SinC Desert Sleuths

@desertsleuths.bsky.social

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Phoenix Metro+ Chapter of Sisters in Crime (SinC). Award-winning anthologies, the annual WriteNow! Conference & support for all of our siblings! https://desertsleuths.com Check out our latest anthology, SoWest: DangerAwaits!

WriteNOW! Conference Sept 18-19, 2026, VIrtual CraftNOW! Workshop The Ring of 5: Power Tools that Drive Every Story featuring Carlene O'Connor Carlene O'Connor, dubbed "The Queen of Cozies" by Publisher's Weekly is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels and 8 novellas. She will share the five essential ingredients every story needs to come alive- no matter the genre. Writers will come away with a blueprint that will help guide every piece of creative work for the rest of their writing life. WriteNOW! Conference Pitch Sessions, Craft Workshops, Manuscript Edits. Panels, and Presentations For more details and to register: DesertSleuths.com/wn-2026
Desert Sleuths WriteNow! Conference September 18-19, 2026 Featured Guests: Anna Dahlhaimer Bartkowski, Terri Bischoff, Leslie Budewitz, Christina Estes, Laurie Fagen, Howard Gershowitz, Elizabeth Guthrie, Jay Hartman, Lara Helmling, Connie Johnson Hambley, Susan Magestro, Margaret C. Morse, Carlene O'Connor, Gina Panettieri, Neil Plakcy, Anne Rainbow, Sarah Smith, Clay Stafford, Jennifer Thompson, Ann Videan Friday: Agent pitch sessions ($40), editor assessments of your first chapter ($60), and a writing craft workshop ($60) Saturday: One fee for the entire day- 3 panels, 1 craft workshop, 2 presentations ($30 for Desert Sleuths and Tucson Sisters in Crime members , $40 all others) Register: https://desertsleuths.com/wn-2026
Cliffhangers: Keep the Pages Turning! with Kris Bock Wed, Aug 19, 6pm MST/Arizona A good cliffhanger can- *Add impact to your dramatic scenes. *Leave your reader desperate to learn what happens next. *Propel the story forward. Have a few chapter endings from your Work-in-Progress handy so you can apply the techniques Kris Bock will teach during the session. Register at DesertSleuths.com
5 Ways to Boost Your Mystery’s Chances for Success with Julie Sturgeon, Sinclair Sawhney, and Lee Hyat Wed, July 15, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT Give your mystery the best chance to stand out in a crowded field and keep readers turning pages past bedtime. Join this Tule Press team as they break down practical, high-impact strategies to: *strengthen your story, *sharpen your hook, and *make your book more appealing to readers and publishers alike. Register at: DesertSleuths.com Find us on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, Pinterest, & YouTube Images: Desert Sleuths logo plus headshots of guest speakers
5 Ways to Boost Your Mystery’s Chances for Success with Julie Sturgeon, Sinclair Sawhney, and Lee Hyat Wed, July 15, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT Give your mystery the best chance to stand out in a crowded field and keep readers turning pages past bedtime. Join this Tule Press team as they break down practical, high-impact strategies to: *strengthen your story, *sharpen your hook, and *make your book more appealing to readers and publishers alike. Register at: DesertSleuths.com Find us on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, Pinterest, & YouTube Images: Desert Sleuths logo plus headshots of guest speakers
Writing is Like Painting: Layering Enhancements to Transform Plot into Story with Claire A. Murray Wed, June 17, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT Can you be fully creative and tell your story well? Do criticism and restraint stifle creativity? Writing, like painting, can be layered to trasnform a simple plot into an engaging story even as you apply restraint and integrate criticism. Murray will discuss 5 critical story components, touch upon story structure, and demonstrate with a flash fiction story and a few painting progressions. Register at: DesertSleuths.com Images: Desert Sleuths logo plus headshot of author
Writing is Like Painting: Layering Enhancements to Transform Plot into Story with Claire A. Murray Wed, June 17, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT Can you be fully creative and tell your story well? Do criticism and restraint stifle creativity? Writing, like painting, can be layered to trasnform a simple plot into an engaging story even as you apply restraint and integrate criticism. Murray will discuss 5 critical story components, touch upon story structure, and demonstrate with a flash fiction story and a few painting progressions. Register at: DesertSleuths.com Images: Desert Sleuths logo plus headshot of author
Multiple Point of View: The Key to Great Pacing with Brendan Flaherty, R. John Dingle, Catherine Dilts, & Merida Bass Wed, May 20, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT How should you tell your great story – in whose voice and how many voices? These authors will discuss choosing multiple POV, how to write it well, and the advantages it brings to writing a page-turning mystery! Register at: DesertSleuths.com Images: Desert Sleuths logo plus headshots of authors
Multiple Point of View: The Key to Great Pacing with Brendan Flaherty, R. John Dingle, Catherine Dilts, & Merida Bass Wed, May 20, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT How should you tell your great story – in whose voice and how many voices? These authors will discuss choosing multiple POV, how to write it well, and the advantages it brings to writing a page-turning mystery! Register at: DesertSleuths.com Images: Desert Sleuths logo plus headshots of authors
The "You Can Make it Up, But it Better be Right: The Value of Research in Fiction Writing" panel converses at the Sonoran Writers Conference with Elaine Powers, Roberta Gibson, Patricia Bonn, Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, and moderator C.C. Harrison.
