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About the Writer: Sue Raines is a freelance writer and
playwright. Having turned her talents to crime and mystery writing Sue
has found a niche in teaching the genre. Other works include articles,
book reviews and short stories published in magazines and anthologies. A
member of Partners in Crime Sydney, she is also an avid reader of crime
and mystery fiction.
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Partners in Crime is a group of or crime/ mystery writers and readers who meet regularly every two months in the inspirational setting of the beautifully renovated Hughenden Boutique Hotel to enjoy Devonshire tea and listen to experts on crime, sometimes pathologists, forestic specialists, a herbalist who was also a white witch, police officers, authors, publishers, even a recently released criminal who revealed some fascinating facts of life behind bars.
The Hughenden is owned by Susanne Gervay (in the above picture, right with glasses), a well known Australian children’s author who encourages all forms of writing. It is amazing just how many crime and mystery writers also write children’s books. http://www.hughendenhotel.com.au Partners in Crime grew from the Sydney branch of Sisters in Crime Australia based in Melbourne. At that time only women crime writers were allowed to join. Sydney not being happy with this situation closed and reformed as Partners in Crime to allow everyone to be a full member and their annual crime/mystery writing competition Queen of Crime in memory of the famous English crime writer Dame Agatha Christie, held in September/October each year is open to entries from all. This year for the first time a youth section has been added. The Competition has been sponsored by Abbeys Book shops for a number of years and the winner as well as a cash prize, receives a beautiful engraved trophy. Competition entry form available on http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/7255. Meetings are interesting and fun, a place to swop notes with other writers, ask the advice of resident Guru, Mike from Abbeys Books who attends each meeting and tells of the latest trends in crime and mystery sales and general gossip in the industry. Some of the members have self published their books and Abbeys have been most supportive in organising book launches and have stocked the members books for sale. Those members who are readers of crime and mystery fiction are always vocal about the stories they read and why they enjoyed them or if disappointed what the problem appeared to be, so quite a debate ensues. This naturally is valuable feedback for the authors present.
Membership includes a regular six page newsletter, mostly written by the members with book reviews, reports on seminars, members adventures, and the speakers. A glimpse into the world of crime and mystery from down under. **** |
