Did you have a book published in 2025 that fits the Left Coast Crime Awards categories of best mystery, debut mystery, historical mystery or humorous mystery? Let us know! And please consider voting in support of your fellow sisters and misters. Ballots are due Jan. 2. Our nominees so far:

Do you have writing goals for the new year? Finish that WIP? Start a new story? A daily writing goal? SinC can help with the January Jumpstart beginning on January 5 with daily write-ins to help you reach your goals! Free for SinC Members, $15 for non-members. Register at: https://twp.ai/4iuLlb

Great podcast and great giveaway! I love The Long Road to Publishing -- check out the great catalog of episodes, and keep you eye out for one with me next month. And Before & After the Book Deal should be required reading for anyone who is or wants to be published, particularly traditionally.

Happy Jólabókaflóð to our Icelandic siblings and friends! A book-giving tradition is one we love to celebrate! jól=Christmas bók=book flóð=flood Iceland has a rich literary tradition. Jólabókaflóð gained momentum during WWII when imported gifts were scarce and books became the gifts of choice.

If you ever wanted to know the story behind the story, you might try reading the acknowledgements page for a few clues. I have a few thoughts in this video, as I mention one of the people who inspired me to write Grave Apparel. www.youtube.com/shorts/Vrb0B...

reposting this link to my newsletter. ellenbyerrum.substack.com/p/merry-chri...

Just hanging out over here noticing that no one has bought a copy of Anyone But Her for days, so I’m doing my freelance work that pays the bills and reminding you that if you need a last-minute gift, award-winning mother-daughter ghost stories/psychological thrillers are sure-bet crowd-pleasers.

Who's on your All-Time-Favorite-Mystery-Author list?

Have you signed up for January Jumpstart yet? It kicks off on January 5! There will be daily write-ins to help you reach your goals! January Jumpstart is open to the entire writing community. Free for SinC Members, $15 for non-members. Register here: https://twp.ai/4iuDoQ

**Make 2026 a great writing year by shifting your mindset** Tues., Jan. 13, 8pm ET/5pm PT/+1am GMT Join @jahennrikus.bsky.social and @mpmthewriter.bsky.social for an inspiring start to the new year! Mia P. Manansala is a writer from Chicago who loves books, baking, and bad-ass women!

Mia is the author of the multi-award-winning Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series and Death in the Cards. She uses humor (and murder) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora, queerness, and her love for Millennial pop culture.

During the webinar you'll learn to: Separate goals from dreams. Create a plan that works for you. Learn some mindfulness techniques to support your writing. Discover new tools to give yourself a creative boost.

On her 15th birthday, Brigit Quinn learns that she descends from an ancient line of clever, magical Celtic women. This is a charming YA novel about learning who you are, where you’ve come from, and what choices will serve you best.

December 21 is often the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere (or close to it), so it's also National Short Story Day! Celebrate by sharing your favorite short fiction! Do you have a favorite short story? A favorite short story anthology? A favorite short story magazine? Share it!

My newest post looks at my journey so far in the path to publication. open.substack.com/pub/mindykin... #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

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Anyone have odds on "slop" as the word of the year? Merriam-Webster defines it as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence." Sounds about right! www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/wor...

Today, I am beyond delighted to have my new book and my main character, Esmé de LaForet, featured on Dru's Book Musings and answering questions! Check it out. Thank you, Dru! drusbookmusing.com/ellen-byerru...

This is beautiful. What a lovely image to see this morning.

My fellow Blackbird Writers and I wish you the happiest of holiday seasons. XOXOX #amreading #amwriting #mystery #suspense #thriller #crimefiction

***New Podcast Episode!*** Tune in for a conversation with Catherine Linka! Catherine is the past president and current treasurer of the Puget Sound chapter of Sisters in Crime. Available at https://twp.ai/4iu5Jm or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Today's writing-related Google: is fuck buddy one word or two? #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

The author of three traditionally published YA novels, her first adult suspense is currently making the rounds of publishers. Elle Cosimano called Catherine’s last novel What I Want You to See “a stunning portrait of deception.”

As a book buyer for an indie bookstore, Catherine learned everything about publishing they didn't tell her in grad school. Website: https://twp.ai/E6EZhu Instagram: https://twp.ai/9PZKVq

These Crooked Things, my latest book, is now in e-book! Trade paperback will come next month. Take a look at my announcement. www.youtube.com/shorts/MVZT0...

* Meet the 2025-2026 Board * We're introducing our Board Members! Chapter Liaison: Amy Condra Amy is an aspiring mystery writer who currently serves as a communication lead for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Amy has also worked as a journalist. Learn more: https://twp.ai/4iu5BO

Thanks to NOCO Style for featuring 😵DYING CRY😵 by @margmizu.bsky.social in this article! The latest installment in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series is available now. https://loom.ly/5I2R73w

Finally got to the end of what I've written so far on A Secret to Die For, and I came up with a new scene that needs to happen. Jumping back in feet first. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

This week's edition of my #Substack, The What If Journal, explores coming to terms with our limitations while at the same time exploring new options. Plus, podcast news and a holiday greeting for you! #AuthorSky #WritingCommunity thewhatifjournal.substack.com/p/do-i-hear-...

Today at Chicks on the Case: Mariah Fredericks talks about the importance of having writer friends and remembers mystery author Triss Stein in a super touching post that makes us want to have group hug. #amwriting #amreading #mysteryreads @mariahfredericks.bsky.social

It's the most wonderful time of the year...SinC membership renewal time! Why is it wonderful? Your membership provides community, write-ins, webinars, SinC LinC online community, access to local chapters, and full-day workshops in the spring and fall! Renew today! https://twp.ai/4iu5B7

Got my first set of feedback from my editor. Guess I know how I’m spending Winter Break. #AmEditing #WritingCommunity

"Indulge your imagination in every possible flight." ~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Just a reminder for Denver area folks that Second Star to the Right, a lovely indie bookstore on S Pearl, is featuring Anyone But Her today for 20% off. Stop in, grab a copy, and browse all their other great selections, too! secondstartotherightbooks.com/event/2025-1...

Huge thanks to Kelly Vaiman for this fun interview. Find the recording here: tinyurl.com/5cz4rfrh #dogs #K9 #authorinterview #mystery

Mark your calendars! We've made our picks for the 2026 book club, which meets on Zoom the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to everyone. First up, on Jan. 21, is The Snake Handler’s Wife by Sue Hinkin, sixth in her series. Join us! sistersincrimecolorado.org

How's *your* holiday prep going? Chick Lisa talks about her favorite holiday obsession -- er, I mean, decoration, and how her village seems to be missing some villagers.

Learn more about @margmizu.bsky.social, author of 😵DYING CRY😵 and her bond with her dog, Hannah, in this article on Crimespree Magazine. https://loom.ly/mJ7dEkI

Ever think about co-writing a mystery? Mother-and-daughter duo and #SinCColorado members Catherine Dilts and Merida Bass talk about how they co-wrote their latest novel about a kidnapped senior on #SinCColorado member @donnellb.bsky.social's blog: donnellannbell.net/mother-daugh...

Shop local alert! Anyone But Her will be the featured deal at Second Star to the Right bookstore (Pearl St.) on Tues 12/16. They're doing 20% off on a book by a local author daily in Dec. Stop in on the 16th, grab a copy & browse this adorable store! secondstartotherightbooks.com/event/2025-1...

*** New WEEKEND Member Meetup *** Want to attend but can't make our midweek Meetup? We got you!!! Join us this Saturday for a NEW WEEKEND MEMBER MEETUP!!! *** Saturday, December 13th at 5pm GMT/ Noon EST/ 9am PST *** - ALL Sisters in Crime (SinC) members are welcome.

Do references to Agatha Christie pull you into a mystery? Nearly 50 years after her death, Christie still pops up frequently, for better or worse. Colleen Cambridge's series featuring Christie's fictional housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is worthy of the Christie name. femalesleuths.com/2025/12/09/a...

**New Podcast Episode!** Tune in for a conversation with Barbara Nickless! Barbara is the WSJ and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of eight novels, with her first series optioned for television. Available at https://twp.ai/4iscax#1or wherever you listen to podcasts.

I'm thrilled to announce that my historical fiction novella, The Swordsman of Venice Part II: Blade for Hire, is a finalist in the 2025 American Writing Awards for best novella! robsamborn.com/swordsman-of... #books #historicalfiction

💔“Darling, when things go wrong in life, this is what you do. You lift your chin, put on a ravishing smile, mix yourself a little cocktail...and out you go.”― Sophie Kinsella, Twenties Girl

Just got a rejection for Closer Than You Know, saying it wasn't a romance. The book that I wrote about two people meeting and falling in love during a murder investigation, complete with a happily ever after, is not a romance. The same book that is currently being published as a romance.

Please don't ever give up on your dream that, one day, you will pull a book from a bookshelf and that secret door will finally open for you.

As I'm rereading A Secret to Die For to jump back into that manuscript, I'm realizing just how much I truly love this story and these characters. And I am totally biased, but I think it's some of my best writing so far. #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

The formal announcement from the Indie Author Project naming me 2025 Indie Author of the Year. I’m honored to be recognized by this organization. I encourage all indie-pubbed authors to explore IAP. They’re committed to indie authors & offer a lot of support. indieauthorproject.com/2025-indie-a...