C.V. Rhodes to Keynote 1st Indy Book Fest June 16 at Indianapolis Central Library

Speed City Sisters in Crime member C.V. (“Crystal”) Rhodes will be the keynote speaker at  the First Annual Indy Book Fest, July 16 at the Indianapolis Public Library.

Ms. Rhodes will kick off a full day of programming on the theme “Words of Strength.  Sponsored by the Library’s African American History Committee, the program begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m. 

Author and publisher Valerie J. Lewis Coleman will be a featured speaker during breakout sessions.

Ms. Rhodes is an award-winning playwright and author. Written Word Magazine selected Rhodes as one of the Ten Up and Coming Authors in the Midwest. Her play “Stoops” won the BTA Award for Best Original Writing. She is the author of numerous romance novels. She and fellow Sister in Crime L. Barnette Evans co-write the humorous mystery Grandmothers Inc. series. They will be available to meet with readers and sign copies of their books.

Writing with a BANG! Gun Expert Paula Beeson Featured at May 26 Meeting: GUESTS INVITED

PAULA BEESON:  “Gun Basics for Writing: Authentic Pistol-Packin’ Prose"

Saturday, May 26, 2018

12:30p.m.- 1:30p.m.

Barnes & Noble, 8675 River Crossing Blvd, adjacent to Keystone at the Crossing.


            Paula Beeson is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor. As owner of the Kokomo-based Safe Shotz, LLC, Paula offers individual and group classes, teaching gun-conscious citizens the correct way to handle a variety of firearms — including pistols, rifles and shotguns — with an emphasis on safety and responsibility.

            During her presentation for Speed City Sisters in Crime, Paula will discuss the types and purposes of various firearms, their proper handling, safety precautions, and what to expect and how to react when firearms are drawn. She will demonstrate how to look down the sights, rack the slide, cock or de-cock,and tell whether a weapon is loaded or unloaded.  She will provide the audience with non-usable replicas for a hands-on experience.

            Paula invites members to bring two minutes of their best “pistol-packin’ prose” to share aloud
during the program. She will follow each reading with a critique, informing the writer whether
their prose was on target or where they missed their mark.

            Paula has more than 35 years’ experience with firearms. She is an NRA Range Safety Officer, as well as a 4-H and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Instructor. Check out her website at www. safeshotz.com and her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/safeshotz, where you will find
all kinds of safety-related topics.

            And … DON’T FORGET: Bring two minutes of your best scene involving a gun!

May Writing Contests

(Licensed for non-commercial reuse)

The Writing Cooperative website provides a monthly list of writing contests in all genres. It is a great
resource for writers looking for an outlet. 

The website lists 34 contests for May.  Here's a link. It's worth a look.  CLICK HERE