The Power of 13!

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, 13 Canadian crime writers came together to form a writers' collective. With the goal of enhancing members' visibility, the Mesdames of Mayhem have since put out an online monthly newsletter, posting about members' milestones and activities. They've organized writers' panels at public libraries and elsewhere. And every second year, they've released an anthology of members' short crime fiction.

Several of these stories have been finalists for Crime Writers of Canada and Derringer awards. Catherine Astolfo's "The Outlier" won CWC's award for Best Crime Story in 2018. And Therese Greenwood's "Hatcheck Bingo" won the CWC award in 2025.

This year marks the Madames' 13th anniversary. We are now a collective of more than 20 members, including three Messieurs. And this fall, Carrick Publishing will release our seventh collection of members' stories, The Power of 13. Thirteen has clearly been our lucky number.

The cover design by Sara Carrick has just been finalized. The book launch will be held on Nov. 1 at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore.