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A R S InSinC The Sisters in Crime Newsletter Volume XXI• Number 1 March 2008 Candid Advice from Book Reviewers Joe Hartlaub: Reviews 150 to 175 books/ example a column was fancifully about bars in By Hallie Ephron year. Books and book titles are sent to Bookre- crime fiction. I did another on serial killers. Each , anywhere from 80 to 120 porter — guidelines are on their website. Do you review hardbacks and paper- books that publishers think I’d be interested David J. Montgomery: (www.crimefiction- backs? in reviewing for the Boston Globe arrive on my blog.com): Chicago Sun Times and other news- OC: Mostly hardbacks. A lot of small publish- doorstep. Each month, a handful of those books papers. Blog: Crime Fiction Dossier. Reviews ers don’t make the cut, but there are some really gets assigned by the books editor for individual six to seven books per month. Books are sent good small publishers (Justin Charles, Poisoned reviews and I review three more in a 900 word to his home. Pen Press, Bleak House, Akashic). “On Crime” column that runs the last Sunday Eddie Muller: : Baltimore Sun; Los Angeles Times and oth- EM: Paperbacks and hardbacks. process, I despair over ers. Blog: Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind. ES: Hardbacks and trade paperbacks. Almost how to get my own Reviews 10 to 15 books per month. Books are never mass market paperbacks. Books from work noticed. So I sent to her home. some small publishers if their titles are available was delighted when The Questions: from Ingram. SinC President Ro- How do you pick the books to review? SW: More hardbacks; [I try to mention] berta Isleib asked if I’d OC: Gut instinct. There are certain authors I overlooked paperback originals [and interesting] write an article that always want to read. I look at as many debuts as I trade paperbacks. Small presses, especially when sheds some light on can or an author who’s just now doing something it’s something published in translation. the book reviewing in mysteries. I am more drawn to hardboiled but Self-published books? process. I try to do the lighter ones, too. OC, HE: No. To find the answers, I interviewed seven HE: I pull aside books by local authors and JH: I wouldn’t exclude a self–published people (including myself) who regularly write then anything that looks interesting until I’ve book. crime fiction reviews for newspapers. Here’s a got a “short stack” of about 12 titles. I start DJM: No. The overall level of quality has been snapshot of their answers to these questions: reading the top book. If I’m not hooked I go on too low to justify the time. How do you pick the books to review? to the next book in the stack. I continue until EM: I reviewed one in my first column and Do you review hardbacks and paperbacks? I find three I like well enough to review or run bookstores hated it: “We can’t stock this book so Does the author’s gender, ethnicity or nation- out of time. you’re not helping us out.” Readers appreciated ality affect whether you might review a book? JH: Bookreporter sends out a list of forthcom- it. If I come across a book I think has merit, I Do you read the press releases? ing books to all reviewers. I pick out the books don’t care if it’s print on demand. Do blurbs influence you? I would like to review. If the author is new to ES: Never. Ten years ago we might have been Does the book cover influence you? me, I do a quick internet search and make the willing to give non-traditionally published What makes you stop reading/write a nega- call on whether I’d like to review it. authors a try, but [now] we have a hard enough tive review? DJM: I select books like most readers, looking time choosing from established and exception- What advice do you have for writers who want for good writing and a good story. Above all, I ally promising new authors. to be reviewed? want to be entertained. I try to combine coverage SW: Just on pure volume I can’t deal with Do you mind being approached at confer- of bestselling authors with unknowns. self-published books. ences? EM: I have to have a team of readers that I Does the author’s gender, ethnicity or If you could recommend one book written trust. [They screen books] then I get feedback nationality affect whether you might review by a woman author in 2007, what would it be? on which to read. I’m more interested in review- a book? The Reviewers ing books that might be overlooked,…in genre OC: On many levels it doesn’t matter if author is Oline Cogdill: South Florida Sun Sentinel. bending books…, non-crime fiction authors male or female or ethnicity, but it does matter on Reviews one to two books per week in print writing crime fiction or crime-fiction authors a different level because it’s a matter of balance. and additional titles on . Books are sent to the newspaper. ES: We prefer to choose books that fall within HE: I notice, and try to maintain a balance. Hallie Ephron: : the traditional mystery category and we are JH, EM: No. Boston Globe. Reviews three books per month. always looking for first-time writers. Books are sent to her home. SW: I like to write around a theme. So for Continued on Page 8 Get a Clue Sisters in Crime Newsletter Purpose: The purpose of Sisters in Crime shall be to: combat dis- crimination against women in the mystery field, educate publishers Book Reviewers’ Advice . . . ..1 and the general public as to the inequities in the treatment of female authors, raise the level of awareness of their contributions to the field, and promote the professional advancement of women who President’s Message ...... 3 write mysteries. Book Club Database . . . . . 3 Roberta Isleib, President Jim Huang, Bookstore Liaison Judy Clemens, Vice President Mary Boone, Library Liaison , Secretary Margaret Coel, At Large LCC Hospitality Suite ...... 3 Kathryn R. Wall, Treasurer Nancy Martin, At Large , Chapter Liaison Mary Saums, Monitoring Liaison Breakfast at Malice ...... 3 Bonnie J. Cardone, InSinC Editor Vicki Cameron, Books in Print Editor Gavin Faulkner, Newsletter Graphic Designer Peggy Moody, Web Maven Publicity Questionnaire . . . . 3 Beth Wasson, Executive Secretary; P.O. Box 442124; Lawrence KS 66044-8933; Phone: (785) 842-1325; Fax: (785) 856-6314; E-mail: Attention Sisters ...... 3 Presidents of Sisters in Crime 1987–88 ; 1988 –89 ; 1989–90 ; 1990–91 Susan Dunlap; 1991–92 Carolyn G. Hart; 1992–93 P.M. Carlson; 1993–94 Linda Grant; Crossword Puzzle ...... 4 1994–95 Barbara D’Amato; 1995–96 Elaine Raco Chase; 1996–97 Annette Meyers; 1997–98 Sue Henry; 1998–99 Medora Sale; 1999–2000 Barbara Burnett Smith; 2000–2001 Claire Carmichael McNab; 2001–2002 Eve K. Sandstrom; 2002–2003 Kate Crimespree Magazine ...... 5 Flora; 2003–2004 Kate Grilley; 2004–2005 Patricia Sprinkle; 2005–2006 Libby Hellmann; 2006–2007 Rochelle Krich; 2007–2008 Roberta Isleib. Authors Coalition ...... 6 DEADLINES AND GUIDELINES Bookstore Beat ...... 6 The next InSinC Newsletter will be out in Send columns, articles, ideas and praise via e- March. The deadline for all submissions is April mail. You’re Under Arrest ...... 6 15. Please send mailing address, phone number, and Members’ publications since the last edition of e-mail with submissions. If you have an idea for a BIP ...... 7 the newsletter will be listed in The Docket. Please story, please query the editor: include publication dates when submitting. Docket material will be due April 10 and should be sent Bonnie J. Cardone Crossword Solution ...... 7 to: 805/938-1156 E-mail: Patricia Gulley Readers’ Guides ...... 8 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue Portland, OR 97217-7849 Review Monitoring Project ...... 9 E-mail: Moving? Newsletter by E-mail ...... 9 Other honors, awards, and events of great “pith Change of address (postal & e-mail) and moment” should be written up as short, sepa- notifications should be sent toboth Beth rate notices. These can be as short as a paragraph. Wasson, SinC Executive Secretary, P.O. Conferences ...... 10 No publicity/promotion of individual members, Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044-8933, please. We particularly welcome reprints from SinC and to Rowan Mountain, Inc., P.O. Box New Film about CA Writers . ..10 chapter newsletters. 10111, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0111. Are Mystery Cons Worthwhile? ..11 The Docket ...... 12 Visit Sisters in Crime online at: Blanchard Contest ...... 12 No Phishing Allowed ...... 13 Promotional materials available to SinC members — Have your bookmarks or postcards designed Forensic U, St. Louis ...... 14 in color or black-and-white. SinC’s publicity mailing list of 4,700 bookstores, libraries, reviewers, etc. is available via direct addressing through Rowan Mountain, Inc., P.O. Box 10111, Blacksburg, VA 24062-0111. For more information, write Gavin Faulkner. E-mail: . Web: . Phone: 540-449-6178.

