciting programming upcoming. If at work gathering data, building which I think was designed to get you don’t belong to your local chap- surveys, and conducting interviews remove old caulk. It did the job, but ter, sign up now. If you don’t have a as I write.) It has been an honor and I had to sit on the floor and scrape local chapter, start one! a privilege to serve as your president up an inch of backing and glue at and I look forward to a lifetime of We still offer a huge discount for a time. Ga-a-gh! I also learned the friendship and learning with the members wanting to take a class at hard way that when your tile mea- most collegial, talented, helpful, and the online Gotham Writers (I can sures 16”x24” you need a 24-inch wonderful people it’s ever been my personally vouch for the excellence wet saw to cut it—a ten-incher pleasure to associate with. Thank of their programs), and we’re part- won’t do the trick! you for helping make this past year nering with conventions to offer a highlight of my publishing career. My point is this: Having the right day-long or half-day programs such tools makes all the difference, as our recent “Great Beginnings” whether your project is a bathroom workshop taught at Killer Nashville —Laura 4 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ The Muddle in the Middle by Karen Harper

or several years I have been writing So we’re partly talking about both historical novels set in Tudor pacing here, which is another England and romantic suspense set huge topic in itself and in modern-day America. Published deserves a separate study. In since 1982, I have written 60 nov- romantic suspense, pacing should provide a els. In each book, my biggest chal- sense of urgency and can be defined as the lenge is creating a strong middle of the story, speed at which the author draws the reader Fwhich I have come to think of as the muddle though the story. Even veteran writers some- of the book. Each time I have to say to myself, times ignore the basics of fast pacing in the “No sagging middle!” I’m not talking about middle of the book. middle-age spread or the need for a diet. The middle of the book must be lean and mean— Action! Action! Action! it must move! Be careful not to allow too much character or The problem is that, by the middle of the narrator internalizing in the middle, even if novel, I’m juggling a lot of characters and, agonizing thinking shows how frightened the in my romantic suspense novels with more heroine is. Try to avoid a dream sequence, than one character who might be the villain. backstory or flashbacks in the middle. Move I’ve worked to get off to a grabber begin- that plot forward. One thing I learned as an ning. I try hard to get the reader immediately English major and high school and university involved in the story and the main charac- English instructor is that there’s a natural ter’s dilemma. I often know what the exciting, tendency to think: “Wow, I’m halfway done rewarding ending of the book will be—ah, with this assignment. Time to take a little but to get there with flair and excitement, rest before plunging on.” Well, that’s fine. Go that’s the task. shopping or relax in real life, but don’t do it in the book. One danger for as yet unpubbed authors is that they have spent so much time polish- Up the Stakes ing the great beginning of their novel that calls this taking the hero- the middle stands out as much weaker and ine “down more steps.” At this point in the rougher. I’ve heard editors say they are some- book, hopefully the reader is thinking that times shocked at the difference between things can’t get worse for the protagonist. that fabulous opening section that has been Oh, yes, they can, and a writer avoiding a smoothed out by time, critique groups, and muddled middle should give the main char- contests compared to the muddled middle. acter—and the reader—a new jolt at this

5 inSinC September 2014- ¡ ¡ point. Don’t let the reader come up for air. If and carries the reader through what could you have to ease up a bit to provide contrast have been a sagging section of the book. Also with the final terrifying climax, do it about this new problem pulls the reluctant-to-trust- three-fourths of the way through or slightly each-other hero and heroine even closer. later in the book. Don’t Clutter In the muddle of crime fiction, it usually works to up the ante by adding something Several years ago I was on an author panel shocking, a death or (another?) murder, or at SleuthFest, a regional Mystery Writers being certain the heroine is in a real mess of America conference, in South Florida. in the middle of the book—and, of course, The panel was called “When You Get to the in an increasingly tense relationship with Middle.” We discussed the danger of going the hero. Is their love somehow forbidden or overboard at this point by throwing in too endangered but they must still work together much, such as several new characters. If to survive? To rescue someone, each other controlled, this can work, but it’s dangerous, or themselves? Whether you are the kind of as is the tendency to toss in another subplot. writer who “grows the book as you go” or who Don’t try to get through the muddle of the has a super-strict outline you follow, be sure book by jamming in too much new, especially to build in another mountain and don’t get with something from “left field” for which you caught on a plot plateau. haven’t prepared the reader. If you’re really stuck in the muddle, it helps Reveal a secret some authors to go to the end and write Sharing something a main “backward” to the middle. I reread my syn- character has been hiding opsis, (or sometimes all of the manuscript so can give some oomph. My far) to see if I’m generally on track or have agent says, “All main charac- missed something to spice up the middle. I ters should harbor a secret.” look at my list of In a romance, a twist to the “Escalating Events” Confession hero and heroine’s rela- which can push my tionship can work wonders character arcs along No, I don’t like writing for the middle. In a crime or turn up the ten- synopses either, but I’ve novel, it’s almost essential. The next time you sion. Can a secret found them necessary. My read crime fiction by a writer you admire, your hero or hero- contracts ask for a short look closely at the middle; then look even ine has been hiding synopsis so my editors get a general idea of the closer in your own work. be revealed in the novel (which may well middle to propel change as I write). Also, I In my most recent romantic suspense trilogy, the action onward? a key character who could be the murderer receive some of my con- Can the hero and tract money when they goes missing—he simply vanishes in the mid- heroine take their dle of the book with no sign of a struggle and OK it. Often the publisher relationship to the does the cover art and his car in the garage. The mystery of how and next level there? If cover copy from this early why he’s gone missing; the suspense of the so, don’t deflate the outline—but it can also search for him; and the reader’s being sur- tension between help save the middle of prised that the author would “get rid of” one them until later. the book. of the prime suspects hopefully ups the ante

6 inSinC September 2014 - ¡ ¡ Experiences As I wrote book one in my new romance/suspense trilogy, “Shattered Secrets,” I realized the middle of the book was a great place for the heroine to get a real shock which moves the plot and draws her closer to the small town where she is reluc- tantly helping and coming to love the sheriff. Tess was kidnapped as a child but somehow escaped. She has no memory of that trauma and has tried Membership to move forward. But when another child is taken, something grotesque that turns up at the crime Why Two Types? scene makes Tess realize she may be able to save the latest victim—fast, before that little girl, like another earlier child, never comes back. ong-time board member Barbara Fister explains Something I’ve noted again and again, includ- why we must let members ing right now when I’m in the muddle of a novel, decide their classification. is that, while I write that section, I try to keep L my outer world very organized, as if that would It may be strange that an help control the book itself. I drive my husband organization with egalitar- crazy over-cleaning and over-arranging things. I ian values asks members to straighten my desk, clean out cupboards or the choose between “profes- car’s glove compartment—anything to control sional” and “active” when something when the middle of the book seems joining or renewing. Sisters messy. At least, all of that cleaning gives me good in Crime is a non-profit thinking time about how to write a more dynamic organization classified as middle. a “business league,” which means we represent people with “common business Importance interests.” We value members The reader needs an extra boost at that point, so who aren’t professionally it’s worth the hard work. Once you’re a writer, it’s involved in the book busi- hard to just read for pleasure; you’re always look- ness just as much as those ing at how a story is constructed. And you’ll see who check off “professional” that propping up a possible sagging middle will (and pay a little more), but keep the reader (and editor!) whizzing through the we have to be able to tell the pages, unable to put that book down and looking IRS that we have many mem- for the next one. 2 bers who fit their definition of “professional.” Regardless New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen of those check boxes, every Harper is a founding member of two RWA chapters, member matters. Central Ohio Fiction Writers and Southwest Florida 2 Romance Writers. She won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for Dark Angel, set in Amish country. Her most recent releases, “The Cold Creek Trilogy,” set in Appalachia include Shattered Secrets, Forbidden Ground, and Broken Bonds.

7 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC-New England ews sincne.org r N te p a

s of this writing, Sisters in Crime New h England is gearing up for our August C online class with Susan Meier, “Can This Manuscript Be Saved?” We offer online Aclasses twice a year, in January and August, and are looking at the 2015 class schedule now. We are also thrilled at the attention Hank Phillippi Ryan’s “Not Quite Twenty Questions” interviews have gotten on our blog. Come by and let us know what you think at www.sincne.wordpress.com. Your News Here! Our next chapter meeting will be October 11 in Do you ever wonder how some Concord Massachusetts. We are creating a full day, chapters seem to have better inSinC coverage than yours? So with a tour of Concord (which has a rich liter- many more photos? The answer is ary history), a panel on historical mysteries, and up to YOU! a catered lunch at the Concord Inn. As with our March “Paths to Publication,” we will offer a “guest” If your chapter isn’t included in rate for prospective members. Though our mem- our Chapter News section, why bership is robust, we are looking at ways to build. not volunteer to write it? Our chapter also co-sponsors the New England All reports submitted by chap- Crime Bake with the New England MWA chapter. ters are printed in inSinC. Send The committee for the conference is comprised of yours to [email protected]. members from both organizations, with the chapter Please include “Chapter News” presidents serving as co-chairs. The three-day con- in the subject line and title your attached document as your chap- ference is geared towards writers, and kept small. ter’s name. Be sure to include its We include agent pitches, master classes, and man- URL. uscript critiques. Our guest of honor for “Saddle Up for Murder” is Craig Johnson, so in Longmire fashion we are having a cowboy-themed banquet, complete with a cowboy poetry contest, and line dancing lessons. A new addition this year—a crime scene for attendees to visit. On Sunday, a forensics expert will go over the notes from the crime scene and help us figure out what we missed. Additionally, this fall we hope to be at the Book Festival (application is in), and the New England Library Association conference. Follow us on Twitter (@SinCNE) and like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SinCNE). 2

8 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC North Border Crimes Chapter www.sistersincrimenorthdallas.com. Kansas/Missouri

e did it! We started a new chapter t our May chapter meeting we cel- and we’re excited to report we had ebrated “Happy Book Day” celebrating 32 people at our very first meet- the release of three members’ books: ing. While this may not sound like Linda Rodriguez’s latest Skeet Bannion, a crowd, but considering it’s summer and we’re new, Every Hidden Fear; Sally Goldenbaum’s eighth Sea- we’re pretty darn proud. And such enthusiasm from side Knitters, Murder in Merino; and, Lisa Harkrad- er’s newest The Adventures of Bean Boy series, Cool those in attendance—half were already members of Beans. They shared the stage and answered ques- WSinC National and two were Guppies! The enthu- A tions for other chapter members. siasm carried over into volunteering, too. We filled every position, including treasurer (hallelujah!). At our June meeting, local author Joel Goldman talked about his work, the current state of pub- Our program director is killing it with speakers. lishing, and about starting Brash Books with Lee She’s lined up three whoppers for our next three Goldberg. In July, Juliet Kincaid, a member of our meetings: A retired Secret Service agent, a SWAT chapter and author of the Cinderella, P.I. series team member, and a NYT bestselling thriller author. presented a talk about fairy tale mysteries, which she says are not just for children any more. For those in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, please 2 consider joining us. We meet on the fourth Sunday of the month at the Frisco Library in Frisco TX. Pop over to our website to learn all about us, plus how to sign up for our email updates and join our Yahoo discussion loop.

A huge thank you to Beth Wasson and Martha Reed for giving us guidance, advice, and encouragement to start this new chapter. And to Wendy Lyn Watson (secretary/membership) and Melissa Lenhardt (VP-programming) for their hard work helping get

it off the ground. Kendel Lynn is our president. We Sally Goldenbaum, Lisa Harkrader, and Linda Rodriguez celebrate “Happy cannot wait to see how we grow! Book Day.” 2

9 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC Chicagoland www.SinCChicago.com

aturday, June 7, dawned bright and clear, and fortunately neither too hot nor too cold—a perfect opening day for Printers’ Row Lit Fest 2014, and the debut of Sisters Sin Crime as an exhibitor at the Midwest’s premier literary festival. Sponsored by the Chicagoland Chapter, with a grant from SinC National, the event was a success on which we hope to build. Overall, SinC members who attended said it went well, and those with books to sign and sell were happy with their sales and exposure to potential customers via bookmarks and postcards. Chatting with readers who dropped Libby Fischer Hellmann exhibited a poster-sized by the Books United tent to see what SinC cover at Printers Row. was all about was a decided plus. We had an excel- enjoyed meeting other SinC members,” Elaine lent location with respect to foot traffic, especially said. Her goal was more visibility than sales, and on Saturday when the weather was at its sum- she said about 50 people took her cards or book- mer best. Several people who dropped by the tent marks. “It’s certainly something I would do again.” expressed interest in SinC, and we made a signifi- SinC Chicagoland members on hand included cant dent in our promotional literature. Libby Fischer Hellmann, Luisa Buehler, Chapter Most attendees were from the Chicagoland area, VP Michele May, Chapter Secretary Mary V. Welk, but we did have Sisters from Indiana selling books Sue Myers, Chapter President Diane Piron-Gelman and promoting SinC. The Indianapolis chapter was (D. M. Pirrone), Jeanne Meeks, Jennie Spallone, well represented by its president, Andrea Smith, Patricia Skalka, Helen Osterman, Emily Kaplan, and by Elaine Orr (author of the Jolie Gentil mys- Mary Heitert, and Patricia Camalliere. tery series). “As a newcomer to Illinois, I especially We shared our tent with three other occupants, only one of which was a publisher of mystery fic- Jeanne Meeks, Andrea Smith, Luisa Buehler tion. Some members suggested procuring space at Printers Row Lit Fest 2014 next year in a tent entirely devoted to mysteries, whether organizations like SinC or small publish- ers with a mystery line. Andrea Smith, president of the Speed City SinC chapter, suggested pooling resources from Midwest regional chapters to pay collectively for a tent—certainly a possibility we’ll explore for 2015. Other SinC members expressed interest in attend- ing but preferred not to sell their own books. We have a bookseller interested for 2015, and conse- quently we’re expecting higher numbers from more chapters to join us at next year’s Lit Fest. 2

10 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC NY/TriState www.nysinc.org

t our April meeting at the Jefferson Market On June 7, the chapter sponsored a full-day writing branch of the New York Public Library in workshop conducted by New York agent Donald Greenwich Village, Program Chair Susan Maass. Maass used material from his book, Writing AChalfin moderated a panel of e-zine editors: the Breakout Novel; workshop exercises added an Joe DeMarco from Mysterical-e, Todd Robinson extra layer of learning. from Thuglit, and Jack Getze from Spinetingler. An Triss Stein contributed this short takeaway: e-zine (from “electronic magazine”) is an online version of a traditional magazine. The mystery Everyone's story middles are undernourished. genre has given rise to many e-zines, beginning - Complicate them. Complicate them a lot. [See in 2006. With so few print venues for short fic- Karen Harper’s article on p. 5.] tion these days, the e-zine has become a signifi- Ask what happens if the protagonist fails at the cant venue for mystery writers—both new and - task the plot gives her. Then let her fail. And established—seeking outlets for short stories. The then what happens...? (Opens a whole new set editors stressed that they feel a mission to find new of possibilities.) writers, and each described the type of work he’s Turn an unpleasant or suspect person into an looking for and referred SinC members to their - ally or advisor and see where that leads. (Two websites for specifics. Todd Robinson is particu- words here: Professor Snape.) larly proud that SinC NY/TriState’s Hilary Davidson Pick a character who can/will wrong another was discovered when an agent first read her work in - character. For real emotional impact, find a way Thuglit which lead to her current book contract. to forgive/be forgiven. Revise, not by going from beginning to end Michael Dorto, a detective with the NYPD Major - and getting caught up in the story, but pick 12 Case Squad, was our guest speaker at the May scenes where motives could be changed. See meeting. He told us he wanted to be a police- what happens if you change them. man from the time he was six years old. His father worked as a mechanic for the police department, SinC NY/TriState breaks for the months of July and which explains career interest and his passion for August, so on June 24 we finished our spring sea- all things related to cars. This knowledge made him son with our traditional “welcome summer” party a perfect candidate for one of his most dramatic at Cowgirl restaurant in Greenwich Village. 2 assignments: working undercover for seven years in the scrap metal business in the heart of the Gambino crime family. He and a confidential infor- mant who ran a tow-truck operation would pick up stolen automobiles from various garages after the cars had been stripped for parts. Once Michael established his credentials, the Organized Crime Control Bureau set him up as the owner of a pick- up and towing business—to put the squeeze on the crime boss. Michael successfully managed this business with real employees until the crime boss threatened him and attempted to burn down his operation. As a result of this undercover work, more than 70 criminals have been prosecuted.

