Central Coast Sisters

Coming Soon, Angel Lost by F.M. Meredith

2011-02-14T16:02:00.000-08:00

My latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel, Angel Lost, will be available in March from Oak Tree Press.

Angel Lost Blurb:

As plans for her perfect wedding fill her mind, Officer Stacey Wilbur is sent out to trap a flasher, the new hire realizes Rocky Bluff P.D. is not the answer to his problems, Abel Navarro’s can’t concentrate on the job because of worry about his mother, Officer Gordon Butler has his usual upsets, the sudden appearance of an angel in the window of a furniture store captures everyone’s imagination and causes problems for RBPD, and then the worst possible happens—will Stacey and Doug’s wedding take place?

And here’s one from a fellow author:

"A pervert threatens women joggers on the beach, a robber threatens wealthy homes on the bluff, and an angel watches over the townspeople from a downtown window. F. M. Meredith's latest Rocky Bluff P. D. novel is a gentle human drama about loneliness and change, through which the reader is pulled, page after page, by an assortment of compelling criminal curiosities."--C. N. Nevets is an author of psychological suspense.

I'm gearing up for my upcoming blog tour plus in-person events.

Marilyn

Sleuth Bella Kowalski Joins 21st Centruy

2011-01-27T11:37:00.001-08:00

I am pleased (no THRILLED) to announce that Andy Zhang and the good folks at Aberdeen Bay have released my latest Bella Kowalski mystery, "Murder at Cuyamaca Beach", on Kindle, Nook, Sony e-Reader, and I-pad. New worlds for Bella and me to conquer. Onward and upward!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608300374?ie=UTF8&tag=aberbay-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1608300374

AHOY!

2010-12-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Sunny here.

The writers conference at sea is back on board. The ill-fated Carnival Splendor (weren't we happy to miss THAT fiasco!) will set sail from Los Angeles for the Mexican Riviera on Oct. 30-Nov. 6. Yes, it's a Halloween party now! We'll be cruising down to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazetlan. The conference is free, the berths start at $549 (cheaper than any conference out there!). For those of us that got cancelled, there's a 25% discount.

Cruise director Beverly Poitrast has put together a great package. There's champagne to toast the cruise, $50 onboard credit and an open-bar reception. Plus, we have bookbags filled with goodies (authors and publishers were VERY generous!) and we can sell books to all 3,000 people aboard.

I'll be putting together new panels and speakers. Hope some of you can come!

LORI'S READING CORNER: Guest Post/Virtual Tour ~ Marilyn Meredith

2010-11-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

LORI'S READING CORNER: Guest Post/Virtual Tour ~ Marilyn Meredith

KILLER NASHVILLE?

2010-09-14T12:09:00.001-07:00

Despite its title, Killer Nashville was one of the most benign conferences I've ever attended. There were only about 300 attendees, all Southerners except for a San Francisco agent and me. At dinner, the two of us wondered when mac 'n cheese and Jello had become “vegetable side dishes.” Welcome to Tennessee!

I went to see Jeffrey Deaver. It amazed me that such a small conference managed to get him as keynote. I told him that he was much more fun in person than his books led me to believe. He says he likes to write in complete darkness—perhaps that explains his dark plots.

Surprisingly, most of the participants were unpublished authors looking for agents and publishers. I turned out to be one of the “big” names on the program. Pitch sessions were constantly going on but Billie and I had side-stepped that obligation. I'm an acquisitions editor and we did pitch sessions on the fly. I picked up three promising authors and several others emailed me query letters.

My panels were short story writing and “Lightening in a Bottle,” which was marketing. I talked about the “posse” idea of promotion, which is simply leading a pack of beginners to sites and teaching them to blog and set up personal pages (I'm on 35 such sites). That became a buzz word used throughout the conference.

One of the panelists on the marketing panel pooh-poohed the whole idea of little marketing give-aways. Heck, I love them and love coming up with something creative. Mine usually center around food: miniature boxes of raisins because my books are set in the Fresno area, Raisin Capitol of the World. I also ordered fortune cookies from Oriental Traders with my name and book title as the fortune because a fortune cookies is a clue in FOOLS RUSH IN. The next book, WHERE ANGELS FEAR, has a bottle of heart pills as a clue. I got prescription bottles, ordered labels with my book cover and my name, and filled the bottles with candy hearts or red hots. We don't buy Cracker Jacks for the stale popcorn. We want the prize inside!

There was little humidity for August and I never got to actually see Nashville. The city is still recovering from the floods and the Grand Ol' Opry isn't open. The hotel was “a good piece aways” as they would say in the South. Billie and I couldn't fight our need for a Mexican food fix and found a great restaurant. They screwed up her order (twice!) so we got free flan for dessert.

I may never get out that way again, but it was a terrific, homespun conference to experience.

Avoiding bogus literary agents from Anne R. Allen

2010-07-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

Dont' miss Anne's newest. http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/07/7-tips-for-avoiding-bogus-literary.html

Lurking Proudly from Anne Allen

2010-06-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

Should you listen to the folks who pressure unpublished writers to blog, build websites, and network on MyFace? Probably not. All you have to do is lurk around a few blogs. New Blogpost: http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/06/lurk-proudly.html

Public Safety Writers Conference 2010

2010-06-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you mix editors, publishers, agents and crime and mystery writers in a ballroom at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas? A great conference that's what. The two panels I moderated went very well thanks to great participants and there was lots more to listen to and absorb. Looking forward to next year.

Anne Allen on Critique Groups, 2 posts

2010-06-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

How do you get the writing feedback you need? Does a group work for you? New blogpost http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/05/do-you-belong-to-writers-critique-group.html

Want to vent? What's the worst or best critique you've had? New blogpost http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/06/whats-your-best-or-worst-critique.html

Exclusive reads--another goodie from Anne Allen

2010-05-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

To quote Miss Snark, "Exclusives stink!" http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/05/should-you-give-agent-exclusive-read.html

Real men don't read? And other thoughts from Anne Allen

2010-04-27T15:48:00.001-07:00

Grown-ups don't read? Or publishers don't publish? New blogpost http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/04/grown-ups-dont-read.html

Anne

Dialog in Fiction--post from Anne Allen

2010-04-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

Dialogue in fiction may be going out of fashion.. http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/04/does-your-wip-have-too-much-dialogue.html

Plus, for those who have been asking, a link to the Genre Wars anthology. I finally figured out how to get it on the blog.

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s Weekend Intensive on Self-Editing

2010-04-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

In today’s tough market, self-editing has never been more important.

April 24th & 25th, 2010

Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(one hour break for lunch both days)
in Cambria

Participants are asked to bring the first 30 pages of a work in progress, and we’ll roll up our sleeves.

We’ll begin with the broader aspects of editing. Does it begin cleanly, and in the right place? Does every scene characterize and contribute to the overall momentum? Does it bog down in backstory? Then we’ll move on to other important considerations such as dialogue and its attributions. We’ll develop an eye for trimming unnecessary passages, and for honing sentences until every word carries the appropriate weight. Finally we’ll work on copyediting grammar and punctuation, and we’ll tackle the always difficult (especially for our own work) art of proofreading.

$175

Note: At 14 hours of instruction, this breaks down to $12.50 an hour. I understand that money is tight for everyone (myself included) but I believe this workshop will be cost-effective, because it can replace the need to hire an editor for your work. That said, if you literally can’t afford the fee, and money is the only thing stopping you from attending, please do let me know.

Pay at the end of the weekend, and if at any time you feel you’re not getting your money’s worth, feel free to walk away and owe nothing.

For more information, please contact me by email at:
ryanhyde@cryanhyde.com

Also, if you’re interested but can’t make the date, please let me know, as I’m
considering holding another weekend intensive on the same subject in May.

Central Coast Sisters Rock in Morro Bay!

2010-03-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who made our Celebration of Mystery at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay on Sunday such an overwhelming success. 56 books sold! Thanks to President Victoria Heckman whose idea it was and who help work through some of the knottier details of a five author signing. Thanks to Linna Thomas and her staff who said yes, and then made it happen. Thanks to Judy Salamacha who wrote about us so glowingly in the Tribune. Thanks to our volunteers Reva, Rosemarie, and Susan H. who kept the food coming, and the raffle tickets straight.

Thanks to our Fundraiser in Chief, Karen Kavanagh who made those beautiful baskets that enriched our kitty so handsomely and who managed to keep people in their seats for the whole two hours with the promise of still another raffle to come.
And certainly thanks to our authors, Victoria, and Karen as above, Susan Tuttle, and Marilyn Meredith. Linna was right, we’ve come a long way.

Sue, Treasurer

Anne Allen's Amazing Mom

2010-03-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

Read all about her on Anne's blog.

88-year old writer (who happens to be my mom) publishes her first mystery novel with a small New England press. Pretty exciting. New blogpost. http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/03/88-year-old-sells-first-mystery-novel.html

Anne

New blog post from SinC CCC member Anne Allen

2010-03-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

New blogpost: Nonfiction writers--should you write a book or a series of articles? Or both? http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2010/02/would-your-book-idea-work-better-in.html

Anne

This just in from member Anne Allen

2010-02-22T14:17:00.000-08:00

New blogpost: TEN TIPS FOR WRITERS from literary heavyweights—culled from the Guardian’s survey of famous authors.

MARKETING 101

2010-02-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

My recent visit to the Chapter was an eye-opener. Marketing seems to be confusing to some of our members and cyber socializing to sell books is foreign territory. With two very strong members of the group devoted to marketing, it seems Sisters would take advantage of our skills.

Marilyn Meredith taught me much of what I know in marketing. Both of us are the designated "Marketing Mavens" for Oak Tree Press.

Much of my book sales come from Internet marketing. My blogs attract readers who want to read more of my "voice." I also get asked to do interviews, invited to speak and make contacts with authors I later meet at conferences. Right now I'm promoting both Public Safety Writers and Mystery Cruise 2010, all via the Internet.

For those of you willing, I would be more than happy to "invite" you to sites where you will get your own page. Had this been available when I began my career, I think I would have used them in lieu of a website. I will show you have to market effectively with little waste of time, how to reach the widest audience with just a few keystrokes. You'll soon realize that most of the sites are set up the same, but they reach a different audience. A thousand people here, a few hundred there--it all adds up. And $$$$ adds up.

Contact me at sunny69@comcast.net if you want to breeze through this. I don't charge, I don't use big words. I don't know what you're waiting for.

Look Who's Cruisin'

2010-01-22T20:11:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
In case you haven't heard, I've been asked to put together a mystery cruise! I recently went on a veterans cruise and was asked to help organize "Mystery on the High Seas: A Cruise To Die For."

We have a website up for details: www.2010mysterycruise.blogspot.com You can see who has signed up, what panels are being pulled together and even fun photos of my trip to the Caribbean.

