The joys of writing a courtesan sleuth: Q&A with M.J. Tjia

Brisbane author M.J. Tjia talks to Sisters in Crime’s Vice-President, Robyn Walton, about her books She Be Damned (Pantera, 2017) and A Necessary Murder (Pantera, 2018) Hello, M.J. Sisters in Crime Australia got to know you in 2017 when you won the History and Mystery category in our annual short story competition, the Scarlet Stiletto Awards. …

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The virtues of “bum glue”: Carmel Reilly

I’m a children’s educational writer by trade, but recently I’ve just released a crime-ish adult book, Life Before. People ask me how the two types of writing mesh together? Has being an educational writer been a help or a hindrance to writing for adults? My answer to that is that my background is probably more …

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Felonious communities and fractured families

The murderous intertwining of love, family secrets and the broader society informs the latest novels by Jennifer Lane, Jennifer Spence and Joanna Baker. The authors confessed all under the humorous but incisive interrogation of fellow author Vikki Petraitis in Melbourne on April 12. Under Vikki’s probing, they explained what inspired them to write their novels …

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Terror Australis Readers and Writers Festival announced

MURDER SHE WROTE HUON VALLEY, 31 October to 5 November 2019 A NEW TASMANIAN WRITERS FESTIVAL INSPIRED BY AGATHA CHRISTIE “Incredibly beautiful Hobart, with its deep blue sea and harbour, and its flowers, trees and shrubs. I planned to come back and live there one day.” Agatha Christie “In honour of the Queen of the …

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How writing changed these authors’ lives

Sisters in Crime held a fascinating and often hilarious event in Melbourne on 14 June  – Doctors, Danger and Death where three debut crime writers, Susan Hurley, L M Ardor Sue Ingleton, talked to Maggie Baron about the blood-tingling scenarios and scenes of the crime offered by the worlds of science and medicine. We asked …

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A murder mystery about mystery itself – Q&A with Joanna Baker

Joanna’s latest book is The Slipping Place (Impact Press, 2018) and she spoke about her literary trajectory with Robyn Walton, Sisters in Crime’s Vice-President. Hi, Joanna. First let’s talk about your crime and mystery writing for young adults. In 2005 you won Sisters in Crime’s Davitt Award for Best Young Adult Novel for Devastation Road. …

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The Research Rabbit Hole: Samantha Battams

Some would say it’s because I’m a Gemini, but I have the habit of doing two projects at once aside from my regular career. True to form, this year I will have my first two books published: a true crime tale, The Secret Art of Poisoning and The Red Devil (written with Les Parsons). Researching …

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Get a taste of the 2019 Williamstown Literary Festival – The ‘anti true-crime podcast’ with Claire Halliday

Claire Halliday, journalist and author, talks to Tara Mitchell, Sisters in Crime National Convenor, about her new podcast and upcoming True Crime Panel at the Williamstown Literary Festival, Saturday June 15.   You’re launching a new podcast later in 2019, which is connected to one of Australia’s most infamous unsolved crimes, the disappearance of the …

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