Elizabeth Sims
Elizabeth Sims | |
|---|---|
 Sims in 2025 | |
| Born | September 30, 1957 Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer and editor |
| Education | Michigan State University Wayne State University |
| Genre | Nonfiction, fiction |
| Subject | Mystery, crime |
| Notable awards | Florida Book Award Golden Crown Literary Society Award Lambda Literary Award Tompkins Award for Graduate Fiction |
| Spouse | Marcia Burrows |
| Website | |
| www | |
 Literature portal | |
Elizabeth Sims (born September 30, 1957) is an American writer, journalist, and contributing editor at Writer's Digest magazine. She is a former correspondent for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and author of two series of crime novels, including her Rita Farmer Mystery Series, originally published by St. Martin's Press Minotaur and Lillian Byrd Crime Series, originally published by Alyson Books.
Early life and education
[edit]Elizabeth Sims was born on September 30, 1957, in Wyandotte, Michigan. She was raised in Detroit and attended Michigan State University and Wayne State University, graduating with degrees in English and composition theory. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., and American Mensa.[1][2]
Professional background
[edit]In 1992, Sims began a two-year term on the editorial board of Moving Out literary journal, during which she submitted the short story "Beautiful" in 1987, and "Cleva" in 1989. In 2006, she began writing features for Writer's Digest magazine.[1] She became a contributing editor in 2009, specializing in the art and craft of fiction.[3] She worked as a freelance correspondent for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2011.[4] Sims taught creative writing at Sarasota’s Ringling College of Art and Design in 2017 and 2018.[5]
- Down to the D
- Bambi Pentecost Crime Novels Book 1
The novel Down to the D was published by Spruce Park Press in 2025. The story follows Bambi Pentecost, a former prostitute and narcotics informant, as she seeks to establish the innocence of her ex-husband in a murder case, thereby winning back the esteem of her teenage daughter. The action begins in Michigan's winter-bound Upper Peninsula and quickly moves to Detroit where the story plays out. Themes of redemption, deceit, and courage are embedded in the main character's journey, told in a sardonic narrative voice.
- Rita Farmer Mystery Series
In May 2008, she launched the Rita Farmer Mystery Series with The Actress. The main character, Rita Farmer, is a single mother and struggling Hollywood actress who is recruited to coach the defendant in a murder trial.
The Extra, second in the Rita Farmer Mystery Series was published by St. Martin's Press Minotaur in June 2009.
Sims moves the action from Los Angeles to Washington's Olympic Peninsula in On Location, published by Minotaur in August 2010.[3]
- Lillian Byrd Crime Series
The Lillian Byrd Crime Series is a six-novel series, originally published by Alyson Books (New York), beginning with Holy Hell in 2002. The series focuses on lesbian culture, mystery, and love. The second book in the series, Damn Straight, won a 2003 Lambda Literary Award.[2] Lucky Stiff and Easy Street followed in 2004 and 2005. The main character, Lillian Byrd, is a reporter turned sleuth whose quest for true love takes her into dangerous places. The series, set mostly in the Detroit, Michigan area, is noted for its off-kilter characters and wry humor.[citation needed] The fifth novel in the series, Left Field, was published in 2014 by Spruce Park Press. It received a Golden Crown Literary Society award in 2015. The sixth in the series, Tight Race, was published in 2022 by Spruce Park Press.
- Crimes in a Second Language
In 2017, Sims published Crimes in a Second Language, a departure from her series work. The novel, set in contemporary Los Angeles, features a white retired schoolteacher who befriends a young Mexican-American housecleaner. In 2018 Crimes in a Second Language was awarded the silver medal in the Florida Book Award general fiction category.
- Public speaking
In addition to her writing, Sims lectures and presents workshops at writer's conferences and retreats around North America.[3]
Published works
[edit]Fiction
[edit]- Rita Farmer Mystery Series
- Sims, Elizabeth (2008). The Actress, St. Martin's Minotaur, 336 pages. ISBN 978-0312377281
- Sims, Elizabeth (2009). The Extra, St. Martin's Minotaur, 400 pages. ISBN 978-1429987134
- Sims, Elizabeth (2010). On Location, St. Martin's Minotaur, 384 pages. ISBN 978-1429951272
- Lillian Byrd Crime Series
- Sims, Elizabeth (2002). Holy Hell, Alyson Books, 270 pages. ISBN 978-1555836535
- Sims, Elizabeth (2003). Damn Straight, Alyson Books, 272 pages. ISBN 978-1555837860
- Sims, Elizabeth (2004). Lucky Stiff, Alyson Books, 243 pages. ISBN 978-1555838584
- Sims, Elizabeth (2005). Easy Street, Alyson Books, 229 pages. ISBN 978-1555839260
- Sims, Elizabeth (2014), Left Field, Spruce Park Press, 269 pages. ISBN 978-0692351772
- Sims, Elizabeth (2022), Tight Race, Spruce Park Press, 298 pages. ISBN 978-1733996747
- Other Novels
- Sims, Elizabeth (2017), Crimes in a Second Language, Spruce Park Press, 266 pages. ISBN 978-1520300443
- Sims, Elizabeth (2025), Down to the D, Spruce Park Press, 344 pages. ISBN 978-1733996778
- Short Story Collections
- Sims, Elizabeth (2015). I am Calico Jones: Four Short Stories, Spruce Park Press, 76 pages.
- Sims, Elizabeth (2018). Go-Go Day: Four Literary Tales with a Dash of Dark, Spruce Park Press, 73 pages.
- Short Stories
- Sims, Elizabeth (1987). "Beautiful", Moving Out, vol. 13
- Sims, Elizabeth (1989). "Cleva", Moving Out, vol. 14
- Sims, Elizabeth; and Valerie Reed (editor, 2003). "For Faye", A Woman's Touch, Alyson Books
- Sims, Elizabeth; and Angela Brown (editor, 2004). "Play Money", Best Lesbian Love Stories 2004, Alyson Books
- Sims, Elizabeth; and Lake, Lori L. and Tara Young (editors, 2006). "I am Calico Jones", Romance for Life, Intaglio Publications
- Sims, Elizabeth; and Lake, Lori L. and Jessie Chandler (editors, 2014). "Untold Riches", Lesbians on the Loose: Crime Writers on the Lam, Launch Point Press
- Sims, Elizabeth; (2015). I am Calico Jones: Four Short Stories, Spruce Park Press
- Sims, Elizabeth; (2016), "Go-Go Day", Scene Magazine, August 2016[6]
Nonfiction
[edit]- Sims, Elizabeth; and Ned Thomas (2007). Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra: Seventy-Five Years of Music on the Strait, Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra[7]
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor, 2010); and Editors of Writer's Digest. The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work, Writer's Digest Books, 528 pages. ISBN 978-1582979588
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor, 2012); and Editors of Writer's Digest. Crafting Novels & Short Stories: The Complete Guide to Writing Great Fiction, Writer's Digest Books, 368 pages. ISBN 978-1599635712
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor); and Chuck Sambuchino, (editor, 2012). 2013 Guide to Literary Agents, Writer's Digest Books, 364 pages. ISBN 978-1599635972
- Sims, Elizabeth (2013). You've Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, Writer's Digest Books, 282 pages. ISBN 978-1599635545
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor); and Rachel Randall, (editor, 2014). 2015 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market , Writer's Digest Books, 580 pages. ISBN 978-1599638416
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor); and Chuck Sambuchino, (editor, 2014). 2015 Guide to Literary Agents, Writer's Digest Books, 363 pages. ISBN 978-1599638430
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor, 2016); and Editors of Writer's Digest Books. Creating Characters: The Complete Guide to Populating Your Fiction, Writer's Digest Books, 342 pages. ISBN 978-1599638768
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor, 2016); and Editors of Writer's Digest Books. Crafting Dynamic Dialogue: The Complete Guide to Speaking, Conversing, Arguing, and Thinking in Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials), Writer's Digest Books, 296 pages. ISBN 978-1440345548
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor, 2017); and Editors of Writer's Digest. The Complete Handbook Of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work, Writer's Digest Books, 528 pages. ISBN 978-1440348396
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor 2019); and Amy Jones, (editor, 2019). 2020 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market , Writer's Digest Books, 512 pages. ISBN 978-1440354939
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor 2021); and Lee Child, (editor, 2021) and Laurie R. King (editor 2021). How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America, Scribner, 336 pages. ISBN 978-1982149437
- Sims, Elizabeth (contributor 2022); and Amy Jones, (editor, 2022). Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market 33rd Edition, Writer's Digest Books, 416 pages. ISBN 978-0593332054
Poetry
[edit]- The Smudge literary journal – Spring 1978, Summer 1978, Winter 1978–79
Honors and awards
[edit]- Tompkins Award for graduate fiction – Wayne State University[2]
- Writer's Digest – Short story fiction (1986)
- Lambda Literary Award – Damn Straight 2003[2]
- Golden Crown Literary Society Award - Left Field 2015
- Florida Book Award Silver Medal – Crimes in a Second Language 2017
References
[edit]- ^ a b "elizabeth". Elizabeth Sims. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
- ^ a b c d Markowitz, Judith A. (2004). The Gay Detective Novel: Lesbian And Gay Main Characters and Themes In Mystery Fiction, McFarland Press, pages 143–145. ISBN 978-0786482771
- ^ a b c "Joyce author Sims puts series heroine on Peninsula; writer gives talk before moving to Florida - Port Angeles Port Townsend Sequim Forks Jefferson County Clallam County Olympic Peninsula Daily news". Peninsuladailynews.com. 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
- ^ "newspaper reporting". Elizabeth Sims. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
- ^ "Faculty Ringling College of Art and Design". Retrieved 2019-02-08.
- ^ "Scene August 2016". wwwscenesarasota.com. 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
- ^ "Listen to the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra". Portangelessymphony.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
External links
[edit]- Elizabeth Sims at Writer's Digest
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 21st-century American novelists
- American women novelists
- Michigan State University alumni
- Wayne State University alumni
- Living people
- American women short story writers
- American mystery writers
- Lambda Literary Award winners
- Novelists from Michigan
- 1957 births
- American women mystery writers
- 21st-century American women writers
- Mensans
- People from Wyandotte, Michigan
- 21st-century American short story writers