JUST THE FACTS: • InSinC Newsletter is the official publication of Sisters in Crime International and is published four times a year. • Dues and other Sisters in Crime cor- respondence (membership, orders for booklets, changes of address, etc.) may be sent to: M. Beth Wasson, SinC Executive Secretary; P.O. Box 442124, Lawrence, KS 66044- 8933; Phone: 785-842-1325; FAX: 785-856-6314; E-mail: • Information in the Newsletter is submitted and reprinted from sources listed in each article. Where required, permission to reprint has been granted and noted. SinC does not investigate each submission independently, and articles in no way constitute an endorsement of products or services offered. • Other information on Sisters in Crime is available from the President, who is the only person who may speak for the organization officially. Send queries and requests to: Roberta Isleib, 73 Stone Road, Madison, CT 06443-2708; E-mail: • No material may be reprinted without written permission from Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime © 2008 March 2008 –  What’s New for SinC in 2008 Breakfast at By Roberta Isleib Malice Domestic SinC President Have breakfast with your Sisters at Malice Do- Happy 2008 — I hope the year has gotten off to a great start for each of you! Here in the mestic on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at 7:30am at National office (that means behind our computer screens), we’ve been busy with many excit- the Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA. ing projects on behalf of Sisters in Crime. Newly-retired board member at large, S.J. Rozan, To reserve your place, send a check for has pulled together a comprehensive author publicity questionnaire that is now published on $20 to: Sisters our website: . See the article at the bottom of this in Crime, P.O. page for more information on how to use this resource. Box 442124, Mentor Mondays is a raging success on the SinC listserv. List Lawrence, KS moderators Sandy Parshall and Leslie Budewitz have worked with 6 6 0 4 4 - 8 9 3 3 . the board to develop a terrific line-up of guests to answer member Mark the check questions. The guests range from bestselling authors to publishing “Malice Break- industry professionals. You can join the list by sending an e-mail to fast” and include . Please include your your e-mail ad- first and last names in the body of the e-mail. dress so Beth can We hope to see many of you at Malice Domestic this spring. On send you a con- Friday afternoon (April 25) from 1:00 to 3:00pm, SinC will hold firmation. Your a chapter “flash training” session, where you’ll get as much useful check must be received by April 16, 2008. information as we can offer about creating a newsletter, running Tickets will not be sent, your name will be on a speakers bureau, producing a and lots more. And we’ll a list at the door. sponsor our traditional breakfast on Sunday, April 27. The Rocky Mountain chapter of Sisters in Crime, along with SinC National, is hosting a hospitality suite at Left Coast Crime. Board members will be visiting the suite and available to chat about your concerns — stay tuned for dates and times. Finally, there are some changes in the works for Books in Print. In order to both keep pace with demands of the marketplace (bookstores and libraries) as well as manage our budget, SinC Publicity our 2009 BIP, containing all members’ books, will be online only. Beginning in 2009, Sisters in Crime will be producing a new annual publication that will contain only those books that Questionnaire for meet marketplace standards concerning price, availability, discounts, print run and return- ability. More details on these changes will be coming soon. We’ll see you at the conventions, chapter meetings and online! Authors By S.J. Rozan Roberta Isleib may be contacted at . Some publishers send their authors question- naires when a book is coming out. The object is to help the publicity/marketing department find SinC will soon be surveying not only the book “hooks” to sell the book. One of the concrete Book Club club facilitators, but also the authors who’ve used ideas that came from SinC’s Publishers’ Sum- the spreadsheet. In this way we hope to bring mit meetings was to create a questionnaire for Database Update the most value to everyone who takes part in members whose publishers don’t have them. Our the database. questionnaire is now available for download on By Lorraine Bartlett the SinC website. The Sisters in Crime Book Club Database has Spread the word: The Book Club Database form We recommend you cut-and-paste this, fill it been around for just about a year. It’s an Excel out electronically and send it to your publicist. spreadsheet (also available as a PDF) of book is available on the Sisters in Crime website: . If your publisher has a questionnaire, you might clubs across the U.S. (and one from Canada). want to compare it against this and take from As of this writing, it has been sent to more than this any questions they didn’t ask — but only 130 SinC authors. Along with the spreadsheet, if the answers will provide them with informa- SinC supplies an article on how best to approach tion they can use. Don’t make your publicist book club facilitators. nuts by filling this out in its vastness if they’ve Also as of this writing there are 111 book clubs Left Coast Crime sent you one. listed on the spreadsheet. That will probably Note: if you have journalist or reviewer con- change in the not too distant future. Many of Hospitality Suite tacts, send names and complete contact info. the book club facilitators feel overwhelmed with Don’t say, “I went to high school with the San the amount of promotional materials received SinC National will join with the Rocky Francisco Chronicle crime desk editor.” Give from our authors, and several have already asked Mountain Chapter in sponsoring a hospitality her name, e-mail, phone number and your high to be taken off the list for that reason. Others suite at Left Coast Crime. Stop by and chat with school name, location and years. have complained that our authors are not careful your local Sisters and board members attending The new questionnaire is available at: . Example: Some book clubs will only read mass market paperbacks, yet they’ve been sent material by authors whose books are only avail- able in hardcover. Clubs that specify they only want to read mysteries are receiving material for Attention Sisters! romantic suspense novels. And the list goes on. Sisters in Crime values your membership and would like to remind you to renew it. You These are the kinds of author errors that jeop- can do this online or by using the renewal notice mailed to you in ardize the longevity of the list and the amount November (if you can’t find it, please e-mail Beth at and she will of information (number of book clubs listed) it send you another). will contain. March 2008–  “Blooming Murder”* Across 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1. Dinghy or dory 5. Ambler or Clapton 14 15 16 9. Bitter 17 18 19 14. “Are not!” reply

15. Country’s McEntire 20 21 22 16. “__ Dirty Women and the Garden of Death” (2000), Julie Wray Herman 23 24 25 26 27 17. 2006 Flower Shop Mystery by Kate Collins: done in prematurely 28 29 30 31 32 33 20. New Delhi language 21. Some forensic evidence 34 35 36 37 38 22. Agts. 23. “Tell me __ haven’t heard!” 39 40 41 42 43 44 26. Mine find 45 46 47 48 28. 1997 J.S. Borthwick mystery set on a horticultural tour 49 50 51 52 53 34. Rooster’s mate

35. Prince ___ Khan 54 55 36. Mystery author Annette 39. Out of control 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 41. Bloodsucker 44. Daly who played Det. Lacey 66 67 68 69 45. “Under the __ Head” (1999), gardening mystery by Kate Cameron 70 71 72 47. Illegal pay ending 73 74 75 48. Brainiac school 49. 2007 Flower Shop Mystery by Kate Collins: flower doings? © 2008 Verna Suit 54. Undercover cop 55. “Dies ___” 10. “Moonstruck” actress 46. Aves. or rds. 56. Nick and Nora’s dog 11. Kathryn __: Eames on “Law & Order:CI” 50. Hot tubs 60. Arson residue 12. Sign on for another hitch 51. Shell type adding calcium to soil 62. Israeli port 13. Flower-growing places 52. Diamond Head island 66. 2001 vegetable gardening mystery by Ann 18. ___ colada 53. Gets smart Ripley 19. Canvas cover 56. Cries of clue-finders 70. Dined at home 24. Of an age 57. Fill to the gills 71. Jacob’s twin 25. Like some threats 58. “Fruit of the Poisoned __”, Joyce and Jim 72. “There’s __ shred of proof!” 27. Endangered shade tree Lavene (2006) 73. Things to plant 28. Spring event preceding northern planting 59. Like many mystery readers 74. 500 sheets 29. Prefix meaning “blood” 61. Garden watering device 75. Murder 30. ___ Gay 63. TV’s “American __” 31. __ newt: witches’ brew ingredient 64. Greek cheese Down 32. Granola morsel 65. “There’s still __ of hope!” 1. Hit hard 33. “__ of Death” (1992), herbalist mystery by 67. Noose and nemesis starts 2. Hotel chain Susan Wittig Albert 68. LAX watchdog 3. M __ mystery 37. “I’ll get right ___!” 69. “__’s the Word”, (2004) Kate Collins 4. Alpha male 38. Police drag followers Flower Shop Mystery 5. Poet’s “before” 40. Col. Sanders’ place 6. Rose or blood color 42. 156 in Rome 7. Footnote abbr. 43. Item of trace evidence *by Jean Hager (1994) 8. Taffy __, author of “Tangled Roots” (1995), flower-farming mystery 9. Part of NCAA: abbr. The solution is on page 7

March 2008 –  Jon and Ruth Jordan of Crimespree Magazine Reed Farrel Coleman, along with articles by and the action. I also liked trying to puzzle By Bonnie J. Cardone, newer/lesser known authors. them out. I quickly discovered that I enjoyed InSinC Editor Issue 21 has 80 pages and contains a depth reading series books. Revisiting characters I love This is one in a series of articles about Sisters in and breadth of material that’s amazing. There is always great.” Crime members who publish mystery periodicals. are two fictional short stories, seven interviews At one time Jon owned more than 40,000 Jon and Ruth Jordan view the mystery world and numerous reviews — of books, DVDs and comic books. As for mysteries, he and Ruth as one big, really fun club; one they are abso- comics — some written by staff but most by own “about 15,000 hardcovers, thousands of lutely delighted to be part of. Their enthusiasm nonstaff. All reviews are signed. paperbacks and a few thousand ARCs...” and exuberance for this world is reflected in Jon wrote Issue 21’s cover story on Max Allan Jon and Ruth met on October 7, 1999, at the Crimespree, a mystery fan magazine that will Collins. He also authored at least three other Milwaukee . According to Ruth, be four years old in June. articles and several reviews. Ruth was busy, too, “That fine and upstanding Scottish gent Ian Jon and Ruth are the editors in chief and with an interview of , several reviews Rankin [also a comic book fan] introduced us. publishers of Crimespree, which comes out six and a cooking column, which runs on the last Wide-eyed fans that we are we hung out with times a year. It’s not their only involvement in page of each magazine. (Estelle’s Apple Pie was him, Val McDermid and Charles Todd. After the mystery world. Besides the magazine, its featured in November/December 2007.) the con Jon and I promptly lost touch but began website and a couple of blogs, the Jordans are Issue 21 contains a column by a Milwaukee e-mailing about a month after and had our first heavily involved in the one-day mystery confer- bookstore owner who lists six new writers to ‘date’ the following Valentine’s weekend.” The ence, Murder and Mayhem in Muskego, held