Marilyn Meredith will also be sailing with me as well. We're hoping more of you will consider this opportunity to speak on panels and sell books. The cost of the cruise is under $500 per person, no charge for the conference.

The Carnival Splendor leaves from Los Angeles for 7 days to the Mexican Riviera with three days at sea for the conference. You know the cost of registration, meals and hotel for three days at a regular mystery convention far exceeds the price of this cruise!

Any questions? Contact either me or Beverly (the cruise organizer) at Beverly@cruisingsmart.com

New Blog post from member Anne R. Allen

2009-11-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

OK, we all hate labels, but it helps to know details of genre categories so we can visualize our books on the proper shelf:.

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2009/11/lets-play-whats-my-genre.html#comments

Anne

________________________________________________________________________
Anne R. Allen's Blog: Writing about Writing. Mostly.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO COZUMEL

2009-11-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

I just returned from a trip to the Mexican Caribbean. It was a cruise saluting Veterans, very patriotic (I am a Vietnam Era vet). I was on a panel of authors talking to the vets about writing their memoirs. We got together later with the travel agent who pulled together the trip and pitched the idea of a mystery cruise: Mystery On the High Seas: A Cruise To Die For.

My head is "swimming" with all this, it happened so fast. We expected it would take two years, but the amazing travel agent has already put it together for Nov. 14-21, 2010! Contact her at Beverly@cruisingsmart.com She is reserving cabins with a $100 deposit right now. She'll also send you the flier.

You can view the ship at http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_splendor/default.aspx?shipCode=SL

Details: Nov. 14-21, leaving from Los Angeles. Three days at sea for panels and such. Ports-of-call: Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. No extra charge for the conference, just pay for the cabin. I'm really encouraging small presses and their authors to attend. No "rules" on this trip! I'm also trying to negotiate with the ship so we can sell our books.

In my mind, this seems cheaper than mystery conventions where you pay for a room and meals--I know I've spent more than $700 at a few conventions and only saw the inside of a hotel. Plus, fans and authors are sort of a "captive" audience since they can't jump ship. (geez, now I sound like a pirate. Arghhh!).

Okay, I'm fishing for Joseph Wambaugh, Ann Rule, Lee Goldberg and an acquisition editor from Midnight Ink. They don't know it yet--thought I'd let them enjoy turkey first. We'll see who takes the bait.

We already have several real mob figures coming with us, people you've seen portrayed in Casino and other real-crime movies. Dennis Griffin, former law enforcement who writes about the Vegas mob, is doing a presentation with them. I've met these wiseguys and they are interesting people. They aren't allowed to bring weapons, are out of witness protection and they have written books.

I'm not doing this for money, I don't even get to sail free! I just think it's a terrific idea and I'm glad I was asked to put the word out to my contacts. Need more information? Contacts me on my website at http://www.sunnyfrazier.com I'd love to see my CCC Sisters on board!

"Holiday Grind," a review by Chelle Martin

2009-11-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

Brewing Up a Holiday Mystery
By
Chelle Martin

Who doesn’t enjoy a good cup of coffee? Whether your favorite is Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or a small town coffee shop, as soon as you smell the coffee brewing, you can’t wait for that first sip.

Years ago I was browsing Borders and spotted a paperback called ON WHAT GROUNDS by Cleo Coyle. The story centers around a woman named Clare Cosi, her ex-husband Mateo Allegro, their daughter Joy, and a Manhattan coffeehouse called the Village Blend.

Clare's elderly ex-mother-in-law, Madame, owns the blend. She has turned over the running of the daily operations to Clare and her son, Matt (Clare's ex-husband). Clare and Matt feel the weight of the Blend's century-old legacy on their shoulders because Madame has made it clear that she's leaving it to them after she dies.
Matt is responsible for traveling the world to acquire their various blends, while Clare works as a barista and supervises a colorful cast of employees.
Coyle’s characters interact well together, not only in their daily lives and within each well thought out plot, but also in their personal growth with each new book.
Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of reading the 8th book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series. HOLIDAY GRIND is filled with wonderful sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Christmas. From the delightfully creative Fa-la-la-la Lattes featured in the story, to the descriptive passages of decorating, and the yearly repertoire of carols on the radio, to winter in New York’s Greenwich Village.
A Berkley Prime Crime novel, HOLIDAY GRIND opens with a slain Santa Claus who happens to be a friend of Clare’s and the father of a former employee. With the sleuthing skills learned in the first seven Coffeehouse Mystery books, Clare has become quite the investigator. After discovering her friend’s lifeless body, she surveys the area, noticing on the snow-covered ground a single trail of footprints leading away from the crime scene. Scorch marks on the man’s Santa suit indicate he’s been shot at point-blank range. The killer had forcefully ripped open the costume as well, causing a button to fly off—but where is the missing button?
Clare wonders what her friend was doing in a dark courtyard alone when the streets were desolate during a snowstorm. She notices her friend’s footprints had led to the back wall of the building to a Dumspter and several recycling bins. Scrape marks indicate a wooden crate had been dragged beneath a fire escape. Just what had her friend been looking for when he was attacked?

While all of the Coffeehouse Mystery books are filled with plenty of good sleuthing, this hardcover book also contains wonderful recipes like Clare’s Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies, Clare’s Mini Red and Green Holiday Biscotti, Clare’s Golden Gingerbread-Maple Muffins with Warm Holiday-Spice Glaze and Nonna Cosi’s Linguine with White Clam Sauce to name a few.
I especially enjoyed the gl
ossary of Coffeehouse Terms. Here you’ll learn the difference among a latte, an espresso and a cappuccino. Did you know there are two versions of cappuccino—wet and dry? What are the names for a more intensely or weaker flavored espresso?
Also included is a Guide to Roasting Terms, Tips For Being Your Own Barista, Coffee Drink Recipes, and Coffee Syrups.

You do not have to have read the prior books in the Coffeehouse Mystery series to enjoy HOLIDAY GRIND, but it may tempt you to check out the other books in the series. They would make wonderful stocking stuffers for those on your holiday gift list. HOLIDAY GRIND will be released on November 3, 2009.

###

Cleo Coyle is the pen name for Alice Alfonsi who collaborates with her husband, Marc Cerasini, to write the nationally best-selling Coffeehouse Mysteries as well as the Haunted Bookshop Mysteries (under the pen name Alice Kimberly). Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alice and Marc now live in Queens, New York, where they have been writing books, independently and together, for several years. Alice enjoys running Cleo’s “virtual” Village Blend coffeehouse at www.CoffeehouseMystery.com , where she shares her research into the coffee trade via “coffee picks”, maintains a message board, and posts recipes, tips, and coffee industry news.

Alice and Marc have just been signed up by Berkley Prime Crime for three more hardcovers in their Coffeehouse Mystery series (officially that’s books 10, 11, and 12). Berkley has also signed them for three more books in their Haunted Bookshop mystery series, as well (officially that’s books 7, 8, and 9).

Geezer Lit from Colorado Sister in Crime Fleur Bradley

2009-11-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

GeezerLit: Plenty of Stories to TellBy Fleur Bradley

A puzzle lady (with a checkered past), a forgetful man in his eighties and Florida’s oldest private eye--not what you’d think of when you imagine a novel’s hero. But they’re today’s answer to a growing, older readership, readers who are just as vibrant as the characters in these novels.
Call it GeezerLit, like writer Mike Fefeler does. Not that having an older main character solving a mystery is something new. We all remember Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher and their amateur sleuth stories.
But age has gotten a new dimension in GeezerLit. Older characters now reflect the changing times and face of old age. No fading into the background for these protagonists—instead, they have vibrant lives, a sense of humor and yes, even a romantic interests. GeezerLit reflects the times, and getting old isn’t what it used to be.
Take Mike Befeler’s novel Retirement Homes are Murder (Thomas Gale/Five Star Mysteries). His eighty-four year-old main character Paul Jacobson deals with short term memory loss, hearing problems and even the loss of a spouse with a sense of humor. When Paul finds a body wedged in a retirement home trash chute, he becomes an amateur sleuth to clear himself as a murder suspect. The novel is full of colorful characters, and deals with the quirks of old age with a healthy sense of humor. “I have arthritis myself,” says the writer of Retirement Homes are Murder Mike Befeler. “Some days it’s worse than others. I look ahead and stay active.” He adds that even though his character is eighty-four, he’s still a vital person, with a girlfriend too.
Or take Parnell Hall’s cursing, gun-toting puzzle lady Cora Felton (dubbed “Miss Marple on steroids” by Kirkus), the main character in his long running Puzzle Lady mysteries. The Puzzle Lady couldn’t do a crossword puzzle to save her life (her niece actually writes the puzzles that appear under her name), but she makes an excellent amateur sleuth. In the eighth and latest installment of the series, You Have the Right to Remain Puzzled (Bantam), Cora Felton is accused of plagiarism, and then of the murder of her accuser. The plot moves quickly, with rich characters and strong wit, and there are even a few crossword puzzles for readers to enjoy. Writer Parnell Hall’s Puzzle lady Cora Felton may look like a sweet-looking grandma type, but she still sees herself as young. “She’s had five husbands,” he says. “And her age is undetermined, a mystery.” She is a lady, after all.
And author Rita Lakin adds to GeezerLit with her character Gladdy Gold, a Jewish self-proclaimed PI who’s as witty and smart as the writer, most recently in Getting Old is Criminal (Dell Mysteries). Together with her sister Evvie and her Florida retiree friends, Gladdy is on the case of a peeping tom around a Florida retirement community—a case that takes the ladies undercover and in danger. Yiddish humor and warm characters make this series a satisfying read for fans. The writer of the Gladdy Gold series Rita Lakin says her main character Gladdy Gold, the leader of a group of five spunky ladies, refuses to be defined by her age.
So who reads these GeezerLit books? You might be surprised that it’s not just those of retirement age enjoy these writers’ work. “People of all ages buy my books,” says Rita Lakin. She enjoys the readers’ comments she gets from her website.
Mike adds, “Sometimes, people get my book for their parents.”
All three writers have their own stories to tell. Mike Befeler began writing after a career in high technology marketing. Rita Lakin used to write for television and worked on shows like Peyton Place and Dynasty and won many awards before writing novels. Parnell Hall had song- and scriptwriting careers, and has several mystery series under his belt, including a PI series.
And all three writers, through their own insight and experiences, put a new face on age with GeezerLit. Most importantly, it’s the sense of humor with which they approach aging that redefines the term ‘old.’ Old now means witty, interesting and not done with living by a long shot.
Rita Lakin sums it up best with her perspective on age. “You’re as old as you feel.”

Bio:
Dozens of Fleur Bradley's short stories have appeared online and in print. She recently completed a YA mystery her agent is now finding a home for. Fleur lives in Colorado with her husband and two daughters; visit her blog on all things YA at http://yasleuth.blogspot.com/ or her website www.fleurbradley.com.

