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Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint

“October Scaries"

Don’t look now, but Halloween has become a big business. It’s easy to buy costumes and props in most big stores. In our county we have people who go all out for Halloween, and their homes become a nightly attraction. As for me, I usually buy a pumpkin and call it good. I don’t want cackling soundtracks, giant spider webs, or tombstones in my yard. They aren’t for me. I just don’t want to go there.
But plenty of others love it. And I appreciate that they respect my tastes as well as embrace theirs. It is this variety of choices that we all love, and most of us are okay with that. But the word “scary” is, well, it’s just plain scary.
Whether scary is used as a noun or a verb, the definition varies by person and l

Read More...


Win Two Free Books – October 2026

Contest Run: Oct. 1-22, 2026
Win Two Free Books - October 2026
Booklovers Bench Giveaway Oct 2026
  • Enter to win two free books in our monthly giveaway:

    Maggie Toussaint: Confound It – print (US only) or ebook
    Cheryl Hollon: Death a Sketch – print (US only) or ebook

Enter Here!


On The Bench

Characters on the Bench

This month in Characters on the Bench, we asked our characters what they would wear if they were invited to a costume party. You don’t want to miss their answers!

Read the complete "On The Bench"!


Latest News

  • Nancy J. Cohen

    is relaunching her holiday title, DREIDELS AND DEAD ENDS. Join her at the following events:

     

    Oct. 2-11 Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour 
    Oct. 10, 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm ET, “Getting Started in Indie Publishing” Free Workshop
    Oct. 15, 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET, Facebook Party at “In the Pages with Heather & Shawn”

  • Debra H. Goldstein

    officially became President of Sisters in Crime Worldwide on October 1, 2026. She is thrilled to be serving with an excellent board. Her last project as Vice-President of SinC Worldwide was planning the SinC Into Great Writing: Writing Funny program for October 3. The first panel, Make ‘Em Laugh: Crafting the Cozy with Humor, features Lois Winston (M), Ellen Byron, Valerie Burns, Alan Orloff, and MJ Soni is scheduled for noon. The second panel, Humor is for Everyone: Adding Humor to Any Genre begins at 1:15. It features K.T. Nguyen (M), Barb Goffman (short stories), Rob Hart (thriller), Catriona McPherson (historical) and Rob Osler (cozy and suspense) is scheduled for 1:15. It will be followed by Keeping it Cute: Comedy in Kid Lit, an interview of Chris Grabenstein by Raquel V. Reyes.

  • Cheryl Hollon

    is embracing October from her Florida keyboard. She’s continuing her short-fiction adventure, crafting stories for anthology submissions and enjoying the chance to experiment with new characters, intriguing puzzles, and those delicious little twists that keep both writers and readers turning pages.

  • Maggie Toussaint

    is releasing her 31st work of fiction, MANCINI BLUE, on October 13, 2026. This lightly paranormal cozy features a sleuth who’s determined to seek justice for his late wife.

  • C.B. Wilson

    announces that The Ice Diamond, Book 3 in the Gem Hunters Series set in Quebec City, and a holiday Novella, Christmas Tradition and Wagging Tails are both being released in November. 

  • Lois Winston

    announces that on Saturday, October 3rd, during the SinC Into Great Writing: Writing Funny 3-hr. online event, Lois Winston will be moderating and taking part in the Make ‘Em Laugh: Crafting the Cozy with Humor panel at noon EDT. She’ll be joined by authors Ellen Byron, Valerie Burns, Alan Orloff, and MJ Soni.

    This is a free event for Sisters in Crime Worldwide members or $15 for non-members. You can find more information about the other panes and register here.