Elizabeth Sims elizabethsims.com

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  • On Location

    "A fast-paced, atmospheric mystery. Sims shines." —Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times

  • Crimes in a Second Language

    "Spot on dialog and well drawn female characters." —Ryan G. Van Cleave, Scene Magazine

  • Holy Hell

    "Byrd is a very likable amateur sleuth and Sims is a really entertaining storyteller." —Andrea L.T. Peterson, Woman's Monthly

  • Damn Straight

    "Appealing characters, and a rabbit mascot." Library Journal

  • Lucky Stiff

    "A nerve-tingling thriller, rich with characterization and humour." —Vancouver BC Public Library

  • Easy Street

    "Hilarious. Lillian is a true original." Kirkus Reviews

  • Left Field

    "Unforgettable characters, lovely moments and brilliant dialogue." The Lesbian Review

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Elizabeth Sims proves herself a true writer's friend." —Jamie Morris, Director, Voice Heart Vision

  • The Actress

    "Sims' wry commentary on life in Hollywood is dead-on." Publishers Weekly

  • The Extra

    "An intelligent thriller." —Jay Strafford, Richmond Times-Dispatch

  • On Location

    "You just have to love Rita." Kirkus Reviews

  • Crimes in a Second Language

    "Sims is a master of word choice, sentence structure, and plot development." Mensa Bulletin

  • Holy Hell

    "I flat out loved this book." —Sheryl LeSage, Liberty Press

  • Go-Go Day

    "ANYONE assessing America’s best short story writers needs to include Elizabeth Sims." New Pop Lit

  • Damn Straight

    "Much charm and deprecating humor." Kirkus Reviews

  • Lucky Stiff

    "A nifty little puzzle solved by a most intriguing female detective." —Rex E. Klett, Library Journal

  • Easy Street

    "Don't overlook the work of this excellent and entertaining author." —Denise Pickles, Mary Martin Bookshop

  • Left Field

    "What more could a reader ask for?" —Cheri Fuller and Nikki Little, Curve Magazine

  • I am Calico Jones

    "The quality of writing and the entertainment value are high." —W Spice

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Packs a twelve-week writing course into 280 pages." —Julie Compton,
    author of Keep No Secrets

  • The Actress

    "Intricate and surprising, this is a gripping read." —Kristine Huntley, Booklist

  • The Extra

    "The two leads, Rita and George, are engaging and believable." —Hallie Ephron, Boston Globe

  • On Location

    "Sims orchestrates the action—and occasional comic relief—for maximum impact." Publishers Weekly

  • Crimes in a Second Language

    Awarded the Silver Medal in general fiction. —Florida Book Awards, April 11, 2018

  • Holy Hell

    "A rollicking good mystery." —Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

  • Damn Straight

    "Your evening read will keep you up 'til dawn." —Whitney Scott, Booklist

  • Lucky Stiff

    "Colorful episodes involving trailer parks and luxury cars." Kirkus Reviews

  • Easy Street

    "Sims has created one of those heroines who you wouldn't like to be but you'd like as a friend." —Sharon Wheeler, Reviewing the Evidence

  • Left Field

    "You'll be surprised over and over." —Caroline McCullagh, Mensa Bulletin

  • I am Calico Jones

    "Each of these four stories is a tiny gem." —Neil S. Plakcy, author

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "The approach is always positive and well worth the price of admission." —Ellen Hart, award-winning author

  • The Actress

    "A page-turner from stem to stern." Kirkus Reviews

  • The Extra

    "Goes down easy, like a perfect cup of coffee." Crimespree Magazine

Short Story Collections

by Elizabeth Sims


ELIZABETH SIMS SHORT STORIES TWINPACK, Elizabeth Sims contributor

Elizabeth Sims Short Stories Twinpack


Published 2019 by Spruce Park Press


"Anyone assessing America's best short story writers needs to include Elizabeth Sims in their survey."—New Pop Lit

This twinpack comprises two volumes of short stories, with four in each one.

Go-Go Day
If a story by Flannery O'Connor and a story by Chuck Palahniuk got together and had kids, they would be these intense, bitingly sharp tales.

I AM CALICO JONES
Love stories? Happy endings? Tough breaks? We got 'em. If you're a fan of the Lillian Byrd crime novels, you'll be delighted to finally know what Calico Jones thinks about when she's tied up, awaiting execution at the hands of geopolitical terrorists. Regrets? She's had a few.
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GO-GO DAY, Elizabeth Sims contributor

Go-Go Day

Four Literary Tales with a Dash of Dark

Published 2018 by Spruce Park Press


"ANYONE assessing America’s best short story writers needs to include Elizabeth Sims in their survey.
GO-GO DAY presents four stories— only four, but every one, in different ways, is terrific. They’re sustained by hidden wit and a large underpinning of humanity." —New Pop Lit Review, March 2019

If a story by Flannery O’Connor and a story by Chuck Palahniuk got together and had kids, they would be these intense, bitingly sharp tales. Prizewinning author Elizabeth Sims digs into the heart of humanity, with characters who start out knowing what they want, and end up knowing what they need. Their paths are rutted and dangerous. In "Dixon Amiss," a lithograph pressman gets a visit from a couple of guys with a life-changing message for him. Regina, a routinely shamed student in "The Cashmere Club" has a shitty life, but seizes a chance for a strange yet comforting makeover. The manchild at the center of "West Forkton Days" teaches himself a searing lesson about chance, love, and art. And the heroine of "Go-Go Day" yearns to be doted on, yet seeks ultimate liberation on her own terms. These are stories for readers who love to think—and who love life.
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I AM CALICO JONES, Elizabeth Sims contributor

I am Calico Jones

Four Short Stories

Published 2015 by Spruce Park Press


"Each of these four stories is a tiny gem, studded with imaginative characterization and beautiful writing. Sims has the ability to sketch a character in only a few words, making that person live and breathe before you. And the disappointment that some of these characters feel is truly heart-rending, so involved in their lives have we become. An excellent read!" —Neil S. Plakcy, author of the Mahu Series and the Golden Retriever Mysteries

These four short stories by award-winning author Elizabeth Sims are close to her heart. Love stories? Happy endings? Tough breaks? We got 'em. If you're a fan of the Lillian Byrd crime novels, you'll be delighted to finally know what Calico Jones thinks about when she's tied up, awaiting execution at the hands of geopolitical terrorists. Regrets? She's had a few. The three other stories explore a range of lesbian experience from wacky to warm, from heartbreak to hilarity. Says a reviewer:"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to go camping." We might add, you'll never feel the same standing in front of a bank teller again.
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LESBIANS ON THE LOOSE: CRIME WRITERS ON THE LAM by Elizabeth Sims

Lesbians on the Loose: Crime Writers on the Lam


Edited by Lori L. Lake and Jessie Chandler

GCLS Literary Award Winner

Elizabeth Sims contributed the story, "UNTOLD RICHES"


Published 2015 by Launch Point Press

"Elizabeth Sims’ story has the wise-cracking humor you’d expect if you’ve read any of her excellent Lillian Byrd novels." —Amazon Customer

"You won't regret giving this anthology a chance and enjoy the stories by these terrific writers: Elizabeth Sims, Carsen Taite, SY Thompson, Andi Marquette, Linda M. Vogt, VK Powell, Kate McLachlan, Lori L. Lake, Lynn Ames, Sandra de Helen, Jen Wright, Sue Hardesty, Jessie Chandler, J.M. Redmann, and Katherine V. Forrest." —Ameliah Faith, Curve Magazine

These tales of murder, mayhem, and suspense by some of today's finest crime writers will keep you up way past your bedtime! The lesbians on the loose in this collection are an entertaining mix of protagonists: cops, amateur sleuths, a PI, a judge, a bounty hunter, and one very insightful dog. There's even an intrepid high schooler and a mystery writer. Despite greed and grief, rage and revenge, secrets and lies, many of the stories feature humor from a variety of characters trying to find their way in a difficult world—cops who've seen too much, revenge seekers, and women who want justice for themselves and others. Ready? Go on the lam with these amazing writers!
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Short Stories

by Elizabeth Sims


Go-Go Day by Elizabeth Sims by Elizabeth Sims

"Go-Go Day"


Published in Scene Magazine August 2016
pp 83-86


SCENE Magazine is the oldest and most established social and business publication in the Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte County area.

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