Sisters in Crime, a Contest Winner and a Home Invader
A few days ago, I went to a meeting of the local chapter-to-be of Sisters in Crime (SinC). The guest speakers were Meredith Cole and Ellen Byerrum who were both entertaining and informative and I especially enjoyed seeing Ellen again (she was always a favorite author visitor when the store was open) along with her sidekick and husband, Bob. I hadn’t seen them since our closing event last September.
Another fun aspect of the day was that Laura drove down three hours from Fincastle to go to the meeting with me. She’s an aspiring mystery writer so it was good for her to learn a little about the process of getting that book to its final stage on the bookstore shelves. It was nice spending some time with her.
We aren’t an official SinC chapter yet because there are stages we have to go through to get approved by National and we are just now at the point of drawing up bylaws and developing a slate of officers. In the meantime, though, some of us, perhaps all, are already members of the national organization.
While the store was doing somewhat well, I was a member of a number of trade organizations such as SinC, the Mystery Writers of America, the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and the Horror Writers Association, to name a few. Then, in the last eighteen months when I was looking for any possible ways to cut expenses in an effort to keep the doors open, I decided to give up nearly all of those memberships.  I kept the one for the neighborhood merchants’ association and SinC.
Why did I keep SinC? When all is said and done, I believe this organization is one of the most valuable to anyone even remotely connected to the book world and offers a great deal for low dues. Although the name is Sisters in Crime, it’s also open to men and its stated purpose of support for women in the mystery field is valid even today 23 years after its founding. Anyone with an interest in mysteries is welcome and our ranks include not only authors but also booksellers, readers, agents, publishers and librarians. One of the best perks is the listserv that’s very active and offers education, entertainment and fun for all members of the national group, especially nice for those who aren’t near a physical chapter. If you love mysteries, you should join—just go to http://www.sistersincrime.org/ to learn more. And, if you’re in the central Virginia area, please check out our local group.
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Congratulations to Julie Fetcho!  Julie has
won the autographed copy of Photo, Snap, Shot
by Joanna Campbell Slan. Thanks to
everyone who entered the drawing 
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Ack! Ick! Get it away from me!
A week or so ago, I found one of these on the window of my car, trying its best to get in. I flicked him off the window and drove away without another thought. Then, coincidentally, I read a news article about the critters invading the mid-Atlantic area in hordes this year and, when I saw Laura on Saturday, she told me about the private invasion she and Drew are having in their apartment, particularly upstairs near the skylights. They live in a very old grain mill deep in the woods so, while I commiserated with her, I sort of chalked it up to their surroundings. (And sympathized with Drew who hates insects and arachnids more than any 16-year-old I’ve ever known. Maybe that’s why he’s good at crosscountry—he’s outrunning the bugs.)
Then it happened. Yesterday, I saw one on my bedroom wall. IN MY BEDROOM—EEWW! Now, stink bugs don’t bite or sting or carry disease so they’re relatively harmless but, make them mad, and they release the smell of stinky feet. Oh, joy, just what I want in my bedroom, of all places.
They say the usual pesticides don’t do a lot of good; I sprayed that thing umpteen times and, as far as I know, he’s still alive somewhere. Just, please, don’t let me make him mad.
September 29, 2010
Posted in: Tales of a Bookseller
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One Response
Bob and loved seeing you at the meeting too, Lelia. It was a beautiful day, if a little hot, and it was a pleasure to meet women who are interested in mysteries and the new SinC chapter.It’s a great group, and as you pointed out, we welcome our Brothers in Crime. I’m sure that some guys will show up too.
I know I owe you a photo of the mystery sign I got at Creatures and Crooks last stand, but i have to straighten up my desk. Cheers.
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