Authors too often overlook local marketing. But the best way to secure national reach is to start in your own backyard. Insight from longtime marketer and publicist Penny Sansevieri.

Why You Should Focus on Local Book Publicity First | Jane Friedman

People take pride in supporting someone from their communit, and readers are far more likely to buy a book if they feel a personal connection to the author, even a small one.

janefriedman.com

SAVE THE DATE! New upcoming webinar: Working with Libraries — Everything Librarians Want Authors to Know Monday, September 21 - 1p.m EDT/10 a.m. PST/6 p.m. BST www.sistersincrime.org/events/Event...

Our annual #DesertSleuths WriteNow! Conference is back! We're got you covered with agent pitch sessions, editor assessments of first chapters, writing craft workshops, panels, and presentations. Sept 18-19, 2026 (Virtual) Register: desertsleuths.com/wn-2026/ #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #SINC

Join us Wed, Aug 19 for hands-on practice writing CLIFFHANGERS! Kris Bock will share solid techniques that'll give your chapter endings some bite. All welcome. Register at DesertSleuths.com #SINC #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ThrillerWriters @krisbock.bsky.social

PRIDE Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers: Submissions Open thru July 31. You do not have to be a SinC member to apply for this $2000 award. Learn More and Submit Materials Here: www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

Today's #SinCScrawl Schedule Write-Ins 1pm BST/8am EDT/5am PDT 4pm BST/11am EDT/8am PDT 8pm BST/3pm EDT/noon PDT 11pm BST/6pm EDT/3pm PDT 2am BST/9pm EDT/6pm PDT Zoom link: sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/j/97666782099

We'll be sprinting right here on Bluesky today at NOON Eastern Time!

Register for the WriteNow! conference, Friday September 18 and Saturday September 19, 2026. Friday includes opportunities to pitch agents or receive feedback from editors. Saturday is packed with craft and marketing gems. Check our website at desertsleuths.com @jenifferthompson.bsky.social

This Wed, Jul 15, join three editors from Tule Press as they share five strategies to make your mystery novel shine and stand out from the crowd. All welcome, please register at DesertSleuths.com. #SINC #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ThrillerWriters #TulePress

#SinCScrawl: Today's Schedule Write-Ins 1pm BST/8am EDT/5am PDT 4pm BST/11am EDT/8am PDT 8pm BST/3pm EDT/noon PDT 11pm BST/6pm EDT/3pm PDT 2am BST/9pm EDT/6pm PDT Zoom link: sistersincrime-org.zoom.us/j/97666782099

Get 60% off this #audiobook & read about a smart midlife woman catching killers, laughing with friends young & old. "If you like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, you’ll love sleuthing with Kate & the Coffee Shop Irregulars!" www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p... #mystery #books #audiobooks #ReadzTule

60% OFF Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

She's pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home? Injured in a bombing, war correspondent Kate Tessler returns to her hometown in Arizona to recov...

audiobooks.com

This coming Wednesday!

SinC Desert Sleuths@desertsleuths.bsky.social · last mo.

At our July 15 meeting, join three editors from Tule Press as they share five strategies to make your mystery novel shine and stand out from the crowd. All welcome, please register at DesertSleuths.com. #SINC #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ThrillerWriters #TulePress

Submissions for the 2026 PRIDE Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers is open 6/1 - 7/31 Any crime writer can submit their work. You don't have to be a SinC member. You will need to create a guest membership if you are not a member of SinC. www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

The SinC Summer Scrawl is coming! Members only. Join us starting July 1 for our one-month Summer Scrawl. Sign up now! Not a member? JOIN using the code SUMMER26 to get 1/2 off membership for the rest of the year! www.sistersincrime.org/events/Event...

Walking early allows you to beat the heat and see the night-blooming cactus before they close up.

