Last year I did something I wanted to do for some time.  I joined the national writing organization Sisters in Crime, and the statewide group, Tornado Alley.  What a great bunch of people and they work hard at getting the word out about mystery writing.  I’ve known some of these writers for a while and now I’m getting to know the rest.  And this month in the newsletter, I was named Mystery Writer of the Month for Tornado Alley!  I was surprised and honored.  Here is the article in the newsletter.

Mystery Writer of the Month Peggy Chambers of Enid, Oklahoma, is an award-winning published author, and always working on another book. She has two children, five grandchildren, a husband and a dog. She adores travel and the great outdoors. And she once ate wart hog pizza for lunch when she followed her husband across deepest, darkest Africa. She’s even climbed the pyramids at Chichen Itza.

Peggy attended Phillips University, the University of Central Oklahoma, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She belongs to Enid Writers Club, Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc., Sisters in Crime/Tornado Alley, and the Oklahoma Romance Writers’ Guild. She helps out with the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County and their annual Author Fest.

“I volunteer with the local library to help budding writers learn what it is like to create a story,” Peggy says. “I read to children when I’m invited to grade schools, and they ask me what it is like to be a writer. (I don’t tell them that Stephen King and John Grisham make all the money). I have two little neighbor girls who get a story written about them each year for their birthdays. Someday they will outgrow me, but not yet. I love to share my gift of writing and hopefully encourage others to do the same. Those are the true joys of being a writer, not just the publications or royalties.”

She currently has 12 published titles, and they vary in genres from suspense for adults to fantasy for children to pulp fiction. Her pulp fiction novel Flatiron Death Grip, published by Airship 27, is currently being adapted into a graphic novel which she hopes will be ready next year.

I’m looking forward to rubbing elbows with these wonderful writers and learning all I can while I support the club.  Wish me luck!

What are you reading/writing this week?