in watch; an article by a thriller author on how couple were married exactly a year after they met. a little town just southwest of Milwaukee. music helps him write; and an article by a jour- They live in Milwaukee, “with four cats we call “We invite the authors, set up the program- nalist on how that job helps him write fiction. our own. They’re okay with that as long as we ming, put together the program book, arrange There’s a column entitled Eye on Hollywood do what they ask,” Ruth says. transportation and even cook for the authors. and another on Aging Heroes. Jon considers getting started on the layout for We also see to getting books into the book bags,” each issue the most daunting part of his job. And Jon told me. he admits he wasn’t really ready for the business And this year Ruth is also one of the organiz- stuff. “Chasing advertisers, getting bookstores ers of Bouchercon 39, to be held in Baltimore to carry the magazine, asking for money owed in October. us. That stuff is much easier now, but the first While the Jordans had been contributing couple of issues it was a bit overwhelming.” articles and reviews to various websites, they had “The rewards,” he says, “are many. Turning no publishing experience before Crimespree. It people on to new authors and things to read. I evolved Jon says, because “We…wanted to put love getting e-mails from people when they hear out a magazine that had kind of an Entertain- about a new author in Crimespree. Also, I seem ment Weekly feel to it, covering more than just to worry about every issue, but once it’s out there the actual books.” we hear great things about articles that people Ruth adds, “The hope was that it would have loved and it’s all good.” an impact on the genre. That we could provide When they’re not working on Crimespree, Jon something that wasn’t necessarily already out says he and Ruth, “…love to cook, and having there and make it fun and informative as well as Jon and Ruth Jordan people over is a great excuse to do it…I love a good tool for people who wanted to be more to spend hours watching movies. Or television involved with the Mystery Community (readers, I won’t list every article/feature found in Issue shows on DVD, a whole season in two nights. writers, fans).” 21, I just want to provide a general idea of the I also love to do stuff with my hands, restoring Crimespree was born while the Jordans were magazine’s considerable content. furniture, repairing things around the house, be having breakfast with friends during the Las The Jordans it a vacuum cleaner or a VCR. And the building Vegas Bouchercon in October 2003. Jon knew Ruth was born (1963) in upstate New York we live in is over 120 years old so there is always a printer and they both knew people who could and grew up in Madison, WI, and Burlington, something that can stand some rehab.” write articles. The first issue — June/July 2004 VT. She is the oldest of two children. Her dad Ruth says her biggest hobby is: “Mystery. “I — came out just a few later. In 2006, is a political scientist; her mom was a teacher for read it, watch it, travel to be closer to it, talk Crimespree won an Anthony for Best Fan Pub- many years. “After burning out she worked in a about it at almost every function I attend and lication at the Madison Bouchercon. gardening center for a decade before retiring,” in general am just an obsessed fan whose hobby The magazine, which has a decided noir-hard- Ruth says. has become a way of life.” boiled-police procedural-thriller bent, reflects Ruth read mysteries at an early age. Her in- Book Reviews/Subscriptions Jon and Ruth’s dual interests: mysteries and troduction to some of the classics — books by Because of the volume of books Crimespree comic books. November/December 2007 (Issue Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Rex Stout receives reviews are not guaranteed. To have 21), the latest issue available when this article and Richard S. Prather — occurred during “a a chance, however, books need to arrive at was written, has Jon’s report on a comic book really wet summer” between the 5th and 6th the magazine’s offices at least three months convention (Wizard World Chicago) and two grades. before publication. Send books to: Crimespree articles about Bouchercon Alaska. Jon writes a Ruth’s family moved to Sheboygan, WI, when Magazine, 536 South 5th Street, Milwaukee, regular column on comics. I would estimate the she was a senior in high school. In college she WI 53204. mix is about 85 percent mystery with perhaps majored in physical therapy — but found psy- Crimespree’s circulation averages about 1,200 15 percent comics. chology and English classes more interesting. and it has subscribers in seven countries. A Besides Jon and Ruth, the Crimespree mast- Jon was born (1963) and raised in Milwaukee, yearly subscription (six issues) is $30 in the U.S. head lists a staff of six: Jennifer Jordan (Jon’s WI. He is the oldest of four children. Before her For more information, see the website: www. sister), Jeremy Lynch, Mary Reagan, Anthony children were born, his mom worked in a library. crimespreemag.com. Potential advertisers may Rainone, Rick Sachse and Beth Tindall. While Jon’s dad worked in the family business as a ma- contact: . the magazine cannot afford to pay its contribu- chinist and also served in the military police. tors yet, that doesn’t seem to matter. Issue 21 Jon read juvenile mysteries at an early age, A freelance photojournalist, Bonnie J. Cardone includes interviews and articles written by several graduating to adult mysteries at 11 or 12. “I was edited a scuba diving magazine for a couple of well-known authors, including Julia Spencer- bored with kid’s books and started taking my decades. She has two published nonfiction books Fleming, Michael Marshall, J.A. Konrath and mother’s books,” he says. “I liked the suspense and four unpublished mystery novels. March 2008–  What is Authors You’re Under Arrest. Sort Of… Coalition? By Lee Lofland handcuffs around his wrists. An easy arrest. By Kathryn R. Wall, SinC Treasurer The nightclub had only been open for No pain and no blood. Right? The Authors Coalition of America, LLC, an hour — we had already been there twice Wrong. We each grabbed the suspect. As is a partnership formed in 1994 by writers’ before and arrested five or six people for be- planned, I took the knife hand, my partner organizations for the purpose of collecting and ing drunk and disorderly — when we were took the other hand and we triggered our distributing money paid by countries in which dispatched there, again, for a fight call. This pepper spray at the same time. Adrenaline, U.S. copyright laws are not strictly honored. The one with weapons involved. When I turned and the fear of being stabbed, made us depress Coalition negotiates with similar groups overseas the corner for the the buttons and hold them for a lengthy time to see that American authors and visual artists umpteenth time — like we were spraying flies or roaches with are compensated for these violations. Monies that night I saw that insecticide. The only problem was, the sus- are distributed to member organizations, such there were actually pect ducked and we sprayed each other. as Sisters in Crime, for the benefit of their pub- two separate brawls In case you’ve never experienced pepper lished authors who meet the requirements of the underway. A pile spray (and chances are you haven’t), let me Coalition. The number of qualified members an of 20 or 30 men tell you — you can’t see a thing for several organization reports through its annual survey and women scuffled minutes and your eyes feel like someone is determines how large a percentage of the avail- in the dirt while a holding a lit torch to them. able money is distributed to that organization. smaller, but more Needless to say, we couldn’t see. In addi- The Coalition operating agreement defines deadly scenario was tion, my partner could barely speak above a a published author as: “…a writer whose work brewing near the whisper because the peppery mist had affected is commercially distributed outside the U.S., entrance to the club his vocal cords. is reasonably capable of being photocopied building. I don’t really know how we managed, but abroad, is not self-published, or whose work, if There, a fairly large older man was waving we did cuff and arrest the bad guy. We didn’t self-published, has no fewer than 1,000 copies a knife of near-sword proportions at a group make it to my car though, because we couldn’t sold, is commercially distributed outside of the of much smaller, but angry, teenaged boys. I see it. Instead, we pulled the big man to the United States, and is reasonably capable of being decided the knife scenario took priority over ground and the three of us sat there in the photocopied abroad. Author-subsidized publica- a pile of writhing drunks, so I drove over and dirt until backup arrived. Had our prisoner tions shall be considered self-published.” parked near the guy with the weapon. My positioned his hands over his ears, I’m sure The annual survey our published members partner and I got out of the car and started we’d have had the appearance of the three are asked to complete, either on paper or elec- toward the man. He quickly turned his atten- monkeys that have so cleverly avoided all evil tronically at the Authors Coalition website, tion to us and pointed the knife at me. Just by covering their eyes, ears and mouths. is extremely important to the viability of our my luck, as usual. Oh, the other fight ceased as soon as we organization. Your response can help keep A few months earlier I had been stabbed fogged the area with our spray. Apparently, SinC financially strong and enable us to offer by a drunken biker inside this very bar. Not enough of the liquid fire drifted to the pile reasonable membership dues, as well as pres- wanting to repeat that event, I pulled my of people and one-by-one, they peeled away ent opportunities for career advancement such canister of pepper spray from my pocket. I to tend to their own burning eyes and skin. as the Hollywood conference and Forensic was watching the suspect so intently that I Those who hadn’t been sprayed decided to University. didn’t notice my partner had his own can of stand around and heckle us. Thankfully, our spray. I went to the man’s right, my partner prisoner was kind enough to sit quietly and Kathryn Wall is the National Treasurer of SinC went to his left. wait for his ride to jail. and the author of the Bay Tanner mysteries. Her We had worked together as partners for so This wasn’t one of my better nights, but newest book, The Mercy Oak, will be released long that our arrest techniques came naturally things could have been much worse; we could April 29. and seemed almost choreographed. The un- have gone for our Tasers. spoken plan should have unfolded effortlessly. I would take the knife hand, my partner the Lee Lofland, a retired detective, is the author other hand and I would spray the suspect with of Book of Police Procedure and Investigation: the fiery chemical. We would then be able to A Guide for Writers. Check out his website at: Bookstore Beat subdue the man with little effort and place . By Kate Derie New Store Judy Clemens alerted us to a new independent If you have any information about book- 2065 NW Miller Road #312, Portland, OR bookstore in Ohio with an accent on mystery. stores opening, closing or moving, please e-mail 97229. For up-to-the-minute changes, consult the According to her blog , or write to Kate Derie, Deadly Directory Online at . der.com>, it’s in a former