Need to get out of the heat? Plan ahead for July 18! You'll want to be at the Payson Book Festival to meet me and many other authors. What better way is there to do during summer in Arizona? #paysonbookfestival #annadalhaimerbartkowski #AllianceforLiteraryWritersAuthorsYabberingScribes

Sisters in Crime @desertsleuths.bsky.social Chapter 5 Ways to Boost Your Mystery’s Chances for Success, with the #ReadzTule team How do you give your #mystery the best chance to stand out in a crowded field? Free, register in advance: desertsleuths.com/2026-events/ #writing #books #amwriting

2026 Events - Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter

Desert Sleuths: An Organization for Writers, Readers, and Fans of Crime Fiction and Mystery  Our 2026 events below will be filled in as programming is confirmed. Select any month to move directly to t...

desertsleuths.com

“The Musicians of Bremen” by Debra H. Goldstein is included in Wish Upon a Crime, released on June 2, 2026. www.amazon.com/Wish-Upon-Cr....

At our July 15 meeting, join three editors from Tule Press as they share five strategies to make your mystery novel shine and stand out from the crowd. All welcome, please register at DesertSleuths.com. #SINC #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ThrillerWriters #TulePress

Wish you'd joined SinC this year? Or do you know someone who would like to be a member? Sign up for the rest of the year at half price! You'll be all set to participate in July's Summer Scrawl. Offer available through Sept. 30. Use promo code SUMMER26 www.sistersincrime.org/page/join-now

PRIDE Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers: Submissions Open PRIDE Award submissions are open through July 31. People do not have to be a SinC member to apply for this $2000 award. Please help us spread the word.

We can learn so much from different forms of art/creativity. This Wed, June 17, join author & painter Claire A. Murray as she discusses what layering in painting can teach us about writing & storytelling. Register at DesertSleuths.com #SINC #SINCWorldwide #DesertSleuths #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

On Wed, June 17, Desert Sleuths Prez Claire A. Murray will share her creative insights from painting & how her experience layering with paint informs her writing. All welcome, register at DesertSleuths.com #SINCWorldwide #AmWriting #CrimeWriters #MysteryWriters #ThrillerWriters #WritingCommunity

Join SinC in celebrating Pride Month! Let your true colors shine through! #standwithSinC

I'm going to be on TV! For my 5 minutes of fame today! Chatting about AN ARTFUL DODGE with my friend, Emmy Award-winning news reporter, author, and Sister in Crime @christinaestes.bsky.social! Watch today 5 pm & 10 pm. #anartfuldodge #newbook @sohopress.bsky.social @desertsleuths.bsky.social

Home

Arizona PBS brings you in-depth news coverage and specializes in K-12 education efforts across the state while also celebrating arts and culture.

azpbs.org

Arizonans! Come find me @phoenixfanfusion.bsky.social from Friday, June 5th to Sunday, June 7th! More info at: www.phoenixfanfusion.com/guests/alex-...

*Upcoming Webinar* Bookstore Events for Fun, Profit, and Total World Domination Wednesday, May 27, 8pm EDT/ 5pm PDT/1am May 28 BST Events and promotions through bookstores are an important piece in an author’s marketing plan. Free for Members/$15 for Non-Members Register- https://twp.ai/4hrHE8

What a fabulous way to use multiple points of view in your first person writing.

Karen Odden@karenodden.bsky.social · 3mo ago

My blogpost this week on Substack/Murder is Everywhere--some musings on the benefits of changing our view, literally & metaphorically. With thanks to @yishunlai.bsky.social #murderiseverywhere #amwriting #writinglife #arizona murderiseverywhere.substack.com/p/walking-ar...

On Wed, May 20, join us for a lively discussion on Multiple Point of View: The Key to Great Pacing with Brendan Flaherty, R. John Dingle, Catherine Dilts, & Merida Bass! All writers welcome. Register at: DesertSleuths.com #SINC #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters

At our May 20 member meeting, join us for a lively discussion on Multiple Point of View: The Key to Great Pacing with Brendan Flaherty, R. John Dingle, Catherine Dilts, & Merida Bass! #SINC #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters