Promote the advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers in the Ohio River Valley region
DRS members will be participating at this year’s LaGrange Book Fair. Last year’s event, in April, had a good turnout, in spite of the cold weather. We hope more pleasant temperatures this year draws an even bigger crowd!
Attending this year:
| Elaine Munsch | Carol Preflatish |
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| Lynn Slaughter | Linda Rees |
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| Susan Bell | |
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DRS members took part in the 2023 Imaginarium 3-day extravaganza this weekend (July 14-16). There was a large crowd of people, some who traveled from all over the country to be here.
Congratulations to DRS member Carol Preflatish for winning runner-up in the Best Screenplay Long Format category. And we also congratulate DRS member Lynn Slaughter, for being nominated in the Best Young Adult Novel for her novel Deadly Setup.
DRS authors who attended included Carol and Lynn, as noted, as well as President Elaine Munsch, Susan Bell, Lorena Peter, and Linda Rees. Pam Hirshler and Leanne Edelen also volunteered to help staff the two tables we purchased to sell our wares. Carol, Lynn, Linda, and Lorena all sat on various panels, which is a great way to share your knowledge and also a valuable way of getting your name out there and networking. See Elaine’s thoughts below.
Congratulations to our own future Oscar winning screenwriter, Carol, who won the runner-up award for best long format screenplay.
Carol used Tony Acree’s talk on screenwriting as the starting point and SAVE THE CAT screenwriting book to turn her first Nathan Perry mystery, HOMECOMING TO MURDER, into a screenplay.
Thanks to Pam and Leanne for giving of their time to help man the table.
The general consensus of the authors attending was that this is really a networking event. Sales of our books were decent. The Bourbon anthology caught everyone’s eye as they passed the table so several of these jumped off the table.
The most note-worthy networking was with the Kentuckiana Romance Writers, who had a table directly across from us. Their current president, Dona Whitehead, crossed the aisle to talk with us about doing some collaborative meetings. The incoming president offered a suggestion about our groups sponsoring a one-day event spotlighting ‘Strong Women Writers and Strong Women in books’. Obviously, this will require quite a bit of exploration before it can be accomplished.
But that was one idea discussed. We invited their members to sit in or zoom in on our meetings and they did the same for us. They meet the day after we do, second Sunday of the month. Details to follow.
We met publishers and a ton of authors and hopeful authors. Invitations were extended to all to attend our meetings. I’m sure we’ll get a speaker or two out of this.
DRS member Gloria Casale will speak to our chapter this Saturday on Bioterrorism, and she’s uniquely qualified on the topic.
Gloria Casale grew up in a small, blue collar town in New Jersey. She earned her medical degree at the University of Kentucky and completed advanced training in anesthesiology as well as preventive medicine and public health. She received training in bioterrorism and bioterrorism response at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and is a recognized expert in the international transport of disease.
Dr. Casale was a consultant to the Division of Transnational Threats at Sandia Laboratory. She has been an invited speaker to members of the United States military, as well as members of various ports associations on the topics of bio-weaponry and the international transport of pathogens.
Gloria has published two books:
Bioterror: The Essential Threat and Shadow Road: Where Shadows Find You.
Join us in person, or via Zoom. Details:
Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: Noon to 1:30PM (EST)
Where: MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY, 12556 Shelbyville Road, Louisville
Zoom invite: https://sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqf-GqqTksHdU3KlnJ5kjf3cXGTAwYQhaT
Dr. Mary Shields will speak to our chapter on Forensic Dentistry.
We hope you can join in person or via zoom – it should be very interesting!
Dr. Mary Shields owns a private practice in Louisville, Kentucky, focused on family and cosmetic care. She is an associate member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a member of the American Society of Forensic Odontology, where she provides forensic services ranging from the identification of human remains to legal consultations.
Dr. Shields is also in the process of finalizing the requirements for board certification by the American Board of Forensic Odontology.
Date: May 13, 2023
Time: Noon
Where: Louisville Center of Excellence, 11829 Ransum Drive Suite #201, Louisville, KY 40243
Note: This presentation will be zoomed, but NOT recorded.
Zoom Invite registration:
Register in advance for this meeting:
Register for Zoom
Excited to share that DEADLY SETUP has been named an Imadjinn finalist for best young adult novel, and my work-in-progress, MISSING MOM, won third place in the “Thriller First Pages” contest sponsored by the Institute for Writers.The Teen G.E.N. team wants to thank you once again for being our guest on the show. We hope you enjoyed being a part of it as much as we loved having you on!
