Sisters in Crime General - Sisters in Crime Australia

Making a killing – 28 stories shortlisted for Sisters in Crime’s 31st Scarlet Stiletto Awards

Sisters in Crime Australia is proud to announce that 28 stories by 28 authors have been shortlisted for its 31st Scarlet Stiletto Awards for best crime short stories written by Australian women. This year 195 stories are vying for a record $13,400 in prize money. All authors receive a framed certificate and, if lucky, they also win one of the 16 prizes on offer. The first-prize winner also scores a spectacular trophy – a scarlet stiletto shoe with a steel stiletto heel plunging into a mount.

Murder Monday: Jane Sullivan

For the September Murder Monday, Sisters in Crime’s Jacq Ellem spoke to Jane Sullivan, crime author, and the literary columnist for Nine Newspapers. She has been a judge for Sisters in Crime’s Davitt Awards several times. Jane is the author of three novels, Little People, The White Star, and Murder in Punch Lane, her first crime novel, plus a memoir, Storytime. Murder in Punch Lane is set in Melbourne in 1868, and inspired by real events and people.

Sisters in Crime’s 24th Davitt Awards winners announced: Debut books triumph

Debut books triumphed at Sisters in Crime’s 24th Davitt Awards for best women’s crime and mystery books on Saturday night (31 August). Four of the six winning crime and mystery books were first-time forays into the genre: Monica Vuu (Sandfly, Tas) for Best Adult Novel for When One of Us Hurts (Pan Macmillan Australia); Amy …

Murder Monday: Liz Evans

For the August Murder Monday, Sisters in Crime’s Jacq Ellem spoke to Liz Evans, British journalist, author, former psychotherapist, and academic with a PhD in Creative Writing. Luckily, for us, she has moved to Australia. She has been awarded two Varuna Residential Fellowships and the Katharine Susannah Prichard Fellowship, as well as an Arts Tasmania grant for an Education Residency. Her debut novel is the wonderfully titled Catherine Wheel (Ultimo Press).

Red Herrings

Catch up with the latest crime events from around the nation. There are a couple of events before New Year but events don’t really get going again until late January. it’s heartening to see so many author events in Queensland – not just in Brisbane but in Gympie and Toowoomba. And, if you’re running around buying gifts for the festive season, don’t forget that giving a book offers so much reading pleasure as well as supporting authors and the publishing industry.

1868 Melbourne, real and imagined: Jane Sullivan

For the August Author Spotlight, Narrelle M Harris spoke with author and literary journalist, Jane Sullivan about her debut crime novel, Murder in Punch Lane (Echo Publishing). It was inspired by the historical life and death of young actress, Marie St Denis, in Melbourne in 1868. She was drawn to write about Marie after reading her
obituary.

Jane Sullivan, Murder in Punch Lane

For the August Crime Stack, Echo Publishing has kindly offered 20 copies of Murder in Punch Lane, by Jane Sullivan, the literary correspondent for Nine Newspapers, and a former Davitt judge for Sisters in Crime.

Inspired by real events and people, Murder in Punch Lane is a dark and gripping crime novel that maps the sins and secrets of nineteenth-century Melbourne.

Sisters in Crime announces a long(ish) shortlist for its 24th Davitt Awards

Sisters in Crime Australia has announced a shortlist of 19 books for its 24th Davitt Awards – seven adult novels, four non-fiction books, two YA adult novels, four children’s novels. A reminder for members to vote for the Davitt (Readers’ Choice) will be sent out on 30 July, with the vote closing on 31 July.

31st Scarlet Stiletto Awards now open – a record $13,400 in prize money

The Scarlet Stiletto Awards for best short crime and mystery stories turn 31 this year and are offering a record $13,400 in prizes. The first prize winner takes home $2000, donated by Swinburne University of Technology, plus the coveted trophy. Cate Kennedy is offering a new award for the Best Story Inspired by a Forensic Clue ($500). Closes 31 August 2024 – so start writing now, if you haven’t already.

Hayley Scrivenor, Girl Falling

On offer for the July Crime Stack are 20 copies of Girl Falling kindly donated by Pan Macmillan Publishing Australia. Award-winning Wollongong writer, Hayley Scrivenor displays again her razor-sharp skills for character, landscape and narrative. Join now and be in the running for a complimentary paperback copy of Girl Falling.