About Us

A Brief History of Sisters in Crime

In 1986, women wrote 40% of the mysteries published in the United States, but received only 15% of the reviews in the New York Times. Sisters in Crime was founded to “combat discrimination against women in the mystery field, to raise awareness of the contributions of female authors, and to promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries.”

Founders included best-selling author Sara Paretsky and Kate Mattes, owner of the former Cambridge literary fixture, Kate’s Mystery Books, who started the national organization at the Bouchercon mystery conference in Baltimore in 1986. Read more about the history of the Sisters in Crime.

Today the national Sisters in Crime organization includes more than 3600 members. Our Twin Cities/Minnesota chapter serves more than 40 local members.

Benefits of Membership

As a member, you become a part of a community where you can meet mystery authors at all phases of their careers, network, advance your skills, promote your work and get and give advice. