The Smoking Guns offers local support to crime writers in East Tennessee. We host speakers from diverse career fields of interest to mystery, crime, thriller, and suspense writers, as well as writing workshops, networking opportunities, and promotional events.
We are a chapter of the national organization, Sisters in Crime. For writers of all genders, we offer professional education, career development, mentoring, promotional opportunities, networking and lively forums within a supportive community of mystery lovers. Readers, publishers, agents, booksellers, and librarians are also welcome.
We are a chapter of the national organization, Sisters in Crime. For writers of all genders, we offer professional education, career development, mentoring, promotional opportunities, networking and lively forums within a supportive community of mystery lovers. Readers, publishers, agents, booksellers, and librarians are also welcome.
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Current Meeting Information
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When: The fourth Saturday of every month as noted at Facebook or on Email.
Format: In-Person!! Please Attend in-person!! Where: August 22, 2026 Lawson-McGee Library, 500 W. Church Ave Knoxville, TN 37902 Room opens at 10AM. Business Meeting: 10:30AM SPEAKER at 11 AM: Criminologist Judith A. Yates on her job, conducting prison interviews and how interviewing affects her writing. She will also tell us about Shirley Winters and her life of crime documented in Yates' new book "Shadows in Fire." Winters, that most rare of criminals, a female serial killer and serial arsonist, has shared information with Yates that she has never revealed to law enforcement or hospital staff. Yates and Winters have corresponded for over six years via letters, phone calls, and emails. What Judith A. Yates has learned shocked even the most experienced fire investigator. Yates is a recognized expert in female crime. She has lectured about crime and criminal behavior across the United States. Ms. Yates has written eight nonfiction crime books (and two fiction crime books based on true stories.) She is the Director of Best True Crime Books, Games & Video LLC. Ms. Yates is currently completing her PhD in Criminology. She is a third generation Kentuckian, and lives on a hobby farm of rescued animals in south Kentucky. Find out more and see her work at http://www.JudithAYates.com. |
Jessica Barna
Prospective or National SinC members are welcome to attend public meetings before joining or can request a Zoom link at sincsmokingguns at gmail dot com.
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2025-2027 Board of Directors
PresidentAward-winning author Leanne Tyler writes sweet and somewhat sensual romances whether historical, contemporary, or romantic suspense. Her newest series the Chicago Protection Task Force is part of the Brotherhood Protection World. Leanne lives in East Tennessee with her son and frisky Yorkie. For more information about her books and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit Leanne's website
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Vice-PresidentPeter Harris retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after a distinguished 31-year career. During his time with the LAPD, he spent many years patrolling a variety of Los Angeles neighborhoods in black-and-white radio cars, with his final field assignment serving in Hollywood Patrol. He later spent eight years assigned to Internal Affairs, where he investigated allegations involving Los Angeles police officers—their accomplishments, misconduct, and everything in between.A relatively new voice in the literary world, Peter recently published his first non-fiction work, a historical exploration of the LAPD badge. He is now turning his attention to fiction, writing stories centered on LAPD officers and detectives drawn from the culture and realities of police work.
Following retirement, Peter relocated to East Tennessee in search of a quieter and more peaceful life. |
TreasurerLinda Griffiths-Gish writes the Cordelia Smythe Murder Mystery Games for dinner parties and more. Visit Cordelia Smythe Mysteries.
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Secretary |
Members at Large
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Noir Crime Author Ernest Lancaster retired from the Memphis Police Department as a Captain in 2006 after a fascinating career that spanned multiple facets of the crime-fighting underworld. From beat cop to expert marksman, he’s been around the block a few hard times. As a cop for thirty-three years, Lancaster researched his crime-fiction stories on a daily basis as no ordinary author could. He didn’t just observe the police life, he lived it. For twenty-six years, he served as a long-range marksman with the TACT squad, where he also assisted the Secret Service with Presidential-protection details. And retired as a Captain. Read the Memphis M.O. series and visit Ernie at his website.
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Kelley Griffin is a Romantic Suspense author, mom to five sons, wife to a marine and a teacher to tiny humans plus the occasional hostess, cheer coach, and youth group leader. She often spends writing time in her closet (and sometimes home office) with characters you’ll ponder on long after the last page. Check out her Kirin Lane suspense series and standalones and visit her at her website.
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Elle Andrews Patt writes speculative fiction. Her work has been recognized by the National Indie Excellence Awards, The Silver Falchion Awards, the Royal Palm Literary Awards and Writers of the Future. Among other projects, she writes The Archivist mystery series. Visit Elle's website
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