California Crime Writers Conference Logo
Well then, have I got the conference for you.

Every two years, the Southern California chapters of Sisters in Crime (SincLA) and the Mystery Writers of America (SoCalMWA) get together and put on the California Crime Writers Conference in Pasadena, California. It was the first writers conference I ever went to and it remains one of my favorites. For the 2013 conference, I’m coordinating registration and the manuscript critiques.

(Speaking of manuscript critiques, I coordinated them for the 2010 conference, and one of the attendees who asked for a critique not only landed the agent who critiqued it, but recently got a book deal. You know who you are, Matt Coyle.)

The 2013 conference features two of the biggest names in crime fiction writing today: Sue Grafton and Elizabeth George. If that isn’t enough, here’s a sneak peek at how the schedule is shaping up:

Elizabeth George: Sunday’s keynote speaker but she will also lead a workshop on “Finding Your Process” on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. To 11:45 a.m.

Michael Levin: “Take Your Manuscript From Good To Great: 12 Things You Must Do To Make Your Novel “Unrejectable”! Everybody knows that rewriting is the key to success in fiction writing, but exactly what does rewriting mean? Join New York Times best selling author, Shark Tank contestant and Huffington Post blogger Michael Levin for a fascinating, clear, and concise checklist to get your book to the best seller list!

Adrienne Lombardo, literary agent: a rising star at Trident Media Group in New York and ACTIVELY looking for clients who write crime fiction.

T. Jefferson Parker: multiple Edgar award-winning and bestselling author.

Kristen Weber: former Senior Editor at Mysterious Press/Warner Books and NAL/Penguin. Now freelance editor and partner in the upcoming online booklovers sitewww.shelfpleasure.com.

Hank Phillippi Ryan: award-winning author, multiple Emmy-award winning news reporter, MWA national board member and incoming President of national Sisters in Crime.

Marcia Clark: former Los Angeles County Deputy D.A. Lead prosecutor in the OJ Simpson trial and crime fiction author.

Anthony Manzella, former Los Angeles County Deputy D.A., Major Crimes division who specialized in prosecuting Mexican Mafia murder cases. He and his partner were profiled in MEXICAN MAFIA by Tony Rafael. He spoke at the 2009 conference and people are still talking about his presentation.

This is just a small portion of what will be on offer. You can register here and I look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Shotgun Honey Presents: Both Barrels Volume 1

When Ron Earl Phillips asked me to be in the first ever Shotgun Honey anthology, my fingers couldn’t type “YES” fast enough.

Shotgun Honey Presents: Both Barrels Volume 1

Today marks the launch of Shotgun Honey Presents: BOTH BARRELS:

Buy the Trade Paperback – $14.95
Buy for Kindle – $4.95
Buy for Nook – $4.95 (coming soon)
Buy for Kobo – $4.95 (coming soon)

Before I continue, many thanks must be given to the Shotgun Honey crew: Kent Gowran, Ron Earl Phillips, Sabrina Ogden, and Chad Rohrbacher. These folks help writers like me who are trying to get their name out there by publishing our stuff. For that I am very grateful.

To date, this is my proudest achievement as a writer. My story, REGRETS ONLY, is about a chronically down-and-out woman named Tammy Valero, who, when she learns she has terminal cancer, decides she has a few loose ends to tie up.

The story was challenging for me to write, mostly because it required me to dig deeper than I usually do. I felt exposed and vulnerable when writing it, as though Tammy’s story was my own (it’s not, of course). Every story written, no matter how short, is a learning experience, and this story in particular was a milestone.

But enough about me. Check out the amazing talent who appears with me in this anthology:

Andrew Nette – King Tut’s Tomb
Cameron Ashley – The Blonde Chimera
Chris Holm – Not Forgotten
Dan O’Shea – Father’s Day
Frank Bill – The Jade Bounty
Frank Wheeler Jr. – Tapdancing for Idiots
Garnett Elliott – Chicken Soup for the Hole
Glenn Gray – Intubation
Hector Acosta – Jueves
Holly West – Regrets Only
Jen Conley – Escape
Jim Wilsky – Traffick
Joe Myers – Cold Read
Julia Madeleine – Rage
Keith Rawson – 2 Kilograms of Soul
Kieran Shea – The Judgement of Roland J. Monroe
Matthew C. Funk – Lovely Men
Michael Oliveri – The Wrench in Her Works
Naomi Johnson – Hero
Nigel Bird – Rhythm of Life
Nik Korpon – The Owls
Patti Abbott – How to Launder a Shirt
Paul D. Brazill – Gareth and Fiona Go Abroad
Peter Farris – Cut. Copy. Paste. Delete
Ray Banks – The Warmest Room
Steve Weddle – The Awakening: From the Cyborg Lesbian Vampire Chronicles
Thomas Pluck – Train: A Denny the Dent Story
Tom Pitts – Luck
Trey R. Barker – A Good Boy

Forget my story–I can’t wait to read what everyone else wrote.