church, with a working fireplace, couches and artistic murals, including a Sherlockian street scene. They have already hosted many author events, starting with their grand opening last September. • The Stately Raven Don’t Miss Out Mike Cole, Owner 1315 N. Main Street Join members-only discussions about Findlay, OH 45840 Phone: 419/427-2814 mysteries, publishing, writing and more: Fax: 419/427-8529 become a member of the SinC Listserv: Monday – Saturday 10:00am – 9:00pm, Sun- day 1:00 – 6:00 March 2008 –  A Quick Tidy-up Before Company Comes By Vicki Cameron to free a servant girl falsely accused of poisoning tirement villa to catch a senior Romeo whose the master of the house where she works.” paramours keep expiring suspiciously.” By now you have received your paper copy of “Murder of an expert witness immerses BIP in the mail. This year, it is based completely “Whitney finds an artifact in icy Lake Supe- rior which leads to murder and ruination of a Ginger Barnes in Philadelphia’s textile heritage, on the entries sent to our website. There’s only oriental rugs, and antique fraud.” one difference between the two. The paper copy political career in Chicago.” has been tidied up. “In 1139, Magdalene owned and ran the class- Style: Remember, the whole point of BIP is to pro- iest whorehouse in Southwark, England. Sinful “Alec didn’t know what disturbed him more mote books to potential buyers. Have you ever behavior was expected, but not murder.” ... having another killer aboard the Pegasus or visited a home that was so messy you perched “Lieutenant Bak hunts murderers, smugglers going on a diet!” gingerly on the edge of the sofa and hoped no and other vile criminals during the reign of “Raised by a homicidal father with a quirky one would serve you food from THAT kitchen? Queen Hatshepsut in ancient Egypt.” set of rules, Tara’s been robbing banks since she We want people to buy books from our authors, “Chaplain Jaime Richards races through Iraq was nine years old.” not take a look at BIP and decide they won’t even to find the explosive secret at the site of the “How much would you risk to retrieve a browse through THAT messy listing. Garden of Eden.” quarter million dollars?” To sell books, we need to do two things. Inter- “Rebecca finds a murdered homeless woman “As a rule, in the 1950s, a girl wouldn’t seek est the buyer and make it easy for her to buy. in 1979 Toronto while the Eisenbaums struggle revenge for rape and murder. But Kristin didn’t Our messy part is mostly in the buying to survive the Nazis in 1930s Berlin.” play by the rules.” section. Publisher’s names are spelled incor- “Saloon owner Inez Stannert investigates mur- “White House Chef, Olivia Paras, feeds the First rectly. Prices are miss- der and conspiracy when the railroad and Ulysses Family and saves the world in her spare time.” ing. The ISBNs, which S. Grant come to Leadville in 1880.” “It’s just a &#%$ lunchbox! So why are people define books distinctly A Really Cool Job: willing to lie, cheat and even kill for it?” in a crowded market- “Ornamental blacksmith Meg Langslow “1899. Scott Joplin. Strangled woman. What’s place, are often just organizes three family weddings and solves the the connection?” plain wrong. Books murder of an unpopular wedding guest.” “Joe has a letter from William Shakespeare. in a series are listed “Stunt double Darcy Lott goes to a Zen retreat Posy has a tattoo. Which would you rather under several names, to face her greatest fear and finds dangers worse see?” each spelled just a little than she imagined.” “James Henry and the Flab Five sign up for a differently. We look “A professional Scottish dancer returns to diet and exercise program. Arson, murder, and sloppy. hometown Moosetookalook, Maine after a frozen custard follow.” Please go to the web- career-ending knee injury and encounters Your Turn: site through the View/ murder.” Did those descriptions make you want to go Search button and review your entry. Does it “Christina McMullen, cocktail waitress out and buy those books? Right. That’s what look sloppy? Are there four versions of the same turned psychologist, is accused of murdering we’re aiming for. edition listed? Is any information missing? Is any her client with a Viagra overdose.” It is a well-known fact that you only get information wrong? If so, go through the Add/ “Harley Wolf, the vegan werewolf detective, descriptions for up to two books in the print Change button with a duster and clean up. is hot on the trail of a vicious killer who beats version of BIP. It is a little known fact that you While you’re there, read your book descrip- espresso baristas to death.” are allowed 140 characters of description for tion. You were to write 20 pithy words describ- “Mandy Dyer, Denver dry cleaner/sleuth, EACH BOOK in the web version. You might ing the plot. Did you do that, or did you write must find a serial killer from clues hidden among have guessed that we are not cramped for space something like “Enjoy this fast-paced, funny her customers’ clothes.” on the web, as we are in print. murder mystery that rollicks along several inter- “Biofeedback guru Carrie Carlin’s in hot pur- Fire up those brain cells. Concoct some irre- esting places and will keep you wondering until suit of a ski-masked killer with a heart as cold as sistible sound bites. Lose the tired old phrases. the surprise en.” Which is all you got because the Vermont black ice.” Make your entry shine. software cut you off at 140 characters. “Murder turns into a zoo when zoologist If you want someone to buy your book, tell Snake Jones uses her knowledge of animals to The SinC website is always open for your them what it is about, because readers have ferret out a killer.” changes, corrections and additions at . fessions, locations or activities. Perhaps a reader “Jade goes up against ivory poachers and slave is yearning for stories about log-rolling, set in runners on remote Mount Marsabit, Africa.” Moose Factory and featuring a shrimp husker. “The Presidential race heats up in South Crossword Solution Let the reader know the who, what and where Carolina’s lowcountry when anarchists team with of your book. Figure out what makes your book D.C. powerbrokers to influence the outcome.” B O A T E R I C A C E R B stand out from the crowd and emphasize that. “Con games were unheard of in Glory, North A M S O R E B A T H R E E If you have a distinctive writing style, let that Carolina until the church’s financial secretary style show in the 20 pithy words. Tight and crisp, S N I P P E D I N T H E B U D took bad investment advice.” H I N D I D N A R E P S lush and mellow, plain and simple. You can strut “They flew wartime missions in every aircraft. O N E I O R E your stuff in 20 words, so the reader knows she Thirty-eight of them died. Four decades later, will enjoy your book. someone is killing the survivors.” T H E G A R D E N P L O T The most overused phrase in BIP in the last “A freelance writer tries to prove a young H E N A L Y M A H O N ten years is “turned up dead.” Please do not use man with Asperger’s Syndrome didn’t kill a man A M O K L E E C H T Y N E this. It is as generic as the fast-paced mystery that walking his dog.” W O L F S O L A M I T rollicks to a surprise ending. “A cold case, a mystery convention, and geo- Here, pulled from BIP at random, are some A C T S O F V I O L E T S caching — Bronson thought he had his hands S P Y I R A E delightful and intriguing 20 word descrip- full until his wife is kidnapped.” A S T A A S H H A I F A tions, to show you what can be done in a small “16-year-old Cassie finds herself at a Mexican space. boot camp after uncovering her stepfather’s il- H A R V E S T O F M U R D E R Location, Location: legal prescribing habits.” A T E I N E S A U N O T A “Paris, 1797: Police agent Aristide Ravel tries “Gladdy & girls go undercover in ritzy re- S E E D S R E A M S L A Y March 2008–  Candid Reviewers the opposite. and Library Journal Book Review all require Continued from page 1 ES: Awkward writing, unlikable characters, galleys submitted three to four months prior to slow pacing, forced or contrived humor. Also, pub date. The National Book Network website DJM: I try to make sure my column has a books that are too obviously written to order has an excellent nice balance. I mostly cover American crime for an agent or editor anxious to ride…a trend. Marketing Advice article, “Where to Submit fiction, so I don’t review a lot of UK books or We rarely write negative reviews; we’ll stop Your Titles for Review,” that overviews the pro- translated novels. reading. cess for publishers. ES: We notice gender and nationality but SW: A little voice in my head keeps me read- don’t let it determine what we’re reading. ing, even if first five pages don’t quite grab me Hallie Ephron is a mystery novelist, author of SW: I want the gender ratio solid, a balance but there’s something I can’t quite define that the Edgar-nominated Writing and Selling Your of American books and books from writers from says it’s going to get good. I want a strong sense Mystery Novel: How to Knock ’Em Dead with elsewhere, cozies and hardboiled. of character in action, conflict. Style, and an award-winning book reviewer. Her Do you read the press releases? What advice do you have for writers who website is: . OC: I do. I find them sometimes helpful, want to be reviewed? sometimes ridiculous and sometimes inaccu- OC: Write a great book. Your publicist should rate. Our book editor routinely throws [press let the reviewer know in advance (it’s dicey when kits] away. authors try to do it themselves) who the pub- HE: If it’s a local author. lisher is and when the book is coming out and JH: Yes – always. when you’re going to be in the area. Make sure Readers’ DJM: I glance at them. the signing is scheduled and on your website. As EM: I skim them, mostly to see how cliché painful as it is, please take no for an answer. Discussion ridden they are. HE: Get it to reviewers, preferably months ES: To determine the publication date. We in advance of the pub date, especially to those Guides: Tap Into generally ignore press releases, bookmarks, post in your home area or where you will be doing cards, e-mail or other communications that events. come direct from the author. JH: Make sure that your publicist gets the the Book Club SW: Yes — to see if it might be merit in book either into the hands of the reviewer or the profile of author or trend piece. Then I do my publication for whom the reviewer is writing. Market best to forget the press releases as soon as I read DJM: What reviewers are looking for more the book. than anything else is interesting books to write By Margaret Coel Do blurbs influence you? about. If you haven’t gotten around to writing read- OC, JH: No. EM: Write an undeniably good book. ers’ discussion guides for your novels, I suggest HE, EM: If it’s from an author who doesn’t ES: Write the best book you can. If you want you drop whatever you may be doing and get usually give blurbs. to get reviewed and be treated as a professional on it. The guides are your ticket into the enor- DJM: Most blurbs are meaningless; some- writer, hang in there until you can find a tradi- mous world of book times they have a very modest influence on tional publisher, big or small, who commands discussion clubs. Thou- whether or not I take a closer look. some respect from professional reviewers. sands of clubs across the ES: Occasionally, if a blurb seems genuine and Make sure your publisher sends review copies country meet regularly, is from a writer who isn’t a notorious blurb slut, to reviewers. all filled with people it might encourage us to look at the book. SW: Be as professional as you can. I don’t who love books, love to SW: Blurbs are a way to gauge whether the mind e-mails at all but I prefer short and sweet: discuss books and love publisher is giving the book particular atten- my book is coming out three or four months to recommend favorite tion. from now, if you’re interested where can I send books to other book Does the book cover influence you? a copy? Then I’ll respond or not. clubs. Most book clubs OC: I notice them. When I see one that is Do you mind being approached at confer- are made up of friends very lurid and demeaning to women or violent, ences? who meet in one anoth- I just won’t read it. OC: I actually like talking to authors. You er’s homes. But libraries HE, JH, DJM, ES: No — not usually. don’t have to buy me a drink or take me out to and bookstores, chains EM: I’m a sucker for good covers. dinner — I can’t do any of that stuff. and independents alike, SW: Only if it’s hideous. HE: Not at all. I like to meet authors and hear also sponsor book discussion groups. All types What makes you stop reading/write a nega- about what they’re writing. of mainstream and genre novels are read in tive review? JH: Not at all. book clubs and a good many clubs are devoted OC: Writing that is so bad that it’s ludi- DJM: I don’t mind at all. Be respectful, be exclusively to mystery novels. crous. brief, don’t be pushy and don’t oversell yourself Think numbers for a moment: Thousands HE: Weak, undisciplined writing (profli- or the book. of potential clubs with 10 to 20 members each, gate adverbs; wandering point of view, purple ES: We don’t like being directly asked or pres- most of whom will purchase the book selected prose…). Characters and a story that the author sured to review a book, but we like to chat with for discussion. If a club loves a book, the news hasn’t made me care about. Too many coinci- writers whom we’ve formed friendships with can spread like a virus through other book clubs dences. And and and… over the years. and catapult the book onto national bestseller JH: I will read a book in most cases all the SW: Short and sweet is fine, but pestering me lists. Book clubs have turned books for which way through. If I do not like it I normally is also going to turn me off. the publishers expected only modest sales into don’t review it. [That happens] when the book If you could recommend one book written mega stars. A recent example is The Red Tent. I exceeds my own suspension of disbelief [or] by a woman author in 2007, what would it remember reading a charming novel sometime when the character does something totally out be? ago in one of my book clubs (I belong to two) of character. OC and DJM: What the Dead Know by Laura that I had never heard of and probably would DJM: Lousy writing or an uninteresting story. Lippman never have stumbled onto, if my club hadn’t It doesn’t need brilliant prose…but it can’t be HE: Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann selected it because of glowing recommendations poorly written either JH: Heartsick by Chelsea Cain from other clubs. The book was Cold, Sassy Tree, EM: Poor storytelling. Flat writing with EM: Queen Pin by Megan Abbott a real sleeper that also went into bestsellerdom. nothing happening. Plots I’ve seen before. Ugly ES: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen Book clubs all have one thing in common: repellant people. Over the top violence — it SW: Origin by Diana Abu-Javer they like discussion guides. I know from my own anesthetizes people [when it] should do just NOTE: Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly clubs that when it comes to a choice between March 2008 –  a book without a guide and one with a guide, 99 percent of the time we will choose the book with the guide. Celebrating Sisters: While publishers do prepare readers’ guides for a select group of authors, most of us are on our own. What makes a good discussion guide? The Review Monitoring Project One or two paragraphs that tell what the novel By Mary Saums and voices are a large part of that variety, not is about and make the reader want to read it, Project Coordinator a sliver of a percentage of one sub-subgenre. followed by a list of 10 to 12 discussion topics. One of the few things I enjoy as much as The Review Monitoring Project’s goal is I’ve found that the best time to write a guide reading a good book is the anticipation of to take note of women’s mysteries being is immediately after I’ve finished writing the reading one. I like getting pumped up about reviewed and how those numbers compare novel. The plot is still fresh, the characters are a favorite author’s latest release. Or hearing to reviews of books by men. In doing so, we like old friends and I know exactly why they did about a new author or one who writes of hope for raised awareness of the excellent what they did. All of which can be worked into favorites places or, even better, new places so female writers in our field. discussion topics. I can learn about different cultures. Whenever Judy Clemens, our outgoing coordinator, The theme, which I never think about while I check my mailbox did a great job with the Review Project. She’s I’m writing, also seems to emerge with the last and see a new mys- showing me the ropes so things can continue period in place. In The Lost Bird, it hit me that tery magazine has running smoothly. A website problem caused not only was one character particularly lost, all of arrived, I’m sure my a bit of a delay for our monitors’ entries, but the major characters were lost in different ways. neighbors think I’ve almost all our fourth quarter figures are in Great discussion topic! Book clubs like topics finally gone round now. A full report on the 2007 percentages that take in a novel’s panoramic view. the bend. Dancing will be in the next InSinC (June). What if you have published more than one and hopping up and Good things are in store for us in 2008 novel, haven’t yet gotten around to writing dis- down in the street as we move closer to parity in many areas. cussion guides, the plots are cold and the charac- like a six year old are Let’s look ahead with optimism. I believe ters are like friends you haven’t seen in years? Of not uncommon. I in celebrating every day, whether it’s about course, you can reread the books and write the can’t help it. I love a something big, like a new year of wonder- guides, but the thought of all that work can keep good review. ful possibilities, or something small, like you from ever having discussion guides. When Mystery reviews do more than provide a happy dance at the mailbox. An article I I found myself in that position recently, I asked sketches of a book’s plot. They give us a read recently keeps coming to mind. A few two friends if they would each read a book and glimpse into the author’s thinking and into days ago, a new bookstore opened, the first draft ten discussion topics. They were flattered the reviewer’s own world view as well, through feminist bookstore in Turkey. The store own- and honored, and I paid them in signed copies. her/his opinions. But what if the books chosen ers plan to have seminars on A Room Of One’s Best of all, they came up with fresh and interest- for review were just like the last ones chosen? Own by Virginia Woolf. They also have a ing topics. I would love to be a little mouse in a And the ones before that? What if reviewers guest author lined up, a woman from Cyprus book club while the topics are discussed. only read one type of mystery, say, the type whose book, Secret History of Sad Girls, is When you have your guides ready, make them where women were constantly demoralized? banned in Turkey. available on your website. Make sure there is a What if the reviewers merely re-hashed their Women’s voices do matter. Let’s celebrate Readers’ Guides button on the opening page own prejudiced views of books and life con- the bravery and triumphs of women every- so they can be easily accessed. If you are will- stantly? They would move closer and closer where who open their hearts to us through ing to speak to book clubs by phone, add that to a very narrow perspective. Their reviews books. information, along with the way for book clubs would become useless, as useless as if they to contact you. were written in exchange for special favors like Send your guides to your editor and request money or elevation in a social group. If you’d like to join the Monitoring Project, that they be placed on the publisher’s website. We are blessed with incredible variety in please contact Mary at for more information. to any other material about your books that may be on the site. Along with the information about your books in SinC’s Books in Print, in- clude the fact that readers’ guides are available. Get Your Newsletter choices: save it on your computer to read or Advertise your guides, along with your website print at your leisure, or read it on the screen. A address, on your promotional materials — post in Living Color — huge benefit of the latter is that you can zoom cards, bookmarks, flyers — and state that the in and make the text bigger — and thus easier guides can be found on your website. Let every Get it by E-mail to read. Once read, store the PDF in a folder on bookstore and library you visit know about your Tired of waiting for this newsletter to be de- your computer or burn it onto a CD or DVD guides and leave one of your promotional items livered by the post office? Many of your Sisters for future reference. with the information. get the news when it’s fresh. They receive their Saving the PDF to your computer usually Of all the ways in which authors can help newsletter via e-mail, on the day it’s mailed. takes only seconds. The time it takes to print promote their novels, readers’ guides are prob- Another big plus is that the e-mail version comes depends on the speed of your printer. ably the easiest and the least expensive and in wonderful, glorious color. Of course, there are two big advantages to yet, they can help you break into an enormous The e-mail version is a PDF (Portable Docu- Sisters in Crime in sending your newsletter via market with an insatiable appetite for good ment File), which you’ll need Acrobat Reader to e-mail — neither postage nor paper is needed. books. view. Most computers come with this software That saves a lot of money for other projects and already installed, but free versions are available is environmentally friendly. for nearly every operating system — no matter To sign up for electronic newsletter deliv- Margaret Coel is the author of a mystery series set how old — at and among the Arapahos on the Wind River Reservation robat/readstep2.html>. Downloading Acrobat . and featuring Father John O’Malley and Arapaho Reader is easy. Just follow the directions at the attorney Vicky Holden. The 13th novel in the series, link. Since Acrobat Reader is necessary for view- Don’t miss breakfast with The Girl With Braided Hair, was published in ing other documents you’ll come across on the your Sisters! September 2007. Her readers’ guides are available internet, it’s a useful addition to your software. See page 3 for details. at: . When you get the PDF, you’ll have several March 2008–  In many cases, publishers will ship the books Coming up: Conferences with the materials they are sending for their own booths. Can’t come to Anaheim, but still want to reach thousands of librarians? Send promotional & Happenings materials such as bookmarks, post cards, etc. PLA CONFERENCE Note: librarians roaming the exhibits aren’t them to provide workshops and panels for both likely to pick up opening chapters or 8½ x 11 MINNEAPOLIS, MN fans and writers of mysteries and thrillers. pages. Please limit your materials to 75 pieces The Public Library Association Conference The basic conference price of $95 includes all and only two items. We’re also requesting signed will take place March 26 to 28, 2008, at the workshops and panels, a book fair, dessert party, books as giveaways for the multiple raffles held Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN. luncheon and Saturday night reception. In ad- each day. The exhibit hall hours are: March 26, 4:00 dition, a “writer’s package” is available for $195, E-mail SinC Library Liaison, Mary Boone to 6:30pm; March 27, 9:00 to 5:00pm; and which includes the basic conference program , if you plan to come March 28, 9:30 to 4:00pm. We like to schedule and events, plus the Master Class and an agent to the booth and/or for the address where you two authors (we’re limited by the size of the appointment (as available). should send materials. Promotional materials booth) for two-hour periods. SinC Library Hotel 43, in downtown Boise, will provide may be sent beginning in May. Liaison, Mary Callahan Boone, will get you a special rate of $99 per night for the confer- registered and make sure you have a badge for ence. For more information and registration BOUCHERCON 2008 the exhibit hall. visit: , call BALTIMORE, MD We don’t sell books at our booth, but authors 208/343-8739 or write P.O. Box 4762, Boise Bouchercon 39, “Charmed to Death,” will who give them away are very popular. Authors ID 83713. be held October 9 to 12, 2008, at the Sheraton are responsible for getting their books to the BLOODY WORDS VIII Baltimore City Center. The guest of honor will PLA. be , the international guest of If you can’t come to Minneapolis, you may TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA honor, John Harvey, and the toastmaster, Mark send promotional materials such as bookmarks, Bloody Words VIII will be held June 6 to 8, Billingham. Thalia Proctor will be the fan guest post cards, etc. Please limit your promotional 2008, at the Eaton Centre Downtown Mar- of honor. materials to 100 pieces of no more than two dif- riott Hotel in Toronto. The guest of honor will Barbara Peters and Rob Rosenwald will be ferent items. We’re also asking for signed books, be Rosemary Aubert, the international guest honored for their contributions to the genre which will be given away at the multiple raffles of honor will be and the MC, and Lawrence Block will be honored for his held each day in the exhibit hall. Anthony Bidulka. distinguished contribution to the genre. Promotional materials must arrive by March For more information, see the website: . charmedtodeath.com>. Those planning to attend or send promotional items should e-mail Mary Callahan Boone, SinC MYSTERY WRITER’S RETREAT Library Liaison, at: . DES PLAINES, IL MALICE DOMESTIC XX Sisters in Crime’s Chicagoland Chapter will New Film about CA ARLINGTON, VA host a second annual Mystery Weekend Writer’s Retreat from June 27 to 29, 2008, at the Cabrini Mystery Writers Malice Domestic XX will take place April 25 Retreat Center in Des Plaines, IL. Registration is to 27, 2008, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott open to all Sisters in Crime members. Last November, the California Center for the in Arlington, VA. The international guest of You can find updates, registration information Book unveiled a new documentary, Mysterious honor will be Lindsey Davis, the guest of honor, and additional details at the chapter website: California. Four California authors — SinC , and the toastmaster, Daniel . members Laurie King and Nadia Gordon (aka Stashower. will receive the lifetime Julianne Balmain), along with Kirk Russell and achievement award. ALA CONFERENCE Nina Revoyr — discuss what inspires them Comprehensive registration (which includes about the Golden State’s people, culture, history the Agatha Banquet) is $275. For more informa- ANAHEIM, CA and landscape. tion see the website at . conference will be held in Anaheim, CA, from Beere Briggs and William McDonald, creators June 28 to July 1, 2008. More than 20,000 of Women of Mystery. MAYHEM IN THE MIDLANDS people attend ALA and the SinC booth is always This film-and-book discussion program is free OMAHA, NE one of the most popular. to California libraries as part of the California SinC authors are invited to join us at the Sponsored by the Omaha Public Library, the Center for the Book’s “Book Club in a Box” booth and/or to send promotional materials program. Out-of-state libraries may purchase 9th annual Mayhem in the Midlands will take for it. place May 22 to 25, 2008, at the Embassy Suites the DVD by calling: 800/343-5540. The Exhibit Hall hours are: June 28 to 30, For more information about setting up or Hotel in Omaha, NE. The guest of honor will be 9:00am to 5:00pm; and July 1, 9:00am to Alex Kava, the toastmaster will be Jeff Abbott. finding a screening, visit . Registration is $80. For more information It works best to have one or two authors in see the website: . periods. Mary Boone will get you registered and MURDER IN THE GROVE make sure you have a badge (sorry, badges are for authors only). Be sure to allow time to visit BOISE, ID the exhibits yourself — you’ll find lots of freebies Murder in the Grove goes “Thriller” on June and some big bargains. Have you Renewed? 6 to 7, 2008, at Boise Centre on the Grove. The SinC doesn’t sell books in the Exhibit Hall, guest of honor is J.A. Jance. David Morrell will but authors who give away books are very popu- be teaching a full-day Master Class, “Writing the lar. Many publishers are willing to provide a box See page 3 for details. Thriller.” A host of mystery authors and crimi- or so of an attending author’s books. Authors nology experts, including Dr. D.P. Lyle, will join are responsible for getting their books to ALA. March 2008 – 10 Are Mystery Cons and Events Worthwhile? An Attendee’s View By Jacqueline M. Vick tives set up a crime scene. Attendees surveyed I also keep in contact with a published au- With so many mystery resources available the scene throughout the conference, and the thor and we regularly cheer each other on. We online and in bookstores, it is difficult to person who solved the crime won a prize. share conference experiences (I cover the West justify the costs of a writing conference, but Contacts: Whether you are a published Coast, he covers the Midwest) and we keep I can tell you from experience that it is well author or are currently struggling through each other appraised of marketing techniques worth attending for the three Cs. the midpoint of your first manuscript, you that work, as well as those that fall flat. Content: Only a conference offers such a will find other writers at your experience level, Camaraderie: Writing is a solitary busi- variety of information in one place. Whether eager to share tips and advice. The attendees ness. It is easy to become discouraged by you are looking for short story marketing tips often include writers, editors, agents and fans rejections and to feel that perhaps you were or advice on your specific sub-genre, you will and the social atmosphere allows you to talk mistaken — that writing is just a pleasant find experienced panelists eager to offer advice. with them all. I sat next to a bestselling author hobby and you will never make a living with Many times, these panels include representa- at lunch and had drinks with a Seamus award the written word. Then you walk into a room tives from magazines, e-zines, publishers and winner in between panels. filled with people who are just as enthusiastic agents eager to share their preferences and Bring plenty of business cards (I print my about mysteries and writing as you are. For guidelines. Don’t forget to check out the extras own) to exchange with other attendees, as every horror story you tell, there is someone that run throughout the conference, such as you never know who might have the answer to say, “I know exactly what you mean!” In contests and discussion groups. Many times, to some future question. I took the card of a that one, glorious moment, you realize you these extras offer a late-night alternative to newspaper editor. Months later, I was able to are part of a community. You realize you are those who don’t wish to socialize in a hotel bar. contact him for technical advice on my new not alone. You realize that achieving your At a conference I attended, actual police detec- protagonist — a reporter. dream is possible. A Librarian’s An Author’s View By Patricia Sprinkle stop to think how many conferences expect View As invitations have started coming in for writers to volunteer their time and also spend Is it worthwhile for authors to attend mystery next year’s mystery conferences and events, from their pockets to attend? Or that those cons and events? Maybe it isn’t if all they get is I’ve begun to wonder: Do organizers real- who must travel distances also lose work days celebrity treatment and the sale of a few books. ize what a financial burden they can be on in the process? Unfortunately, that’s the best a public library can writers? Perhaps the planners think authors are offer and we offer it out of the desire to serve that Attending a distant conference can easily compensated by book sales at the conference got us into the library racket to start with. cost between $300 and $1,000 for housing, and by gaining additional readers. Think Authors are increasingly on their own to market meals and travel. On top of that, many con- again. The number of authors at each confer- themselves and librarians are sympathetic and ferences expect authors to pay for registration ence means that most writers will earn less somewhat vested in their success. If librarians’ and invite them to provide materials for an than $25 in royalties. Many may sell only two efforts to promote authors are costing them more auction basket — and then bid on a basket. or three books. Additional sales to new readers than the returns warrant, then it’s time to do One conference has changed its policy this in coming years only make a small dent in the something else — and we’d be very interested in year so that “…fans come free and authors cost of each conference to a writer. any ideas anyone has. get a discounted registration of $50.” So what incentives are left for authors to Authors without significant name recognition Do conference planners know that mystery attend a conference? are a hard sell to local readers, who are generally writers are among the lowest paid writers in Two standbys come to mind: love of unwilling to pay any admission (they may play publishing? Many — particularly women readers and personal vanity. Most authors golf, but charge for an event and they’re on a fixed — publish in the paperback-only field and attend because they enjoy the give-and-take income). For our last conference, we decided to earn less than 60 cents per copy on a $7 book. with readers. The soft glow of the celebrity try letting readers in for free and see if they’d at Does anybody — besides publisher bean spotlight is nice, but it begins to pall after least show up and buy significantly more books. counters and author spouses — calculate how the fifth conference. As my budget-conscious We’ve always gotten complaints from participat- many sales it takes to make a living wage at husband recently remarked, “If it is only for ing authors that we didn’t draw enough fans and that inchworm rate? the honor of the