News From Sisters in Crime New England
March 2023
Happy March, Readers and Writers,
This month, I am reflecting on what each of us can do to advance the mission of Sisters in Crime. First, as a refresher, here is our mission: Sisters in Crime was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Often, when I mention Sisters in Crime, or am introducing a panel at a library, I will begin by saying what we are not. I say, “We are not criminals. We are not nuns. We are not cops. We aren’t even sisters.” So what are we? Readers and writers, editors and booksellers who are connected by our mutual passion for the craft of crime writing.
We concentrate a lot on professional development through our various programs, and are always eager to hear from you about what you need. Today, I focus on something all published writers need: Recognition. Helping writers to get recognized for their contributions to the field of crime writing is a very important part of our mission, and it is in promoting recognition of women crime writers that we can all get involved. This is not the big, overwhelming ask that it appears. Small things anyone can do can make a big difference. Each of us can contact our local library and ask if they do programs with writers. If the answer is yes, be prepared to hand over a copy of our Speakers Bureau brochure describing the programs we offer. You can find a printable copy on our chapter website. You can also pitch our programs to organizations you belong to who might be looking for a speaker including local schools, organizations, and book groups. Got a local bookstore? Why not suggest they host a Sisters in Crime “Making a Mystery” or other panel?
What else can you do to help with public recognition of your sisters? Read their books. When you find a book you love, be sure your local library has it or ask them to buy it or buy a copy and give it to your library.
Another way to promote our organization is to expand our membership. Like our Speakers Bureau brochure, our membership brochure is easily printed from our website. If you know aspiring authors who might benefit from belonging to a supportive community, suggest they join Sisters.
As always, your board would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions, and—as I said last month—turn in your friends and family if you think they’ve got a great program to present.
Until next time.
Kate Flora
EXCITING NEWS: WE HAVE A NEW BOARD!
Please welcome Lynne Cannon to SinCNE's 2023 Board.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Kate Flora
Vice President: Susan Oleksiw
Treasurer: Kit Irwin
Membership Director: Lynne Cannon
Secretary: Jenna MacIntire
Hello, everyone,
As we move into March, I have a mix of good and not so good news. The not so good news is that we've lost two programs at different libraries when the librarian who scheduled the program has left the library. However, one of these libraries, the library in Yarmouth, ME, has let us know that they want to reschedule as soon as they find a replacement adult services librarian. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that event! Now for the good news. When libraries band together, as the Otis Library in Norwich, CT did with two other CT libraries, it can benefit both the libraries and our authors who are doing events. When the two other libraries signed on to join the Otis in the Zoom "Using What You Know (and What You'd Like to Know) to Write a Mystery," the result will be an increase in fees paid our authors, since each of the additional libraries involved with be paying honorariums.
Now for two important reminders for all authors doing SB events: 1) Be sure to mention Sisters in Crime at the start of the event, as it's come to my attention that some of our authors have been neglecting to do. I have put together a "What is Sisters in Crime?" file with mission statements from both SinC/ National and our chapter that I'll be sending to presenters. I'll also be sending a batch of SinC/NE bookmarks to someone on each panel to hand out. 2) Since we've had an influx of new Featured Speakers lately, it's important for veterans of our programs to share info. about how they work with newbies, which, if possible, should include an online meeting where panelists pick a moderator--librarians do not usually moderate panels--and brainstorm about questions they'd like to be asked. In short, please do your homework, people!
Now for the list:
What: “Using What You Know (and What You’d Like to Know) to Write a Mystery”
When: Monday, March 27 at 6 PM
Where: Zoom platform of the Otis Public Library (Register here!)
261 Main Street
Norwich, Connecticut 06360
Who: Panelists on this Zoom event, Patricia Esden, Sharon Healy-Yang, and Dr. BJ Magnani, will discuss how they drew upon their varied backgrounds and areas of expertise to write compelling mysteries.
What: "Mystery Making"
When: Wednesday, March 29 at 7 PM
Where: Rodgers Memorial Library
194 Derry Street
Hudson, NH 03051
Who: Authors on this fun, fast-paced, in person improv game, Sharon Daynard, Sharon Healy-Yang, Elaine Isaak, and Dale Phillips, with create a brand new mystery on their feet, using suggestions from the audience.
What: "Pathways to Publication"
When: Saturday, April 8 at 11 AM to 12 PM
Where: The Worcester Public Library (main library)
3 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608
Who: Panelists on this in person event, Edith Maxwell and Janet Raye Stephens, with discuss their different journeys in bringing their books to life from getting an agent and going with a large press offer to deciding to go with a small press or to self-publish.