Keynote speaker Tori Eldrige receives a birthday card and cake at the Sonoran Writers Conference. Conference Director Bob Nelson is at the podium.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Cliffhangers: Keep the Pages Turning! with Kris Bock Learn how to identify your best cliffhanger moments and make them even more dramatic through pacing and paragraphing, leaving readers desperate to find out what happens next. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Kris Bock, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Find Music in Your Manuscript with Suzanne E. Flaig Music is based on beats, measures, and rhythm; writing also needs beats: openings, endings, composing, and more. Join Suzanne E. Flaig to explore ways to find music in your writing. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Suzanne E. Flaig, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona You Can Make It Up But It Better Be Right with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, Elaine Powers, and C.C. Harrison Join Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, Elaine Powers, and C.C. Harrison for a panel discussion of research in fiction. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, photos of authors Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, Elaine Powers, and C.C. Harrison, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Venomous vs Poisonous Animals: We Have Both in Arizona, but Which is Which? with Elaine Powers Adding local wildlife enhances any story. However, the animals' behaviors must be accurately portrayed. This presentation will explore the differences between venomous and poisonous animals found in Arizona. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Elaine Powers, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Warm Up Your Writing with Cozy & Humorous Touches with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Margaret C. Morse, and Suzanne E. Flaig Join Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Margaret C. Morse, and Suzanne E. Flaig as we discuss cozy tropes, humor, and how they can enhance your stories. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, photos of authors Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Margaret C. Morse, and Suzanne E. Flaig, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Conflict-ology: The Art of Creating Conflict Within Your Writing with Susan Magestro Share this memorable interactive experience with seasoned author, presenter and real life international criminologist, Susan Magestro, as we explore the design of multi levels of conflict within stories you know and stories you write. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Susan Magestro, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Plotting Practices: Tips, Practices, and Warnings with Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, Susan Magestro, and CC Harrison Join Kris Bock, Roberta Gibson, and moderator CC Harrison for a panel discussion of plotting tools, techniques, and traps. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, photos of authors Patricia Bonn, Roberta Gibson, Susan Magestro, and CC Harrison, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Short Stories & Anthologies: Do's & Don'ts, & What to Expect with Eva Eldridge You've written a short story. Now what? This workshop will discuss research on the markets, specifics on submitting, and what to expect. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Eva Eldridge, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Unleashing Creativity Through Brainstorming w/ Lauren Buckingham, Susan Magestro, Margaret C. Morse, & Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski Join Lauren Buckingham, Claire A. Murray, Margaret C. Morse, & Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski as we explore the many ways brainstorming can stimulate your writing. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, photos of authors Lauren Buckingham, Margaret C. Morse, Claire A. Murray, & Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2025 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona One day, All day, In person More than 40 sessions to choose from! Keynote Speaker: Tori Eldridge torieldridge.com Plus Sisters in Crime guest speakers: Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, Kris Bock, Patricia Bonn, Lauren Buckingham, Eva Eldrige, Suzanne E. Flaig, Roberta Gibson, C.C. Harrison, Susan Magestro, Margaret C. Morse, Claire A. Murray, Elaine Powers, Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Desert background scene, headshots of all participating Sisters in Crime authors, plus the logos for the cohosts Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona A Vampire Moved in Next Door: Choosing a Paranormal Character and Building a Paranormal World with Margaret C. Morse Attendees will learn how to apply plot and characterization to paranormal stories, along with common pitfalls, and be invited to create their paranormal character and inciting incident. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Margaret C. Morse, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Critiquing, Self-Editing, & What Professional Editors Look For with Kris Bock, Claire A. Murray, Elaine Powers, and moderator Suzanne E. Flaig Join Kris Bock, Claire A. Murray, Elaine Powers, and moderator Suzanne E. Flaig as we explore editing your own work and when to get outside help. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, photos of authors Kris Bock, Claire A. Murray, Elaine Powers, and Suzanne E. Flaig, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Haunted by History & Mystery: Writing the Past from Family Secrets, Memory, & Dreams with Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski Learn practical techniques for transforming long-buried family secrets, fragmented memories, and dream imagery into layered plot, compelling characters, and sustained suspense. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2026 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona What I Learned from Nancy Drew: Tools for Fast-Paced Plotting with Kris Bock A Nancy Drew ghostwriter shares what she learned while writing about the famous sleuth, from a "grab you by the throat" opening to packing the plot with complications. Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Stormy desert background scene, a photo of author Kris Bock, plus the logos for cohosts, Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Sonoran Writers Conference Saturday, May 9, 2025 8a-5p Benedictine University Mesa, Arizona Keynote Speaker: Tori Eldridge torieldridge.com Register at: anthology.org/index.php/registration Images: Desert background scene, a photo of author Tori Eldridge and the cover of her book, Hawai'i Rage, plus the logos for the cohosts Sonoran Writers Conference, Tucson Sisters in Crime, and Desert Sleuths Sisters in Crime.
Text: Congratulations to the editors and authors of the Desert Sleuths chapter of Sisters in Crime FINALIST: Derringer Best Anthology Award "SoWest: Danger Awaits!" Images: Book cover of SoWest: Danger Awaits! which has the back of a man grabbing a gun from the waist of his jeans as he heads into the ominous desert. Plus the Desert Sleuths logo AND the amazing Short Mystery Fiction Society Finalist badge. DesertSleuths.com Shortmystery.blogspot.com
Join Desert Sleuths for The Power of the 3-Act Structure with Claire-Dee Lim Wed, April 15, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT Outliner? Pantser? Somewhere in between? Is outlining too confining? Or a roadmap to clarify direction and keep you from writing into a corner? Claire-Dee Lim falls into the latter camp. She says: "Three-Act Structure concepts provide a strong foundation while leaving room to explore character, theme, and nuance." Join us to see where you fall and how you can apply the same framework to your writing. Register at: DesertSleuths.com
The Power of the 3-Act Structure with Claire-Dee Lim Wed, April 15, 2026; 6pm AZ Time/PDT Outliner? Pantser? Somewhere in between? Is outlining too confining? Or a roadmap to clarify direction and keep you from writing into a corner? Claire-Dee Lim falls into the latter camp. She says: "Three-Act Structure concepts provide a strong foundation while leaving room to explore character, theme, and nuance." Join us to see where you fall and how you can apply the same framework to your writing. Register at: DesertSleuths.com
Desert Sleuths President Claire A Murray with Desert Sleuths member Anna Dalhaimer Bartkowski stand behind a table full of anthologies and books by our members. Both Claire and Anna have stories in our SoWest: Danger Awaits! Anthology as well as books of their own for sale.
Claire A. Murray (President) and Suzanne E. Flaig (Vice President) smiling behind the Sisters in Crime Booth at Tucson Festival of Books. The table holds a display of our anthologies and chapter cookbook.
Come see Desert Sleuths at Booth 426 at the Tucson Festival of Books, Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, Mesa Arizona. More information at tucsonfestivalofbooks.org and desertsleuths.com.
Rise Above the Noise with Bruce Bing Wed, March 18, 6pm PDT/MST Podcasting is the new mainstream media. A podcast guest appearance can let you: *share your story arc *build your audience *promote your book -IF the podcaster knows what they’re doing. Join us as Bruce Bing shows how to: *keep the interviewer on track *steer the discussion in order to get your story out *take over, if necessary, without offending the podcast host. Register at https://desertsleuths.com
Text: Join Desert Sleuths at the Tucson Festival of Books Saturday and Sunday, March 14 & 15, 2026 Tucson, Arizona TucsonFestivalofBooks.org DesertSleuths.com Images: Desert Sleuths president and author Claire Murray at a past TFOB booth showcasing the Desert Sleuth anthologies and goodies for sale. Authors Deborah J. Ledford, Craig Johnson and William Kent Krueger chat just before a panel at a previous TFOB. Plus the TFOB and Desert Sleuths logos.
