HOTSHOTS
February 2006
 Karen MacInerney, editor

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY SISTERS IN CRIME MEETING WITH JAN GRAPE -- THIS SUNDAY, FEB. 12

Homicide Up Close and Personal: Join Jan Grape this Sunday as she shares the experience of writing DARK BLUE DEATH -- and character Zoe Barrow's experiences as an Austin Police officer. First seen in the Anthony award-nominated AUSTIN CITY BLUE, Zoe meets homicide up close and personal at APD's training facility. Jan is an incredible writer with an amazing 'pedigree'; she has won both the Anthony and the Mccavity mystery awards, and has been nominated for the Edgar, the Shamus and the Agatha. More than 25 of her short stories have been published as well as numerous non-fiction articles and interviews.  Jan has been a regular columnist for Mystery Scene magazine for over 14 years, and she wrote, edited and published “Reflections In A Private Eye,” the newsletter for Private Eye Writers of America.

Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter, meets monthly on the second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Westlake Barnes & Noble bookstore, located at the southeast corner of Loop 360 and Bee Cave Road, in The Village at Westlake shopping center.

AUSTIN'S SIXTH ANNUAL LIAR'S CONTEST -- Saturday, February 11, 2:00 PM

Hear some of Texas’ windiest storytellers compete for the title of “Biggest Liar,” a title that makes you wonder about the folks competing! Judges this year include Father Jordan Brown of the Greek Orthodox Church; Liz Carpenter, Austin icon and author of Start with a Laugh; Mary Hesalroad, Austin police officer; and Chip Somerville, Austin attorney - all folks who can surely spot a lie! The event is hosted by Jim Gramon, author of Legendary Texas Storytellers. We’re pretty sure that the Texas legislators are watching this event and worrying about their jobs. A good time is guaranteed, and THAT’S the truth.

WRITERS' LEAGUE OF TEXAS -- GUEST SPEAKER JAMES MAGNUSON -- Thursday, February 16, 7:00 PM

This month, the Writers’ League of Texas hosts a talk by James Magnuson, Director of the University of Texas Michener Center for Writers and author of The Hounds of Winter and Windfall, speaking on “Graduate Writing Programs: Worthwhile or a Waste of Money?” This monthly meeting is free and open to the public. The first half-hour is social and networking time; the program begins at 7:30 PM.

WORKSHOP: WRITING THE MYSTERY  --  March 27 - April 17

Love mysteries? Thought about writing one? If you’ve always wanted to write a mystery but haven’t been sure where to start, Karen MacInerney will show you to get your criminal impulses onto the page – without killing yourself in the process.  Karen is the author of the Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series and the co-author of Tourmaline Teal with Barbara Burnett Smith.  To sign up, visit the University of Texas Informal Classes web site at https://www.informalclasses.org/index2.html or call (512) 23-CLASS (232-5277).

TEXAS MYSTERY WEEK -- May 5-21

Texas Mystery Week is just around the corner! The event, which hasn’t lasted for only a week in quite a few years, is planned for May 5-21. Long-term sponsors include Sisters In Crime, Writers’ League of Texas and Top Publications.  It looks like it's going to be an exciting year; Julie Wray Herman has already agreed to offer a great workshop on How to Write a Mystery, and we've got lots more planned.  Watch here for more details!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: We do need volunteers to make TMW all it can be; right now, we're looking for book sales volunteers and a designer for the Texas Mystery Week Poster.  For more information, please contact Sarah Ann at hotxsinc@yahoo.com .

THE INAUGURAL SEA-SI CRIME SCENE CRUISE  -- July 15-22

Join D.P. Lyle, MD and Jan Burke on the inaugural Sea-SI Crime Scene Cruise to Alaska aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines' M/S Oosterdam. The trip departs from and returns to Seattle, WA.  Doug and Jan will offer a multipart presentation on all things forensic, in both the real and fictional world.  For details visit http://www.innovativejourneys.com or call Oscar Sylican at Worldview Travel at 714-882-4654.

CONTESTS

WRITERS LEAGUE OF TEXAS ANNUAL MANUSCRIPT CONTEST -- DEADLINE MARCH 3

The deadline is coming up for the annual Manuscript Contest! Categories for mystery writers this year include Mystery and Thriller/Action-Adventure -- true crime writers can put their hats into the ring for the Narrative Non-Fiction category! The cost is $50 to enter, and you'll need to send a synopsis and the first ten pages of your manuscript; the winner in each category gets an appointment with an agent at the annual Agents' Conference, June 23-25.  For more information, go to www.writersleague.org .

FORENSIC EXAMINER/ANNALS OF AMERICAN PSYCOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE MYSTERY WRITING CONTEST -- DEADLINE MAY 15

The Forensic Examiner and Annals of American Psychotherapy Association are announcing a new contest for mystery writers, including a cash prize and opportunities for publications.  Categories include True-Life Forensic Case Studies, Fictional Forensic Cases, True-Life Psychological Profile Case Studies, and Fictional Psychological Cases. The top prize is $500 and publication in The Forensic Examiner or Annals; the deadline is May 15. For more information, go to www.mysterywriterscontest.com .

MEMBER NEWS

Local member Diane Fanning just got some fantastic news; her book, WRITTEN IN BLOOD, is a finalist in the 2006 Edgar Awards in the Best Fast Crime category! What an incredible achievement. Congratulations, Diane, and good luck -- we're rooting for you!

Karen MacInerney has been asked to write a series of mystery stories featuring the Gray Whale Inn for Bed and Breakfast America magazine, a national publication.  An excerpt of Murder on the Rocks, the first Gray Whale Inn mystery, will appear in the Summer 2006 issue.

NOTICES

The Friends of the Library group at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Texas library are looking for authors who might be interested in participating in their Book/Author luncheon in April. Although they'd like to feature local authors, they would be interested in hearing from Austin authors, as well.  For more information, contact Susan Herr at srherr2@gvtc.com or (830) 885-2819.

Got something you'd like to see in the next newsletter? E-mail me at karen@karenmacinerney.com : please put HOTSHOTS ITEM in the subject line.  Thanks!

Karen MacInerney

The Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series: Murder on the Rocks (May 2006) and Dead and Berried (February 2007)
Tourmaline Teal with Barbara Burnett Smith (Fall 2007)
www.karenmacinerney.com