Talks and events
to inform and support authors
We chose talks this year with the goal of doing what Sisters in Crime is known for: promoting our authors' careers.
Our meetings are mostly online for now, but we're easing into in-person meetings. We're all looking foward to that!
Meanwhile, you can join our meeetings from anywhere. A benefit of this difficult time--enjoying offerings from many other Sisters in Crime chapters nationwide.
Upcoming meetings
All meetings are 10:30-noon PT, unless specified otherwise
April 20
How to Create a Book Trailer
Author Lisa Towles
A book trailer brings your book to life in a way that piques the interest of readers—by showing a quick glimpse of its stakes and narrative arc. Award-winning crime novelist Lisa Towles will show us how a book trailer works and tips on creating your own.
Bestselling crime novelist Lisa Towles has 11 crime novels in print with a new psychological thriller, Codex, forthcoming in June of 2024. The first two books of her E&A Investigations Series (Hot House and Salt Island) were both #1 Amazon Kindle Bestsellers with Book 2 (Switch) due for release in the Fall of 2024. Lisa also writes standalone thrillers, such as her November 2023 release, Terror Bay, and The Ridders, which won an American Fiction Award.
To register for this online talk: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ode2qpz4uG9BmCtDFSKc5xcpvjkfyIdL4
May 18
Mastodon: The new author's hangout?
Sharon Cathcart
With the problems plaguing X (formerly Twitter), authors who found a home there have been looking for another place to build community and promote their books. The answer could be Mastodon, a Twitter-like platform drawing more and more authors.
Since users need to pick a server in order to join Mastodon, the new Bookstodon server—which is set up for authors, publishers and readers—makes that easy. Sharon will talk about Mastodon as an option, and how Bookstodon can complete that connection for authors.
A former journalist and newspaper editor, Sharon Cathcart writes heart-warming romance and historical fiction with a twist. Her award-winning books include Pompeii Fire and the novella Rose in Bloom.
To register for this talk, click on: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUucu-oqDMrHtUC5_17ekOKdNmn3FU2UiKU
June 15
In-person chapter meeting
Networking + taking care of business!
In our first in-person event of the year, we’ll reconnect as a chapter, share ideas, network, and talk chapter business.
Location TBA, though it will likely be at Scotts Valley Library. Stay tuned!
July 20
How to plan and plot a series
Shelley Adina
Who doesn’t love a series? As a reader, you meet and bond with characters you get to follow through a series of adventures. As a writer, a series requires careful planning and careful plotting, to create characters’ arcs and a continuing narrative.
Multi-series author Shelley Adina will talk to us about how to plan out and plot a series. She’s the author of seven different series, from the steampunk Magnificent Devices series; multiple series based in Amish communities; romantic suspense and young adult fiction.
To register for this talk, click on: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMuc-2uqTsvEtS6KHxADvzpWQA6GgTxOAwx
August 17
Detective Adam Richardson
Writers Detective Bureau
Detective Adam Richardson creates and produces the popular Writers Detective Bureau podcast and YouTube channel, which answers writers’ questions on procedures across a variety of law enforcement agencies for writers, screenwriters and the film industry.
Adam’s been described as a detective who “thinks like a writer.” Recently retired from his detective career, he’ll speak to us about how writers can get things right when describing law enforcement situations. There will be time for attendees’ questions at the end of the talk.
To register for this talk, click: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEkcOGsqTorGdXL_aB0NZAd3tqlEF9_jCSf
September 21
Crafting and selling a short story
Vinnie Hansen
Along with stand-alones and two mystery series, author Vinnie Hansen has written multiple short stories for magazines and anthologies, including the Sisters in Crime Guppy “Fish” short story collections.
In this interview, she’ll talk to us about how to make an idea into a short story, how to craft a gripping narrative within short word limits, and how to go about finding a place for your story once you’re finished. To register for this talk, click: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcumupzgvE9R_k3Gjmf7pFKxO1p_WyStt