Sonoran Writers Conference request for speaker, moderator, and panel proposals. Proposal deadline: Saturday, February 28, 2026. Event: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Benedictine University, Mesa, Arizona. More information at desertsleuths.com/sleuths-on-the-trail.
Text: Congratulations, Karen Odden Karen's story "The Dark Side of Bright Angel" has been accepted into the 2026 BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR. Images: Headshot of Karen Odden Plus Desert Sleuths logo. DesertSleuths.com
Text: Congratulations to the editors and authors of the Desert Sleuths chapter of Sisters in Crime FINALIST: Derringer Best Anthology Award "SoWest: Danger Awaits!" Images: Book cover of SoWest: Danger Awaits! which has the back of a man grabbing a gun from the waist of his jeans as he heads into the ominous desert. Plus the Desert Sleuths logo AND the amazing Short Mystery Fiction Society Finalist badge. DesertSleuths.com Shortmystery.blogspot.com
Text: Join Desert Sleuths at the Tucson Festival of Books Saturday and Sunday, March 14 & 15, 2026 Tucson, Arizona TucsonFestivalofBooks.org DesertSleuths.com Images: Desert Sleuths president and author Claire Murray at a past TFOB booth showcasing the Desert Sleuth anthologies and goodies for sale. Authors Deborah J. Ledford, Craig Johnson and William Kent Krueger chat just before a panel at a previous TFOB. Plus the TFOB and Desert Sleuths logos.
Text: Getting Out of Your Head... and Into Your Listener's Ear with Karen Krause February 18, 6p MST Register at DesertSleuths.com Adapt your writing so it's effective for listeners, too. From ways to check for "audio-ability" to making prose more performance friendly, Karen Krause will share tips and techniques that engage your listeners. She will also provide links for you to dive deeper into the art of writing for audio. Krause is an audiobook narrator with dozens of books under her belt. Her aptitude for dialect/accents and character voices make her a great fit for fiction as well as bios/memoirs. Images: Photos of Karen Krause plus the Desert Sleuths logo
Text: Getting Out of Your Head... and Into Your Listener's Ear with Karen Krause February 18, 6p MST Register at DesertSleuths.com Adapt your writing so it's effective for listeners, too. From ways to check for "audio-ability" to making prose more performance friendly, Karen Krause will share tips and techniques that engage your listeners. She will also provide links for you to dive deeper into the art of writing for audio. Krause is an audiobook narrator with dozens of books under her belt. Her aptitude for dialect/accents and character voices make her a great fit for fiction as well as bios/memoirs. Images: Photos of Karen Krause plus the Desert Sleuths logo
Text: Writing for Anthologies: How to Slip Between the Covers with Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson January 21, 6p MST Register at DesertSleuths.com Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson provide an insider's look at anthologies, how they are conceived and pitched, and how editor's acquire content. They will provide tips, tricks, and techniques to help students craft a compelling short story and make the most of anthology publication opportunities. Images: Photos of Michael and Stacy plus the Desert Sleuths logo
Text: Writing for Anthologies: How to Slip Between the Covers with Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson January 21, 6p MST Register at DesertSleuths.com Images: Photos of Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson plus the Desert Sleuths logo
Text: Writing for Anthologies: How to Slip Between the Covers with Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson January 21, 6p MST Register at DesertSleuths.com Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson provide an insider's look at anthologies, how they are conceived and pitched, and how editor's acquire content. They will provide tips, tricks, and techniques to help students craft a compelling short story and make the most of anthology publication opportunities. Images: Photos of Michael and Stacy plus the Desert Sleuths logo
