SinC Into Great Writing: Mapping the New World of Publishing

Sisters in Crime presents its annual “SinC Into Great Writing” seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select in St. Louis, Mo.

This year, SinC Into Great Writing focuses on navigating the changing landscape of publishing. The official title of the workshop is “SinC Into Great Writing: Mapping the New World of Publishing (Or, How to Succeed in a Business That’s Really Trying).”

The day includes speakers and sessions focused on practical professional development topics for crime fiction writers.

Keynote speaker David Wilk, Chief Executive Officer of Booktrix, a publishing and marketing services consultancy, will speak on “Planning for a Long Career in a Changing Industry.”

The afternoon programs include:

• Traditional, Small Press, Self-Publishing, E-books. Or…? Making the Decision That’s Right for You

• Everything You Need to Know About Getting Your Book Into (or Back In) Print, and Were Dying to Ask

• Look, Ma! I’ve Been Kindled: A Step-by-Step Guide to E-book Publication

The dinner speaker, New York Times bestselling author and Edgar Award winner Meg Gardiner, will talk about “Lying for a Living.” Meg is the author of the five-book Evan Delaney series and the three-book Jo Beckett series. Her most recent title is The Liar’s Lullaby, a Jo Beckett novel.

The after-dinner panel discussion, “Brazen Hussies Speak Out: Marketing Your Novel in an Electronic World” includes Gina Panittieri, President, Talcott Notch Literary, and Debbi Mack, author of the two-volume Sam McRae mystery series. The first book in Mack’s series, Identity Crisis, cracked the extended New York Times e-book bestseller list in March 2011 at number 35.

SinC Into Great Writing takes place the day before Bouchercon officially begins. For those attending Bouchercon, the Holiday Inn Select is two blocks from the Bouchercon conference hotel. Bouchercon registration is not required to attend this event.

Registration is $50 for Sisters in Crime members, or $150 for nonmembers. (The annual dues fee for national membership in SinC at the professional level is $45.)

To register online, go to http://sistersincrime.org/cde.cfm?event=351458 .

Hero or Victim?

By C.L. Phillips

Do you have a list of the most important lessons you've learned in your life? I do. I don't talk about them. Many of life's lessons come with more than a little pain. Maybe you rub that scar on your knee from when you learned the lesson about black diamond mogul ski runs. Or maybe you think wistfully about the love that slipped away before you learned how rare love can be.

But sometimes you can learn an important lesson simply by trying something new.

Several years ago, I had the good fortune to participate in a workshop led by Dr. Betty Sue Flowers. Perhaps her name is familiar. She worked with Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers as they created the PBS series and subsequent book, The Power of Myth. Dr. Flowers is a poet, writer, professor, and former head of the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas.

In this workshop, Dr. Flowers divided the class into pairs. She said, "I want you to tell your partner the story of your life. Tell it as though you are a conquering hero. Whatever difficulties you've encountered in life, tell the story as though you've triumphed every single one. Go. You have two minutes."

My partner and I quickly got to work. Noise filled the room as twelve pairs of people began talking, moving their hands, telling the story of their lives. "SWITCH", said Dr. Flowers. My partner stopped talking and I began. I made up the most outrageous story of my life I could imagine. The facts were all basically true, but I glossed over the tough spots, focusing more on the outcome, my success.

"STOP", said Dr. Flowers. "Now, I want you to tell the same story, but this time, you are a victim."

My partner and I stared at each other. The room became so quiet you would swear you were at a funeral. My partner tried to start, but tears filled his eyes. I grabbed his hand. "It's ok, it's only a story", I said. Somehow he found the words. Dr. Flowers said, "SWITCH". Now it was my turn. A five hundred pound weight slammed into my body as I took a breath and started. I managed to eek out a couple of sentences. Sniffles and blowing noses pierced the silence. Nobody made eye contact.

A morose vibration filled the same room that only moments before danced with laughter. Dr. Flowers eyes twinkled as she said, "STOP. Now which felt better?"

We could barely mutter the answer, our spirits were so low. "Hero."

She said, "The facts were the same in both stories. You decide whether you live as the hero or the victim."

Uh-oh. Life lesson.

So, the next time you get together for a critique group or a SinC meeting, try this game. You need at least twenty people to clearly notice the room dynamic. And if you really want to see some raw emotions, instead of telling the story of your life, tell the story of your writing career. Be sure to bring Kleenex.

Everybody wants to be the hero, and when you write your own story remember this - if you are not the triumphant hero, it just means the story isn't over yet.

Write on!
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C.L. Phillips writes mystery novels while nestled under a hundred-year live oak tree in downtown Austin. Except in August. C.L writes about the the gap between what people want and what they actually do. Broccoli or chocolate chip cookies, anyone? Check out her web site: http://www.clphillips.com/ or find her onTwitter: @clphillips787

SinC Into Great Writing 2010 -- In San Francisco!

Sisters in Crime is holding their annual SinC Into Great Writing 2010! one day prior to Bouchercon By the Bay in San Francisco. Featuring -- Elizabeth Lyon -- Triple-header pre-Bouchercon workshops with teacher and freelance editor Elizabeth Lyon, author of MANUSCRIPT MAKEOVER, A WRITER’S GUIDE TO FICTION, AND THE SELL-YOUR-NOVEL TOOL KIT.

You do not need to be registered for the conference to attend this one day workshop. Sisters in Crime has discounted this workshop for its members. The cost for the entire day including dinner is $50.00. The charge for non-members is $150.00 so join Sisters in Crime and save money!

Ayelet Waldman, NYT bestselling author, will be joining us as our dinner speaker. Dinner and coffee break included in $50/$150 registration fee. Check in will begin at 12:30pm in front of the workshop room. An e-mail will be sent to you with the room name at a later date. Special dietary requests will be honored. Please e-mail Beth with your request at sistersincrime@juno.com.

Spots fill up fast and we can only seat 120. Register now!

SinC Into Great Writing 2010! is sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Sisters in Crime will not be able to issue refunds.

To make reservations for Bouchercon By The Bay please go to http://www.bcon2010.com/welcome.php. You will be able to receive the conference rate for your hotel room if you need to come in a day early. All arrangements need to be made with the Hyatt Regency.