By Gale Albright

Ever since I assumed the presidency of Sisters in Crime: Heart of Texas chapter in January of 2016, I’ve been trying not to get tangled up in the net. The “net” as in “networking.”

I love all the things I’m involved in, but it behooves me to get my head out of the clouds and be careful where my feet are stepping. I don’t want to get so tangled up that I trip and fall.

I get excited, I get ambitious, I get enthusiastic, and I tend to say “yes” to any and all new projects that come my way. I find out about these projects via networking.

A net can be a safety net and it can also be a net that traps you.

Without networking, without contacts with others who have similar interests, without commitment to projects, nothing would happen. But you have to do the work. You have to get people to help you do the work. You have to pace yourself so you won’t burn out. I’m talking to myself here, so if you can see yourself in what I’m saying, don’t take it personally.

So far, I haven’t agreed to take care of more than one thing at a time. I need to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“Enthusiasm” and “Exhaustion” both start with the same letter.

It is through Sisters in Crime: Heart of Texas chapter that our organization had a wonderful weekend visit from international best-selling author Rhys Bowen in March. It is through Scott Montgomery, crime fiction coordinator for BookPeople, that I got to know Hopeton Hay of KAZI FM’s book review. I got to interview Sue Grafton on his radio program. I’m now involved in the Pflugerville Book Pfestival (April 16-17) because of networking with Scott and Hopeton. Networking can lead to wonderful things: moderating a mystery panel at a book festival; producing May Mystery Month day-long free workshops at BookPeople; meeting writers and making new friendships.

But remember to breathe, take your vitamins, and don’t get your feet tangled in the net.

Speaking of networking, please come to the Pflugerville Book Pfestival April 16-17, at the Pflugerville Public Library at 1008 Pfluger Street.

The weekend festival, free and open to the public, is packed with writers, book signings, panel discussions and interviews. I will moderate the panel “Sisters in Crime: Women Crime Fiction Writers” with award-winning authors Meg Gardiner, Alexandra Burt, Janice Hamrick, and Helen Currie Foster from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16.

On Sunday, April 17, there will be panels on mystery in fantasy and science fiction novels, international crime fiction, and the greatest crime-fiction novels of all time.

Get information and schedules about the Pflugerville Book Pfestival by calling 512-990-6375 or go to http://www.pflugervilletx.gov/index.aspx?NID=2237