thing, my dear, I suggest from our director that we didn’t draw enough Out of that income an author must not you decline.” locals to pay for the conference. only pay for groceries, health insurance and There is, however, one last incentive that A single author of significant name recognition housing, but also for office supplies, postage, gets an author’s attention — the same incen- typically asks more as an honorarium than our e-mail connections and websites, travel and tive that gets most folks up for work in the whole budget. Even a few very modest and well conferences. morning: fair compensation for honest labor. deserved honoraria for midlist authors quickly fin- Which brings us back to conferences. Travel expenses at least. A modest honorarium ishes off the money we’ve got. We don’t make any It is admirable that so many people across is even better. money on the conference (not that that was ever the nation volunteer so many hours to put on You say you can’t pay? Somebody has to our goal) and we do spend a lot of our library’s mystery conferences. However, each of them pay for a mystery conference. Is it fair for the time and supplies as well as our own time and works on only ONE conference. Do they ever brunt of the cost to fall on your authors? energy putting a conference together. Travel and hotel costs are rising, local businesses older and sicker and busier and our parents get or organizers. say they’re all tapped out when we ask for dona- older and sicker — etc. etc. etc. Small conferences What could a midsize library in a midsize town tions and our little committee members just get aren’t working for anyone involved, authors, fans do that would be useful to authors instead? March 2008– 11 THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET THE DOCKET By Patricia Gulley Non Fiction/Articles Announcements for new books (please, no re- Bill Chambers, IF I QUENCH THEE, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Classic, April 2008 , HOW TO WRITE prints), short stories, articles and plays (all relating KILLER HISTORICAL MYSTERIES: THE to mysteries), also nominations and awards, may Keri Clark, YOUR NEW FAN, Mouth Full of ART AND ADVENTURE OF SLEUTH- be sent to Patricia Gulley via snail mail to: 1743 Bullets, Winter 2007 ING THROUGH THE PAST, Perseverance N. Jantzen Avenue, Portland, OR 97217-7849 Carola Dunn, MISS PRIMROSE AND THE Press, April 2008 or e-mail to: . Please MARCH OF PROGRESS, Crime and Sus- Carolyn Hart, THE WRITING LIFE, Washing- Sisters in Crime, The Docket be sure to put or pense, Jan./Feb. 2008 ton Post Book World, November 18, 2007 InSinC in the subject line — otherwise your e-mail Peggy Ehrhart, BEAR, Mysterical-E, Winter Gail Lukasik, FIRST AN OBSTACLE won’t be opened. 2007-08 The deadline for the next The Docket is April COURSE, THEN PUBLICATION, The R. Barri Flowers, RIPPER — PART 1, THE 10, 2008. Writer, February 2008 PHONE CALL, Amazon Shorts, October Jeffrey Marks, ANTHONY BOUCHER: A Books 2007 BIOBIBLIOGRAPHY, McFarland, June Donna Anders, SKETCHING EVIL, Pocket Kaye George, DEVIL’S NIGHT, Mouth Full of 2008 Books, December 2007 Bullets, December 2007 Deb Baker, DOLLY DEPARTED, Berkley Vinnie Hansen, SMOKED MEAT, Crime and Awards/Miscellaneous Prime Crime, March 2008 Suspense, Jan./Feb. 2008 L. C. Hayden’s WHEN DEATH INTER- VENES, has won first place and Best of the Anthony Bidulka, SUN- Best Awards in the annual El Paso Writers DOWNER UBUNTU: League. The Best of the Best competes with A RUSSELL QUANT How to Send Us Your Entry the other first place winners in other genres. MYSTERY, Insomniac The format is simple: Press, April 2008 Name of author, TITLE OF BOOK, Michael A. Black, A Name of Publisher, Month to be released. KILLING FROST, Oc- Name of Author, TITLE OF STORY, Al Blanchard Short tober 2007; RANDOM Name of magazine or anthology, Month VICTIM, April 2008, to be released. Crime Fiction Contest both Leisure Books/ Awards and nominations should be in sentences. Entries are being accepted for the Al Blanch­ Dorchester ard Short Crime Fiction Award contest. Con- Hannah Dennison, A Always put The Docket in the subject line of your e-mail. Anything else may be gratulations to the 2007 winner: Pat Remick VICKY HILL EXCLUSIVE! Berkley Prime for her short story, “Mercy 101,” and to the four Crime, March 2008 deleted. Don’t send ISBNs, character names, who won honorable mentions: Stephen Liskow, Kathy Lynn Emerson, LETHAL LEGEND, series names or places to buy the books. Suzanne Rorhus, Steven Torres and Michael Pemberley Press, April 2008 Don’t send newsletters, publicity sheets Wiecek, whose names were announced at New Anna Flowers, WANTON WOMAN, iUni- or website addresses. England Crime Bake on November 10. verse, January 2008 Don’t send in colors other than black The Blanchard contest is sponsored by the Betty Hechtman, HOOKED ON MURDER, and white. New England Crime Bake Committee and given Berkley Prime Crime, May 2008 Don’t send entries older than six in memory of Al Blanchard, co-chair of the first months. Crime Bake Conferences, NEMWA President Julie Hyzy, STATE OF THE ONION, Berkley and Sisters in Crime member. Prime Crime, January 2008 Editors of anthologies will not be listed unless they have a story in the anthology. Contest prizes include a $100 cash award, Sue Ann Jaffarian, THUGS AND KISSES, publication in Level Best Books’ sixth crime Midnight Ink, February 2008 If you are using a pen name, we can add your real name after it in parentheses. fiction anthology and admission to the Crime M.E. Kemp, DEATH OF A BAWDY BELLE, You must tell me if you do not want this Bake Conference. Hilliard and Harris, March 2008 done. The crime story must be written by a New Joyce and Jim Lavene, HOOKED UP, Midnight England author or have a New England setting. Ink, January 2008 It must be unpublished (in print or electroni- cally) and no longer than 5,000 words. It may Margaret Lucke, HOUSE OF WHISPERS, be one of the following genres: mystery, thriller, Juno Books, March 2008 Gay Toltl Kinman, BALLET EXERCISES, Car- ols and Crimes, Gifts and Grifters, Wolfmont suspense, caper or horror. It may not include any CJ Lyons. LIFELINES, Berkley Prime Crime, Publishing; FIRE DRILL Fictionwise, both torture or killing of children or animals. March 2008 October 2007 The contest deadline is April 30, 2008, and Leslie Meier, ST. PATRICK’S DAY MURDER, Dawn M. Kravagna, THE MAGICIAN’S there is no entry fee. For instructions on how Kensington, January 2008 TRICK, Amazon Shorts, October 2007 to submit, visit the Crime Bake website: . LITTLE SISTERS, VOLUME 1, Loretta Scott Kensington Books, April 2008 Miller (editor) Kathleen Piche, Gayle Bartos- Jeanne C. Stein, THE WATCHER, Ace Books, Pool, Patricia L. Morin, Sarah M. Chen, Susan November 2007 Lynn Kingsbury, Gay Degani, Shannon Road Did you get it right? Maggie Toussaint, NO SECOND CHANCE, Press, December 2007 Please check your BIP en- The Wild Rose Press, February 2008 MURDER NEW YORK STYLE, Cynthia Elizabeth Zelvin, DEATH WILL GET YOU Baxter, Meredith Cole, Fran Bannigan Cox, tries on the SinC website SOBER, St. Martin’s Minotaur, April 2008 Peggy Ehrhart, Erica Harth, Marianna Heu- and make sure you’ve listed Magdalena Zschokke, DELAYED PARADISE, sler, Nan Higginson, Randy Kandel (editor) MAYBE TOMORROW, Windstorm Cre- Ronnie Klaskin, M.E. Kemp, Chelle Martin, everything correctly! ative, September 2007 Margaret Mendel, Dorothy Mortman, Terrie Moran, Anita Page, R.M. Peluso, Triss Stein, See page 7 for ideas to make Short Stories/Anthologies Deirdre Verne, Pearl Wolf, Elizabeth Zelvin, Warren Bull, FUNERAL GAMES, BackAlley- Lina Zeldovich, LL , November your book stand out. webzine, November 2007 2007 March 2008 – 12 nipulate links to make them seem real. JavaScript isn’t software that’s well known or understood No Phishing Allowed! by average users. But a phisher can actually By David Cole ness, do not attempt to contact them to correct use JavaScript to create a fake image file (e.g., If you use e-mail, chances are thousands-to- their misinformation. All they want from you is a gif, jpg) that has the true weblink, except once one you’ve been targeted by a phishing scheme personal identifier; if you respond, you’re tacitly you click on what you believe to be an honest in the past month. If you’re like most e-mail admitting you’ve got a bank account. Using your website, hidden underneath is the bogus link. users, chances are you may have heard this term, name and any information you provide, your Even this software technology is getting old-hat but have no idea what it means. Watch out. I do records can be retrieved. after just a year or two. Phishers now also use mean to intentionally alarm you; phishing isn’t Personal, which is to say, financial, information flash technology or even hidden text underneath just another e-mail scam or even a virus. Phish- is not really private. Ok, you say. I’ve been really an image file. ing targets your money: bank accounts, savings, careful with hiding online information. I don’t I’m getting too technical, I fear. My real point credit cards, online payments or companies do any online banking; I don’t pay bills online; isn’t how they do it, just that they do. where you have an account. Phishing can even I may not even order merchandise online. A few Won’t my spam filter eliminate a phishing at- involve car ownership and, worse, mortgages. years ago, online scammers targeted individuals. tack? Maybe. Don’t rely on it. Instead, rely on Phishing can result in fake credit card numbers Now, they target massive financial, medical or your own common sense, which is to say, don’t and mortgages you didn’t create. corporate databases. Let’s say you order a book answer any e-mail that looks phony. Got your attention? Good. Have you provided from Amazon and feel secure because Amazon Ok. You’ve got my attention. How do I learn a “secret” password clue to what seems to be an says you are. (A secure database website URL, more? First, using your search engine, look for innocent e-mail — your mother’s maiden name? or address, will always begin with https instead web articles on phishing and read them carefully. Your favorite pet? Sound familiar? of http.) These days no massive database is Widely targeted corporations like eBay or PayPal On a recent airplane trip, my seat partner was 100 percent secure. (Even the Defense De- actually have info pages on phishing. Most cur- the worldwide director of Public Relations for partment is occasionally targeted.) Result? An rent web browsers also have built-in software McAfee, the anti-virus software. When I asked online criminal really doesn’t much care about that helps protect against fake websites. what virus schemes were most virulent, he said personal one-time e-mails that include a credit There are relatively new organizations that viruses were old news. Nowadays, phishing is card number. They can hack into a database help identify known phishing operations. For where online criminals make money. Worse, and steal thousands, hundreds of thousands, example, visit or for more information. phones, including text messages. Sometimes theft or loss of database informa- You can also investigate new software that Now, have I really got your attention? tion is purely accidental. One such incident in deals specifically with phishing, but, like spam Nobody’s quite sure where the term origi- the past involved the unexplained disappearance filters, such software requires training to recog- nated. In a basic way it involves an online form of a huge database backup from a commercial nize fake sites. of social technology