Image: A Kindle device sits in the snow and shows the How NOT to Survive the Holidays book cover, next to a heart-shaped mug of steaming hot cocoa. The book cover image: A man that might be Santa in holiday Bermuda shorts lies in the morgue on a slab with a Santa hat between his feet. HIs head is not visible but there appears to be the hint of white beard. A sparsely decorated Christmas tree is partial visible off to the side. (lightly humorous image, not graphic) Text: Holiday thrills. Cocoa not included. How NOT to Survive the Holidays, A Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Anthology. Available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/How-NOT-Survive-Holidays-Anthology/dp/0982877455
Mesa Book Festival Saturday, December 6, 10a-8p Downtown Mesa, 1 N. MacDonald Free 80+ Authors, Live Music, Food Trucks, Literary Costume Contest, Santa Visit, Children's Book Readings at the Holiday Tree, & More www.MesaBookFestival.com
SoWest: Danger Awaits! by Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths In Arizona, the heat isn't the only danger. From city streets to desert locales and mountain vistas, these stories cover a lot of ground. Obsession*Blackmail*Family*Historical*Abuse*Paranormal*Assasins/Murder*SerialKillers*Redemption*Greed/Fraud*Return to Work Available on Amazong https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7B3LVN DesertSleuths.com
Image: Festival logo featuring an open book with the Arizona desert sunset and a saguaro image making up the open pages. Text describing the event on an inset square and then background sun and desert scene. Text: TALES & TUMBLEWEED BOOK FESTIVAL November 30, 2025 10a-5p La Familgia Restaurant and Silver Key Lounge 1859 W. Guadalupe Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tales-tumbleweed-holiday-book-festival-tickets-1671027481179 Local Author & Vendor Event Celebrating Arizona's Storytellers and creatives with local authors, unique vendors, and community at a special indoor/outdoor market. Shop local with unique gifts, author signings, raffles, swag bags, and community. Find us on Facebook and Eventbrite.
Cozy up to Cozies: Reading, Writing, and Selling the Genre with V.M. Burns, Ellen Byron, and Jennifer Chow Wed, Nov 19, 6p-7:30p Arizona Time Our guest authors talk all things cozy- from defining the genre to sharing their individual writing processes- and offer tips to navigate the marketplace. Register at https://DesertSleuths.com
Cozy up to Cozies: Reading, Writing, and Selling the Genre with V.M. Burns, Ellen Byron, and Jennifer Chow Wed, Nov 19, 6p-7:30p Arizona Time Our guest authors talk all things cozy- from defining the genre to sharing their individual writing processes- and offer tips to navigate the marketplace. Register at https://DesertSleuths.com
Text: SoWest: Danger Awaits! In Arizona the heat isn't the only danger. From city streets to desert locales and mountain vistas, these stories cover a lot of ground. Obsession. Blackmail. Family. Historical. Revenge. Abuse. Paranormal. Assassins/Murder. Serial Killers. Redemption. Greed/Fraud. Return to Work. Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths. Available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sisters-in-Crime-Desert-Sleuths-Chapter-Authors/author/B00DRG06WQ DesertSleuths.com DesertSleuths@gmail.com Find us on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube. Images: The covers of all our anthologies and our cookbook, especially highlighting the cover of SoWest: Danger Awaits! which features the back view of a man reaching for a gun in the waistband of his jeans and he faces a distant house in an ominous desert landscape.
Find Desert Sleuths at these upcoming Book Fairs: LOCAL AUTHOR BOOK FAIR Sat, Nov 15, 1-4p Red Mountain Library, Mesa, AZ https://events.mesalibrary.org/event/local-author-book-fair-148380 TALES & TUMBLEWEED BOOK FESTIVAL Sun, Nov 30, 10a-5p La Famiglia Restaurant & The Silver Lounge, Mesa, AZ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tales-tumbleweed-holiday-book-festival-tickets-1671027481179 MESA BOOK FESTIVAL Sat, Dec 5, 10a-8p 1 N. Macdonald, Downtown Mesa, AZ https://www.anthology.org/index.php/mesa-book-festival
(l to r) Authors Laura MacKenzie, Patricia Curren, Patricia A. Bonn, and Suzanne E. Flaig selling our latest anthology, SOWEST: DANGER AWAITS! (and loads of other books) at the Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths booth for the Desert Foothills Book Festival.