11 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Awesome Anthology 10 Not-So-Easy Steps by Karen Pullen

n the early spring of 2013, I convinced SinC of the published. We sent our solicitation Triangle, to produce an anthology—an impetuous, naïve to the 170 members of SinC who decision, like the kind teenagers make. We were enthusi- lived in North or South Carolina. astic! Optimistic! Names were gleaned from the SinC member database and email Fifteen months later, Carolina Crimes: 19 Tales of Lust, addresses then uploaded to an Love, and Longing became a reality—one we are proud email program. Iof, though we’re older, wiser, wrinklier, and more gray-haired. Should your group ever want to take on such a task, know these 4. Judge the submissions. Britni Patterson received the ten steps to success. submissions and distributed each one to three contributing authors for judging. Tamara Ward compiled the judges’ scores 1. Recruit awesome help. See all the names below? It helps to and comments. Ruth Moose, Judith Stanton, and I read all the have a village. SinC members are so smart, hard-working, and stories, so each story was exposed to six pairs of eyes. Twenty- reliable that this step was easy. one stories were accepted, subject to a satisfactory revision. 2. Compose an attention-grabbing theme. Ours: a crime We devised a scoring scheme which I’d be happy to share. story about sex. Examples: reproduction, lust and desire; Each story received three sets of scores and comments, and genetic engineering; online dating; animal breeding; infertil- as you’d expect, the results weren’t necessarily consistent. ity; STDs; prostitution; obsession; gender dysmorphia; erectile Overall, outstanding stories scored well, marginal stories dysfunction; romance; endocrine disorders; virginity; mar- scored low. riage and weddings; pornography; jealousy; chromosomes; plastic surgery; secondary sex characteristics; gynecology. Those rejected had one or more of these qualities: too much material for a short story (a novel crammed into 4,000 words); The anthology committee—Sheila Webster Boneham, Judith the first chapter of a novel; plot problems, e.g., no ending, not Stanton, and Sarah Shaber—tweaked and approved it. credible, too convoluted; offensive (by “offensive”—I think (The “sex” theme segues you’d agree if you’d read it.) This phase was challenging; I know very nicely into what what it’s like to receive a rejection. I’ll propose as themes 5. Edit the accepted stories. I marked the accepted sto- for TriSinC’s next two ries and asked the authors for revisions. Two declined. The anthologies: drugs, and remaining 19 stories went back and forth, many times—pol- rock and roll. ) ishing, tightening, adding, subtracting, improving. Working 3. Solicit stories. with these authors was a pleasure. If they gnashed their teeth SinC has guidelines: and turned purple after yet another email from me, I didn’t Submissions must be know it. open and blind from The editing process was revelatory. I had edited non-fiction SinC members; monetary and technical books and had belonged to writing critique compensation to the groups for years; but, knowing that my name would be on the authors; stories must be cover of CCLLL seriously focused my attention on making original, never before each story the best it could be. I detested backstory, removing

12 inSinC September 2014 - ¡ ¡ it wherever I saw it. Why, oh why? I’d think, deleting the main copy for each author. We solicited blurbs for the back cover character’s unfortunate childhood and family members who from some good people: Hank Phillippi Ryan, Kaye George, had nothing to do with the story arc. Tamra Wilson, and Barb Goffman. We worked with Wildside to design a cover—they were SO easy. There were lots of back- I blue lined explanations and tightened wordiness, reduced and-forth on details, but no roadblocks. multiple points of view, insisted on additional scenes or a bit of description: just being your ordinary power-hungry edi- 9. Read a proof. Wildside wanted to have the book available tor—but flexible, if the author was insistent enough. It’s a tug for Malice Domestic the first weekend in May, so this step was of war, the dynamic between editor and author, and some- a rush. I sent back three pages of corrections. times compromise is necessary. 10. Hold your baby in your arms. Then show it to the world. Judith Stanton’s eagle eyes scanned the manuscript for mis- I had a lot of fun creating a book trailer. I talked it up at takes in spelling, punctuation, word usage. Malice, and 11 of the authors participated in a book launch party at McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro NC. Some of them 6. Ask for an introduction. Kind, generous Margaret Maron blogged about their experience. We’ve scheduled more read- agreed. ings, guest blog posts, a radio interview. Readers like it—and 7. Query publishers. Toni Goodyear did a remarkable job our first newspaper review called it “delicious.” This step of collecting names of publishers of all sorts, selecting likely requires group participation, time, and energy—but it’s fun ones, and sending query letters and sample stories. We had and rewarding. multiple offers. This astonished me, having been through a lengthy query process with my own novel. We decided to go Looking Back with Wildside Press, which had published other SinC anthol- When we began, we had no idea whether we’d end up with ogies and is on the MWA list of approved publishers. This is a a real, live book. Would we get any submissions? Would the nail-biting phase that can last an indeterminate period. authors be willing to work on revisions? Could we get blurbs, 8. Negotiate a contract and cover. Most of the terms were an intro? Could we find a publisher? Would the publisher acceptable, standard for an anthology. The authors kept allow us cover input? Would the project suck up our lives for rights to their individual stories. Royalties go to our chap- years? (Actually, a few months . . . ) ter. We asked for extra copies to send to reviewers and a free Ten steps, none of them easy. But look at these smiles – it was worth every minute. 2

Carolina Crimes is available in paper and e-book format from online retailers and your local bookstore.

[A shorter version of this article first appeared as a guest post on the blog Jungle Red.]

Karen Pullen left a perfectly good job at an engineering consulting firm to make her fortune (um, maybe not) as an innkeeper and a fiction writer. Her B&B has been open for 12 years, and she’s published short stories in Every Day Fiction, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Spinetingler, Sixfold, bosque (the magazine), and anthologies. Her first novel, Cold Feet, was released by Five Star in January 2013. She lives in Pittsboro NC. Reach her at www.karenpullen.com or [email protected].

On the road with Carolina Crimes anthology at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh (front) Antoinette Brown, Tamara Ward, Karen Pullen, (back) Britni Patterson, Joanie Conwell, Margaret Maron, Calvin Hall, Toni Goodyear, Linda Johnson, and Ann Mitchell.