The interview is now live! You can watch it here:
You can also listen to it on Spotify & Apple or anywhere you get your podcasts from here: https://anchor.fm/glendalelac
Jeffersonville Library Talk and Book Signing
On April 1, the Jeffersonville Library hosted a talk/book signing for members Elaine and Susan.
Susan gave a brief presentation on our chapter and explained the genesis and publication of the chapter’s bourbon anthology, Mystery With a Splash of Bourbon.
We had a nice turnout, and appreciate fellow Scoundrels Carol and Leanne coming by in support!
Barnes and Noble Book Signing
On April 15, Elaine and Susan did a signing at the new Barnes and Noble at The Paddocks. We got to meet up with former member Bev Myers, and fellow Scoundrels Lynn and Leanne came by to say hello.
News from Linda Rees:
1)FLIP OR FLOP, MURDER HOUSE is NOW available on preorder, official launch 4/1/23. Links:
AMZ eBook: amzn.to/3FLkOpS Print https://amzn.to/40wntM2
B&N EBOOK: http://bit.ly/3lLm31s Print http://bit.ly/3lQAPDV
KOBO/WALMART: Flip or Flop, Murder House eBook by Lynda Rees – EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States
2) The second anthology written by members of Bluegrass Writers Coalition is now published and available for purchase. Twenty-six of our members contributed stories, articles, memoirs, poetry and photographs to this book, and every single one is beautiful. Contributions by:
Lynda Rees, Chris Helvey, Ginny Patrick, Stephen Vest, Paul Stansbury, Debra Ison, Vicki Easterly, Doris Settles, Shannon McRoberts
My short story memoir Down Home is included in this wonderful book. It’s available in ebook and print. Order at: https://amzn.to/3JUUdcs
3) I received the most fabulous reviews from a group of authors I met from New England. This is what they said about:
HART’S GIRLS, REGGIE CHRONICLES 1
REVIEWS:
♥ “This story was fantastic. I loved the characters, the setting, the ending, and the writing!”
♥ “First book I’ve read from this author; I will definitely put her on my list of favorites.”
♥ “I immediately went and bought the previous book in the series.”
♥ “Your book pulled me out of my reading slump. Thank you!”
♥ “From the beginning to the end, I couldn’t put this book down. I am off to get more of your books.”
♥ “Outstanding! I could not put this one down.”
Available at:
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940186749875
KOBO/RAKUTEN: https://bit.ly/3NtzoUy
APPLE: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id644294888
4) I hosted an online Zoom class for the Contemporary Romance Writers on Organization and Productivity for Authors. The class can be accessed at this link or by clicking the logo below. https://contemporaryromance.org/workshop/organization-and-productivity/
5) I’m teaching an on-line class for the Womens Fiction Writer’s Association 4/20-4/30/23. Join us. it’s available at https://www.womensfictionwriters.org
Here’s what one author said about it. “I have to tell you – I absolutely love your lessons. They are professional and thorough! Great job! This is a fabulous workshop! Tara Baisden, Books that explore the emotional journey of a protagonist.”
6) Saturday 4/29 9-4, I will join a fabulous group of authors at the Bluegrass Writers’ Coalition Conference at the Frankfort Country Club in Frankfort, KY. Join us. Book signing opportunity!
7) May 27, 10-3:00, I’ll be signing books with a great group of authors in Jefferson, Ohio at the Ohio Author Fair at the Jefferson Mall. Come join us.
8) I’m teaching along with other great speakers and authors at the Washington Romance Writers ‘2023 In the Company of Writers Retreat and Conference’ at the Hilton Garden June 2-4, 2023. Inn Shirlington, Washington, D.C. Workshops include:
“How to Write Sweet, Hallmark Style Romance” with USA Today Best-Selling Author Teri Wilson
“The Business of Publishing” with Golden Heart Award Winning and Rita Finalist Author Linda Rees
“Better Faster Academy Workshop” with Writing Coach Becca Symes
… and more to come!
REGISTRATION by clicking: WRW RETREAT 2023
The premier writing conference and retreat experience in the Washington D.C. area.
9) Pre-launch of
Available NOW!
Hard launch 6/1/23.
FRESH STARTS, DIRTY MONEY
B&N: bit.ly/42CmziQ
With a fresh MBA and fabulous job, Bree leaves her cheating husband and backwoods home for the big city. Snarky Police Chief Rex takes his tragic morning out on her when Bree’s vehicle blocks rush hour traffic. A theft brings the two together, but their budding romance is interrupted when Bree is suspected in a brutal slaying, and her sleuthing makes her a target.
