Appendix of Resources for Mystery Writers

MYSTERY WRITER GROUPS

Writing is a solitary activity, but many organizations provide the writer with support and encouragement from like-minded souls. Here are some organizations that can be helpful for creating community:

• Sisters in Crime (SinC) www.sistersincrime.org: Sisters in Crime is a supportive organization for published and unpublished mystery writers. Founded in 1986 by a group of women mystery writers, including New York Times bestseller Sara Paretsky, its mission is to combat discrimination against women in the mystery field and to promote their professional advancement. SinC has a special chapter for unpublished writers (GUPPIES), an Internet chapter, and local chapters worldwide.
• Mystery Writers of America (MWA) www.mysterywriters.org: Mystery Writers of America is a nonprofit professional organization of mystery and crime writers. MWA awards the prestigious annual Edgar Awards. Unpublished authors can join as Affiliate Members. MWA publishes an Approved Publisher List on their website that contains publishers whose authors qualify for “active status” membership. MWA has local chapters.
• International Thriller Writers (ITW) thrillerwriters.org: Established to recognize and promote the thriller genre, the International Thriller Writers is an honorary society of authors of both fiction and nonfiction who write thrillers, including murder mystery, detective, suspense, horror, supernatural, action, espionage, true crime, war, and adventure. ITW sponsors the annual Thrillerfest conference in New York City. Mystery authors can apply for Active membership if they are commercially published writers and Associate membership if they are industry professionals, noncommercially published writers, or others.

MYSTERY CONFERENCES

Many conferences held annually in the United States focus on crime fiction. Some are primarily for fans. Others focus on writing and provide panels and workshops on craft, and pitch sessions with agents and editors. Mystery conferences are great places to meet writers and readers, and to learn about crime fiction and the publishing business.

The largest fan conference is Bouchercon, which takes place in a different location each fall. Other large conferences for fans and readers are Thrillerfest, which focuses on thrillers; Malice Domestic, which focuses on traditional mysteries and cozies; Left Coast Crime; and Florida’s Sleuthfest. Smaller conferences with an emphasis on writing mysteries include Book Passage’s intimate Mystery Writers Conference, the New England Crime Bake, and Magna Cum Murder.

Annual Mystery Conferences: A Snapshot View

SOURCES FOR RESEARCHING LITERARY AGENTS AND PUBLISHERS

Here are some sources for sleuthing out the track records and reputations of literary agents and publishers:

• Association of Authors’ Representative (AAR) (aaronline.org:) AAR is a nonprofit professional organization for agents. The website hosts a member database and posts the ethical standards by which members agree to abide.
• Guide to Literary Agents (Writer’s Digest Books): This annually updated volume provides a comprehensive listing of literary agents, with specific information on what they want and how they want it. It also includes useful tips and interviews with insiders.
• Literary Market Place (Information Today, Inc.): Known as the LMP, this two-volume reference is available in public libraries. It lists publishers along with the genres they represent, the number of books they published the previous year, contact names, and how to get in touch with them.
• Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market (Writer’s Digest Books): Find the latest information about the market for mystery fiction in this annually updated volume. Pinpoint which book publishers are looking for mystery novels, and find lists of major houses as well as small and independent presses.
• Preditors & Editors (pred-ed.com): This independent website provides all kinds of information for authors. It reports dishonest agents, shoddy publishing practices, contest scams, book doctors who fleece unwitting authors, and poorly run writing workshops.
• Publishers Lunch/Deal Lunch (lunch.publishersmarketplace.com): Subscriptions are free to this online newsletter, which reports the latest news in the publishing business. The weekly Deal Lunch reports on recent agent/publisher deals.
• Writer Beware (www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware): This is part of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website and provides information about fraudulent agents, scams, copyright, electronic rights, and so on.
• Writer’s Market (www.writersmarket.com): Subscribe to this comprehensive online resource for writers and get access to a searchable database of writing markets. You can also find much of this information in the annually updated book, Writer’s Market (Writer’s Digest Books).