Saturday, October 18, 10a-3p Desert Foothills Book Festival at the Holland Center 34250 N. 60th St, Scottsdale, Az Free Event. Over 100 Arizona Authors- All genres. First 100 people get a free gift valued at $60. Food truck on site. DesertFoothillsBookFestival.com
Grow Your Platform without the Social Media Overwhelm with Melissa Bourbon Wed, Oct 15, 2025 Chapter Meeting 6p AZ Time, Presentation 6:30p AZ Time Pinterest is a powerful, often underused tool to build your author visibiilty. Pinterest is a search engine: your content works for you long after you post it. Melissa Bourbon will share how to use keywords, boards, pins, and lead magnets to grow your platform while you focus on writing. Join us and learn how to attact readers and drive interest with Pinterest. All welcome! Register at https://desertsleuths.com
Grow Your Platform without the Social Media Overwhelm with Melissa Bourbon Wed, Oct 15, 2025 Chapter Meeting 6p AZ Time, Presentation 6:30p AZ Time Pinterest is a powerful, often underused tool to build your author visibiilty. Pinterest is a search engine: your content works for you long after you post it. Melissa Bourbon will share how to use keywords, boards, pins, and lead magnets to grow your platform while you focus on writing. Join us and learn how to attact readers and drive interest with Pinterest. All welcome! Register at https://desertsleuths.com
A group of 8 authors lined up next to each other with bookshelves behind and to the side of them at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore. left to right: Patricia A. Bonn, D.R. Ransdell, Claire A Murray, Suzanne E. Flaig, Margaret Burnison, Bill Butler, Clare Broyles, and Michael Thomét.
Desert Sleuths WriteNOW! Conference Anthology Launch Party and Author Signings Sept 26, 2025 The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale, AZ After the Great Depression, a girl desperate to find her mother gambles that a dangerous cross country journey to the west will bring her home. "Hard Times" by Meg E. Dobson, from the Desert Sleuths Anthology, SOWEST: DANGER AWAITS! Meg E. Dobson’s short stories have appeared in national anthologies from Malice Domestic, Poisoned Pen Press, and Desert Sleuths. Additional award-winning shorts were honored by the Tempe Writing Community Writing Forum and Writers’ Police Academy. She made her international debut with a flash in the UK Crime Bites with Lee Child. Her young crime novel Chaos Theory, a Kami Files Mystery was published by the Poisoned Pen’s imprint press. Order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNS2H162 Register for the Launch Party at https://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025-launch-party/
Desert Sleuths WriteNOW! Conference Anthology Launch Party / Author Signing September 26, 2025, 6p-7:30p 25 crime/mystery stories packed into one volume... Obsession. Redemption. Abuse. Paranormal. Survival. Assassin/Murder for Hire. Blackmail. Betrayal. Family. Historical. Revenge. Serial Killer. Greed/Fraud. Trust. Come to The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale AZ, Friday night, Sept 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. MST, for the launch of SOWEST: DANGER AWAITS! an anthology of short stories by Desert Sleuths Chapter of Sisters in Crime authors. Meet some of the authors in person and virtually. The Poisoned Pen Bookstore 4014 N Goldwater Blvd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 USA https://poisonedpen.com/ Also available from Amazon.
Desert Sleuths WriteNOW! Conference Anthology Launch Party and Author Signings Sept 26, 2025 The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale, AZ A private detective goes undercover to investigate the suspicious death of an office bookkeeper in a flash flood. “Come Hell or High Water" by Claire A. Murray, from the Desert Sleuths Anthology, SOWEST: DANGER AWAITS! Claire A Murray writes, paints, and hosts write-ins for connection, inspiration, and sanity. Play the Hand You’re Dealt is her short story collection. Claire reviews books for Kings River Life Magazine and is completing a suspense fantasy novel and the first book of a trilogy. She belongs to the Short Mystery Fiction Society, Mystery Writers of America, and is President of Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter. Order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNS2H162 Register for the Launch Party at https://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025-launch-party/
Desert Sleuths WriteNOW! Conference Anthology Launch Party and Author Signings Sept 26, 2025 The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Scottsdale, AZ A college student spends his summers digging for gold in a secret mine until his boss mysteriously disappears. "Herman Pines and Archie" by Bill Butler, from the Desert Sleuths Anthology, SOWEST: DANGER AWAITS! Bill Butler likes adventure. At fifteen, he dropped out high school and became a carnival worker. At seventeen, he joined the army. While serving, he earned a G.E.D. and college credits. He was stationed in Alaska for two years; while there, he panned for gold in his spare time. Bill also was a private detective before retiring to manage a vocation rehab unit at The Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute in Phoenix. Order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNS2H162 Register for the Launch Party at https://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025-launch-party/