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SISTERS IN CRIME MISSION: We promote the professional development and advancement of women crime writers for equality in the industry.
If you love mystery fiction as much as we do, join us. Readers and writers make up our Orange County, California, chapter. We meet on the fourth Sunday of every month (except for December) to learn about, and discuss, all things crime fiction.
Celebrate the publication of Palm Springs Noir
On July 25, join us for a panel to celebrate the publication of chapter president Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s new book, Palm Springs Noir (Akashic). We’ll talk about contributors’ stories, what is noir?, and topics around craft.
3:00 p.m. PT
Reader’s Forum: “Out of the Shadows: A Spotlight on Film Noir” led by Pat Broeske
A longtime member of O.C. Sisters in Crime, Pat H. Broeske is a published author and veteran journalist. Her personal passions are Hollywood & Crime, an intersection that she has covered for years. An experienced educator, she is currently teaching film as literature for the Emeritus Institute of Saddleback College; dangerous dames and cynical heroes often appear on the syllabus. She has written about film noir for multiple publications.
4:00 p.m. PT
Contributors, their stories, talk about craft…
Photo: Travis Barrett
Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, president of the Orange County chapter, is the editor of Palm Springs Noir (Akashic, 2021), to which she also contributed a story. Her first book, Pen on Fire, was a Los Angeles Times bestseller. Her fiction, essays, and journalism have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Noir (Akashic), USA Noir: Best of the Akashic Noir Series, Rock and a Hard Place, Literary Hatchet, Crossing Borders, Shotgun Honey, Authors Guild Bulletin, Poets and Writers, Writer’s Digest, and The Writer magazine. She teaches at Saddleback College’s Emeritus Institute and hosts the radio show/podcast, Writers on Writing. More at penonfire.com.
Eric Beetner is that writer you’ve heard about but never read. Then when you finally do you wonder why you waited so long. There are over 25 books and more than 100 short stories so you’d better get started. Books like Rumrunners, All The Way Down, Two In The Head and The Devil Doesn’t Want Me. He also hosts the podcast Writer Types and the Noir at the Bar reading series in L.A.. He’s been described as “The 21st Century’s answer to Jim Thompson” (LitReactor) He’s been nominated for three Anthony’s, an ITW award, Shamus, Derringer and 5 Emmys. He’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles chapter.
J.D. Horn is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Witching Savannah series (The Line, The Source, The Void, and Jilo), the Witches of New Orleans Trilogy (The King of Bones and Ashes, The Book of the Unwinding, The Final Days of Magic), and the standalone Southern Gothic horror tale Shivaree. A world traveler and student of French and Russian literature, Horn also has an MBA in international business and formerly held a career as a financial analyst before turning his talent to crafting chilling stories and unforgettable characters. His novels have received global attention and have been translated into Turkish, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Italian, German, and French. Originally from Tennessee, he currently lives in California with his spouse, Rich, and their rescue Chihuahua, Kirby Seamus.
Eduardo Santiago’s first novel, Tomorrow They Will Kiss, was an Edmund White Debut Fiction Award finalist. His next book, Midnight Rumba, won the New England Book Award for best fiction. His short stories have appeared in ZYZZYVA, Slow Trains, and the Caribbean Writer. His nonfiction was featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Advocate, and Out Traveler magazine. He’s currently the Programs Director for the Palm Springs Writers Guild.
Join us via Zoom: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/94705266125
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16699006833,94705266125# or +13462487799,94705266125#
On August 22 at 4:00 pm, Pacific time, a panel of Ed Aymar, Tara Laskowski, and Alma Katsu will give us a Mystery Tasting of the different ways they approach writing mysteries.
Our Sunday meetings are always free to the public, but donations are always welcome. Any amount helps.
If you have questions that are not answered on this website, please contact us at sistersincrimeoc@gmail.com.
We welcome sisters and misters with an interest in the mystery genre, including authors pursuing a career in crime and mystery writing, booksellers, publishers, librarians, editors, agents, and fans.
Membership Dues and Forms
You must join the National organization to be eligible for membership in the Orange County chapter.
National dues are $40 per year, ACTIVE* and $50 per year, PROFESSIONAL**
To join national Sisters in Crime, please visit the national Sisters in Crime Website: http://www.sistersincrime.org
Orange County dues are $25 per year.
To join Sisters in Crime Orange County, please print send the completed Orange County Sisters in Crime form on our membership page and a check for $25 payable to Sisters in Crime, O.C. or join online by filling out the following form and pay using PayPal.
Meeting place (when we can again meet in person):
Irvine Ranch Water District*
15500 Sand Canyon Ave.
Irvine, CA 92618-3102
The usual meeting location is in the Community Room, on the far left side of the parking lot when you enter the complex from Sand Canyon Avenue.
Map for Irvine Ranch Water District
*Disclaimer: Irvine Ranch Water District neither supports nor endorses the cause nor activities of organizations which use the District’s meeting rooms that are made available as a public service
Check us out on Facebook: Sisters in Crime Orange County
