Love to write mysteries, thrillers, suspense?
Join us
whether you love to write, are thinking about writing, or just love to read
We are the Derby Rotten Scoundrels, the Ohio River Valley Chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Who are the Derby Rotten Scoundrels?
Strongly committed to diversity and inclusion, we are an eclectic group of writers (and readers) of varying backgrounds and experience who are dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and advancing the professional development and recognition of women crime writers in the Ohio River Valley region. Derby Rotten Scoundrels are the Ohio River Valley chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Our chapter meets the second Saturday of each month, January-November. Our meetings are open to the public. However, we encourage individuals who attend more than 3 meetings a year to join our national organization and regional chapter. Read more about Membership.
We are currently meeting in a hybrid fashion: via zoom, and in-person.
Our group meetings are organized as follows:
11:00-11:20 PM Business Meeting
11:30 – 1:30 PM Guest speaker – Topics range from publishing, police work, marketing, etc.
Our most recent guest speaker, retired Detective Brian Kane, on: Crime Solving – Factual Analysis and Decision Strategy. Read more about Detective Kane here.
The Board
PRESIDENT – Elaine Munsch
Elaine grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, but has made Louisville, KY her home for several decades. An avid reader, bookselling seemed to be the ideal profession, which she has practiced for over forty years.
Elaine recently launched her new novel, A Haunting at Marianwood, one of her series of Dash Hammond novels, which include: The Price of Being Neighborly, The Cost of Kindness and The Expense of Family. Elaine contributed The Long and the Shorter of It and Heaven Hill Distillery to Mystery With a Splash of Bourbon, our anthology of crime stories published in 2020.
VICE PRESIDENT & SOCIAL MEDIA – Carol Preflatish
Carol Preflatish, from southern Indiana, is the author of the Nathan Perry Mystery Series, as well as several romantic suspense novels, and two non-fiction books. When she’s not writing, she loves to read, watch Indianapolis Colts football, and do just about anything outdoors. PROGRAMS – Miki-Reilly Howe
Miki Reilly-Howe joined Sisters in Crime in 2019. She’s working on her first novel with the magical support of the Louisville Chapter, Derby Rotten Scoundrels. She has over twenty-five years of experience in marketing strategy and communications, which she hopes will come in handy when she has a finished manuscript. When she’s not writing, she’s reading. Her previous Board experience includes work with The de Cavel Family SIDS Foundation and the Cincinnati chapter of Girls on the Run.
SECRETARY – Leanne Edelen
Leanne Edelen’s writing journey has really just begun in the past few years.
During that time her stories have been selected as a winner of the Kentucky Monthly 9th Annual Penned contest and the 2021 Beartooth Anthony Campfire contest. Leanne was also an invited speaker at the 21st Kentucky Writers Day Celebration.
Leanne currently lives in Louisville, KY with her loving husband. She is blessed to be a mother and step-mother to three wonderful children.
TREASURER – Patience Martin
WEBMASTER – Susan Bell
Susan Bell was born in coastal California, then proceeded to travel the country in her role as daughter of a Naval officer. She learned to walk in the Mojave Desert, to swim in Virginia Beach, and to read in Washington State. She fell in love with Dr. Seuss and hasn’t stopped reading since.
She combined her love of reading, writing and arithmetic and became a technical writer, working in the defense, aviation, and telecommunications industries. With deep roots in the Bluegrass State, she now calls Louisville home.
Susan contributed Summer’s End, Maker’s Mark, Whiskey Row to Mystery With a Splash of Bourbon, our anthology of crime stories published in 2020.