PSWA Conference

2009-09-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

PSWA Writing Conference 2010

June 17 – 20 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

This conference is for all writers who are interested in writing fiction for non-fiction about any of the public safety fields (law enforcement, fire fighting, ambulance, EMT, border patrol etc.) This is also the perfect place for mystery writers to ask questions first hand of those who are working in these fields.
For more information and registration form, go to http://publicsafetywriter.com there is an early bird registration fee good until October 31.

Simon Wood, our keynote speaker will tell us how to create suspense. Simon has had over 150 stores and articles published and is an Anthony Award winner. His next thriller, Disgruntled will be out in April.

Sunny Frazier is going to let us know “How Much Sex is Too Much.”
Sunny’s short mystery fiction has won over 30 awards. Where Angels Fear.

“How to Plot Your Novel in an Hour” will be Michael A. Black’s topic. He’s had a thirty-year career as a police officer in the suburbs of Chicago and has written over forty articles on subjects ranging from police work to popular fiction as well as many mysteries including Windy City Knights and Random Victims.

Joyce Spizer Foy will tell us “Sizzle in Your Screen Play Sells.” Joyce has written mysteries, true crime and non-fiction and has several screen plays in development. She is a partner in two development/production companies.

“A Book Cover is Worth a Thousand Words” will be shown through good and bad covers by Michael and Lai Orenduff. Michael is the author of The Pot Thief and his wife Lai is an art historian who specializes in the power of images.

Kregg Jorgenson’s magazines credits include everything from Kwon Do Time magazine to Real Travel Adventures. He’s Vietnam veteran, a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, U.S. Customs Academy, and other law enforcement schools. His topic is “How to Target Articles for Specific Magazines”.

Steve Scarborough, forensic expert, will also be giving a presentation but hasn’t decided on a topic yet.

If you want to be on a panel, signify on your registration form.

You may bring your books to sell, PSWA gets 10% of the sale price.

Recent blog posts from Anne Allen

2009-08-31T10:14:00.001-07:00

They are:

"Querying the Right Agent," "7 Tips for Hiring the Right Editor," and "13 Reasons why your Query was Rejected.

All can be accessed at http://annerallen.blogspot.com/

Be sure to page down. Some of the posts have been there for a while, and this is a very busy blog that's attracted some big names.

Sue

Minutes August Meeting SinC CCC

2009-08-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

The August meeting of the Central Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime had three members in attendance: Anne Allen (Sue check spelling), VeeP Victoria Heckman, Pres. Sue McGinty. Anne read us the riveting first chapter of her newest novel. After carrot cake, we spent time making serious plans for the rest of 2009 and early 2010. We had two drop-in visitors: Katie Klein who couldn't stay but promised to come to the next meeting, and a woman looking for a bike shop.

On Saturday, September 19th we'll celebrate Halloween early with
"12 Steps for Vampires & Other Horrors." We've planned short, spooky readings ( contributions welcome) and a play "!2 Steps for Vampires." Should be a hoot. We'll have decorations and goodies, costumes (but not clothing) optional. At the Morro Bay Library from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Victoria will make a flyer and Sue will post it at the Morro Bay Library and Coalesce Bookstore. Victoria will send out the publicity, except to KCBX Online Community Calendar, which Sue will do. (Vic: here's the contact I have for KSBY if you want to add it to your media list. mPalaszewski@ksby.com0

For our October 4th meeting at the SLO Book and Author Festival, we plan to raffle two of our bodacious baskets. Maybe a buck a chance? Money earned should help our bottom line.

In January we're planning a workshop for beginning authors, "Writing that First Five Pages." The fee will be reasonable $10, but attendees should pre-register. Space permitting, we will accept registrations at the door. If this is successful, we'll plan more workshops for the remaining year and possibly even spin off into a critique group that meets regularly. Also discussed was a joint meeting with SLO NightWriters for 2010. Victoria will do a flyer for that meeting and Sue will put it out on the vendor's table at the Central Coast Writers Conference on October 2-3.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue McGinty

JOIN US AT FRIDAY NIGHT WRITE

2009-08-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to announce the first FRIDAY NIGHT WRITE blog at http://fridaynightwrite.blogspot.com/ This is a cyber session of what my critique group talks about when we meet each Friday night at June's house. Over mojitos and trail mix, we read and critique our writing (which you won't get to read until it's published!), but we also segue into discussions on everything writing.

We can only fit 5 people around the table, but please come and comment. We'd love to hear your two cents and expand our group to Internet friends.

Sunny

Public Safety Writers Conference

2009-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

The photo is of Sunny Frazier and one of our favorite cop members, Keith Bettinger, one of the funniest men in the world.

Save the dates for next year's conference, June 17-20, 2010. It will be in Las Vegas again, but not quite sure which hotel as Keith is busily working to bring prices down by talking to several hotels.

Of course I'll be looking for speakers and panelists. I do already have a great keynote speaker, Simon Wood. For those of you who know Simon, we'll all enjoy having him around and learn a few things while we're there.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

2009-07-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the Wizard of Words conference in Vegas was cancelled, according to Morgan St. James. However, if you'd like to subscribe to the Vegas SinC free online newsletter, Morgan sent this invite: If you know of members of other Sisters in Crime chapters who would like to receive the newsletter, please send their e-mail address to: write2morgan@aol.com. Ask nicely and she may even let you write an article for the site!

Sisters in Crime, Southern Nevada

2009-07-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

I’m currently putting together a presentation, complete with Power Point, for the Wizards of Words conference in October. It’s called “Creating Twists and Dropping Clues”. I’d love to hear from any of your members who have favorite…or most disliked…methods of dropping clues. Also any bits on how they create their twists. Each contributor will be credited on the slide about their methods, likes or dislikes. Also, if they have a book(s) in print, I have room for a book cover on the slide.
Regards,

Morgan St. James
Sisters in Crime/Southern Nevada
Vice President/Editor "On The Prowl"
www.morganstjames-author.com

WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS

2009-07-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

How do we entice you to join the Public Safety Writers Association and our conference next year?

There's a You Tube video up (search PSWA), Kathleen Ryan's report at http://www.womenofmystery.net Marilyn Meredith's June 24-29 blogs at http://marilynmeredithblogspot.com and at the site, www.policewriter.com

Your president, Sue McGinty, couldn't make it due to illness, but we hope to see her next year.

Marilyn Meredith took notes while I was daydreaming. She talks on her blog about tips from Betty Webb, the Mistakes That Make Us (law enforcement) Cringe, Screen Writing, Getting Forensics Right by Steve Scarborough and the editors and publishers panel.

Check out Anne Allen's new blog post on Agent Scams

2009-07-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

I've posted a new article: Bogus Literary Agents: Six tips to avoid agent scams.
http://annerallen.blogspot.com

SINC CCC Meeting Schedule

2009-07-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Great news! SinC CCC has a new meeting place, monthly at the Morro Bay Library, on Saturdays from 10 AM to noon, unless otherwise noted.

Our tentative fall schedule:

July 18th, David Halverstadt and Emma, the Search and Rescue team, specializing in bones. David will give us a presentation, and Emma, his canine companion, will give us a demonstration!

August 15, Subject TBD

September 19--Our spooky "ready for Halloween" readings and activities.

October 4, 10 AM to 4 PM. We'll be at the Central Coast Bookfest at Mission Plaza. Come to our panel on Guerilla Marketing and visit us at our booth.

November 14, Subject TBD

December: Date and Time TBD, Members and guests Holiday Party and Gift Basket Silent Auction.

Lillian Dean Writing Competition

2009-07-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

This First Page writing contest is open to any registered participant of the Central Coast Writers' Conference XXV at Cuesta College, October 2nd and 3rd, 2009. Entries are limited to the first page in one of five categories: Novel; Short Story; Memoir/Creative Non-Fiction; Poetry (32 lines); or Children Young Adult.

For complete information go to: http://www.communityprograms.net/wc/wcindex.htm, and click on Lillian Dean Writing Competition.

Sue McGinty.
Contest Coordinator

June 27 Meeting Minutes from Mary Moses

2009-06-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

At 2 p.m. on June 27 , 2009 Vice-President Victoria Heckman called the program meeting of the Central Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime to order at the home of Sue McGinty. Besides Sue, Victoria and Mary, Susan Tuttle, Anne Allen and guest Rose Marie Zurkan were present.

The first item of business was the information regarding the upcoming Central Coast Book and Author Festival in San Luis Obispo October 4. Victoria said she had all the necessary information and it was agreed that the chapter would have a booth. Mary Moses gave the chapter of box of book holders and similar display items to be used in such events as this.

General discussion followed.

The second item of business was the announcement by Victoria of the next meeting of the chapter, which will be held in Morro Bay at the library at 10 a.m. on Saturday July 18th. The program will feature Emma, a cadaver and crime-scene dog who specializes in locating old and long-buried bones. Her handler, David, will give a power point presentation, then a demonstration in the park.

Following the program the members will adjourn to the Bayside Cafe for a farewell luncheon for Mary Moses, who is moving away.

The third item was a discussion of obtaining a regular meeting place, with the Morro Bay Library the most promising. It was suggested that signage at Coalesce would help direct people to our meetings.

The last item of business was a brief discussion of the Writers' Conference at Cuesta College.

The speaker for the day was introduced; Mary Aine Cherry discussed her work investigating body, mind and spirit of those in need. She called it "Self-Direction Technology," and told of using verbal cues and a technique of interpreting blinking of the subject--which gives many clues to the person's background and problems.

Some of the areas of her investigation included the power of thought, choice and accountability, cause and effect and health and healing.

The title of her talk was "Spiritual Forensics" and the group asked a number of questions about her work.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Moses

New Blog from Member Anne Allen

2009-06-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

I've checked out this blog and it's a keeper. --Sue

Hi Anne Allen here. I've decided to start a blog--a helpful writers' blog--at http://annerallen.blogspot.com/ where I'm going to post updated versions of my articles on writing published in INkwell Newswatch from 2003-2008 when it was one of the top 101 sites on the Web.

And I'll add some new content they hadn't got to yet when the zine went sleepy-bye.

This week I'm posting my article on "Writers Conferences: the INside Scoop," from June 2007.

DAVID VS GOLIATH by Sunny Frazier

2009-05-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Small publishing vs. BIG PUBLISHING.

Every Author sets out with high hopes of publishing their book and seeing it on the shelves of the big chains. They deserve to be there. After brain-sweat and sacrifice, the reward should be wonderful book signings and lines of buyers waiting for an autograph.

That's the carrot that keeps writers pounding away at the keyboard. It happens to a lucky few. But sometimes the author published by a major publishing house is a one-book wonder and left to contemplate why the publisher deserted them. Sometimes they can't meet the sales expectations of their publisher on the second book and get pushed to the sidelines. Sometimes the economy downsizes them right out of their career as big publishing can't balance cost of putting out a book with a frugal public. Authors never fantasize about that aspect of the industry.

