HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Mesdames are looking forward to a busy year in 2018 with new book launches, conferences, readings and events.

Our most exciting news first: Mme Donna Carrick announces an wonderful new venture for Carrick Publishing: podcasting!

Dead to Writes is devoted to crime fiction, especially Canadian crime fiction authors. There will be author interviews, readings – whatever podcast audiences will love.

M. H. Callway

Dead to Writes has been in the prologue / testing phase and is now officially launched. Mme M. H. Callway is delighted to be among the first authors interviewed.  Details of where to hear the podcast, to sign up to subscribe and to apply to be considered for an author interview are on the Dead to Writes website here.

Donna will share more about her podcast venture – and adventures – in her upcoming blog this month.

Congratulations and Recognitions!

Mega congratulations go to Mme Sylvia Warsh for the acceptance of her chilling short story, “The Cabin in the Woods” for  Malice Domestic Anthology 13: Murder Most Geographical.  The anthology will be published in time for Malice Domestic 2018.

And kudos, too for the reprint of her Christmas crime story, “The Sun Sets in Key West” in Kings River Life Magazine. Sylvia’s  story first appeared in Blood on the Holly (Baskerville Press), edited by Mme Caro Soles.

A New Year’s treat for readers: read Sylvia’s Christmas mystery  here.

The New Year brings changes and Mme Catherine Dunphy takes on the fearless  leadership of our collective, giving Mme Mad, our founder, a much-earned break to focus on her writing and first grandchild.

Mme Mad has been in the leadership role for nearly five years since 2013!

A HUGE THANK YOU  to Mme Lynne Murphy who has been our newsletter editor, blog wizard and webmistress for the past three years. How quickly time goes, especially when things run so smoothly and well!

We are working on updating our website. Look for our new Book Page, updated bios and pics, info on our new members, links and features in the near future.

News and Events!

On Thursday 25th January, Mme Lisa De Nikolits will be at the Urban Folk Art Salon held at the Mount Pleasant Library, 599 Mt. Pleasant Road.

The Urban Folk Art Salon is a regular feature presenting poets, singers and songwriters, hosted by Gannon Hamilton.

And on Friday, January 26th, Lisa and her work will be featured on Mandy Eve Barnett’s blog. Connect here.

Calling Aspiring Novelists!

January is an excellent time to join that creative writing class you’ve always promised yourself. The Mesdames actively share their knowledge with and encourage new writers.

Mme Melodie Campbell returns to Sheridan College, Continuing Education to teach Crafting a Novel 1, a 14 week course every Wednesday night beginning Jan 17th. To register go to the Sheridan College website.

Mme Rosemary McCracken also returns to George Brown College to head up Novel Writing 2,  How to Develop Your Novel, starting Tuesday, January 9th until March 27th. The pre-requisite course is Novel Writing 1, How to Start Writing Your Novel.  To register, consult the George Brown website, here. 

Reminder to Short Crime Fiction Authors!

Submissions to the 2018 Derringer Awards are now open.  The deadline has been extended to  to allow a full 30-day submission period.

No fee to submit but authors must be members of the Short Mystery Fiction Society before December 31, 2017.  Be sure to read the submission rules carefully as the Derringer organizers are very strict. Here is the link. Good luck!