What our Members Say

Norma Huss

As a long-time Guppy, I’ve gone from unpublished in book/mystery format to having not only shorts, but novels published with the encouragement and support of the Guppies. My fellow Guppies know what it takes to reach a goal.

Barb Schlichting

Guppies give me friendship and power in this ever changing world that we live in.

Amy Denton

The Guppies rock. They just do. They're always there, always helpful, always funny, always understanding. It is such a blessing to have such a wonderful place to come and talk about what writers talk about without being looked at as if you've lost your mind.

Patrick Tylee

Author of Rebellion

Being a Guppy is about being invited to become part of a family. Friendly competition and professional courtesy are taken to the next level - to truly care for those who are a step or two behind along the path, because we hope for their success.

Micki Browning

Author of Adrift

I joined the Guppy Chapter because the one thing I knew about writing was that I had so much more to learn. The Guppy classes have been phenomenal, but it is the inclusiveness of the community that really gives this group strength.

Kaye George

Author of Requiem in Red

The Guppies were my link to the mystery writing world when we moved to a place with nothing but romance authors. They're very nice, but I breathed easy when I found the Guppies, my people. I would not have kept writing without the encouragement and education I've gotten here.

Our Anthologies

Edited by Linda Rodriguez and featuring an introduction by Susan Van Kirk, The Fish That Got Away is the latest anthology from the Guppies Chapter of Sisters in Crime. This volume selects 20 great new stories from the rising stars of mystery fiction!

Fish Out of Water, the fourth installment in the Guppy Anthology series, presents 22 mystery and suspense stories that will hook you and reel you in! These rising stars of the mystery field take you cruising through deep waters teeming with danger, thrills, and the unexpected. Features an introduction by James M. Jackson.

Fish or Cut Bait: The Third Guppy Anthology, the latest installment in the Guppy Anthology Series, presents a collection of mystery stories by rising stars of the mystery and suspense field. Tales of revenge and retribution...police detectives...cozy characters...hardboiled P.I.s...there's something here for every fan of crime and detection!
Nominated for a Silver Falchion

Fish Nets: The Second Guppy Anthology, dredges up even more thrills, chills, and gills. Like its predecessor, Fish Tales, this collection of mysteries by members of Sisters in Crime's "Guppies" group features the best of what the mystery genre has to offer--a fresh catch of mysterious murders, police procedurals, cozy characters, and hardboiled detectives--straight from the imaginations of some of mystery field's rising stars.
Come on in, the water's fine! Don't mind the sharks...

Fish Tales casts a wide net across the mystery genre, delivering thrills, chills, and gills. This water-themed collection features locked room puzzles, police procedurals, cozy characters and hardboiled detectives. With a pool of motivations ranging from greed and revenge to loyalty and justice, these stories will lure you in with killer hooks and fishy characters.
Come on in, the water's fine. But be careful, or you might find yourself sleeping with the fishes.

Killer hooks and fishy characters will lure you into this fifth anthology from the Guppies Chapter of Sisters in Crime. This volume nets you twenty-two crafty capers featuring slippery eels, wily sharks, and hard-boiled crabs. From ultra-modern computer crimes to old-fashioned confidence tricks, these tales are sure to satisfy your appetite for great short mystery fiction.

SinC Guppies: A Short History

1995

In June, members of the SinC Internet chapter, then on the Genie computer network, started a land-mail group for unpublished members.

1996

The Guppies sought official recognition from SinC National.
A newsletter was established to share information and opportunities, interviews, reviews of useful resources, and member news and expertise.

1997

The Guppies adopted formal membership policies requiring current SinC membership and a willingness to participate and exchange knowledge and experiences.

1998

The first Guppy Steering Committee was established.

1999

As Internet use spread, members gradually began exchanging ideas and manuscripts online.

2000

Guppy members received mystery award nominations for Agatha and Mary Higgins Clark Awards.

2002

In February, the Guppies had more than seventy-five members. A website was created.

2003

Membership topped 200.

2004

Newsletter distribution went electronic.

2005

The Guppies adopted formal bylaws and became a Sisters in Crime chapter.
In May, we celebrated the 300th Guppy.

2006

In January, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of First Draft.
Our first face-to-face critique group was formed.

2007

Guppies ruled Malice!

2008

In May, two-dozen Guppies attended Malice, cheering our nominees and winners.

2009

Membership hit over 400.

2010

Guppies won at Malice and Left Coast Crime.
We created our first anthology, Fish Tales.

2013

Fish Nets: The Second Guppy Anthology, was published.

2015

Fish or Cut Bait: The Third Guppy Anthology, was published

Guppies at Conferences

You'll find other Guppies at any major mystery conference you attend. We'll be on panels, signing books, and joining together for lunch or dinner or drinks at the bar.