What: "Mystery Making"
When: Saturday, May 6 at 1 PM
Where: Curtis Free Library
534 Hanover Street
Hanover, MA 02339
Who: Panelists on this fun, fast-paced, in person improv game, Louisa Clerici, Leslie Meier, Lorraine Sharma Nelson, and Sharon Ward, will create a brand new mystery using suggestions from the audience.
What: "Using What You Know (and What You'd Like to Know) to Write a Mystery"
When: Saturday, May 13 at 1 PM
Where: Lee Public Library
100 Main Street
Lee, MA 01238
Who: Emily Arsenault, Martha (Max) Folsom, and Robin Hazard Ray
Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!
Leslie Wheeler, Speakers Bureau Coordinator
Join fellow SinCNE short story writers at the SHORT STORY GROUP, an online meeting to discuss the craft and business of short story writing, open to both new short story writers and published writers. Host Tonya Price welcomes you to bring your questions and news, and to pass along suggestions to other writers.
Announcements of meetings appear on the home page of the SinCNE website and include a registration link. Click HERE to reach the home page. You must register for the meeting to receive the Zoom invitation even if you registered before. Recordings of the meetings are at the Members Only -> Members Only Video tab of the website.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with Tonya HERE.
On March 27, join panel of authors virtually for "Using What You Know (and What You'd Like to Know) to Write a Mystery." Held on the Zoom platform of the Otis Public Library in Norwich, CT (registration link to come),Trish Esden, Sharon Healy-Yang, and BJ Magnani, will discuss how they draw upon their different backgrounds and areas of expertise, ranging from academics to antiquing to toxicology, to write compelling mysteries. You can register for the event here.
On March 29, join a panel of authors for "Mystery Making." Authors on this fun, fast-paced improv game Sharon Daynard, Sharon Healy-Yang, Elaine Isaak, and Dale Phillips, will create a brand new mystery on their feet, using suggestions from the audience at Rodgers Memorial Library (194 Derry Street, Hudson, NH 03051) at 7:00 pm.
Mystery Quilt
QUILT RAFFLE
Drawing on March 26
This Mystery Quilt was sewn by Diana Senturia with the intention of donating it to Peacham Library as a Raffle Fundraiser. She created it during an online quilt-along led by the Gypsy Moth Quilt Shop, using Angel Pingel's "Book Nerd" pattern.
Diana and her husband, Jerry, carefully chose fabrics that matched her favorite mystery books and printed the titles on fabric that is used as each book's spine. The quilt has book-themed backing fabric and a customized label on the back. It was custom quilted and bound at Woodinville WA by Laurie Gustafson and Kirsten Senturia.
1 Ticket - $5
3 Tickets - $10
10 Tickets - $25
Tickets are available at Peacham Library. If you can't make it to the library you can send us a check or contact us at quilts@peachamlibrary.org for more information.
Are you an author interested in trying your hand at podcasting, but it seems overwhelming and expensive? Check out the February webinar with Avi Kaufman's about the Shortcast Club app which makes podcasting accessible. SHORTCASTING FOR AUTHORS WITH AVI KAUFMAN.
If you have a book out in the last two years and are interested in participating in a panel or if you have an idea for an interesting panel topic for Crimebake 2023, reach out to Susan Oleksiw at susanoleksiw88@gmail.com.
Have you written a short story? The deadline for submission to Wolfsbane: Best New England Crime Stories (CrimeSpell Books) is March 31. The anthology is open to all writers who currently live in one of the six New England states, but stories do not need to be set in New England. Stories may be written in the following genres: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, historical, and horror. Additional information can be found here.
Maybe you've just read a fascinating book on bloodstains, raced through a thrilling mystery, or have insider news about a book fair planned for this summer. Send us a line at newsletter@sincne.org, and we'll put it into the next newsletter. Please type "Item of Interest" into the subject line and keep items to 150 words or less.
Please note that all of the times listed below are in Eastern Daylight Time unless otherwise mentioned.
Dale T. Phillips has a new collection of crime/mystery stories out, TRUE CRIME: STORIES OF CRIME AND MYSTERY, with print audio coming soon. Dale will also be moderating a panel on Western mysteries on March 11th, as part of Murderous March, for the Hudson, NY chapter of Sisters in Crime. Dale is on a panel for Making a Mystery for the Hudson, NH library, courtesy of the Sisters in Crime Speaker’s bureau, on March 29th.