13 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Writes of Passage Adventures on the Writer’s journey by Hank Phillippi Ryan

ou have to picture us at Malice—you might Gorgeous, generous and revealing. have seen us! Not this year, but last. Beth I can tell you—I was in tears much Wasson, and Elaine Will Sparber and I, sit- of the time. ting at one of those little tables under the escalator, talking about what kind of a book What to call it? What to put on I might want to edit for Sisters in Crime. the cover? I remember driving somewhere, saying words out YRoberta Isleib did such a wonderful job with Shameless loud to myself. Journey, passage, Promotion for Brazen Hussies, and Marcia Talley with adventure. Pathway, highway, travel. Travel together. Breaking and Entering. So what could I give Sisters in In it together. What we share, what we have in com- Crime that would be new and helpful and valuable mon. The things we all go through the rites of—ah. and—well, even inspiring? Writes of Passage. At some point, I said—let’s make it about—the jour- And when I chose the quotes for the chapter divi- ney. The writer’s journey. And we can divide it into sions, little did I imagine that a brilliant cover art- sections, like beginning, hoping, working, thinking… ist—who had NOT read the book!—would come up and I saw Beth nodding and Elaine taking notes. (She’s by chance with such a brilliant articulation of “hope very organized.) is the thing with feathers,” the poem that headlines Fast-forwarding, we asked some Sisters authors to con- the “hoping” section. tribute—from the newest of newbies to the very most Sometimes the universe just works. experienced and successful. As editor, I said—here are the categories. What strikes you? What can you share? I am so proud of this, grateful to all the authors and to Elaine Will Sparber for doing all the complicated Tell me a personal story, I said. Not a speech or a class, administrative stuff, and to Beth Wasson for allowing it but something that to flourish. Please let me know if you like it! happened to you. Something you learned from. A Hank Phillippi Ryan is the multi-award-winning author of six mystery novels. Her latest thriller, The Wrong Girl, recently path you took, or won the RWA’s Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream didn’t, or a decision Mystery/Suspense. Hank is a past president of SinC. that’s haunted you.

Tell me something s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s wonderful or tragic, a success or a fail- Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer’s Journey is ure, a landmark in newly published by Sisters in Crime, edited by Hank your journey. Phillippi Ryan (with Elaine Will Sparber). The book is a collection of essays by SinC members, written to inspire And the essays other writers. came in. Look at the lineup of To read more about the book, visit www.sistersincrime. authors! Amazing. org/publications.

14 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC into Great Writing A Forensic Day with Jan Burke by Molly Weston

f you’re addicted to Crime Scene Processing Hill. She is also a cadaver dog crime—writing, reading, • Donald Johnson was a senior handler and author of What and watching it—you’ve criminalist at the LA County the Dog Knows: The Science and probably already regis- Sheriff’s Department. He now Wonder of Working Dogs. She’ll tered for this exciting serves forensic laboratories as talk about how cadaver dogs pre-Bouchercon work- a consultant and trainer, cur- and their handlers are trained, shop. What? You haven’t signed rently teaching forensic the environments and condi- Iup yet? There’s still time—and science at Cal State tions they work in, and what we a few spots are available. There’s University-LA. do and don’t yet know about no better way to kick off your Medical Serial Killers how dogs find the missing Bouchercon experience than • Beatrice Crofts Yorker is dean dead. with SinC into Great Writing! What Readers Need to Know of the College of Health • and Human Services for Cal about Forensic Science and Edgar-winner Jan Burke is a life- State University-LA. She has How to Learn More About It time SinC member and founder published groundbreaking Jan Burke has been an invited of the Crime Lab Project. A strong research on hospital homicides, speaker at meetings of numer- active advocate for improving Munchausen Syndrome by ous forensic science orga- public forensic science, Jan has Proxy, and medical serial killers. nizations. She is a member lined up a terrific team to better Trace Evidence of the advisory board of the acquaint SinC members with the • Katherine Roberts is a profes- California Forensic Science right forensic information. sor at Cal State University-LA Institute. With Dr. D. P. Lyle, where she is director of the she hosts “Crime and Science Sheri McKinley Photography Criminalistics MS Degree Radio,” an online program pro- duced by Suspense Magazine. Program. Her current projects 2 focus on nuclear/mitochon- drial DNA analysis, and trace evidence analysis. Death Investigation: Just the Facts… • Homicide Detectives and Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Coroner’s Investigation 7:30 am—3:15 pm Elizabeth Smith is a homicide Renaissance Hotel detective with the LA County Long Beach CA Sheriff’s Department. Working with HDR (Cadaver Cost for SinC members $50 • Dogs) to find Human (includes box lunch and Remains afternoon break) Cat Warren is a former newspa- Full information per reporter who is currently tinyurl.com/kx687ej a professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Registration tinyurl.com/myetcj9

15 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Board & Officer Nominees

our nomi- nating com- mittee— Catriona McPherson, Laura Disilverio, and I, Hank Phillippi Ryan—has worked Catriona Leslie Budewitz, Susan C. Shea, Lori Roy, McPherson, treasurer/AC long and hard—and we VP-president- secretary, spent president, was elect, is a more than two representative, Yhave come up with (if we born in Scotland, practicing trial decades as a won the Edgar do say so) a fabulous board but moved to attorney, the first non-profit execu- Award for her slate for next year. California in Agatha winner for tive before begin- first novel, Bent 2010. She is the both fiction and ning her best- Road, and was For those who have decided multi-award- non-fiction, and selling mystery nominated for Until She Comes to drop off the board— winning author of a regular inSinC series featuring the Dandy Gilver columnist. She a professional Home. The former Sally Brewster, Robert detective stories lives and writes in fundraiser. Susan tax accountant is Dugoni, Val McDermid, and and acclaimed Montana. is currently the a native of Kansas Stefanie Pintoff—we are so standalones. She president of who now lives in west central incredibly grateful for your served as SinC SinC-Northern vice president. California. Florida with her service, and never fear, we family. plan to rope you into help- ing at every turn. For those who have decided to stay, please be nice to the new kids. And aren’t they ter- rific? [Last year at the Summit Conference in Chicago, sev- Martha Reed, Simon Wood, Cari Dubiel, Barbara Fister, eral members of the team chapter liaison, publicity chair, library liaison, is bookstore liaison and monitoring agreed to be SinC goal won a 2006 is a California the computer ser- IPPY for Best transplant from vices manager at project chair, is champions. These groups Regional Fiction England. His Twinsburg Public an academic are hard at work to make and The Choking former profes- Library in Ohio. librarian, a regular SinC even better. These Game is just sions are often She coordinates columnist for Library Journal members are included with out. She coordi- highlighted in his the SinC pres- nates SinC’s 50 Anthony Award- ence at both the and Inside Higher the board bios. Because of chapters. She winning thrillers. American Library Ed, and is the space requirements, Molly loves coffee, big The One That Got Association’s and author of the Weston is not included in jewelry, and the Away is due out the Public Library Anni Koskinen PI series set in the membership group.] never-ending in April. He also Association’s antics of her writes horror as national meet- Chicago. extended family. Simon Janus. ings. She is also writing a mystery.

16 inSinC September 2014- ¡ ¡ Frankie Bailey, Julie Hennrikus, G. M. Malliet, Clare Hank Phillippi at large, is the at large, is presi- at large, is the O’Donohue, Ryan, at large, author of the dent of SinC-NE - at large, is the is a Boston NBC Hannah McCabe and serves on winning author of author of seven affiliate on-air police procedur- its Crime Bake the DCI St. Just novels in two investigative als and the Lizzie committee. The and Father Max series—The reporter. The for- Stuart amateur executive director Tudor mysteries. Someday Quilts mer SinC presi- sleuth series. She of StageSource, She has been Mysteries, the dent has won is a criminal jus- a service orga- nominated for Kate Conway three Agatha, tice professor at nization for numerous other Mysteries—and the Anthony, SUNY-Albany and theater artists awards. A Fatal two e-novllas. She the Macavity, a past president and companies Summer arrives in is also a TV and the Mary of SinC. in the greater October. She lives producer on the Higgins Clark Boston area, has with her husband A&E show, “After awards. Truth Be published several in the Washington The First 48.” Told will be out in short mysteries. DC area. October.

