Sisters in Crime Launches "SinC Talks" Jan 15: Learn How to Create Your "Author Brand"

Looking for a great way to jump start your year? Want to learn how to grab readers’ attention and increase your readership? Join the International Sisters in Crime organization for the first in a series of LIVE Webinars with Dana Kaye. The first event is FREE to members and non-members alike. 

“Your Author Brand”  will be presented by Dana Kaye on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 3:00-4:00 pm ET

Online Registration is available until: 1/14/2019

Each year, millions of books hit the market, both online and in-stores. How will yours stand out?

While some readers are willing to take a chance on a new author or a book they’ve never heard of, most want a guarantee that the next book they pick up is worth their time and money. That means the established names, the books getting tons of media attention and the current award winners get chosen.

So how can new or midlist authors tap into that buzz? How can you get readers’ attention and build an audience in such a crowded marketplace?

By establishing an author brand.

This workshop will lead you through the steps in identifying your author brand, creating a tagline or brand message, and establishing that brand online.


Dana Kaye is  veteran publicist, social media pro, and brand manager. She founded Kaye Publicity, Inc., a boutique PR company specializing in publishing and entertainment in 2009. Known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends, she coaches her clients on how to identify and establish their unique personal brands. Kaye is also the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps driven entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders become more memorable.

All registered attendees will receive an email with the time and log-in information prior to the event.

The next two SinC Talks will be:

Tuesday, February 12, 2019: Growing an Engaged Community
Social media and email marketing should not be a one-way conversation or a constant wave of self-promotion. The most successful authors are the ones that cultivate relationships with their readers and grow an engaged community.

This workshop will illustrate what happens after a reader becomes familiar with your work, focusing on email marketing, social media, and in-person events.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019: Launch Your Own PR Campaign
Whether you're self-publishing a book, working with a small press, or under contract with a Big Five publisher, most of the promotion responsibilities fall on the author. Between securing review coverage, booking TV and radio appearances, and locating influential bloggers, the book promotion process can feel daunting and overwhelming.

Following the live presentations, all webinars will be available for replay in the MEMBERS ONLY section of the website. Watch for additional programming.  If you have any questions, please email us at Education@sistersincrime.org.

Sisters in Crime is an international organization that promotes the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of (mostly) women crime writers. However, male members are welcome. The organization offers networking, advice and support to mystery authors. The 3600 members in 51 chapters include authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by our affection for the mystery genre and our support of women who write mysteries. 

Speed City Sisters in Crime is the Indiana Chapter which meets on the fourth Saturday of every month at Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 8675 River Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (next to Keystone at the Crossing).

Membership in Sisters in Crime is $50 per year, and membership in the Speed City Chapter is $15 per year. Information on membership can be found at https://www.sistersincrime.org and http://www.speedcitysistersincrime.org

Learning What You Write: Speed City Sisters in Crime Receive Weapons Instruction

(From left, Instructor Paula Beeson, Stephen Terrell, Janis Thornton,
Janet Williams, Hawthorn Mineart, Lillie Evans & Ramona Henderson

It is not a surprise that the stories and novels of Speed City Sisters in Crime often include firearms. But what may surprise some is the lengths chapter members go to make sure their writing is authentic.

Instructor Paula Beeson of Safe Shotz

Seven members of the Speed City Chapter took a full day class on firearms last Saturday, then headed to the range to test out their new knowledge. 

Paula Beeson is a licensed firearms instructor with more than 35 years experience. She teaches classes in gun safety, shooting and hunting ethics for beginners, intermediate and experienced shooters. She taught the day-long introductory class and later supervised the range experience. 

Brigitte Kephart channeling her best James Bond

Members were taught about various types of handguns and long guns, including revolvers (single action and double action), semi-automatic pistols (including James Bond's Beretta), bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles (think TV's "The Rifleman"), and semi-auto rifles, including an AR-15.

On the firing line: Hawthorn "Dead Eye" Mineart &
Janet  "The Kid" Williams with Paula Beeson

Paula explored every aspect of how each type of firearm worked, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each. She also covered aspects of ammunition, including differing bullets and gunpowder used in the cartridge. Paula even came up with scenarios as to how the unique features of specific guns could be used as plot points for stories involving weapons.

Ramona Henderson examines barrel of semi-auto pistol

Much of the time was spent on meticulous and repeated safety instruction. Paula was adamant about the importance of safety, covering everything from basic handling of a weapon, to safety in cleaning a gun, how to handle a gun on a firing range, and even how to safely handle a misfire.

Brigitte "Bullseye" Kephart practicing with laser gun

Before heading out to the range, Sisters in Crime writers tried their hand at laser target shooting. Everyone had a chance to practice their grips, aiming and the necessary steady trigger pull before trying live ammunition.

