C.J. Prince Wins Inaugural Sisters in Crime Pride Award

Sisters in Crime has announced the winner of the inaugural Pride Award for emerging LGBTQIA+ writers: C.J. Prince (she/hers) of West Orange, N.J. Prince will receive a $2,000 grant, which is intended for a crime writer beginning their career and will support activities related to career development including workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of their work. Prince will also receive a manuscript critique from Crooked Lane Books editor Terri Bischoff.

Judges said the winning novel-in-progress, The Butcher's Son, “impressed with its fresh blend of gripping crime story and culture-clash narrative, in which a lesbian NYPD detective must confront the homophobia and dark secrets of the Orthodox Jewish community she left years ago. With clear prose, a strong ear for dialogue, and an immersive voice, Prince lays the groundwork for a dynamite mystery, gives us a strong sense of the Orthodox Jewish community, and introduces us to her main characters within only a few pages. It’s a deeply admirable beginning for what is promising to be a poignant page-turner.”

Five runners-up will also be paired with an established Sisters in Crime member author to receive manuscript critique. Those authors are: Sandy Bailey of Boston, Mass. (paired with Brenda Buchannan); Alix Freeman of Wellfleet, Mass. (Leslie Karst); A.L. Major of Oakland, Calif. (Jeffrey Marks); Mary Lewis Pierce of Maynard, Mass. (Anne Laughlin); and Jamie Valentino of New York, N.Y. (Catherine Maiorisi).