Laura DiSilverio, Mary Boone, Kate Flora, Cathy Pickens, Marcia Talley, past president, non-voting library non-voting non-voting educa- non-voting educa- turned from advisor, served membership goal tion goal cham- tion goal cham- being an Air as library liaison champion, has pion, teaches: pion, used her Force intelligence for many years. written numerous SinC-sponsored experiences with officer to writing An Ohio librarian, crime novels, is a writing workshops breast cancer as mysteries with a she is happy to founding member and business at background for good sprinkling be paid to turn of New England UNC-Charlotte. her award-winning of humor— readers on to Crime Bake, and Another former Hannah Ives mys- under her own books—espe- is a former SinC SinC president, tery series. The name and as Ella cially those by president. She she won the St. former SinC presi- Barrick. After SinC members. teaches writing Martin’s Press dent has travelled living around the and does manu- Malice Domestic the world with world, she settled script critiques Award for Best her military fam- with her family to for Grub Street in Traditional ily—and mystery write in Colorado. Boston. Mystery. conferences.

17 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC at Library Associations by Cari Dubiel

t’s been quite a year for our library team. In my second Laurie Stevens reported that “the biggest year as library liaison, Library Advisor Mary Boone, lines formed at the SinC booth because, as Past Library Liaison Doris Ann Norris, and I have put readers said, ‘This is where I know I’m going together two booths for library conferences. The Public to find great authors.’” Hank Phillippi Ryan Library Association (PLA) conference was held in India- saw a friend she hadn’t seen in more than 20 napolis in March and we wrapped up the American years whose name appeared in the acknowl- Library Association (ALA) conference in Las Vegas at the end edgments of The Other Woman. By chance, Iof June. E-mails flew back and forth, books shipped across the one copy of that book had been delivered with the boxes of country, schedules were adjusted, and travel plans made. Indy The Wrong Girl. Hank signed it to him right there. was cold and Vegas was hot, and we wrestled with a poster possessed by malicious intentions of its own. But, it was all Fans specifically returned to the booth over and over to see worth it to see our Sisters and Misters sign and give away their favorite authors. Librarian Beverly McKay was thrilled to hundreds of their books. meet . We had to start a line for Laurie R. King’s signing. Another librarian told me her favorite author was Thanks to Publicity Chair Julie Hennrikus, we , my friend from Ohio. I had a killer ad in both conference programs, recommended Amanda’s Isabella Alan sending librarians from all over the coun- series, and the librarian couldn’t believe try to swarm our booth. They grabbed our there were more Amish mysteries she tote bags and freebies, and they entered our hadn’t read. drawings for an iPad mini. At PLA, they filled the room for our panel with librarians Joyce Saricks and Lesa Holstine and board members Laura DeSilverio, Catriona McPherson, and Frankie Bailey. Our game of Let’s Make a Deal surprised even me when Laura gave away a big prize: naming rights to a character in her upcoming series. My favorite stories from the conferences illus- trate the relationships we’ve built over the years, and the new ones we’re forming.

Laurie Stevens, Lori Hamilton, Cari Dubiel, Dave Putnam, and Jeri Westerson Pam Fluitt of Picayune MS won the iPad mini.

Elaine Viets and Beverly McKay

Thank you to all our booth volunteers and prize donors, par- ticularly the Speed City Chapter, the LA Chapter, the Orange County Chapter, and the Guppies. We couldn’t have done it without you! See everyone next year in . 2

18 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ SinC-UpSinC-Up withwith BlogBlog HopHop by Barbara Fister

alling all bloggers! We’re Do you listen to music while writing? having a September Sisters • What’s on your playlist? in Crime SinC-Up for blog- What books are on your nightstand right gers. To participate, write a •  blog post responding to one now? or more of these questions If you were to mentor a new writer, what and, at the end of your post, link to another • would you tell her about the writing Cauthor who blogs and who you think your business? readers will want to get to know. (Letting that blogger know would be a good idea, too! They You don’t need to answer them all—just do not need to be members of SinC to par- whichever takes your fancy. We want this to ticipate.) Here are suggested questions: be fun! And if you would rather not explain the process for joining the September Which authors have inspired you? • SinC-Up in your post, you may link to Which male authors write great women sistersincrime.com/BlogHop which covers • characters? Which female authors write it all. great male characters? We hope many of our blogging members will If someone said, “Nothing against women participate and link to other another writer • writers, but all of my favorite crime fiction to spread the word about good books and authors happen to be men,” how would their authors. you respond? If you do, please mention and link to Sisters What’s the best part of the writing process in Crime SistersInCrime.org in your post. •  for you? What’s the most challenging? So that participants’ posts can be publicized through our social media channels, we ask that you tweet your link using the hashtag #SinC-Up and include @SINCnational. If you are not on Twitter, email webmaven@ sistersincrime.org giving her your link. Questions? Email Barbara Fister bfister@ hickorytech.net or Cari Dubei librarian@ sistersincrime.org. We hope you’ll find that it’s fun to SinC-Up! 2

19 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Creativity Starters by Katherine Ramsland, PhD

he other day when an old car, and you know nothing I was trying hard about cars. But perhaps you know to think of a title photography or graphic design. for an article, I You might look at your friend’s decided to let it project to see if you can bring a rest for a while. new perspective on it. Thus, you I went into my living room and stir up your own creative juices in Trearranged the furniture. As I a new way. went to sit down, voila! A clever title popped into my head. It Switch Hit reminded me that there are If you work alone, invite a team quite a few clever ways to gener- into your zone of inspiration, or Whistle While You Work ate new ideas. Research at Northwestern vice versa. You have the skill to University revealed that people in Despite the abundance of advice do either one. Doing something a good mood solve problems with available for creative inspira- completely different from your sudden insight more often than tion—the Eureka moment— typical approach breaks habits with methodical calculations. some great sources are rarely and releases the control you’ve The better their mood, the more mentioned. So, here’s a short list: developed over your inspira- tional paths. creative they were. The research- ers surmise that positive moods Reorganize Your Office broaden the scope of attention, Many of us place furniture in Tap into Trauma which absorbs more data input. certain arrangements and leave it Many creative people have that way for years. We absorb our endured harsh environments. environment into subconscious There is a growing field of research Mix It Up background. That’s why this trick called post-traumatic growth that We often think of brilliant is so good! Moving real furniture studies how adversity and inge- researchers being alone for hours, around is like rearranging items nuity work together. In studies, days, or months in their labs or in your head. You never know participants are asked to recall a offices, but brain cells become what you might find beneath a singularly stressful event and then active when subjects observe oth- “couch” or behind a “chair.” to describe post-trauma creative ers doing something in the same endeavors. Those who were high in way they would if they’d actually Color Outside the Lines three traits, “openness to experi- performed the action themselves. Assist someone with a ence,” “need for unique- Because we have a shared neu- project that is outside ness,” and “unconven- ral substrate in the brain, we your comfort zone. tional” tended to report don’t just see an action when we Maybe a friend or rela- creative growth after, and observe it, we experience it as tive is trying to restore as a result of, a trauma. if we’re doing it, too.

20 inSinC September 2014- ¡ ¡ 6-3-5 Brainwriting Writers can have some fun with this interesting exercise: “6-3-5 Brainwriting” was developed in Germany for creative advertising. Here’s how it works: Gather six people and have each generate three new ideas every five min- utes. The starting person writes three Val McDermid Morgue ideas on one line on a sheet of paper. Then she passes the paper to the next new morgue at the Centre for person, who reads them and generates Anatomy and Human Identification at three more, either working off these or Dundee University will be named the adding something else. The ideas don’t Val McDermid Mortuary. have to be good, they just have to keep Val joined crimewriters Stuart flowing. Within half an hour, this exer- MacBride, , Jeffery Deaver, cise produces 108 new ideas. The par- AJeff Lindsay, Tess Gerritsen, Peter James, Kathy ticipants are encouraged to find inspira- Reichs, Mark Billingham, , and Caro tion in something someone else might Ramsey in backing a campaign to raise one mil- have said, taking it further or applying it lion pounds for the new morgue which will better in a different way. preserve bodies for dissection. Record Your Success Members of the public not only donated money This is a bonus tip I’ve mentioned before. but voted for their choice of honoree. We often take inspiration for granted or To see the believe we have no control over when full article in it might occur, but neuroscience shows The Scotsman us that we can set up the conditions about the Val for gaining creative insights on a regu- McDermid lar basis. The trick is to pay attention Mortuary see to your creative process until you learn tinyurl.com/ what works best, and then do it again mcxtnxk. until your body learns your habit. Being 2 Moller Mimsy by aware gives you more control than you think. Writing it helps you to fully con- sider your process. 2 Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a professor of foren- sic psychology, has published 50 books and more than 1,000 articles, and writes a blog for Psychology Today. Her forthcoming books are Haunted Crime Scenes and a paranormal romance, Leave Me Wanting (which came from an inspira- tional exercise).

