The 2017 SinCNE “Murder by the Minute” CT edition

by | May 22, 2017 | Blog

Graphic for CT "Murder by the Minute"

I read an excerpt from my short story “On Like Donkey Kong,” published this year in FISH OUT OF WATER: A GUPPY ANTHOLOGY for the Connecticut edition of a Sisters in Crime New England event.

Sisters in Crime New England holds a “Murder by the Minute” weekend in which each New England state hosts an event of readings of local authors. Author Steve Liskow, with help from SinCNE CT Board representative Tiger Wiseman, arranged for our program at the Avon Free Public Library, Avon, CT.

I also took what I call “the big camera,” a not-new-but-serviceable Nikon D90. Here are some photos:

Author Steve Liskow reads

Steve opened the show and read from his upcoming book, a second novel featuring roller derby athletes.

We each read an excerpt from five to ten minutes long.

Author Mark Dressler reads

We had a pretty good crowd considering it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

The library set us up in their lovely atrium.

Author Mark Dressler reading

Author Mark Dressler reading from a work-in-progress

Peggy Gaffney writes the Kate Killoy mysteries featuring Samoyed dogs, which she used to show.

Author Peggy Gaffney

Peggy brought books and visual aids.

Because Peggy’s books feature dogs, those of us with cameras finagled to get a photo of the dog listening to her read.

Despite my necklace, reading glasses, skirt, and fringed boots, I crawled under the table, lay on my stomach, and took photos with my and Peggy’s cameras. If you clicked on Peggy’s website and scrolled down, you saw the photo I got with her camera. This is what I got with mine. I like the emotional connection in this one, even if it isn’t technically perfect.

Service dog listens to author of dog mysteries read

An image worth the risk to the outfit before I read? I think so.

Marian Lanouette wore a chic Paris-themed sweater while giving us a preview of her upcoming gritty police procedural.

Author Marian Lanouette reads

Then, I passed my camera to Marian.

Rhonda Lane reads at Sisters in Crime event

After all the northern-themed stories, I took us all down south.

Marian may have snapped this when story protagonist Tammy Jo was reminding herself to screw her courage — or maybe it was her delusion or obsession? — to the sticking point.

Anyway, thank you, Sisters in Crime New England and Avon Free Public Library and Steve, as well as everyone who came out and made it a memorable afternoon.

Cover of FISH OUT OF WATER: A Guppies anthologyFISH OUT OF WATER is available via your favorite bookseller. Cue the helpful “buy” links! I made sure none is an affiliate link. So, no worries! Yay!