Behind the Scenes: The Mystery Writing Community

by Carol Pouliot

When I first started writing, I didn’t know any writers, much less any published authors. It was quite romantic, actually, imagining myself alone, writing up a storm in a beautiful Paris attic...until I reached a point where I didn’t know what to do next. I had what I naively thought was my manuscript. Little did I know I had the first of what would ultimately be dozens of drafts. 

Carol’s imagined Paris apartment…

I joined Sisters in Crime. Best decision ever! SinC is a professional crime writers’ organization, with members in the US, Canada, and the UK, dedicated to helping writers, particularly, but not exclusively, women. 

Becoming a part of the mystery community was a game-changer for me. I began learning the craft of mystery writing. During my chapter meetings, I listened to other writers talk about the publishing world. After several years, I felt like I’d gone back to school and earned another degree.

Soon, I heard about a big mystery conference called Bouchercon (rhymes with voucher+con) that was going to take place. I immediately registered.

Going to my first conference was daunting. Yes, I had written a rough draft of my first novel but it wasn’t published yet. I didn’t even know if it was a good draft. Everyone around me seemed to be a published author, ie: the real thing! I was an interloper. Did I really belong here?

The first morning, I met author Hank Phillippi Ryan who welcomed me like a long-lost friend and fellow writer, and told me we were all “in this together.” Okay. My anxiety lessened somewhat. 

Carol with Hank Phillippi Ryan

The following day, I met mystery novelist Louise Penny. She asked if I was a writer and, if so, what was I writing. I told her I’d finished my first draft but I wasn’t happy with one part of it. She asked which part then exclaimed, “Oh, we all have problems with that. Here’s what I do.” And she proceeded to give me three good ways to get out of my fix. 

Carol with Louise Penny

So, what do mystery writers do at conferences? Does everybody know each other? Are they all friends?

We attend events where the guests of honor are interviewed. We participate in panel discussions about all aspects of mysteries and mystery writing−writers are on the panels; readers and writers fill the audience. We also spend considerable time hanging out in the hotel lobby, hospitality suite, and the bar, of course. We get together with old friends and catch up. We make new friends and create new partnerships, alliances, and bonds. We share our experiences, the challenges we face, how we manage our time with the demands common to all of us. Sometimes we don’t even talk about writing, we just connect. It’s friendly, homey, and, at the same time, thrilling.

I’ve found that in the mystery community there is no competition, no back-stabbing, only kindness and support. We cheer each other on. We celebrate each other’s victories. We help each other whenever we can. It is camaraderie at its finest.

Yes, the mystery community is very special. I’m happy, grateful, and privileged to be a part of it.

Header photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash, others courtesy of Carol Pouliot