21 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ A court reporter or a bailiff asks a witness to raise her right hand, then asks “Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”

common scene, occur- telling the truth is even an option. The choice to affirm can sound odd. A ring daily in thousands of Quakers find Biblical support in the writer friend in California says that in courtrooms and lawyers’ Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus said a death penalty case she worked on, a conference rooms. The “Let your yes be yes, and your no be witness wanted to affirm rather than custom of raising our no.” (Matthew 5:37) The idea is that swear, resulting in questions to prospec- right hand to be sworn in one’s veracity should be judged based tive jurors on their opinions about what Ahas rather grisly origins. Most scholars on reputation for truthfulness. But of that meant. To her surprise, some peo- trace it to seventeenth century London, course, in modern society, we often ple thought a person who “affirmed” was before written record keeping became don’t know each other or the reputation hiding something! I suspect that the widespread. Sentences were often harsh of the witness in the dock. judge in that situation would give what’s in those days. Some judges showed leni- called a “cautionary instruction” at the ency to first-time convicted criminals, Quakers, therefore, will “affirm” or beginning of the case, telling the jurors punishing them by branding their right “attest” that what they are saying is that the law allows witnesses to affirm hands: T for Theft, F for Felon, M for true—they just won’t swear it. Other rather than swear, that they should Manslaughter. A person charged with folks also balk at the conventional oath, draw no conclusions about the witness’s a crime raised his hand to show that requiring them to “swear” that their reliability from that choice, and that he had not been punished before—if testimony or statements are true, mainly affirmed testimony should be viewed in he had, he could be assured of serving for religious reasons. For this reason, the same way as sworn testimony. time, or worse, the second go-round. many courts now use the language “Do You may choose to use the choice to you swear (or affirm) that the testimony Of such things are long traditions affirm or swear to add to your charac- you are about to give is true?” In some begun. From there, the practice of terization or to insert tension over an courts, witnesses or jurors may need to raising the right hand in court spread oath to add dimension to a courtroom request permission to attest or affirm. A to witnesses and jurors—and even to scene. shrinking minority of courts require a 2 casual interactions and children’s prom- stated reason to affirm rather than swear. Leslie Budewitz is the author of Books, ises. “I swear,” we say, to emphasize that Crooks & Counselors: How to Write an odd tale truly happened. Legal documents, including standard Accurately About Criminal Law and notary language, sometimes give only Courtroom Procedure, winner of the In the United States, the language of 2011 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction. the option to swear, although I have the oath evolved to offer the option Death al Denté won the 2013 Agatha of affirming, rather than swearing, seen witnesses cross out “swear” and Award for Best First Novel, making her largely due to the influence of Quakers, write in “affirm.” An affirmation is the first author to win Agatha Awards also known as Friends. A fundamen- legally binding. The US Constitution for both fiction and nonfiction. Crime Rib, second in the series, appeared in tal Quaker belief is “The Testimony of even makes several references to affir- July 2014. For more help getting the mations. Franklin Pierce is the only Integrity,” holding that truth-telling law right in your stories, visit Leslie’s is a given. Taking an oath contradicts American president who affirmed the website, www.LawandFiction.com and that principle by suggesting that not oath of office, rather than swearing it. blog, www.LawandFiction.com/blog.

22 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ We Love Libraries!

by Andrea Smith

hether helping with research, mysteries. “It’s an honor that the Sisters providing a quiet writing haven, or in Crime organization recognizes librar- introducing readers to new books, ies’ efforts and reciprocates that support,” libraries make it possible for writers Wong said. to practice their craft. And Sisters in Crime continues to show its Aloha Makiki Community Library appreciation for their critical support through its We Love In May, Sisters in Crime/Hawaii were WLibraries grant program. Most recently, SinC said “mahalo,” able to give a special “maholo” to the library that hosts their or thank you, to libraries in states known for pristine beaches and mystery lovers—California and Hawaii. monthly meetings. Chapter President Gail Baugniet pre- sented the Makiki Community Library, located in Honolulu Yolo County California HI, with the grant. In April, Capitol Crimes SinC chapter member Catriona In addition to hosting the Hawaii chapter, Makiki Community McPherson presented The Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library supports the chapter by regularly displaying mem- of the Yolo County Library in Woodland CA, the We Love bers’ books on its local author shelves. For example, the Libraries $1,000 grant to purchase books in any genre. library, which is staffed completely by volunteers, has show- Members of Friends of the Library and Blue Moon Writers cased Laurie Hanan’s series featuring mail carrier sleuth Group gathered to congratulate the library staff, enjoy Laurie Golden. Hanan’s latest novel is Another Day in Paradise. cookies, and hear Catriona, multi-award winning author of the Dandy Glover detective series, read from her new stand- The library has featured partners-in-crime Rosemary and alone, The Day She Died. Catriona also answered questions Larry Mild who have two mystery series and a stand-alone about mystery writing. novel, Cry Ohana, which is set in Hawaii. Kent Reinker’s works have also graced the shelves. Kent publishes under the pen Catriona, a former library worker herself, thanked the Yolo name Alain Gunn. His latest novel, If Pigs Could Cry, is a medi- County Library for the support they’ve given her over the years. “Whoever said writing was a lonely pursuit didn’t write cal thriller. in the heavenly, quiet study room of the Mary L. Stephens Gail Baugniet’s Pepper Bibeau mystery series has also been Library,” she said. “It was a thrill to present the Davis Branch showcased. Exotic Hawaii serves as the backdrop of Gail’s lat- Library with a book-buying award on behalf of the Sisters est Bibeau installment, With Fiery Vengeance Anger Burns Deep. (and Misters).” Makiki Community Library President Suzanne Ivey accepted Yolo County the grant. “We’re thrilled to receive this generous gift and to Librarian Patty Wong pledged to support the important work of these creative writers,” she said. spend the entire Completing the fourth year of its We Love Libraries grant $1,000 grant on program, SinC encourages chapter members to tell their local Davis Librarian Crista libraries about the award competition. Entering is as easy Cannariato was all as going to the SinC website, filling out the entry form, and smiles when Catriona including a photo of staff holding mystery novels written by McPherson presented the $1,000 check! SinC authors with the submission. 2

23 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Beth’s Bits by Beth Wasson