Author Joyce Keller Walsh is a recipient of a 2023 award in playwriting from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Her playscript (working title: THE FAMILY TREE) is scheduled for a staged reading in April by Middleborough’s Theatre One Productions (TOPS). She also has a 10-minute play scheduled to be included in TOP's new works festival, SLICE OF LIFE, on March 25th and 26th. The MCC award is accompanied by a $5,000 grant which will be used for a full production of the play later in the year. Find out more here.
Lisa Q. Mathews’ short story “Fly Me to the Morgue” has been nominated for an Agatha Award. Published in the Malice Domestic anthology Mystery Most Diabolical (Wildside Press), it features an enthusiastic Frank Sinatra impersonator with a big dream: opening an Italian restaurant and entertainment venue in Purgatory, NH. Find out more here.
Claire A. Murray will be a panelist for “Celebrating the Short Story” at Left Coast Crime in Tucson, March 16-19, 2023. Claire is part of the New England Short Story Group, president of SinC Desert Sleuths, and a member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and Mystery Writers of America. Visit her website here.
On Monday, March 13, Leslie Wheeler will be interviewed by Carol Goodman Kaufman on “Murder We Write,” a short cast series of interviews hosted by Kaufman, and available on web.shortcastclub.
Korina Moss is excited to announce that the first book in her Cheese Shop Mystery series, CHEDDAR OFF DEAD, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her third book in the series, CURDS OF PREY, releases on March 28th. You can visit her website to discover more about the author and her books.
Sharon Healy-Yang will be selling and signing books at the Craft Fair at Auburn (MA) High School, March 19th (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m). She will also participate in two Sisters in Crime Panels. March 27th, she joins B. J. Magnani and Trish Esden for a zoom at Otis Library: "Using What You Know to Write a Mystery." You can register online. She will be live at the Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson NH on March 29th with Dale T. Phillips, Sharon Daynard, and Elaine Isaak for the audience participation "Mystery Making." Check here for details on these appearances.
Gerald Elias’s self-published eclectic short story collection, IT'S A CRIME!, is a #12 bestseller on Kindle New Mystery Anthologies. On March 11, he’ll join three other prominent Western authors as an online panelist for Murder at High Noon, part of Murderous March, sponsored by the Upper Hudson Chapter of Sisters in Crime, the “Mavens of Mayhem.” On March 22, Elias will partner with author Scott Graham in a lively discussion of their Western mysteries, ROUNDTREE DAYS and SAGUARO SANCTION, respectively, in an online event sponsored by The King's English Bookshop.
Avram Lavinky's short short story, "Death and Taxes" is scheduled for publication in Shotgun Honey on March 28, 2023, just in time for, of course, Tax Day.
Marcy McCreary’s second novel, THE MURDER OF MADISON GARCIA, will be released on March 28, 2023. It is the second book in the Ford Family Mystery series featuring Detective Susan Ford and her father, retired Detective Will Ford. Marcy will be a guest on “Killer Women, hosted by Danielle Girard," on March 23rd and will be at The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City on March 28th to celebrate the launch of the book. For more information about this event and other appearances, click here.
Connie Johnson Hambley will present "Legal Constructs of a Great Mystery" to the Treasure Coast chapter of Sisters in Crime on March 7 at 8:00 pm ET. Connie will talk about how creating a compelling mystery is like building a winning case. SinCNE members are invited to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Register in advance here.
Welcome to our new members
Samantha DuBois and Monica Moeller!
Renewal season is upon us.
Please remember to renew your membership with both SinCNE and with SinC National.
Reach out to Lynne Cannon if you have questions.
Are you looking for other writers to form a writing group, chat one-on-one, brainstorm, give or ask for expert advice, or exchange manuscripts for critiques? Start a conversation at our website’s interactive “Writers Seeking Writers Forum.” To find it, log into our website's home page HERE, then click on "Forums" in the menu.
Sisters in Crime New England
President: Kate Flora
Vice President: Susan Oleksiw
Secretary: Jenna MacIntire
Treasurer: Kit Irwin
Speakers Bureau Coordinator: Leslie Wheeler
Library Liaison: Judith McIntosh
Membership Coordinator: Lynne Cannon
Director of Public Relations: Kim Herdman Shapiro
Newsletter Editor: Gabriela Stiteler
Immediate Past President: Lorraine Sharma Nelson
Snail Mail: c/o Sisters in Crime New England
PO Box #104, Mashpee, MA 02649-0104
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