Then there are the small press authors. We're the ones who looked at the slush pile and the long lines in front of agent's doors and said, “I can do better.” We rolled the dice and took a gamble on a small outfit, a one-man-(or woman)-band. We were impatient and wanted our work out there before we were too old to travel and promote.

I started my career by joining with two girlfriends and putting out a regional mystery anthology of our prize-winning short stories. Anthologies are tough to get published, but nobody told us. We found a reluctant publisher, designed the cover and each paid $2,000 dollars to co-publish. The publisher put in a thousand dollars.

Soon it was apparent that no store, not even the independent book stores in our city, would carry the books. It was also apparent that we had a public delighted to read about the San Joaquin Valley. We had published the first mystery anthology in this region.

I'm lucky to have such a rough start. It banished my own illusions of the publishing world. I actually had to learn everything from the ground up. After being dropped by my second publisher, I met Billie Johnson, Oak Tree Press, with that knowledge and experience.

She offered me a contract and I brought to the table my marketing experience and a few new authors. My attitude from the start was “What can I do for my publisher?” My reasoning? She took a chance on me, put her own money on the line to produce an incredible book cover for WHERE ANGELS FEAR, gave me my first ad for the Left Coast Crime Convention book, and gave me a column to talk marketing. I set out to make money for both of us because I knew if my publishing house went under, as so many small houses are doing in this economic crisis, I'm left searching for yet another publisher. I also know my chances will be slimmer because it's a cold, cruel world out there.

I knew from the outset that my success would happen under my own steam. I love having a big say in how I market, it makes me feel in control of my career. I didn't hand my work over to corporate strangers and trust that they would have my best interest at heart. I bounced off the contacts and savvy I'd learned from the first books I published. I had a readership in place salivating for the next book in the series. I also delved into Internet promotion and invited several of you to join me.

What I love about being with a small publisher is that I feel nurtured. I know my talent is respected. I email my ideas to bring the OTP author together as a “family,” all working toward one goal—to keep our publisher afloat so we can keep producing books.

I have no expectations of being in a chain store, but through contacts I get great book signings. I put together a BookFest for every local author in Central California and sold out my entire book stock. My town is giving me a huge book launch at the prestigious Carnegie Museum because of the author's program I've done with the library over the past year. I do press releases for author events, so the media knows me and supports me. I've made myself a visible part of the community, locally and world-wide. I give to the mystery community with my Murder Circle column, and they support me in return.

Not bragging. Everything I've done, any author can do. Even being with a small publishing house it's possible to become a player in the literary world. Some may feel they are too big for small publishing. I feel you can't promote what doesn't exist, so while some authors spend time looking for an agent and a publisher and hoping lightening strikes, I'm out selling my next book.

Small publishing is a choice. My career is what I make it, not what a faceless committee decides. I choose to enjoy the freedom, explore the possibilities and reap the fruit of my labors.

From Joanie O'Reilly (Jim Murphy's Wife)

2009-05-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

May 18, 2009
Dear Family and Friends

THANK YOU!

Today I mailed checks totaling $4203.00 to PANCAN in Jim’s (Murphy's) name. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. There are no words to adequately express my gratitude for your generosity and outpouring of love and support for Jim’s memory and me.

I would ask that each May 29Th you think of Jim and all the others who have or are dying of this terrible disease and do something for them.

I want to thank you for the kind wonderful words you sent along with your donation, I spent many a moment crying because you touched my heart. I hope Jim died knowing how many people loved and cared for him.

I send all of you a huge hug and hope that you will continue to keep in touch with me and hold Jim’s memory close to your heart.

Thank you all for your support for Jim and for finding a cure for this deadly disease. One of the things I read about why this disease has such low visibility to the public is that 98% who are diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer die so the advocates for finding the cure have to be the family and friends left behind. So please all of you keep raising the awareness and the need for financial support to discover a cure.

Joanie

Minutes from SinC May 16th Meeting

2009-05-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

The Central Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime met at 1:55 p.m. at the home of President Sue McGinty. Present were Victoria Heckman, Susan Howe and Mary Moses

The President discussed the group's declining membership, and noted that we will probably continue to be a small, but well-respected chapter.

Mary Moses announced that she will soon move to Northern California.

A general discussion of the Chapter's trip to Fresno to meet with the San Joaquin Chapter. Their program was outstanding, members said. It included a former soldier of the New York Mafia and
an author of a true-crime book. The hit man's life was depicted in the film "Goodfellas," and the center of the biographical story was turned into the Joe Pesci character in "Casino."

By general agreement, it was decided to try to have a program June 27. Victoria Heckman said that she could probably get the owner/trainer of a cadaver dog to speak, or, with luck, we could visit the premises where these dogs are trained.

Mark Ciampi, of Rainbow International, was the speaker. He and his company specialize in trauma scene cleanup. Many of the situations he meets are not the result of a crime, but could be contaminated from different sources. He said that when someone dies, the Coroner must determine if foul play has taken place. If yes, the scene is restricted until all the police work has been completed. If no, the Coroner certifies that there has been no foul play. By this time, the body has been removed, but often blood, body fluids and other contaminants remain. His company then comes in and carefully cleans thoroughly. He demonstrated the special clothing that he and his crew must wear.
Many questions were asked about his work and business.

Meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Moses

TALLAHASSEE WRITERS CONTEST

2009-05-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Writing Contest

Tallahassee Writers Association is now accepting submissions for the 2009 Seven Hills Review Literary Contest.

Contest fees remain $10 for TWA members and $15 non-members per piece entered. Short Stories (any genre), Creative Nonfiction, and Children's Picture Books have 2,500 word limits.

A new category, Flash Fiction, has a 500-word limit.

Previously published works are ineligible for the Seven Hills contest; however simultaneous submissions (with notification) are considered.

Send three copies (without any identifying information), plus a cover letter (with author info, title, word count) and appropriate fees to TWA to apply. Each category offers $100/$75/$50 prizes, plus publication, for top three pieces per genre. Send submissions or queries to TWA Seven Hills Contest (category of entry) P.O. Box 3428, Tallahassee, FL 32315.

Contest deadline is Sept. 30, 2009.

For complete contest guidelines, visit www.twaonline.org or our Facebook page.

YEA SAYERS AND NAY SAYERS

2009-04-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

To cyber-socialize or not to cyber-socialize? That is the question.

My New Year's resolution for '09 was to finally, seriously and extensively take a look at all the social sites I kept hearing about. My Space. Face Book. Crime Space. Twitter. Blogs. No more letting the info slide by, no more shaking my head and saying, “Who's got time for all this bulls__t?” I would do an investigation, just like my sleuth Christy Bristol. I would finally find out what all the fuss was about.

First, I had to learn to put on the brakes. I was painstakingly setting up my profile, tentatively adding friends, photos, an opinion or two. People responded. “Will you be my friend?” Uh, yeah, guess so. Messages began to flood my mailbox. I found myself overloaded with all these strangers clamoring for attention.

I decided to create a folder to stuff the socializers in until I could find time. Sunday mornings were free because business emails slowed on weekends. As I took time to look at blog sites, I noticed links listed. My former training as a narc secretary kicked in. Where I once sifted through allegations to detect clues on drug trafficking, I now investigated these links for info.

I speeded the process by copying the entire group and creating a new folder titled Blog Sites. I could already see where this was going to become unwieldy, so as I checked each one out, I discarded what I couldn't use and put the “possibles” in alphabetical order.

Yes, I'm a bottom feeder. Let others do the work, I'll reap the rewards. I discovered an incredible number of sites and slammed profiles on in record time. I tossed in photos, never the same as the other sites. I recycled good blogs, figuring I'd find a different readership at each site. I insisted my friends join me. I was a brat.

The work immediately paid off. People invited me to guest blog. Would I consent to be interviewed? Would I like my newest book, WHERE ANGELS FEAR, be reviewed? My Murder Circle was named a professional site by Linked In (yes!). My googled hits tripled in two weeks.

But, with success comes controversy. Those I left behind in the dust, the naysayers, carped that I wasn't doing any “real” writing. Or, why should they follow my lead without a book to market? On a panel in Hawaii, two major authors cautioned, “You should all be writing books, not wasting time on these sites.” Even the moderator let out a gasp (and befriended me as soon as we returned to the mainland).

Waiting means playing catch-up. Smart writers create a presence that will be ready when their first book is published. The rest of us, late to the game, are running to keep pace. Being aggressive pays off when it comes to selling books.

The way I see it, writers are now divided into two categories: Those who “socialize” with the possibility that their efforts will pay off in the end, and those who are “unsocial” and assume hard work will eventually be rewarded in sales.

My opinion? Do nothing and nothing is all you get.

Central Coast Sisters In Crime Meeting Schedule!

2009-04-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 16, 2 PMHave high-tea and hear the low-down about death scene cleanup with Mark Ciampi. (Coffee for non-tea drinkers.) At my home. Members only. Info, RSVP, and directions: SueMcGinty@aol.com

Saturday, June 27th: Time/Location TBD
"Marketing Roundtable"

July, August Sept: Watch this space for meeting details.

Sunday, October 4th 10-4:
Volunteer or visit us at the Central Coast Book and Author Festival, Mission Plaza, San Luis Obispo

ALOHA, LCC 2009

2009-04-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

The skies were overcast, the hotel was set in a foreboding lava landscape, and there was a small earthquake accompanied by a tsunami warning. Perfect conditions for a mystery convention!
Left Coast Crime, Big Island, was one of the longest cons and least attended. 350 people participated and only three tracks were offered. The result was packed rooms, high interest in every panel, and many books sold. Even when the sun finally came out, people chose to stay inside to hear every last panel up until the end of the convention.
Headliners were Barry Eisler, who was teased by everyone for his incredible good looks. Lee Goldberg, the writer of the TV series “Monk,” was a terrific emcee and it was decided he should be the Award Presenter For Life. Rhys Bowen sang how she “Wants to be Rich” like authors bringing in the big bucks.
I, along with several other authors, were introduced at a breakfast and got to tell a bit about ourselves. After I spoke, several authors ran up for hugs: Lou Allin, a Canadian crime writer and Sue Ann Jaffarian, author of the Odelia Grey series. I'd featured them both in the Murder Circle and it was great to meet them in person. Lou invited me to Bloody Words 2011, which will be in Victoria, BC.
I met Cindy Sample, a Sacramento SinC, and we palled around the rest of the conference. She invited me to speak to her chapter in the fall. She also brought me into the LCC planning committee and I got an inside look at how these conventions are planned.
For me, Hawaii offered an opportunity to see a live volcano, walk through a lava tube, drink lots of Mai Tais and reconnect with friends, make new friendships and stand between hunks Barry Eisler and Jason Starr. I can't wait for us all to get together at LCC 2010 in Pasadena.
ALOHA!