Board of Directors Elections We Love Libraries SinC into Great You will soon receive an e-mail ballot Sisters in Crime continues to sup- Writing! for the 2014–2015 Board of Directors of port libraries around the country A Forensic Sisters in Crime. The ballot will arrive with a $1,000 check each month for Science Day with between September 15–20 and you will a winner to buy books. Entry is open Jan Burke & More be able to vote by e-mail. Those mem- to all libraries with a few guidelines. Where: Long Beach bers who don’t use e-mail will receive Encourage your library to enter. E-mail CA a paper ballot during the same time this link, tinyurl.com/ydvmqch, to Renaissance Long Beach Hotel period. Thank you for voting. your favorite library so they will have a chance to win $1,000 to buy books for 11 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach CA 90802 SinC Up! your community. Are you a published author? If so, SinC You may stay at the Renaissance or at Up! with the Sisters in Crime website. SinC Breakfast at Bouchercon one of the other conference hotels and The annual SinC Breakfast and mem- take a short walk to the Renaissance. To be included in our rotating book bership meeting will be on Saturday, •covers on www.sistersincrime.org, send The conference hotels will extend the November 15 at 7:30 at the Renaissance a JPG of your most recent book cover discounted conference rate to you if you Long Beach Hotel. The room name to Sarah Glass, SinC’s web maven, along call them directly at 562.437.5900. Fly will be sent to you at a later date. with your author URL. Sarah’s e-mail is in Tuesday night and start the workshop Sisters in Crime will hold its Board of [email protected]. You will receive on Wednesday. Directors election during the meeting. an e-mail when your book cover runs. Make your reservation by logging in to When: Wednesday, November 12, 2014, Log into the website and update www.sistersincrime.org and click on the day before Bouchercon begins. •your Membership Profile. Your member- Bouchercon Breakfast on the rotating Forensic Day will begin at 7:30 am with ship profile is the data that will popu- banner or find it on the Calendar. The a day-long program put together by Jan late the SinC Interactive Map on the price for a full breakfast is $25— a spe- Burke. Other presenters will be on hand. home page. Keep it current. Libraries, cial price for SinC members. Stay tuned for an E-blast from SinC. bookstores and fans are using the map You may also send a check to Sisters in Sign up now to reserve your spot. to find their favorite authors for book Crime for $25. Mail to: signings and readings and to buy books. Cost: Members will pay only $50 for Sisters in Crime this day-long workshop. Attendees must Do you have your copy of SinC’s PO Box 442124 belong to Sisters in Crime and may join •new book? Writes of Passage: Adventures Lawrence KS 66044. prior to signing up for the workshop. on a Writer’s Journey, edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan will provide comfort and Include your e-mail address for a How to pay: Jump on www. inspiration for your journey. Order your confirmation. Deadline for Bouchercon sistersincrime.org and click on the copy now for $10.00 at tinyurl.com/ breakfast will be November 4, 2014 in rotating banner with SinC into Great ld73fno Lawrence KS. Writing! You will need your user name and password.

24 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ Awards 1 Nominations

by Gay Toltl Kinman

Maegan Beaumont’s Carved in Darkness Diana Gould’s Coldwater won the IPPY Marie Moore’s Game Drive was nominated won the IPPY Gold Award for Silver Award for Mystery/Cozy/Noir for the Foreword Review’s Book of the Suspense/Thriller. and was nominated for the Foreword Year Award for mystery. Janet Bolin’s Thread and Buried was nomi- Review’s Book of the Year Award for Carla Norton’s The Edge of Normal was nated for the Bony Blithe Award. mystery. a finalist for Thrillerfest’s Best First Lisa Brackman’s Hour of the Rat was nomi- Sara J. Henry’s A Cold and Lonely Place was Novel. nated for the Anthony Award for Best nominated for the Anthony Award for ’s How the Light Gets In was Audio Book. Best Novel. nominated for the Macavitiy Award Susanna Calkins’ A Murder at Rosamund’s Darrell James’ Purgatory was nominated for Best Mystery. Gate was nominated for the Sue for the both the Anthony and Shamus Twist Phelan “Footprints in Water” in Feder Memorial Award for Best Awards for Best Paperback Original Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July Historical Mystery. Novel. 2013, won both the Arthur Ellis and Jane Cleland’s Lethal Treasure was nomi- Karen Keskinen’s Blood Orange was nomi- Thrillerfest’s Awards for Best Short nated for the David Award. nated for a Shamus Award for Best Story. First PI Novel. Joelle Charbonneau’s The Testing was Gigi Pandian’s “The Hindi Houdini,” was nominated for the Anthony Award for ’s Ordinary Grace nominated for the Macavitiy Award for Best Children’s or Young Adult Novel. was nominated for both the Anthony Best Short Story. and for Best Novel. Matt Coyle’s Yesterday’s Echo was nomi- Travis Richardson’s “Incident on the 405” nated for the Anthony Award for Best Robert Kresge’s Saving Lincoln was nomi- was nominated for both the Anthony First Novel and for the Macavitiy nated for the Sue Feder Memorial and the Macavitiy Awards for Best Award for Best First Mystery. Award for Best Historical Mystery. Short Story. Vicki Delany’s Gold Web was nominated Deborah Ledford’s Crescendo was nomi- Hank Phillippi Ryan’s The Wrong Girl was for the Bony Blithe Award. nated for the Anthony Award for Best nominated for both the David and Audio Book. the for Best Novel. Kendra Elliot’s Buried was nominated for Thrillerfest’s Best First Novel. Paul Levine’s State vs. Lassiter was nomi- Terry Shames’ A Killing at Cotton Hill was nated for a Shamus Award for Best nominated for the Macavitiy Award Hallie Ephron’s There was an Old Woman Indie PI Novel. for Best First Mystery. was nominated for the David Award. Catriona McPherson’s As She Left It won Terence Faherty’s Eastward in Eden was ’s “The Care and Feeding of The Foreword Review’s Book of the Year nominated for the Foreword Review’s Houseplants” was nominated for both Award for mystery and was nomi- Book of the Year Award for mystery. the Anthony and Macavity Awards for nated for the Anthony Award for Best Best Short Story. Craig Faustus Buck’s “Dead End” was Paperback Original. Her Dandy Gilver ’s The Code Busters Club: nominated for the Anthony Award for and a Bothersome Number of Corpses was Mystery of the Pirate’s Treasure was Best Short Story. nominated for the Sue Feder Memorial nominated for the Anthony Award for Award for Best Historical Mystery. Corey Lynn Fayman’s Border Field Blues Best Children’s or Young Adult Novel. was nominated for the Foreword G.M. Malliet’s Death and the Lit Chick was E. F. Watkins’ Dark Music was nominated Review’s Book of the Year Award for nominated for the Anthony Award for for the David Award. mystery. Best Audio Book. Gwen Florio’s Montana was a finalist for Jenny Milchman’s Cover of Snow was Send awards/nominations to Thrillerfest’s Best First Novel and was nominated for the Macavitiy Award [email protected] nominated for the Shamus Award for for Best First Mystery. Best First PI Novel.

