FALL 2026 EVENTS
The Heart of Texas chapter of Sisters in Crime meets at 2PM the second Sunday of every month at the Laura Bush Library in South Austin. Can’t make it in person? You can also attend via Zoom! Scroll down for more info on upcoming events.
NOVEMBER MEETING
How to Co-Write A Murder Mystery (Without Killing Anyone)
with Birdie Horn
November 8, 2:00 PM CDT
Join Sisters in Crime Austin in welcoming Birdie Horne (aka Eden Robins and MW Garguilo). If you've ever thought about co-writing a book, this talk is for you! And even if you haven't, it's worth it just to hear these awesome ladies' origin story as they went from romantic rivals to co-authors, which could be the makings of a mystery novel in itself!
Birdie Horn is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, and the combined pen name of former enemies Eden Robins (right) and MW Garguilo (left). Over the years, they have been love rivals, co-godmothers, and neighbors across an alley in Chicago. Separately, they have published over twenty books, and together they have a resume full of the kinds of jobs that genuinely worry their parents. One of them was nominated for—and lost—Chicago Crossing Guard of the Year. Don’t Cross Mo Ellery is their first outing as Birdie Horne.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
OCTOBER 1 - VIRTUAL WEBINAR
How to Write the Perfect Query Letter
with Jessica Berg
October 1, 5:45 PM CDT
Our chapter is teaming up with Sisters in Crime Upstate South Carolina to bring you a special bonus webinar: How to Write the Perfect Query Letter.
Join us Thursday, October 1 at 5:45 PM Central for this Zoom presentation. Register now to get it on your calendar and the link will be sent to your email.
OCTOBER MEETING - VIRTUAL / HYBRID
NOTE: This is virtual Zoom presentation, but you're free to join us to watch Jessica's presentation and mingle with other mystery writers!
LAURA BUSH LIBRARY - 9411 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX
Tarot for Fiction Writers
with Jessica Cline
October 11, 2:00 PM CDT
Tarot cards can act as powerful creative prompts to fire up your imagination and move your story forward. Learn how to incorporate them into your brainstorming and writing process. This playful approach can help you start, restart, and sustain motivation.
At this workshop, you’ll learn some tarot basics and how to use cards as prompts to help you develop your stories or get unstuck. Drawing on the methods in her Tarot for Fiction Writers book and courses, Jessica will teach you how to use the cards to rediscover the magic that first called you to write.
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The imagery, symbols, and meanings of the cards can help you pull ideas from your subconscious and/or send your imagination in new and unexpected directions.
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Tarot decks are full of story cycles and messy human emotions that mirror the human experience.
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Incorporating these universal human experiences into our stories can make them resonate with readers.
NOTE: If you have a favorite deck (or several), have them handy for this workshop. If not, we’ll have an alternative way for you to try out tarot prompting.
SEPTEMBER MEETING - VIRTUAL/HYBRID
What Writers Need to Know About What Really Happens in Prison
by James L'Etoile
September 13, 2:00 PM CDT
Need authentic details to make your manuscript ring true? Join author James L’Etoile for a free workshop presented by Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas and Laura Bush Community Library.
James uses his 29 years behind bars working in some of the toughest prisons in California to bring a realistic edge to his stories, and you can too — without the pesky felony conviction.