SinC at SJC Meeting April 4

2009-04-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Members Sue McGinty, Shirley Walker, Mary Moses and Karen Kavanagh traveled to the meeting last Saturday of our San Joaquin sisters. Check out Henry Hill and Denny Griffin on Sunny's YouTube presentations. You're in for a treat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOJCdIssQQU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFtqZQTA8VE

Call for Submissions-Futures Mystery Anthology

2009-04-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Current plans are for publication of an anthology in trade
paperback in 2010 and then publication of an annual anthology
thereafter. The anthology may contain a few stories previously
published in FMAM as well as new short stories and novellas. We will
open to submissions for the anthology July 15, 2009. Pays a flat
rate based on word count (to be determined). If sales go over 2000 copies, then royalties will be paid in addition to the initial payment. Check the web site in April for more info.
http://www.fmam. biz

We need a catchy title for the anthology and perhaps a series name as well. I am uncertain if we will include illos for each of the stories. I have to say the last two years of FMAM in print looked really great. Might consider something similar for the anthology -- with fewer ads. Feel free to make suggestions. This is a work in progress, so to speak.

You can share the above info with your writers' lists, forums, etc.

btw, the FMAM web site is active and updated each month with columns,
articles and book reviews.
http://www.fmam. biz

Also, Twilight Times Books and Paladin Timeless Books
are open to submissions from Feb. 15th to Mar. 5th 2009. Twilight Times Books is on the MWA list of approved publishers.
http://twilighttime sbooks.com/ subs.html

Santa Barbara Writers Conference Information

2009-04-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Reports of our demise.......are greatly exaggerated, to misquote Mark Twain. SBWC is alive and well, and we are busily planning for our Weekend of Poetry and June conference in 2010.

Meanwhile, we are launching several new initiatives aimed at getting the conference back on its feet financially, including a national writing contest and one-day workshops in poetry, fiction, memoir and marketing this summer and fall. (See details below.) If you would like to help, and can afford to send a donation even in these perilous economic times, SBWC would be the stronger for it. Any amount would be welcome: $50, $25 - even $10 would help. We look forward to a great year, albeit a year of transition, and to a bright future. For more information on the conference's future, see the Director's Message on our Web site.

1st Annual SBWC Writing Contest

We're pleased to announce the first annual SBWC Writing Contest in Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry. Winners in each category will receive a scholarship for tuition to the 2010 Santa Barbara Writers Conference and a grand prize winner will get a scholarship and the opportunity to have lunch with a top agent during the conference.

Fiction entries can be in any genre. Nonfiction can be essay, article or memoir. Fiction and nonfiction entries must be no more than 3,000 words. Poets may submit up to five poems, no more than 15 pages total. Each category will be judged by a team of SBWC workshop leaders and the winners will be chosen from among the finalists by a noted author. You can enter as many times as you like in all the categories. If these guidelines aren't followed, your entry will be disqualified. The cost is $25 per entry, and the deadline is June 1. The winners will be announced July 20 and celebrated at a special event later this summer.

Mail your entries to SBWC Writing Contest, P.O. Box 6627, Santa Barbara, CA 93160. Include a check made out to SBWC to cover all entry fees.

Contest

2009-03-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

We found three errors in No Sanctuary after it was printed (thanks to a reviewer). They have been fixed now--anyone who buys the book from Amazon, orders it from a bookstore or the publisher will get the corrected version.

However, I bought about 75 books before the correction and still have them. Anyone who buys No Sanctuary from my website:
http://fictionforyou.com and tells me what page the errors are on will be entered into a contest for Amazon gift certificates. (I have PayPal and a mail-in order form)

If someone bought the book from me in person and tells me where they bought it, they will be entered also.

Once you find the errors, use my email address to send me the errors. mmeredith@ocsnet.net

Marilyn (The photo is me setting up for my book launch in the church's fellowship hall)

This Just In From Catherine Ryan Hyde

2009-03-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

I hope you'll take a minute to check out my newest video excerpt. It's from The Day I Killed James, and I worked very hard on it (not to mention riding on the back of a Harley on the Big Sur coast using both hands to film).

I strongly recommend that you hit the "watch in high quality" link under the lower right of the video window.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf6PCCUCyvU&feature=channel_page

February 14th Meeting Minutes

2009-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

The February 14th 2009 meeting was called to order by Sue McGinty at approximately 10:20 AM after a short wait while Borders set up chairs for us, an old story unfortunately. Four newcomers were in attendance: Katy Keeney of Los Osos, Gizella Miskolczi and Joy of South County, and Steve Attison visiting from Victorville.

Sue called for a board meeting to discuss some of the issues still not resolved from the January planning meeting. All paid members are welcome to attend, but the date will be determined by Karen and Jim Kavanagh's next visit to the Central Coast. Members will be notified via e-mail.

Members were reminded that dues are now past due and to mail their checks for $15 to membership director Susan Tuttle, Po Box 6947 Los Osos, CA 93412-6947. This does not apply to those who paid in the middle of the year. Your dues will be prorated this year so that all can pay in January of 2010.

The March 14th meeting will feature search and rescue expert Mike Oliver. VeeP Victoria Heckman will attempt to book the Morro Bay Library Community room for the event.

Susan Howe introduced our guest speaker, pet and people psychic counselor Suzan Vaughn. She discussed techniques for verbal and non-verbal methods of communication with animals and included many anecdotes of pets and their people who were helped by her gentle and wise counseling. A vigorous question and answer session followed including a reading of Victoria Heckman's cat via a cell phone picture. There are many tips for dealing with pet behaviors and problems on her website: www.telepathictalk.com. To book a session with Susan e-mail her at: suzan@telepathictalk.com

The meeting was completed at 11:30 AM and a no-host lunch at Upper Crust followed.

2009-02-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Sunny here.All this talk about diminishing venues to speak and sign, difficulty getting book sales and name recognition makes me wonder--how far out of the box are you willing to think?I live in a small town, pop. 23,000 (Lemoore). Ten miles away is a larger town (Hanford). Forty miles away is the Big City (Fresno).

I lived in the Big City over 25 years and was never able to get a signing or even a book launch. The local newspaper ignores local authors in favor of canned wire reviews of authors who would never set foot in this part of California. What good was that doing me?

When I moved back to my hometown, I was asked to write a monthly column on writing in the weekly newspaper. They practically created an entertainment section just for me. I sought to fill it with other book news and author interviews. I did this without pay. I became known as "the local mystery writer." Nice.

The Hanford librarian read one of my columns and asked me to do an event. It was such a great experience, I asked if I could help with the author program and filled the calendar with local authors all the way to 2011. I also write all the newspaper articles and contact the media. Free of charge.

An even smaller Valley town, Chowchilla, put on a Local Authors Event. It cost nothing, but was set in a small room, little media notification and not well attended. I used the event to grab business cards from every author. Why couldn't I do a similar event in Hanford?

I asked the same question of my library. I was offered free use of the Veterans Building, picked a date, and put out a call for authors. Over 23 have responded so far. The event will be free to the public, widely publicized and the local ice cream parlor (best ice cream in the world, we are a dairy region) may be giving us coupons to go with book sales.

Okay, the point of my blog: instead of wondering where all the good sales venues are, why not create them? Not just for yourself, but for all the authors in your area. Why not just do what I did--ask. Sometimes it just takes one person to get the ball rolling.

Keep in mind, I did this with no pay. Yes, it took time from my life and writing. However, it has resulted in a higher profile in my region and kept my name out there to the public. I've also become the de facto hub of a writers' consortium since I have all the contacts. You need a speaker? Call me.

There are a few things you must be willing to do, but then, you should be doing them already. I became familiar with the movers and shakers in my small towns, including the Board of Education, the Sheriff and Police Departments (for crime writers), the junior college, high schools, tourist board, woman who holds the Indian casino purse strings, and the wife of the commander on the local military base. I did this by hand-distributing flyers the library made for upcoming speakers. I also interacted with all the sorts of writing groups in the area: Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers, various critique groups and reading groups.

Key to everything is the media. I took the time early on in my career to contact every newspaper in the area, especially small publications looking for newsworthy articles. I check periodically to make sure the same reporters are covering features. I ask what their deadline is for community news announcements. I ask if it would help if I drafted or wrote the article for them. Having been a newspaper woman in the past, I know these people are underpaid, overworked, underappreciated and stressed. To have someone offer to take some of the load off is heaven-sent.

Do I get paid? No. But I do get rewarded. My town is talking about giving me a book launch at the prestigious Carnegie Library. My books sell. I get written up in the media. I have two towns behind my career. I know people. We do lunch. They pay.

I'm not suggesting this philanthropic approach will work for everyone. If it's only your purse strings you are concerned with--not your fellow authors or your publisher's sales figures--then so be it. However, these are tight economic times. You can lament the buying public or you can offer them a free experience and hope they respond generously. Give a little to get a little.

So, ask yourself--how big is that box you're in? Don't you want to peek and see what's outside the box?

Vally Authors Bookfest

2009-02-06T14:39:00.000-08:00

It's confirmed! A Valley Authors Bookfest will be held at the Veteran's Center, 315 N. Douty St, Hanford, on April 19, the Sunday after Easter. The event will last from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is open to the public and free of charge.

Would authors please contact Sunny Frazier ASAP to confirm and give me the table size needed. There is no charge for tables and authors keep all their sales. I'm also planning a 15 Minutes of Fame on the small stage for each author to speak about their book.

And would everyone spread the word to friends, co-workers, relatives and neighbors!

Speaking of promotion--this just in from Catherine Ryan Hyde

2009-02-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Thought you might want to see my first ever video upload to You Tube. The quality is a lot better as I view it on my computer, and I hope to get it onto my personal web site (www.cryanhyde.com) in higher resolution. Meanwhile you can view it at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyGd5dNTfyc

And of course if you pass the link on to any book-loving friends, that would be much appreciated as well.

Thanks,
Catherine

Note from Sue: This is an amazing video, one that we could all use as a model.

SPEEDING DOWN THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY

2009-02-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

Sunny Frazier here.

When does promotion start?

The minute you take yourself seriously as a writer.

When my first book, FOOLS RUSH IN, came out in 2006, I was a novice at promotion. I did pretty well, but the Internet did not have much blogging or all the websites available for promotion. I felt much was a waste of my time. I had more important things to do than sift through the Internet.

My attitude changed earlier this year. My New Year's resolution was to carefully examine cyberspace. I followed the leads as I came across them. I used many of the skills I learned while working in the Narcotics unit at the sheriff's department, where I tracked down criminals by scouring confidential sites for clues to their whereabouts. The sleuthing techniques I developed are now useful in an entirely different way.