Brigitte Kephard getting instructions from Paula Beeson

The highlight was the trip to the nearby range, where Paula is a Board Member. The Sisters in Crime members experience with guns ranged from moderately experienced to complete novices. Each member had the opportunity to fire six shots from four handguns:  a .22 revolver ("pop"), a .22 Ruger semi-auto ("crack"); a .380 Sig Sauer semi-auto ("bang") and a booming .38 Special ("BOOM!").

Lillie "Two Gun Grandma" Evans

Even those with a hesitancy about firearms had to admit -- firing the guns was a great experience.

Janis "Big Shot" Thornton

The entire Sisters in Crime group were unanimous that the class and range experience will be tremendously useful in future writing. 

Speed City Brigitte Kephart was responsible for setting up the class.  Those attending included  Brigitte "Bullseye" Kephart,  Janet "The Kid" Williams,  Lillie "Two Gun Grandma" Evans, Janis "Big Shot" Thornton, Ramona "Babyface" Henderson, Hawthorn "Deadeye" Mineart,   and Stephen "Blind Eye" Terrell.

Anyone interested in taking an excellent firearms safety class should contact Paula Beeson at www.safeshotz.com.  
Photos by Janis Thornton & Stephen Terrell

Few Seats Remain for Award-Winning Author Hank Phillippi Ryan's Free Writing Seminar

If you have any interest in writing or becoming a writer, DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

On Saturday, September 29, Award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan is giving a free one-day writing workshop hosted by Speed City Sisters in Crime.
As of this posting, only 15 seats remain.

Hank in one of the nation's most honored mystery writers. She has won five Agatha Awards, in addition to the Anthony, Macavity, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Higgins Clark Award for her bestselling mystery novels.  Her investigative journalism career has also netted more than 40 Emmy awards and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards.

Hank's workshop is “Everything You Need to Know to Write Your Mystery!” Hank provides guidance for writers at all stages in their craft. This is an intensive and practical seminar revealing tips and secrets to creating and selling your novel.

The workshop is offered as a service by Speed City Sisters in Crime, the Indiana chapter of the international Sisters in Crime organization. It is intended to encourage writers at every stage in their development, as well as those interested in becoming writers

Hank was born in Indianapolis, graduating from Park Tudor High School. She began her broadcasting career with Indianapolis station WTHR-Channel 13. 

LOCATION: College Park Clubhouse, 9001 Fordham Street, Indianapolis 46268.  The event is limited to 70 participants.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW:   Make reservations by emailing Brigitte Kephardt at brigitte.kephart@yahoo.com.  Only 15 seats remain. 

BOOK SIGNING:  Can't make the workshop or want to meet Hank before the workshop? Be sure to clear your calendar for Friday night with Hank Phillippi Ryan at Barnes & Noble, River Crossing on September 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. If you can make both, good for you!  

NOTE:  Hank's books will be available for purchase and signing at the Workshop.

June Brings Opportunities to Talk Writing and Books With Speed City Sisters in Crime

Speed City Sisters in Crime members will be hitting the highways in Indiana over the next two weeks for three different programs around the state.  This weekend (Saturday, June 9), Chapter members will be meeting readers and fellow writers  at an art fair in Kirklin, Indiana and an author fair in Bloomington at the Monroe County Public Library. On both weekends, noted writer and Chapter member Larry Sweazy will be teaching a classes for writers at the Indianapolis Writers Center.

It's a great time to meet up with our members, discuss writing, their books and maybe becoming a member.

Kirklin Art Fair, Kirklin, Indiana:  Saturday, June 9, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 

Speed City Sisters-in-Crime will have a book table for sales of all of our anthologies.  The table will be located on Min Street in Kirkland. Authors Janis Thornton, Janet Williams, and N. W. Campbell will be available to talk writing and sign books.

Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, IN:  Saturday, June 9, 2 - 4 p.m.

Writers and Chapter member Brenda Stewart, Stephen Terrell and Russ Carley will be in Bloomington to discuss the Sisters in Crime murder mystery anthologies.  Brenda has served as editor for all of the Speed City Sisters in Crime anthologies to date, and has written stories appearing in each book.  Stephen has a two short stories in the latest anthology, and has written two legal thrillers, Stars Fall and The First Rule. Russ has written two thrillers set in the world of Formula 1 racing and has a new book coming out in late June. 

Indianapolis Writers Center:   June 9 and June 16,  1 - 4 p.m.

Larry Sweazy will be teaching two classes.  On June 9, he will teach  "Writing Your First Novel." The following Saturday, June 16, he will teach a time management class for writers titled “How Much Time Do You Really Have.”  The fee for each is $75, with a lesser fee for Writers Center members.

Wild Deadwood Reads, Deadwood, South Dakota: June 7-9

If you happen to be in Deadwood, South Dakota, you can also meet Speed City Chapter member Diana Catt, who will be meeting readers and signing books at the annual Deadwood festival.