that preys on people who delivery truck. (Some will tell you this is an ur- How do I keep myself completely safe from a don’t pay careful attention to their e-mails. ban rumor. Like all such rumors, you can check phishing attack? By now, the answer should be ob- Here’s an example. A few weeks ago I re- the excellent reported-rumor website .) no matter how reliable you believe it to be. Amazon. It said that Amazon “account servers” Using this information, a fake credit card can Unfortunately, even the term phishing isn’t had been compromised and my accounts were be burned within minutes and charges made the latest problem; online criminals now also frozen until I verified certain credit informa- from anywhere in the world. Even with the in- use pharming, which involves direct attacks on tion. I almost responded — until I moved my creased attention given to sub-prime mortgages, prime website computers. The target may not mouse over the link directing me to the proper any person with good credit can be a victim be through an e-mail to you, but rather aimed “secure” page which, normally, would connect of a criminal organization that purchases cars, at a corporation’s computers in an attempt to me to my true Amazon account profile. The link homes, even businesses based on your own credit trick them into e-mailing you. Now that’s scary, was bizarre, with no real connection to the real that you never authorized. even to me. The internet used to be such an Amazon site. Had I responded and re-entered How do I recognize a fake link, sometimes called innocent place. my profile, including my financial information, “link manipulation?” Easy. Run your mouse And the latest variation on phishing? These at- I’d have been the perfect target. cursor over the link and carefully examine the tacks come from questionable Internet Protocol “Who are these people?” I asked the McAfee return address. For example (without intending (IP) addresses that can appear and disappear in man. “Nobody’s ever sure,” he said. “Their ac- to demean the country), will often a matter of hours. (It’s similar to illegal sites that counts appear and disappear quickly. But one show in the fake line as .RU which should be a post download links for new movies that haven’t thing is very clear; thousands of them operate dead giveaway. (U.S. website addresses almost been released yet on DVD.) Cell and landline from mid-European countries, including Rus- always end in com, org or edu.) Also, check to phones increasingly operate over the internet sian organized crime.” see if the e-mail to you lacks personal informa- (e.g., Vonage or Skype, not to single them out as So here are some basic cautions and informa- tion. In some cases, the spelling and grammar being in any way involved in criminal activities). tion to avoid being phished. are so crude it’s obviously fake. Why do they This is called Voice-over-Internet, sometimes us- Phishing is not a virus. Unlike viruses, which keep trying, even with lousy English? Because ing the acronym VoIP. A text message reputedly often come buried within e-mail or internet suckers will always respond. from a recognized company can easily be another websites, phishing appears to come directly Short answer: if you get an e-mail addressed to version of this scam. from a financial institution or online company. Dear PayPal User you can bet it’s phony. Finally, my intention isn’t really to frighten Often it’s from a bank. Most often, it’s from a What if the e-mail really looks like an authentic you into not using the internet, but to make sure bank in which you have no account. That’s the website with which you do business? For example, you learn more about illegal activities. Given the easiest message to ignore. Viruses usually target eBay and PayPal are possibly the most common potential money involved, the relative lack of your computer, not your bank account. McAfee, websites mentioned in phishing e-mails. The e- tracking or even prosecuting criminals, you’ve for example, hires people to daily scan for new mail looks absolutely authentic. In just the past every right to be concerned. viruses and quickly send out downloads for your few years, website manipulation/duplication has “So, how do you stop these guys?” I finally computer. McAfee also has automatic software become extremely easy, given the commercial asked the McAfee guy. “We don’t,” he said, look- that detects some viruses, as many of these are software available. Give me a few days and I ing out the window. Perfect, I thought. I write written by beginning or mid-range hackers could create an e-mail that you’d swear came mysteries where the bad guys always get caught. who are really just using an existing virus with right from Amazon. But phishing isn’t fiction. a modification. What if the return link still looks authentic even Do not respond to any such e-mails. Even if you when I run my mouse over it? Now we’re really As always, if you want further help or informa- receive an e-mail from a bank where you do busi- into scary territory. Phishers can actually ma- tion, e-mail David Cole at . March 2008– 13 Forensic University, St. Louis November 1 to 4, 2007, Hilton St. Louis Airport Hotel

Text and Photography by Bonnie J. Cardone facing public forensic science agen- Forensic U opened with a bang — literally — at the Bullseye Shooting cies. It seeks greater support and Range on Thursday. It was quite surprising how quickly my seemingly resources for crime labs, coroner mild mannered Sisters took to guns. Comments floating around after our and medical examiners’ offices, lecture and shooting practice included, “I want to see the .22,” “Where’s and other public agencies using the Uzi,” and “That was empowering!” Everyone came away from the forensic science, as well as support session wearing a huge smile. for forensic science education and The reception later that day offered a research. plethora of tasty nibbles, including a St. We got to sleep in on Sunday. Louis specialty, toasted ravioli. My inter- Breakfast wasn’t until 8:00 and est was initially tepid, but with time, I the only session, a writing exercise Mary Burton (left) believe I could acquire a taste for it. entitled “The Perfect Murder,” presented a cup to Eileen Friday was the first full day of the started at 9:00. Under Dr. Lyle’s Dreyer in appreciation of conference. We were up early for a tutelage (he was dubbed the Dean continental breakfast at 7:00am because of Forensic U by its organizers, her service on the faculty the first session (The ABCs of Forensic Joanna Slan and Michelle Becker), Science) began at 8:00. Before lunch those present had great fun creating there were presentations on: The Basics a victim and plotting her demise. of Toxicology, Use of Force, Confessions Forensic U ended with a few words of thanks of a Serial Rapist, Forensic Anthropol- from SinC past president Rochelle Krich and ogy, Police Tools & Equipment, Cold program organizer, Joanna Slan. Then we Crime Lab Project Case Investigations, and Firearms. After were on our way home, our heads filled with founder, , a box lunch, the presentations continued: information on everything forensic and, in Forensic Science and the Courts, Trauma our luggage, a wonderful 78 page spiral bound with presenter Judge & Wounds, Undercover Tactics, Cold resource booklet containing handouts from the Donald Shelton (left). Case Investigation, DNA 101, Basics speakers. of Police Procedure, and How to Apply The 14 person faculty included four well- What You’ve Learned. known SinC members: Dr. Doug Lyle, Lee Friday’s last Lofland, Eileen Dreyer and Jan Burke. I found p r o g r a m — every session I attended fascinating. The speak- Rape/Aggres- Joanna Slan ers’ enthusiasm for, and encyclopedic knowledge sion/Defense of, their topics was amazing and the time flew by Training — was (there are no doodles in my program booklet!). at 7:00pm, and The conference was so well received that Sisters was scheduled in Crime has tentatively scheduled another one to end at 9:30. in 2009. We were hav- The presentation that made the biggest impression on me was by ing so much medico-legal death investigator, Mary fun practicing Fran Ernst. Using slides that were often self-defense tac- hard to look at, she showed us what caused tics, however, Michelle Becker the deaths of a woman, her two children, that the clean- her current husband and her ex-husband. Dr. Doug Lyle was ing crew had to Although the ex-husband (a police officer) declared “The Dean of kick us out at had planned to murder three people, he Forensic U.” 9:45. died with his intended victims because The Saturday program also started at a car was left idling in the garage. The 8:00am. The morning presentations in- way the investigators pieced together the cluded: Inside the Forensic Science Lab; clues and figured out what happened was What is the Crime Lab Project?; Writing remarkable. Realistic Fight Scenes; DNA 101; History of Forensic Science; Warrants Its 114 attendees consider Forensic U and Searches; Interpretation of Blood Spatter; and Medico-legal Death an unqualified success, rife with opportu- S.J. Rozan was the Investigation. After a box lunch, there were: Forensic Pathology and Au- nities to get forensic and law enforcement SinC board’s liaison topsies; Interviews and Interrogation; Forensic Entomology, Footwear & questions answered (and make contacts Tire Impressions, Trace Evidence and Forensic Anthropology, and How who can answer future questions) and to Forensic U; retired to Apply What You’ve Learned. meet people as intent upon murder and detective Lee Lofland The Saturday program ended at 5:00pm so attendees could enjoy the mayhem as they are. Kudos to the St. was on the faculty. Muddy Brew Ha Ha & Banquet. The proceeds of the auction held there Louis chapter of Sisters in Crime (it only — nearly $4,000 — benefited the Crime Lab Foundation. This non-profit has 25 members) and especially to tire- organization, started by writers and producers but now including many less workers Joanna Slan and Michelle members of the general public, works to increase awareness of the problems Becker.

March 2008 – 14 Nancy Cadenhead screened the video confession of a serial rapist.

Goddess with a Gun: Rochelle Krich got pointers from shooting Dr. Robert instructor Pierce Daniel Smith. Hall explained Kim and Larry Elliott forensic demonstrated self-defense entomology. techniques.

Medico- legal death investigator Mary Fran Ernst.

Lt. Kevin Lawson took us inside a forensic science lab.

Laurie Kuna and Loralee Lilli­ Retired bridge examined a handgun. detective Joe Burgoon discussed his work in a cold case unit. Marcia Talley, Meg Chittenden and Libby Hellmann at the Muddy Brew Ha Ha Banquet and Auction.

Pathologist Dr. Mary Case has Libby Hellman and Rochelle more than Krich signed Sisters on the 30 years’ Case. experience in forensic Michael Allen Dymmoch, Meg death Chittenden and Judith Bobalik at investigation. the Muddy Brew Ha Ha Banquet. March 2008– 15 DEADLINES

✔NOW — Deadline for SinC renewal. See page 3 for details. ✔APRIL 10, 2008 — Deadline for submission of items for June Docket. Send to Patricia Gulley, 1743 N. Jantzen Avenue, Portland, OR 97217-7849 or e-mail . ✔APRIL 15, 2008 — Deadline for June InSinC newsletter. Contact Bonnie J. Cardone, 3116 Trisha Court, Santa Maria, CA 93455-7137; phone: (805) 938-1156; or e-mail: . Other newsletter deadlines are July 15, October 15 and January 15. ✔APRIL 16, 2008 — Deadline for receipt of Malice Breakfast checks. See page 3 for details.

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