In the learning process, I've isolated three key elements: finding sites, participating on sites and controlling the vast amounts of information.

Finding sites is not a challenge. Go on any author's website and check out the links. Links lead to links and the trail seems to go on forever. I check websites to see who reviewed an author's book. I am a scavenger, always hunting for clues to the next opportunity. This requires an eye for spotting potential and discarding what will not help my career.

After checking out a site, I make a decision whether or not to join. Joining means getting my photograph on the page and accumulating “friends.” If the process of joining seems overwrought, I just leave a message commenting on the blog. People reading my messages will see my name and face. Like dropping breadcrumbs, I lead readers back to my own site.

Monitoring traffic to and from sites is a lot of work. The trick is to control the Information Highway so it takes me where I want to go.

I created a folder called “Sunday Work.” I attend to it religiously. All week long I move emails from blog sites to the folder. My Sundays now start with a cup of coffee, the Sunday comics and then I tackle each item in the folder. Often, by opening one site, I can eliminate many of the posts telling me I have messages at the site. I also do updates.

The second document is called “Blog Sites.” As I come across sites I'd like to check out, I copy the link and add it to my list. I also put the list in alphabetical order to make sure there are no repeats. If I post on the site, I put the date and action taken.

If a writer thinks self-promotion takes away from actual writing time, they will be left on the side of the road with a book to sell and nobody buying.

Update SinC/LA Anthology

2009-02-04T10:16:00.000-08:00

The official deadline for submssions to the SinC/LA anthology "Murder In La-La Land" has been extended to March 31, 2009. We hope this will give all members adequate time to complete their story submissions.

As a reminder, submissions are open to members of the Los Angeles,
Orange County, and Hawaii chapters of Sisters In Crime only. If you
would like to join the LA Chapter go www.sistersincrimela.com and
follow the links. Complete membership and submission guidleines can be
found there.

PSWA Newsletter

2009-02-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I've been promoting the Public Safety Writers Association's writing conference coming in June. I'm the program chairman and I can tell you that we have some wonderful people coming to share their expertise. Everyone who wants to be on a panel will have that opportunity.

But right now, I'd like you to know that a brand new newsletter is on the website:

http://www.publicsafetywriter.com

This can be read by anyone and there are some interesting articles in it, just click on Mid-Winter Newsletter.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Sue's Good News

2009-01-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

I got a wonderful review from Midwest Book Review. The full text is on the "Murder in Los Lobos" page at Amazon, but this is the sexiest paragraph:

"Sue McGinty has a clean and concise writing style filled with humor, and when the occasion demands, extreme suspense. Her first novel is well crafted, and is a whodunit for the ages with a murky perpetrator. McGinty captures the conflicts Bella faces as an ex-nun and ex-Catholic in a world where few today have been so protected. But Bella emerges as a fine heroine."
--Shelly Glodowski, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Sunny Frazier has also given "Murder in Los Lobos" a nod on the current Murder Circle. sunnyfrazier.com/MurderCircle

Thanks, Sunny

This just in from Sunny Frazier!

2009-01-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

Well, good news all. I've just been informed that I'll be on a panel at Left Coast Crime, Hawaii, called "Fresh Blood," new authors in the field. I'll also be at the "Fresh Blood Breakfast" where I'll get to introduce myself and tell a bit about my writing journey.

I didn't think I was going to get on a panel, so this is great news!

Sunny

Public Safety Writers Association 's Conference

2009-01-27T16:06:00.000-08:00

Plans are moving ahead for PSWA conference from June 18 -21. It will NOT be cancelled. It's being held at the beautiful Suncoast Hotel and Casino (not on the strip though they have a shuttle that will take people there and bring them back).

We have a wonderful group of speakers from award winning mystery writer, Betty Webb, two forensic experts, Steve Scarborough who works with both the FBI and Las Vegas P.D, Sheila Lowe, forensic handwriting expert, Victoria Heckman and her hubby have both promised to be there and present, we have many others--visit the website: http://www.publicsafetywriter.com

Anyone who'd like to be on a panel will be.

Two publishers will be in attendance.

There will be ample opportunity to network. We will have a bookstore too, 10% of sales will go to PSWA.

The cost for the conference goes up March 31, so sign up before then.

Hope to see some of you there!

Marilyn Meredith

Call for Submissions--MURDER IN LA-LA Land

2009-01-26T20:52:00.000-08:00

Call for Submissions!
Following on the heels of Murder On Sunset Boulevard and LAndmarked For Murder, Sisters In Crime/LA announces a call for submissions for the next anthology: Murder in La-La Land.

From the heartland to the great plains, from the eastern seaboard to the deltas of the Mississippi, you’ve heard it said. . .“Only In L.A.”
submission guidelines:

What we’re looking for:

A brand new story of 7,000 words maximum (stories cannot have been previously published anywhere, including personal websites).
Each story should contain a murder (though bonus crimes are fine).
The story should center on or call attention to the things that make L.A. unique
Stories may be contemporary or historical.
Stories may be in any subgenre (cozy, hard boiled, etc.)
To submit you must be a member in good standing of Sisters In Crime/LA at the time of submission and for the 2009 calendar year (O. C. and Hawaii Chapters also accepted).
Up to TWO story submissions per member allowed.
The Deadline for submission is February 28, 2009. We anticipate publication of the anthology in late 2009 or early 2010, with proceeds from the sale going to Sisters In Crime/LA. We are purposefully offering writers a generous amount of time to come up with their best story. . . don’t put it off! Start thinking about your submission now!

Submission Guidelines: Please follow these submission guidelines when submitting your story. Failure to do so may result in your story not being considered for publication.

Submissions accepted by email only.
Manuscripts should be WORD or Rich Text documents only, double-spaced and margins set to at least 1” on all sides. Indent the first line of each new paragraph by five spaces. Use a standard font like Courier or Times New Roman-12 pt. Underline words to be italicized.
Submissions are “blind” so your name should appear only on a separate cover/title page. In the upper right corner of the cover page, single spaced, include author’s real name, your address, your phone number, email and word count. In the middle of the cover/title page, type the title of your story in CAPS. Two lines down type “by” [Your name here, pen names okay]. DO NOT include your name on any page other than the cover/title page.
Begin your story on the next page one-third of the way down. Include the title in CAPS but no author name. On each page, except the title page, in the header’s upper right corner, type [keyword from title] – [page #]. At the end of your story type END or ####.
Submitter understands that publication of submitted work is at the soul discretion of Sisters In Crime/LA.
Email your submission to: SinCLAsubmissions@roadrunner.com

This just in from Bette Bardeen!

2009-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

FYI, I just got a letter from the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Due to financial pressures, they are canceling both the poetry conference and the writers conference and do not have the money to issue refunds at this time. I'm glad I only signed up for the poetry conference!

Bette Bardeen

SLONightWriters Meeting this Tuesday!

2009-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Dear NightWriters and friends,

Our SLONightWriters meeting will take place next Tuesday, January 13th, at 7:00 PM.

Cortney Brogno, the new Women's Press Editor, will present her vision for Women's Press and what she'll be looking for in submissions including themes for upcoming issues. Women's Press is a viable market for NightWriters who want the opportunity to write specific themes and topics.

Meeting venue: Meeting hall behind the Johnson Avenue Church of Christ (3172 Johnson Avenue) in SLO.

Hope to see you there.

Willy Bruijns
Membership - SLONightWriters

"Murder in a Melting Pot" By Sunny Frazier

2009-01-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

New Jersey chapter of Sisters in Crime is running a contest. The theme is "Murder in the Melting Pot." Here's the specs:

Have a craving for mystery/suspense/thriller short stories that celebrate
the ethnic food scene? We sure do. The story must be about a crime (or the
threat of one) and be seasoned with plenty of ethnic flavor. So, stir up
trouble in a Caribbean jerk joint, an Indonesian noodle house, or a Middle
Eastern spot. Make your character a bartender in a genuine Irish pub, or a
waiter, dishwasher or hostess in a Mexican, Chinese, or Korean restaurant,
or a tourist at a sausage stand in Seaside Park. Maybe we'll get a craving
for your grandma's chicken and dumplings or your great grandmother's killer
pierogies. We want to experience murder and mayhem cooked up with an
ethnic food experience that will leave us craving more. Dish up your best!

Eligibility: Contest open to all

Word count: Up to 2,000 words
Entry Fee: $10
Prizes: First prize - $100. Second prize - $50 Third prize - $25

Guidelines - All stories must:

1. Be original, unpublished, and not submitted elsewhere at the time
of submission.
2. Use standard manuscript format: 1" margins, Times New Roman 12
font, and double spacing.
3. Contain a title sheet with your name, address, email address and
phone number. Entries received with names and other identifying information
on the story manuscript will be disqualified..
4. Use running headings with the name of the story and the page
number in upper right hand corner on all pages other than the title sheet.
5. Include four (4) copies of the story.
6. Include an SASE for total cost of mailing if writer would like
copies returned.
7. Must be postmarked by March 25, 2009.

Winning entries announced at the GIVE ME A CLUE!

Sisters in Crime - Central Jersey Mystery Symposium on April 25, 2009

Winner need not be present to accept prize. All entries with an appropriate SASE will be mailed after the event.

Multiple submissions are okay. Each manuscript must be accompanied by the
$10 application fee. All decisions of the judges are final. Contest
entries will not be published and the author retains all rights.

Mail your check made out to Sisters in Crime - CJ and your submissions to:

Adele Polomski, Contest Coordinator
40 Brook Drive
Milltown, NJ 08850

The website is http://www.sinccj.org:80/id28.html

KINDLE ME THIS By Sunny Frazier

2009-01-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

Everything I hear about Kindle seems to be a one-way street. This $359 gadget will replace books. I know I won't be able to afford one until the price comes way down. I'm the type who loses cell phones and digital cameras.

What I'm not hearing is what is most important to me as a writer. For the first time I can conceptualize, execute and publish my work any way I choose. I don't have to pay anyone and Amazon assures me I will get a good share of the profits.

So, I did it. I took seven flash mysteries and put them together. I followed the download instruction at the Amazon.com Digital Text Platform. I messed up a little, so two downloads show up on Amazon (I'm still trying to figure out how to delete from the site). I titled it “Over in a Flash.” It sells for $1.40.
Next, I'm going to have a picture taken of me flashing in a raincoat—from the back!

What if it doesn't sell? I'm out nothing but my time. All of my work has been published before and I have my rights back. Those stories aren't making me money collected on a flash drive. I've also done a bit of detective work to find ways to let Kindle owners know I exist.

My mind is going into overdrive with ideas of other projects I want to tackle: a collection of longer stories, my Caribbean poetry, and my novel FOOLS RUSH IN.

Kindle can be a two-way street. I wonder how long it will take writers to figure this out?

Two Events January 10th!

