cj Sez: First: BSP (Blatant Self Promotion). Choosing Carter got a new rave review on Amazon, and I quote:
A well written page turner! cj petterson
did a wonderful job of putting you in the Colorado wilderness and weaving her
cast of characters. I really enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to
others. I am going to buy several copies to give as gifts.
And cj Sez: LOVE that reader, and thank-you-very-much.
As my writing year progresses (or not), I have to admit that I need a support group. As my regular readers have noticed, I promote critique groups and writing groups heavily and often (this post is a rerun) because it is my belief that authors really cannot write in a vacuum. We need something that a Google search for info cannot give us; we need human interaction but not just for the atta girls. We need personal testimony of experiences and verbal encouragement in order to continue the singularly and often lonely task of writing. And there are two or three groups in particular that I rely on…in addition to a fabulously talented critique group of which I am a member.
Disclaimer here: I am
a proud member of the international organizations I profile below and am
writing this blog with a great deal of affection and appreciation for the
support I’ve received from the members all along my journey to publication. Most
of the paragraphs that follow are lifted directly from the public websites of
the organizations because there’s no way I could say it better.
“Did
you know...
SinC was founded in 1986 and is now 3600 members strong in 48 chapters world-wide, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors.
SinC was founded in 1986 and is now 3600 members strong in 48 chapters world-wide, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors.
“Did
you know...
We are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by our passion for the mystery genre and our support of women who write mysteries.”
We are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by our passion for the mystery genre and our support of women who write mysteries.”
The work of the organization benefits not just its members
but all women authors of crime stories as it seeks to garner equal review space
in newspapers and combat gender bias.
Sisters in Crime was founded by Sara Paretsky and a group of
women at the 1986 Bouchercon. In 1996, SinC realized it had achieved real
recognition by the publishing industry when Publishers
Weekly called Sisters in Crime “ubiquitous” . . . indeed, in ten years, they
were everywhere.
By the way all you aspiring author-guys, there are misters
among those sisters, so don’t be put-off by the name.
Once a member of SinC, writers are eligible for membership
in Guppies. “Guppies” is the online chapter of Sisters in
Crime.
From the Guppies website: http://www.sinc-guppies.org/
“We come
from many different occupations, locations, and avocations, sharing experiences
and enriching our larder of resources. We write crime short stories and novels
in the mystery genre. Our subgenres include; cozy, traditional, police
procedural, PI, paranormal, supernatural, humor, suspense, thriller and
romance. Our common goal: to see our work in print.
“The name
‘Guppies’ is an acronym for ‘The Great Unpublished.’ Although the majority of
members start out as unpublished, many Guppies have changed that status by
using the support and resources of the group to assist them in honing their
craft and finding the right path for them to publication. Once published, many Guppies
remain members to pass along their knowledge and expertise, which has become a
tradition.”
A Guppy author’s BSP is guaranteed to receive beau coup
congratulations . . . fin flaps, applause, virtual champagne toasts abound.
Guppies are amazing in their generous and selfless support of the success of
fellow members.
If you’re a mystery/crime writer looking for a great support
group, opportunities for online critique groups, and whole manuscript
exchanges, SinC and Guppies
How’s your writing progressing this year? Facing a conundrum? Ask Lyrical Pens. Stick it in the comments, and we promise to answer.
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,
and I’ll try to do the same.
cj
(PS: The toons are from my Facebook pages.)
cjpetterson@gmail.com
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