Sisters in Crime



Margo Power, Publisher and Editor of
Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine

August, 1997

This month's interview, conducted July 20, 1997, is with Margo Power, publisher and editor of Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine, and writer as well. Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine first came out in the Spring of 1995 with a mix of fiction, interviews, and informative nonfiction articles. It has a growing audience. Margo also initiated the Short Mystery Fiction Society, an organization dedicated to, you guessed it, short mystery fiction! This interview was conducted by Louise Guardino, whose alias for the interview is IC (Internet Chapter).

Locked in an inner world of photo shoots and Canadian landmarks, Maggie didn't see the stranger lurch toward her. She flinched when she found herself in the clammy grasp of a balding, middle aged man with dazed eyes and ashen skin. The scent of alcohol and sweat radiated from his body. He clawed at her shoulders and mumbled something unintelligible, then clung to her sweater and camera case when his balance wavered.

-- Margo Power, Image of Conspiracy

IC:
Let's start with the above quote. Why did you select this particular paragraph as your favorite?
Margo Power:
I used that paragraph because it is the first paragraph of the book coming out in October titled Image of Conspiracy. I like it because I feel it gets the reader right in the pertinent action and hopefully makes her want to read further.
IC:
Well, yes, it does. I can smell the man with the clammy hand. Is that a juvenile or adult mystery?
Margo Power:
It is definitely for adults.
IC:
Is this your first "adult" oriented mystery novel?
Margo Power:
No, but it's the first one to be published. I have several in partial stages of completion -- and they are all mysteries I like and want to finish.
IC:
Congratulations, then. You've finished one, so surely you'll finish the others.
Margo Power:
Oh yes, don't get me wrong though. I've completed other books -- one romantic suspense, a juvenile mystery and a young adult mystery. I also have lots of partials.
IC:
You are also, in your spare moments (G), the publisher and editor of Murderous Intent. What prompted you to start a mystery magazine?
Margo Power:
I started Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine because I love to write mysteries but I wasn't really getting anywhere very fast. I wanted more involvement and I also wanted to get out of nursing. (I'm a registered nurse.) When I started I thought publishing the magazine would accomplish that goal. It turns out, making money with a magazine isn't as easy as I had imagined. But -- I really enjoy the editing and promoting authors -- and all the rest that goes with the magazine.
IC:
Are the other books under "Margo Power" or a pseudonym?
Margo Power:
All under Margo Power but not published. You know about my contract with the small publisher for my young adult mystery, don't you? They simply never actually published the book and I finally had to withdraw it. (Talk about big disappointments.)
IC:
Incredible disappointment! Hopefully that will be the last you incur.

Juvenile, Young Adult, and Adult: which do you find easier to write to?

Margo Power:
I think adult books are easier to write because that's where I'm coming from now. I write pretty clean but with the younger books I was always censoring the text to keep it appropriate for younger readers. Those books are not easy.
IC:
Back to the inception of Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine: at the time, you were a member of the Genie Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Did that influence you at all in the decision to start up this new venture?
Margo Power:
It certainly did. I had met lots of wonderful sisters on Genie. I had been thinking about a magazine and asked Marie Gerules about it since I knew she was an editor for Red Herring Mystery Magazine. Marie became a co-editor for awhile until other obligations took her elsewhere.

Also while I was on Genie I did minisynopses for the authors and author interviews. These both influenced how the magazine proceeded and how it continues today.

IC:
The interviews and columnists featured in Murderous Intent have been wonderful. So, in your capacity as a member of SinC, it sounds like you found inspiration, encouragement, and contacts.
Margo Power:
I think you could safely say that Sisters in Crime has influenced everything I have done, in one way or another. It is a powerful and very helpful organization.
IC:
In your position as both publisher and editor, which, if either, is the more difficult task?
Margo Power:
It all sort of runs together for me. I do have news though -- Phillip Stevens is taking over as publisher. So soon my tasks will be strictly editing oriented. It will lighten the load somewhat.
IC:
So, then, in this respect, Sisters in Crime by inspiring you to start your magazine has furthered one of its goals: that of making the public more aware of women mystery writers. I say that because many of the contributors to the magazine, especially in its beginning days, were SinC members.
Margo Power:
The goal is always to promote women mystery writers so you are definitely right there. I also want to promote short mystery fiction which is why I started the shortmystery-l-digest (a majordomo list for mystery writers and readers) on the internet. The Short Mystery Fiction Society has grown from that forum and we feel we are making headway in getting recognition for the short mystery fiction authors. This society is based on Sisters in Crime although in no way attached to it. The SinC organization and its methods of promotion work. Women are recognized more today than ever before.
IC:
I see that the magazine now has a nice balance between men and women. Would you say that the submissions you receive are mostly from women, men, or about equal?
Margo Power:
Submissions: hmmm, probably a few more from women but the men aren't far behind in that respect.
IC:
Yes, the Short Mystery Fiction Society has been a good vehicle for information exchange among writers (and readers).

Murderous Intent first came out in the Spring of 1995. Have you seen a change in the direction or focus of the fiction submissions since then?

Margo Power:
We do see a reflection of what people are experiencing. Restructure in the workplace, hurricanes -- hmmm, haven't had any flood stories yet. Women continue to be strong and proactive participants in most scenarios presented. We've also gotten a few good stories reflecting the plight of inner city American citizens. We are seeing more serial killer type stories. However, the readers who have contacted me are not always comfortable with these. (They are a sign of the times and the media however.) I think in the long run, the magazine could be considered an epistle of the changing times.
IC:
And you are in the forefront of presenting it. What in your Murderous Intent endeavor has surprised you the most?
Margo Power:
How much money it takes to put out a magazine. (G) I'm grinning but it's true. I had no idea.

Also, we get a lot of very good stories. I guess I didn't think that would happen although I hoped that it would. The caliber of the writers is generally quite impressive. (We get clinkers too but they are in the minority.) The competition for publication is tough.

Louise
And what has been the most difficult?
Margo Power:
Keeping up with submissions in a timely manner. Since we were listed on Writers Digest Fiction Top Fifty magazines our submissions increased considerably and have never decreased since then. I hope that writers will continue to cheerfully bear with us.
IC:
As a now experienced first-time editor-publisher: any disappointments?
Margo Power:
Distributors are difficult -- that was a big disappointment. Things are going better though, since I got a distribution agent. (It costs more though.)

There have been a few minor disappointments but they aren't worth putting in print. Since I really didn't know what to expect there wasn't much to be disappointed in.

IC:
And lastly, if there is anything you want to say to the visitors to the Spotlight Profile that you haven't had a chance to yet: feel free!
Margo Power:
I hope to see you all at Bouchercon in Monterey. If all goes well I'll have a room for friends of Murderous Intent and all are invited. We'll have coffee, tea and cookies on me from 4 to 5:30 pm on Friday, October 31st. More details when you register at the convention.

Also, don't forget to buy Image of Conspiracy by Margo Power (ISBN 1-886199-02-7) which will be available at the convention.

Thank you for putting me in the spotlight!

IC:
Great! Wonderful, Margo. Thanks so much for being a brave soul and being our first.

Margo Power Louise Guardino

To see other Spotlight Profiles, click here.

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