2009-01-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

We'll kick off the New Year with our annual planning meeting/brunch at Prez Sue McGinty's house from 10 AM to noon. Members, or prospective members only, for this meeting. Please RSVP via e-mail so I get the food numbers right and let me know if you need directions. Thanks.

At 2 PM the Paso Robles Library (1000 Spring St.) has scheduled a disscussion by Laurie Gibson called "Get (Book) Smart!" This is a "behind the scenes" peek at the publishing world. Highlights of the talk include tips for finding a literary agent, how to prepare a manuscript for submission to an editor or publisher, as well as a brief review of how a manuscript is turned into an actual book. Bring your questions for the Q&A session, designed to address writers' specific concerns.

Laurie Gibson is a Central Coast editor/proofreader with more than a decade of experience, and whose previous projects include "The Color Purple" and "Mrs. Dalloway," along with numerous titles by bestselling business author Brian Tracy.The cost to attend "Get (Book) Smart!" is $10 cash, and although the talk is not sponsored by the library, it will be held in the library's conference center. For more information, please contact Laurie Gibson at (831) 646-4610 or eaglet5223@mypacks.net.

Merry Christmas to My Sisters

2008-12-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

Wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

I hope to see some of you next year--maybe at the PSWA conference or perhaps Mayhem in the Midlands.

To those of you heading for LCC in Hawaii, have a wonderful time!

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Christmas Book Sale &More

2008-12-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

Contact: Evelyn Cole Phone: 805-473-0230 email: evycole@hughes.net

SLO County Nightwriters will fill readers’ needs on December 20, 2008 at the Gazebo beside the Farmers Market in Arroyo Grande Village. Prize winning local authors will sign and give away short stories and poems and sell their published works at discount prices. Authors will display their works between noon and five pm. Some will write instant Haikusf or customers to include with Christmas presents. “Ten to twenty authors will be there,” said Susan Tuttle, Nightwriters’ president, "offering a complete range of genres. It’s our way of giving back to the community.”

Among the offerings are MURDER IN LOS LOBOS by Sue McGinty. Guy Rathbun of KCBX will interview Sue on December 17th. Loren Nicholson brings RAILS ACROSS THE RANCHOS, the story of the rebuilding of the Southern Pacific Railroad between 1885 and 1904, ROMUALDO PACHECOS CALIFORNIA and CARRILLO’S DEFIANT DAUGHTERS. Susan Tuttle will sign TANGLED WEBS. Evelyn Cole will offer her three novels, FOR THE SAKE OF ALL OTHERS, A TOUGH JOURNEY, and GAMBLING FOR GOOD MAIL along with short stories, articles and poems. Claire Gordon will sign MY UNFORGETTABLE JAZZ FRIENDS, a fascinating memoir for jazz lovers.And Bob Mott brings his nostalgic book, RADIO SOUND EFFECTS.

Carroll McKibbin will be there with his humorous memoir, APRON STRINGS. Virginia Lasher will sign her children’s book, SECRET OF CROOKED CREEK which is available, too, in all our public libraries. Karen Juran, editor of TALES FROM THE CORNER will sign, along with some of its other authors.

Some of “Sisters in Crime” will come, too, along with their wild books. Susan Tuttle said, “Many other Nightwriters, including short story prizewinner Anne Schroeder, plan to attend and Dennis Young will photograph the festive scene.”

This Nightwriters event begins at noon on Saturday, December 20.

SinC on Suspense at NightWriters

2008-11-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Sisters Susan Tuttle, Sue McGinty, Victoria Heckman and Mary Moses hit the road (so to speak) on November 11th for a panel discussion on Suspense at the NightWriter meeting. (Full disclosure: Susan and Sue are long-time NightWriter members, Susan is Prez.)

Susan led the lively discussion with an overview of suspense and read from her thriller, "Tangled Webs." Here's the gist of what she had to say. "Suspense is a combination of sympathetic chracters, high stakes situations, high probabilility of failure and uncertainty of outcome. And when you wrap up the story, don't take the easy way out; remember, the higher the suspense, the deeper the payoff must be."

Sue McGinty read from "Murder in Los Lobos" and discussed the importance of character development in suspense, especially in the early chapters. If we don't care about the protagonist, we won't have an emotional investment in her predicament.

Victoria Heckman discussed the connection of setting to suspense. Some locations are inherintly scary, like parking garages and dark jungles. She read from one of her series "K.O.'d in the Rift," where Katrina Ogden and her friend have been bound and are being marched up a dark, isolated and dangerous jungle path to the top of a set of waterfalls.

Mary Moses discussed the importance of pacing in suspense--too fast and too early the reader becomes weary, not enough, the writer loses and opportunity to lead the reader. She illustrated her points with a reading of her ghost story, "Stella's Search."

SUE's COALESCE SIGNING NOV. 19

2008-11-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

Very belated, but heartfelt, thanks to those who attended the launch of MURDER IN LOS LOBOS. At least 70 people came, sales were impressive and we didn't even have much food left over, tho' I'm still working on the cheese and crackers.

My next local appearance will be at the Los Osos library on December 4th, at 6 PM. It would warm my heart to see some of my Sisters there.

Thanks again,
Sue

An Interview With Sue McGinty

2008-11-02T15:56:00.000-08:00

Take a look at my interview with Sue: http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/

Everyone should be so proud of our sister! She did a great interview and Murder at Los Lobos is a super mystery.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Sunny: Re-Kindling Interest

2008-10-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

When Oprah speaks, people listen. On Friday, she talked about her favorite new toy: Amazon Kindle. Of course she gave them away to the audience, downloaded her favorite books to get them started, and hosted the man who made Kindle possible.

Everything I hear about Kindle seems to be a one-way street. This $359 gadget will replace books. I know I won't be able to afford one until the price comes way down. I'm the type who loses cell phones and digital cameras. I like the feel of pages and yes, I dog-ear pages when I can't find a bookmark.

What I'm not hearing is what is most important to me as a writer. For the first time I can conceptualize, execute and publish my work any way I choose. I don't have to pay anyone and Amazon assures me I will get a good share of the profits.

I have an instruction phobia. I was prepared to be circumvented by Kindle's step-by-step guidelines. However, I'd volunteered to do a speech on alternative publishing options at the Erle Stanley Gardner Festival in two weeks. I had to figure out this new form of publishing.

I ran into a few problems, I overlooked a button I was suppose to click and I jumped the gun on the title and now I don't know how to remove it. What I accomplished gives me hope. I took seven of my flash fiction mysteries and I'm formatting them by putting them in one document with colored titles in bloody fonts to separate the stories. I'm saving the download into HTML as recommended. I'll be previewing it to see how it looks on Kindle. I think I'll charge about $1.75 for the download. I will look into getting a separate bank account for the money that flows from sales.

What if it doesn't sell? I'm out nothing but my time. All of my work has been published before and I have my rights back. Those stories aren't making me money collected on a flash drive. I've also done a bit of detective work to find ways to let Kindle owners know I exist.

My mind is going into overdrive with ideas of other projects I want to tackle: a collection of longer stories, a version of my Guerrilla Writers workbook, my Caribbean poetry, and my novel FOOLS RUSH IN. I'm trying to talk Kathleen into serializing her vampire novel.

Kindle can be a two-way street. I wonder how long it will take novice writers to figure this out.

What I Learned at Wizards of Words

2008-10-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was at the Wizards of Words Conference in Scottsdale AZ. I was a presenter, but like at any conference I attend, I learned quite a bit.

David Morrell (First Blood, the introduction of Rambo and many other thrillers) was the keynote speaker for the dinner and he had some gems to share. He said that writers that go the distance are those who you can’t mistake with anyone else. There are two questions that a writer needs to ask herself: 1. Why do you want to be a writer? 2. Why must you be a writer? You should dig into yourself. Pay attention to your day dreams and write about them. Being a successful writer depends upon talent, discipline, determination, and luck–and he added, don’t under estimate the luck. He ended with, "You can write the book you were meant to write or with what you want to write."

Jerry Simmons was the luncheon keynote speaker and probably the most important thing he had to say was, "The worst thing an author can do is rely on the publisher to make good decisions about the book." Interesting, but of course his emphasis was on the writer taking charge of the promotion.

He also described how the New York publishing scene is all out of whack. The whole publishing business runs contrary to supply and demand. That every author needs to learn to market effectively to get the word out about his or her book.

The whole conference was great–learned a lot and met many interesting people. This is true no matter how many writing conferences I attend, I always learn new information–probably because the publishing industry is changing so much.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Blog Tour

2008-10-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to update everyone on my blog tour. This is where I'll be all this week:

Oct 13 http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/

Oct 14 http://www.bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/

Oct 15 http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/

Oct 16 http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/

Oct 17 http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/

Do stop by and leave a comment.

Marilyn

Sue McGinty and her new book

2008-10-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Folks, if you haven't yet, be sure and purchase a copy of Murder in Los Lobos. Not only is the cover wonderful--but the story is great, everything a mystery should be. She definitely nailed the ambience of the Central Coast, and you'll be intrigued from first page to last.

Not only is Sue a good mystery writer, she's a terrific person.

As fellow sisters, help Sue promote her book. It's a winner.

Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com

Fall Issue of PSWA Newsletter Available

2008-09-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

The fall issue of the Public Safety Writers Association (PSWA) is now available on the website:
http://www.policewriter.com

The website also contains information about the writing contest–be sure to read the article in the newsletter written by the contest chairperson–and the PSWA conference coming in July of 2009. There is an early-bird price break on the registration fee until September 30. I hope a lot of you will take advantage of this.

I’ve been a member of PSWA for over ten years and watched it evolve into an organization with great resources for anyone writing either fiction (mysteries, thrillers, etc.) or non-fiction about crime, law enforcement or any other public safety entity.

I’d be glad to answer questions about the conference or the organization either on list or off: mmeredith@ocsnet.net

Marilyn

Watch for new and improved blog!

2008-06-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

We're suspending blogging while we get our new Central Coast Sisters in Crime website up and running. We'll be back soon. That's a promise.

Sue McGinty, President
Sisters in Crime, Central Coast Chapter
suemcginty@aol.com

February 9th Reading at AG Library

2008-02-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

SinC CCCMember Suzanne Champeau and AG Branch Manager Rosalyn Pierini worked very hard to make a special day for all of us and their efforts paid off big time. They fixed us up with an open and well-lit reading area, comfortable chairs and an attentive audience of about twenty people. It felt great to look up and see the smiling face of Susan Howe in the audience. Also former member Fran Lombardo, has rejoined. Reading from their work and answering questions were: Mary Moses, Gordon Snider, Marilyn Meredith, Janine Carter, Suzanne Champeau and Sue McGinty.

Thanks to all for making this day a hit. There's a good possibility we'll have another one later in the year at the Cambria Library.

