Dear Librarian,

Raise a Glass of Champagne!

In this issue three Sisters in Crime presidents – Sherry Harris, Sandra Wong, and Lori Rader-Day -- salute our outgoing Library Liaison, Shari Randall. SINC has always valued our connection to libraries, and having a former librarian who is also a writer on our national board has given us insight into the close relationship between writers and libraries. 

“I was so fortunate to work with Shari Randall on the Sisters in Crime board. We joined the board the same year and before that were longtime friends through the Chesapeake Chapter of SinC. Shari plunged into the task of being Library Liaison. At that time Shari created monthly themes where she could highlight SinC members books for librarians. Shari also coordinated the We Love Libraries program among her other duties.

"During the year I was president, Shari reinvented what it looked like to be a presence at the American Library Association conference in Washington, DC. She coordinated all the setup, created two massive book giveaways called “It’s Raining Books” which the librarians attending the conference could sign up to win, organized signings and book giveaways for local authors, and manned the booth along with her many other duties.

"Shari always had a smile on her face, provided thoughtful counsel, and never complained about her workload. While much of what Shari did was behind the scenes all the members of SinC benefitted from her years as part of the board of Sisters in Crime. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to work with Shari and thank her for her dedication.”

Sherry Harris, SinC President 2018-2019, is the Agatha Award nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery series and the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon mysteries. Sherry is a past president of Sisters in Crime, a member of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Sherry loves books, beaches, bars, and Westies — not necessarily in that order. She is also a patent holding inventor.

“The first time I met Shari Randall, we never actually formally met! It was my first-ever Sisters in Crime national board meeting, and Shari was one of many smiling welcoming faces at the table. But I was a newbie, so I remained mostly silent while trying to keep up. During that meeting, though, Shari was given some surprising news about her board ‘portfolio.' What I recall clearly still, was how she 'took it on the chin' with a calm, graceful aplomb. Working with Shari over the almost-2 years since has only solidified that first impression of her. In 2020, Shari was the natural choice to oversee the hard-working volunteers who coordinate the We Love Libraries and We Love Bookstores granting programs. She’s done a fantastic job for both, especially in pivoting to create and maintain a virtual line to SinC for booksellers and librarians—vital members of our broad community. Internally, Shari also sat on the Sisters in Crime merchandise subcommittee. There, she charmed us all with a gift for witty and whimsical graphic design, as well as her quiet insights and bright humor. Every interaction I’ve ever had with Shari has been delightful. Sisters in Crime is undoubtedly the better for Shari’s many talents, and I’m grateful to have served with her.”

Sandra SG Wong (she/her), SinC President 2020-2021, writes fiction across genres, including the cross-genre Lola Starke novels and Crescent City short stories. An Arthur Ellis Awards finalist and Whistler Independent Book Awards nominee, as well as a speaker, mentor, and hybrid (indie/trad) author, Sandra is privileged, as (inter)national president, to serve Sisters in Crime in its commitment to equity and community. Her next book, coming in 2022 from HarperCollins Canada, is a standalone suspense novel. sgwong.com 

“When I became president of Sisters in Crime, I think the role of Library Liaison was pretty established—but then there were some changes underway throughout the organization that affected those duties. Shari Randall enthusiastically took on the challenge of figuring out new and better ways for her role to serve Sisters in Crime and all its members. Shari was a joy to work with (a literal joy, always bringing a smile to meetings) and a thoughtful and astute voice on the board for libraries and librarians.”

Lori Rader-Day, SinC President 2019-2020, is the Edgar Award-nominated author of Death at Greenway (October 2021) and the immediate past-president of Sisters in Crime.

We wish Shari Godspeed and happy writing. Susan Hammerman will take over as Library Liaison and you’ll get to meet her in the October issue.

New Orleans Public Library 

Receives We Love Libraries Grant

Sadly, the Bouchercon conference, one of the highlights of the crime writer’s year, was canceled. The conference had designated the proceeds of its charity silent auction to the New Orleans Public Library. Sisters in Crime is pleased to announce that we will present a special $500 Doris Ann Norris Memorial We Love Libraries grant to the Library. The presentation will be made at a later date by our SINC New Orleans chapter president, Colleen Mooney.

How Can Your Library Win a “We Love Libraries” Grant?

Six times a year, Sisters in Crime distributes a $500 Doris Ann Norris We Love Libraries Grant. Since it’s run as a lottery, it’s the easiest grant you’ll never write! If you have questions, please contact our We Love Libraries Coordinator, Susan Hammerman at WLL@sistersincrime.org.

Thank you for all you do for your communities. We love libraries!

Happy reading,

Shari and Susan

Susan Hammerman, a former rare book librarian, is the coordinator of the We Love Libraries program. Susan writes crime and neo-noir short stories. Her most recent story, “Remote Storage,” was published in the June issue of Mystery Weekly.

Former librarian Shari Randall is the author of the Agatha Award-winning Lobster Shack Mystery series. As Meri Allen, she writes the new Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. The first in series is THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN.

Sisters in Crime hosts LIVE webinars each month. Webinars last 60-90 minutes depending on the topic and the audience questions! These webinars are open to all.

Here's a spreadsheet with our members' 2021 books. This month's releases are in a separate worksheet. Sort the spreadsheet by author name, location, title, or release date.

Looking for diverse books? For many years, SINC has curated Frankie’s List, an extensive list of crime novels by people of color and other marginalized groups. Frankie Y. Bailey, building on work by the late Eleanor Taylor Bland, began to compile a list of published Black crime writers over a decade ago. Frankie has expanded the list to include other WOC and LGBTQ+ authors. Here’s a link: https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/FrankiesList

Sisters in Crime is the premier crime writing association focused on equity and inclusion in our community and in publishing. Our 4,500+ members enjoy access to tools to help them learn, grow, improve, thrive, and reinvent if necessary. They also gain a community of supportive fellow writers and readers, both peers to share the peaks and valleys of writing, and mentors to model the way forward.