The SinC board is pleased to announce past president Sherry Harris’ legacy project, the creation of the SinC Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers. The direct link from the national site is: https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

The Pride Award is an annual grant of $2,000 for an emerging writer in the LGBTQIA+ community.

According to Sherry, “Each past president is required to do a legacy project, something that they feel passionate about. When thinking about what I wanted to do, I kept two things in mind. First, why SinC was formed — to equal the disparity in how female crime fiction writers and male crime fiction writers were reviewed and won awards. Second, I love our Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for emerging crime writers of color. With those two thoughts in mind, I realized I wanted to start a similar award for the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Requirements For Application

Here’s what is required for submission:

• An unpublished work of crime fiction, aimed at readers from children’s chapter books through adults. This may be a short story or first chapter(s) of a manuscript in-progress of 2,500 to 5,000 words.
• A resume or biographical statement.
• A cover letter that gives a sense of the applicant as an emerging writer in the genre and briefly states how the award money would be used. (How the money might be used is not a deciding factor in the judges’ decision.)

An unpublished writer is preferred, however publication of not more than ten pieces of short fiction and/or up to two self-published or traditionally published books will not disqualify an applicant. While no prior writing or publishing experience is required,  the applicant should include any relevant studies or experience in their materials.

One year after their win, the award winner may be asked to share thoughts on their win and the impact the award has made. The winner of the award may also be asked to serve as a member of the award selection committee for the year after their win, alongside volunteer judges.

SinC realizes that not all members of the LGBTQIA+ community are able to be out, and we value each individual’s privacy. Winners and any runners-ups who wish to maintain their anonymity, may do so, or they may choose to select a pen name for announcements.

Download the press release here.

Submissions for 2022 are open June 1 – July 31.

From honing your craft and marketing to learning about crime and justice from professionals, Sisters in Crime offers resources for you!

Also, LIVE webinars are hosted each month. Webinars last 60-90 minutes depending on the topic and your questions! There is also an archived section for past webinars to check out.

Visit the calendar on the Sisters in Crime website here: Sisters in Crime Webinars

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Posted by: Julie Hennrikus

The award benefits an emerging LGBTQ+ writer in the crime fiction genre and five runners-up

Eight additional finalists will receive a Sisters in Crime membership

June 1, 2021 – Sisters in Crime (SinC) announced today that the winner of the inaugural Pride Award for emerging LGBTQIA+ writers is C.J. Prince (she/hers) of West Orange, NJ. The winning novel-in-progress was selected by judges (and SinC members) Cheryl Head, John Copenhaver, and Kristen Lepionka., who said, “C. J. Prince’s excerpt from her novel-in-progress, The Butcher’s Son, impressed with its fresh blend of gripping crime story and culture-clash narrative, in which a lesbian NYPD detective must confront the homophobia and dark secrets of the Orthodox Jewish community she left years ago. With clear prose, a strong ear for dialogue, and an immersive voice, Prince lays the groundwork for a dynamite mystery, gives us a strong sense of the Orthodox Jewish community, and introduces us to her main characters within only a few pages. It’s a deeply admirable beginning for what is promising to be a poignant page-turner. We are excited to see how the manuscript develops!”

Prince will receive a $2,000 grant, which is intended for a crime writer beginning their career and will support activities related to career development including workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of their work. Prince will also receive a manuscript critique from Crooked Lane Books editor Terri Bischoff.

“I have been writing fiction since childhood and this is my first novel,” said Prince. “The Pride Award is the first honor I’ve received for my writing and, as a lesbian, I am especially humbled and thrilled to be recognized by Sisters in Crime, which does so much to elevate the voices of female crime writers. More than anything, this award has given me the confidence and drive to finally finish my manuscript—because I now believe people may actually want to read it!”

Five runners-up will also be paired with an established Sisters in Crime member author to receive manuscript critique. They are: Sandy Bailey of Boston, MA (paired with Brenda Buchannan), Alix Freeman of Wellfleet, MA (Leslie Karst), A.L. Major of Oakland, CA (Jeffrey Marks), Mary Lewis Pierce of Maynard, MA (Anne Laughlin), and Jamie Valentino of New York, NY (Catherine Maiorisi). Eight additional long-list finalists will receive a membership to Sisters in Crime. The award has been established as the legacy project of former Sisters in Crime president Sherry Harris and was funded for 2021 by an anonymous donor.

Sisters in Crime (SinC) was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Today, the organization boasts 4,200 members and more than 60 chapters worldwide and its initiatives also include the annual Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award and other scholarships; grants for academic research into the roles of women and underserved voices in crime fiction; cash awards to libraries and bookstores; and surveys and monitoring projects which determine visibility and representation of women and diverse voices in the genre and across the marketplace.

Additional information about the award can be found at https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

Publicity contact: Julia Borcherts, Kaye Publicity (773) 878-0722; julia@kayebpublicity.com

It’s Official!

Thursday, May 6, 2021 (from Sisters in Crime)

The National Board is pleased to announce that Julie Hennrikus has been hired as the full-time Executive Director of Sisters in Crime. Contracted originally to manage the transition related to Beth Wasson’s retirement in April 2020, Julie has continued her exemplary work these past 12 months and the Board is happy to take “Acting” out of her title as of May 1, 2021.

Julie Hennrikus is an acclaimed author of three separate mystery series (and counting). She has been a past Sisters in Crime National board member, as well as a past president and board member of the New England chapter, and an adjunct instructor in arts management.

Julie brings both depth and breadth of experience, as well as a passionate commitment, to her role with Sisters in Crime and we are excited to continue our work to sustain and grow our vibrant, welcoming community together.

The National Board of Sisters in Crime

Events are a vital component of writing groups, whether virtual or in-person. Try something new! We’re offering a list of upcoming events here.

CREATE at Art Box sessions start in May 2021 (hosted by Cathy Pickens) — summer camp for big kids! Included is a free copy of CREATE! Developing Your Creative Process. We talk about the steps in a disciplined creative process, but we also explore some hands-on fun stuff, like bookmaking and pottery throwing. Link: https://app.getoccasion.com/xp/blmrZ5KZ?time_slot_id=gueBzsyHo6YR

Upcoming Conferences:

• Thrillerfest XVI virtual, June 28-July 10, 2021 – https://thrillerfest.com/
• More Than Malice virtual, July 14-17, 2021 – https://www.malicedomestic.org
• MurderCon virtual, Aug. 6-7, 2021 – https://writerspoliceacademy.com/
• Killer Nashville in-person, Aug. 19-22, 2021 in Franklin, TN – https://killernashville.com/
• Bouchercon in-person, Aug. 25-29, 2021 in New Orleans – https://www.bouchercon.com/

Other Sisters in Crime events hosted by other chapters.

The Triangle Sisters in Crime chapter opened submissions for their 2021 anthology, Carolina Crimes: 20 Tales of Rock, Roll, and Ruin.

Eligibility
To submit a manuscript, you must be a current member of Sisters in Crime (national) and a resident of either North or South Carolina.

 Each author may submit one manuscript.

 Deadline for submissions: June 1, 2021 (updated)

Theme: ROCK & ROLL.

Check out their website for more details!

Hello Queen City Suspects!! Happy New Year!! We hope to have some new exciting things for our chapter this year! We would love to come together once again but until it’s safe, virtually will be just as good. Coming in February is our first online event for Valentine’s Day!! More information will be posted February 1st and the graphic above is to tease y’all just a lil bit! So are you ready for 2021 and the Queen City Suspects? I sure am! * happy dance! *

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We’re so excited to announce the inaugural #SinC Pride Award, a $2,000 grant for emerging crime writers who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Thank you to the fantastic judges Cheryl Head , Kristen Lepionka, and John Copenhaver

And a special thank you to past-president Sherry Harris, who made the Pride Award her legacy project!

To learn more, check out the press release.