SinC Northern California Workshop

2008-02-12T20:04:00.000-08:00

Sisters in Crime/Northern California Chapter Presents:

Get Your Manuscript to New York:
Putting Together a Successful Query Package

SinC CCCC would like you to invite you to join our northern California sister group on Saturday, March 1, for a workshop on writing your query letter, honing your synopsis, and preparing your first three chapters, with authors Camille Minichino and Hailey Lind

Hurry! Registration is limited!

Where: San Mateo Public Library (Laurel Meeting Room), 55 W. Third Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401. http://www.blogger.com/

When: Saturday, March 1, 2008, Registration begins at 12:30. Workshop runs from 1-4 pm.

Cost: $25 for SinC/NorCal members; $30 for non-members. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Reservations: RSVP to http://www.blogger.com/ by February 27, 2008.

What to bring: Clipboard and pen. Current query letters, synopses, and first chapters, if you have them. Folders and hand-outs will be provided.

Camille Minichino has published eight novels in the periodic table mystery series. She received her Ph.D. in physics from Fordham University, New York City. Her new series, The Miniature Mysteries, is based on her lifelong miniatures hobby.
Hailey Lind, the newly elected president of SinC/NorCal, runs her own mural, portrait, and faux finishing business in Oakland. Her Art Lover’s Mystery Series includes the Agatha-nominated Feint of Art and the IMBA bestsellers Shooting Gallery and Brush with Death. Hailey LindFeint of Art; Shooting Gallery; Brush with Death http://www.haileylind.com/http://www.artloversmysteries.blogspot.com/http://www.truefauxdesigns.com/ (for art lovers...)

2008-02-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

SinC Central Coast Tentative Schedule thru June in a Nutshell:

Saturday March 29, 1 -3 PM: Regifting Potluck at Victoria's house. Members only, details to follow.

Saturday April 26, 10:15 am (Borders, SLO): Cadaver Dogs (tentative)

Saturday May 31, 10:15 am (Borders, SLO): How are we doing meeting?

Saturday June 28, 2008 (time TBD): Guerilla Tactics for Writers, Sunny Frazier, SLO Library
"Not just about being a good writer--but a WINNING writer. A workshop to show the tricks, the tips, and train you to write first-prize stories."

2008-01-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

Central Coast Sisters in Crime Planning Meeting
—January 12, 2008

Summary: On Saturday, January 12, six of us met at President Sue McGinty's house to set a tentative, (and "tentative" is the operative word), agenda for 2008. Besides Sue, in attendance were Bonnie Cardone, Mary Moses and her champagne (thank you Mary), Bette Bardeen, Anne Schroeder (a relative newcomer), and Susan Howe.

We decided to have several special events this year: the Arroyo Grande library anthologies' read and sign on Saturday February 9 at 2 pm, a potluck and regifting opportunity sometime later in March, the Sunny Frazier Guerilla Tactics for Writers workshop in June at the SLO library, a signing table at Day with Creative Women mid-August, if there is no Book Festival this year (as seems likely at this writing). Also penciled in is a possible signing in the Fall timeframe and another go at a Christmas bash.

Will we have regular meetings besides the special events?

Maybe, we'll try for a speaker in April (cadaver dogs?) or May and see if attendance justifies having regular speakers.

When will we meet?

Various dates for special events, the last Saturday of the month for regular meetings because so many other events conflict earlier in the month.

Where?

Overwhelmingly, people want to go back to Borders for any regular speaker meetings. I (Sue) will contact Borders to see if they're still amenable to the idea. When last I checked, they were more than happy to have us back either regularly or on a sometime basis.

Also, either as a group or separately, some of us want to attend occasional meetings of the Wine Writers and the San Joaquin Sisters or have a tour of something crime related. The morgue and ride-alongs were suggested.

Kate Anderson and Sunny Frazier attribute the success of SJSinC (100+ members) in part to their lunch meetings. If we attract more members this year, we may want to consider that in the future.

What's the downside?

We all recognize that if we schedule events on different times and days it will be important to stay in touch with the members and get the word out to non-members.

Ways to stay in touch:

The blog (read on for more)

"Clubs" listing on the back page of the Sports Section of the Sunday Tribune; make it a permanent listing with president's phone number.

Press release sent 3 weeks before the meeting or event as always.

Newsletter—bimonthly, beginning the first week in March.

Possibly trade lists with NightWriters and Wine Writers, both e-mail and snail mail addresses. NightWriters might require approval of their board. Anne Schroeder will check on.

Newsletter

Online .pdf format, delivered via e-mail, once every other month, the first week of the month, beginning in March. Those who have trouble opening .pdf files can request a simplified version.

Keep content simple at first, maybe one page

San Joaquin sisters have offered us filler articles as needed.

Late Breaking News: Candii Vedrin has agreed to do the newsletter again this year. Yeah!

Website

A major goal this year is to get a chapter website, with links to National SinC, member writers' websites, the blog, Seven Sisters, sell the anthology, etc.

The Blog:

Bonnie will resurrect the blog. With a link from our chapter website, it should get more action. I encourage you to use and post to the blog. It's easy and fun. If you want to post, and you haven't done so, please contact Bonnie.
Late Breaking News: Bonnie has done this. Thanks Bonnie! The link is: http://centralcoastsisters.blogspot.com/

Miscellaneous:

Brochure needs updating. Sue will contact Karen K.

VP Victoria Heckman will handle meeting details for February (signing at Arroyo Grande library) and March meetings.

Officers:

Besides President (Sue), VP (Victoria), Secretary (Mary Moses) Newsletter (Candii), and Treasurer (Jim Kavanagh), Sue will call on members as needed for tasks. Some tasks to be done include keeper of the membership list and organizing one special event. Sue will continue to send out press releases for now. Everyone should keep an eye out for possible events and venues.

Contact list

Make sure we're all working from the Karen K. list of 9/21/08. The only change is Bette Bardeen's address and e-address: 850 Ocean Avenue, bbardeen@charter.net.
Sue will update this list, adding SJSinC board member e-mail addresses and send updated list via e-mail. The list will not be posted on this blog.

Tentative Schedule thru June in a Nutshell:

Saturday February 9, 2 pm: Anthology Reading & Signing at the AG Library (Suzanne Campeau's event. Can also contact Victoria Heckman or Sue McGintyfor more details.)

Saturday March 29 (date and time TBD): Regifting Potluck at Victoria's house

Saturday April 26, 10 am (location TBD): Cadaver Dogs

Saturday May 31, 10 am (location TBD): SinC business meeting

Saturday June 28, 2008 (time TBD): Guerilla Tactics for Writers, Sunny Frazier, SLO Library

Dues:

Address for local dues: ($15 check payable to Central Coast Sisters in Crime)

Jim Kavanagh, Treasurer
3943 Irvine Blvd, No 313
Irvine, CA 92602

To pay required national dues ($40), log onto sistersincrime.org, click on join/renew at the bottom of the page. There is a form to fill out. Can snail mail check or pay with Pay Pal.

Murder He Wrote

2007-06-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

The Central Coast Chapter sponsored a writing workshop in the San Luis Obispo, CA, Main Library on June 23, 2007. Thomas B. Sawyer was the featured speaker. Head writer/producer-showrunner of “Murder, She Wrote,” Sawyer authored 24 episodes of the show. He also has published two novels and a nonfiction book, Fiction Writing Demystified, and is co-creator of the Storybase software.
The workshop was organized by chapter president, Victoria Heckman, with the help of Sue McGinty, Karen and Jim Kavanagh, Zack Heckman, Mary Moses, Candii Vedrin and Bonnie J. Cardone.
A bounteous feast of fruit, soft drinks, coffee and breakfast goodies was enjoyed by all as they watched the collection of movie and TV clips that illustrated Sawyer’s fascinating presentation.

SinC CCC--our day to shine

2007-03-07T18:33:00.000-08:00

All roads led to Coalesce Wedding Chapel in Morro Bay last Sunday for Double Tap, our soiree and mega launch party for our newest short story anthologies, "Gone Coastal" and "Never Safe." We were blessed with a sunny day, a relatively rare event for March on the Central Coast, and the buffet table was piled with goodies thanks to our Local Sisters and our publisher, Seven Sisters. Attendees showed up, if not in droves, at least in a steady stream. And, they bought books, a combination no doubt of our excellent prose and a glass or two of vino.

Zachary Heckman, Candii Verdin, Sherri Patton, Bonnie Cardone, JoAnne Lucas and Sue McGinty kept everyone enthralled (and sometimes in hysterics) with first-page readings of their stories.

"The Fastest Panel Discussion in the West" moderated by Sue McGinty, featured novelists Victoria Heckman, Sunny Fraizer, Marilyn Meredith, Jane Dennison and Gay Toltl Kinman. It turned out to be not so fast after all, as the audience had lots of questions about how writers research all aspects of their stories. But what the hay, we had all afternoon, and the food and wine were holding up just fine.

The day ended on a high note with the raffle of two gorgeous baskets from Jim and Karen Kavanagh of Seven Sisters.

If you missed the event, watch this space for other signings later in the year. Or, you can always buy copies of our anthologies locally at Coalesce in Morro Bay, Volumes of Pleasure in Los Osos, or Novel Experience in San Luis Obispo.

By the way, for all of you who contributed food, the leftovers were donated to Prado Day Center for the Homeless in San Luis Obispo. They were most appreciative.

Sue

Some of authors (left). Sue McGinty (right) and her niece.

2007-03-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

2007-03-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of photos from our book event on Sunday, March 4 at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay. When Sue McGinty recovers from organizing it, she'll tell you all about it.

Glad to Join the Party!

2007-02-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

Hi, it's your CCC Sister who doesn't live on the coast! Thanks, Bonnie, for inviting me to post along with the rest of you.
I just returned from LCC Seattle where Kathleen Strasser and I hung out with the Kavanaughs, Sue McGinty, Susan Howe, and Marilyn and her husband, Hap. I have photos to share, but no idea how to get it on the blog (help!).
Kathleen and I will be shooting over to Morro Bay to be part of the book event. I'll be bringing copies of my novel, "Fools Rush In," as well as the Seven Deadly Sins anthology.
Hey, I've been emailing with Kathy Koppang, nobody told me she moved to SC. I caught her posting on Murder Must Advertise. And it looks like Jim Murphy and I will catch up with each other at the Cochise SinC bookfair in Arizona at the end of the month.
If any of my Sisters have short stories, I'm co-editor of Crime and Suspense ezine and we're looking for a backlog of material.

A First for Me

2007-02-28T15:33:00.000-08:00

Though I have over sixteen published books so far, writing a short story has not been something I thought I could do. When I was asked to contribute a short story to Gone Coastal and Never Safe, I wasn't sure I could do it. I am proud to say I did and you can read the results in the anthologies. To be honest, I found it much more difficult than writing a novel.
Marilyn Meredith http://fictionforyou.com