SISTERS IN CRIME 2023 PRIDE AWARD FOR EMERGING LGBTQIA+ CRIME FICTION WRITERS

Happy Pride Month! Sisters in Crime is accepting entries for its third annual PRIDE Award, a $2,000 grant awarded to an emerging LGBTQIA+ crime writer. Entries must be submitted by July 31, and the winner will be announced later this summer.

The award is the legacy project of past Sisters in Crime President, Sherry Harris. “Each past president is required to do a legacy project, something that they feel passionate about. When thinking about what I wanted to do, I kept two things in mind. First, why SinC was formed — to equal the disparity in how female crime fiction writers and male crime fiction writers were reviewed and won awards. Second, I love our Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for emerging crime writers of color. With those two thoughts in mind, I realized I wanted to start a similar award for the LGBTQIA+ community."

“SinC supports marginalized writers in many ways," says Sisters in Crime Executive Director Julie Hennrikus. "This includes the PRIDE award and the Eleanor Taylor Bland award, two exciting ways for emerging crime fiction authors to get acknowledgement and support for their writing journey.”

The no-fee submissions are open to any LGBTQIA+ crime writer who has not published more than ten short works or two novels. More information is available at https://www.sistersincrime.org/Pride

***

Sisters in Crime (SinC) was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Today, the organization boasts over 4,500 members and more than 50 chapters worldwide. SinC programs and initiatives include other grants for emerging crime writers; the SinC Writer’s Podcast; webinars on craft, the business of writing and research; grants for academic research into the roles of women and underserved voices in crime fiction; cash awards to libraries and bookstores; and surveys and monitoring projects which determine visibility and representation of women and diverse voices in the genre and across the marketplace. For more information on its programs and author members, visit the organization’s website at www.sistersincrime.org.

Complete guidelines and the application can be found at https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

SISTERS IN CRIME PRIDE AWARD SUBMISSIONS

SISTERS IN CRIME OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR THE  PRIDE AWARD Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writer Will Receive $2,000 Grant to Support Career Development 

Sisters in Crime will accept applications starting June 1 for the 2022 Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers, a $2,000 grant awarded to one up-and-coming writer who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Submissions will be accepted through July 31 and this year’s winner will be announced in Fall 2022. 

“It was incredibly meaningful to receive this award,” said the award’s first recipient C.J. Prince. “It was the first time I had ever let anyone outside of my friend circle read my fiction, and it was really life-changing. At times during this journey, I have been told that publishers would not know how to market a mystery that featured a queer protagonist. This award gave me the confidence to stick with my project [and] tell the story I want to tell.” 

Established in 2021 as part of the legacy project by former Sisters in Crime president Sherry Harris, the grant aims to raise visibility of diverse voices in the genre and is intended for a crime writer beginning their career and will support activities related to career development including workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of his, her or their work. One winner and five runners-up will also be awarded a one-year Sisters in Crime membership, as well as a critique from an established Sisters in Crime member. 

This year’s judges include Dean James, Brenda Buchanan and Leslie Karst. “The PRIDE Award is a much-needed and terrific way for authors to get the recognition and support they deserve from the crime fiction community,” said Karst. 

“I am so proud of Sisters in Crime and thankful to Sherry Harris for making it a reality, “ said Buchanan. “Especially at a time when our community is being vilified.” 

Sisters in Crime recognizes that not all LGBTQIA+ community members can be out, and each individual’s privacy is valued. Winners and any runners-up who wish to maintain their anonymity may do so, or they may choose to select a pen name for announcement. 

Sisters in Crime (SinC) was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers. Today, the organization boasts 4,200 members and more than 60 chapters worldwide and its initiatives also include other scholarships; grants for academic research into the roles of women and underserved voices in crime fiction; cash awards to libraries and bookstores; and surveys and monitoring projects which determine visibility and representation of women and diverse voices in the genre and across the marketplace. For more information on its programs and author members, visit the organization’s website at www.sistersincrime.org. 

Complete guidelines and the application can be found at https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/Pride

PRIDE AWARD WINNER: Sisters in Crime

Pride Award Winner

Sisters in Crime announced the winner and runners up of the Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Writers. 

Congratulations to C.J. Prince of West Orange, NJ. The winning novel-in-progress was selected by judges (and SinC members) Cheryl Head, John Copenhaver, and Kristen Lepionka. C.J. will receive a $2,000 grant, which is intended for a crime writer beginning their career and will support activities related to career development including workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of their work. She'll also receive a manuscript critique from Crooked Lane Books editor Terri Bischoff. 

Five runners-up will also be paired with an established Sisters in Crime member author to receive manuscript critique. They are: Sandy Bailey of Boston, MA (paired with Brenda Buchannan), Alix Freeman of Wellfleet, MA (Leslie Karst), A.L. Major of Oakland, CA (Jeffrey Marks), Mary Lewis Pierce of Maynard, MA (Anne Laughlin), and Jamie Valentino of New York, NY (Catherine Maiorisi). 

Congratulations, All!