Speak up!

By Gayle Carline
Mystery Author and Chatty Gal

I have a confession to make. I'm the president of the Orange County chapter of Sisters in Crime, and I was recently approached (via email) by someone looking for an author to come and speak to her group. I responded with a list of our local SinC authors and their websites, including my own. She asked some questions about my experience at speaking to groups, of which I've had quite a bit.

The result was, even though I tried to point her toward our other authors, she contracted with me to come and speak. I feel guilty about this. No one else got the opportunity to talk to her about their abilities as a speaker. How else was she to choose someone?

Then I looked around. I know many of our authors are interesting and informative speakers. Many of them have a section on their websites featuring radio interviews, past and future appearances, etc. But no one has a section dedicated to "If You're Looking for a Speaker, Pick Me."

Yes, we are authors and want to spend our time authing writing. Most of us, unless we are one of the Big Names (yes, Stephen King, I'm looking at you), have to spend part of our time doing publicity for our books. Publicity involves introducing yourself and your books to strangers. This can include speaking to groups.

I'm not trying to say that if you are painfully shy, you should suck it up and learn to speak publically. I'm just saying that if you like to talk to groups, or even don't mind talking to them, this is one more way to get your name known.

After I contracted with this group, I immediately updated my webpage to add a "Speaking/Teaching" page. I listed all the topics I've spoken on (individually, not on panels), all the workshops I've taught, and references for each. I also included some video clips. Now I'm ready for anyone who might want me to come and talk, about writing, about my personal journeys, even about horses.

Are you an author who likes to speak to groups? Do you have an easy way for groups to check you out?

Who knows? Today, your local Rotary Club. Tomorrow, a TED talk.

Everyone's favorite station

By Gayle Carline
Mystery Author and El Presidente

Back when I was a software engineer, I took a course in leadership. It was a fabulous course, not just for my engineering job, but for my life. One of the highlights was when the instructor told us that everyone listens to the same radio station, WII-FM.

What's In It For Me?

She was using this to talk about how to get what you want, as the supervisor, by giving your employees what they want. It's also known as the win-win situation.

I'm bringing this up because I recently agreed to be next year's president of my local Sisters in Crime. I originally joined when I first published Freezer Burn and thought I should belong to an organization whose mission is to promote the professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry.

I admit, my first visit to a meeting was less than stellar. I hadn't quite gotten my bearings as an author, was unsure of my participation, and ended up not meeting many people or making any new friends. I didn't go back.

Fast-forward a couple of years, and I decided to give it another try. At this meeting, they were looking for new board members. I wanted to meet people and become involved. Why not be on the board?

Here's the thing: it's a quiet group. The folks are pleasant. We have interesting guest speakers. But I'm not certain if that's all we can do with this organization.  I mean, my gal pal Tameri belongs to the Romance Writers of America and those folks know how to party and promote. They have huge conferences. And pajama parties. And guest speakers in kilts.

Mmm... kilts...

So one of the things I plan to do as president is take a poll or two to figure out why people come or don't come to the meetings. What's in it for them?

If I can figure out what they want and give it to them, perhaps I can get what I want, which is, well, two things: I want more readers, and I want to promote good writers.

Anybody else out there belong to an organization like SinC or Mystery Writers of America, etc? What do you want from your group? Do you receive it?

Thank you, thank you, thank you

by Peg Brantley


Last October I asked writers in a few groups I'm associated with to donate books to support a worthy cause. I'm very proud to belong to this community. You came through beautifully!

The Shaka Franklin Foundation's primary purpose is to provide education on mental health issues with a strong focus on teen suicide and prevention. Their annual fundraiser luncheon will be April 26th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver, and this is the first time books will be included as part of the auction.

The presentations were courtesy of A la Carte Gifts and Baskets.

Thank you all so much!

From Sisters In Crime:

Patricia Batta, Sally Carpenter, Carola Dunn, Sandra de Helen, Susan Santangelo, Lane Stone and S. D. Tooley

From Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers:

Mariana Damon, Marni Graff, Laura Haley-McNeil, Nina Romano, Lauren Small, and Mark Stevens

From Indie Chicks:

Heather Adkins, Donna Fasano,
LK Gardner-Griffie, Sibel Hodge,
and Tonya Kappes












And (drum roll please)….

From Crime Fiction Collective:

Gayle Carline and L.J. Sellers