25 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ 2014 Four Corners Writers Workshop Writers’ Police Academy Gallup NM • Oct. 2–4 Jamestown NC • Sept. 4–7 Readings and workshops by members of is GoH; Lisa Gardner the national writing community, includ- and Alafair Burke are special guest ing publishers and literary agents. presenters. SinC co-sponsors this event. EVENTS www.Gallup.UNM.edu/fourcorners www.WritersPoliceAcademy.com HAPPENINGS Magna cum Murder XX Bouchercon Indianapolis IN • Oct. 24–26 Raleigh NC • Oct. 8–11 “Murder Under the Oaks” will feature The new association with CRIMEFEST Margaret Maron, Kathy Reichs, Tom will feature John Gilstrap as GoH and Franklin, Zoe Sharp, S. Allan Guthrie, Robert Wilson as international GoH. Kentucky Writers’ Sean Doolittle, Lori Armstrong, Sarah www.tinyurl.com/lhu89pu Conference & Southern Shaber, and Ron Rash. New England Crime Bake Kentucky Book Festival Bouchercon2015.org Boston/Dedham MA • Nov. 7–9 Bowling Green KY • Apr. 17–18 “Saddle Up for Murder,” the 13th Crime Special Guest Diana Gabaldon will Bake will feature Craig Johnson as GoH. 2016 www.CrimeBake.com headline the event. SoKyBookFest.org Bouchercon Bouchercon LA • Sep. 15–18 Long Beach CA • Nov. 13–16 Triangle Area Frelancers “Blood on the Bayou—Down in New Honorees include Jeffrey Deaver, Raleigh NC • May 2 Orleans” will feature Harlan Coben lifetime achievement award; Edward as GoH, Mo Hayder as international David Morrell will be the keynote Marston, international GoH, J.A. Jance GoH, Julie Smith as local legend, Jon presenter at the conference for fiction, as American GoH, Simon Wood as toast- and Ruth Jordan as fan GoH, and master, and Al Abramson as fan GoH. non-fiction, and screen writers. as toastmaster. David www.Bouchercon2014.com www.TriangleAreaFreelancers.org Morrell will be the lifetime achievment award recipient. Book Fair Bloody Words IV www.Bouchercon2016.com Toronto ON • Nov. 13–16 Halifax NS • June 4–7 http://www.TorontoBookFair.ca Planning is underway for Stormy Weather! 2017 International GoH Dr. D. P. Lyle. Bouchercon 2015 www.BloodyWords.com/2015 Toronto ON • Oct. 12–15 Love Is Murder XV Historical Novel Society “Passport to Murder” will feature Louise Chicago IL • Feb. 6–8 CO • June 26–28 Penny, Canadian GoH; Megan Abbott, American GoH; Christopher Brookmyre, , Zoe Sharp, Denise Swanson, Explore new time periods, learn about and Robert Goldsborough headline the international GoH; weaponry, improve your craft, explore mystery writers and readers conference (for- as B’Con 4Kids GoH, Margaret Cannon merly known as Dark and Stormy Nights). publishing opportunities. as fan GoH, and Twist Phelan and Gary www.LoveIsMurder.net HNS-Conference.org Phillips as toastmasters. Website TBA.

26 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ April September Nancy J. Cohen, Hanging by a Hair, Five Richard Brawer, Love’s Sweet Sorrow, Star, P, E Vinspire Publishing, P Janet Feduska Cole, Dead Letter: y Rob Brunet, Stinking Rich, Down & Out Addressee Unknown, Pegasus Books, P, E Books, P, E Debra H. Goldstein, “Early Frost” in Docket The Birmingham Arts Journal, P and Karen Harper, Shattered Secrets, Mira “The Rabbi’s Wife Stayed Home” in Books, P, E Mysterical-E, E Richard Godwin, Noir City, Atlantis, P, E Carol J. Perry, Caught Dead Handed, Sybil Johnson, “Annual Marriage Test” in Judy Howard, Masada’s Marine, Judy Kensington, P, E Mysterical-E, E Howard Publishing, P, E Marcia Talley, Tomorrow’s Vengeance, Pat Krapf, Brainwash, Thunder Glass Anna Castle, Murder by Misrule, Anna Severn House, P Press, P, E Castle, P, E Mary Miley, Silent Murders, St. Martin’s/ Amy Ray, Dangerous Denial, Barking Rain Gin Jones, A Dose of Death, Gemma Minotaur, P Press, P, E Halliday Publishing, P, E C.L. Pauwels, Forty & Out, Deadly Writes May A R Kennedy, Gone But Not Goodbye, Publishing LLC, , P, E Alan Beechey, This Private Plot: An Oliver Createspace P, E Swithin Mystery, Poisoned Pen Press, P Lea Wait, Shadows on a Maine Christmas, Jackie King, The Corpse Who Walked in the Perseverance Press, P Rob Brunet, “What Friends Are For” in Door, Deadly Niche Press, P, E Exiles: An Outsider Anthology, Paul D. Wendy Worthington, “A Nice Cup of Clare F. Price, Web of Betrayal, CFP Media Brazill, ed., Blackwitch Press, P Homicide” in A Nice Cup of Murder, Group, LLC, P Craig Faustus Buck, Psycho Logic, Stark Jess Faraday, ed., Elm Books, P, E Raving Publishing, E Mark Troy, The Splintered Paddle, Five Star Publishing, P Elizabeth Zelvin, Voyage of Strangers, Lake Elissa Grodin, Death by Hitchcock, Cozy Union, P Cat Press, P James W. Ziskin, No Stone Unturned: An Arlene Kay, “Swann Dive” in The Boston Ellie Stone Mystery, Seventh Street October Uncommons Mysteries Book 1, ImaJinn Books, P, E Marguerite Ashton, Led By Lies, Criminal Books, P July Lines Publishing via Smashwords, P, E Arthur Kerns, The African Contract, a Leslie Budewitz, Crime Rib, Berkley Prime Sarah Shaber, Louise’s Blunder, Severn Hayden Stone Thriller, Diversion Books, Crime, P, E House, P P, E, A N. M. Cedeno, All in Her Head, Lucky Bat November Mary Beth Magee, Death in the Daylilies, Books, P Smashwords, E Craig Faustus Buck, “Honeymoon Sweet” Laurie Cass, Tailing a Tabby, NAL, P, E in Murder on the Beach, , Catriona McPherson, The Day She Died, Midnight Ink, P Lori Rader-Day, The Black Hour, Seventh ed., Down and Out Books II, P, E Street Books, P Cherie O’Boyle, Fire at Will’s, I Street Karen Harper, Forbidden Ground, Mira Press, P, E JL Simpson, Lost Cause—A Daisy Dunlop Books, P, E Mystery, Taliesin Publishing, E , Small Plates, Wm December Morrow, P Kate White, Eyes on You, Harper Books, P Maggie King, Murder at the Book Group, L.J. Sellers, The Target (An Agent Dallas August Simon & Schuster, P, E Thriller), Spellbinder Press, P, E, A Nancy J. Cohen, Warrior Lord, Wild Rose D. E. Royce, Whom Evil Touches, Press, P, E January 2015 CreateSpace, P Karen Harper, Broken Bonds, Mira, P, E E. R. Dillon, Ayrshire Murders, Five Star, P Elaine Viets, Catnapped!, Obsidian, P, E, A Norma Lehr, Deadly Shuffle,Camel Press, March 2015 June P, E Nancy Bilyeau, The Tapestry, Touchstone/ Simon & Schuster, P Marlene Chabot, Death at the Bar X Margaret Maron, Designated Daughters, Ranch, North Star Press, P Grand Central, P, E, A April 2015 Karen Dionne, The Killing: Uncommon L.J. Sellers, Deadly Bonds (A Detective Kate Fellowes, “Bargaining Chip” in Fish Denominator, Titan Books, P Jackson Mystery), Thomas & Mercer, P, or Cut Bait, Ramona DeFelice Long, ed., Regina Fagan, Leave Me on a Sunday, E, A Sisters in Crime Guppies Chapter, P Createspace, P, E 27 inSinC September 2014 ¡ ¡ PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PO Box 442124 PAID Lawrence KS 66044 BLACKSBURG, VA www.SistersInCrime.org PERMIT NO. 158

Change Service Requested

Dorothy Cannell Guppy Scholarship o honor one of the most Malice Domestic honors the All entries should be received by enduring author/agent traditional mystery and awards December 1, 2015. The winner partnerships in mystery the prestigious “Agatha,” named will be selected from the entrants publishing, Sisters in for . According to and announced early in 2015. Crime is administering Ruley, “Attending Malice was, for the Dorothy Cannell Dorothy as for many other crime The award will be for attendance TGuppy Scholarship, offered by writers, a wonderful introduc- at Malice Domestic May 1–3, agent Meg Ruley to honor her tion to the community of mystery 2015. 2 long-time client. readers and writers. This schol- The $1,000 scholarship will be arship will allow another new offered each year to an aspiring writer (published yet or not) the opportunity.” or published mystery author who is a member of the Guppies (a To apply, a Guppy member member of the Sisters in Crime should send a statement, no GUPpy or “Great Unpublished” more than 200 words, about how chapter), and is designed to sub- attending Malice will support her sidize attendance at the Malice writing goals, to Sisters in Crime Domestic conference, held annu- at [email protected], ally in Bethesda, Maryland. RE: Dorothy Cannell Scholarship.