by Sherry Harris

In 2016 I attended the SinC Into Great Writing Doing Diversity Right panel. Greg Herren spoke about how his mysteries were shelved with Gay and Lesbian books in bookstores instead of in the mystery section. Those words haunted me. Every SinC past president does a project and I wanted to continue our legacy of advocacy and lifting up voices that need more recognition.  My idea was to start an award for the LBGTQIA+ community that was similar to the Eleanor Taylor Bland Emerging Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. 

With the support of the board, in 2021 SinC announced the first Pride Award which includes a grant of $2,000.  Every year when submissions open, I think back on hearing Greg speak, and hope this award will continue to provide opportunities and encouragement to underrepresented writers. 

To apply for SinC’s Pride Award:  https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/pride
 

About Sherry Harris:
Sherry Harris is the Agatha Award nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery series and the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon mysteries. She’s published short stories in Edgar Allan Cozy, The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell, Black Cat Weekly, Three Strikes You’re—Dead, and Scattered, Smothered, Covered, and Chunked—Crime Fiction Inspired by Waffle House. Sherry is a past president of Sisters in Crime, and a member of Mystery Writers of America. Sherry loves books, beaches, bars, and bargain hunting — not necessarily in that order.

For More on the History of SinC: https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/history