Launching our Internet Chapter!

By Nan Harrington

I’m so pleased to announce that, at long last, the Internet chapter of Sisters in Crime is back!

We’ve “hung out our banner and opened our doors,” so to speak. Now we’re hoping that you’ll come in for a visit - and join us! The chapter can be found online at www.sinc-ic.org.

And, in case you’re wondering just what an Internet chapter is - and why you’d want to join, here are a few answers:

An Internet chapter is much like your local chapter, except that it exists in cyberspace and provides a common meeting place for those who live where there are no local chapters, for those who are unable to attend local chapter meetings for any reason - or simply for those who want or need a “SinC supplement” in between their monthly chapter get-togethers.

The great thing about the Internet chapter is that it is accessible at any time and from any location - from your home late at night, from your office during a break or from anywhere you travel. We’re here for you 24/7.

We provide information, links to resources, blogs, monthly writing tips and prompts, support and cyber-camaraderie.

Our “members only” site will be launched next week and will include a critique group opportunity and interviews. (We’d love to find new interviewees, by the way! Don’t hesitate to sign up!)

Any questions? Contact Nan Harrington at nan.harrington[at]gmail.com.

Come on in! We’re open for business!



Nan Harrington, President of the Internet Chapter of Sisters in Crime, is a 5th generation Texan, a retired university professor, a wanna-be crime writer (her new passion!), and an inveterate traveler. She lives in Dallas and Cuernavaca, Mexico.

The 'Don Knotts Golden Donut Short Story Contest' Seeks Entries

This week, the Writers' Police Academy (WPA) announced that the Don Knotts Golden Donut Short Story Contest is open for entries.

The contest is seeking short stories of exactly 200 words (including the title) about the photograph published here and on the WPA website. The photo was taken by Sunday Kaminski, a Maryland-based photographer whose work has appeared in shows, exhibits and publications including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

The entry guidelines:
-Use exactly 200 words, including the title.
-The image in the photograph must be the main subject of the story.
-The story must be polished and complete (with a beginning, middle and a twist of an ending).
-All stories must be submitted electronically.
-The submission deadline is midnight, August 19, 2011.
-A $20 entry fee must accompany each entry. The proceeds go to the Writers' Police Academy fund to benefit the Guilford Technical Community College criminal justice foundation.

For detailed submission guidelines, go to the WPA website and click on Short Story Contest in the blue menu ribbon at the top of the screen.

The contest winner will receive the Don Knotts Golden Donut Award sponsored by the High Point (North Carolina) Public Library and Krispy Kreme. The award will be presented at the Writers' Police Academy banquet on Saturday, Sept. 24.

The contest is open to everyone. Registration and attendance at the Writers' Police Academy is not required to participate.


**Photograph by Sunday Kaminski. The image may not be copied, reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of Sunday Kaminski.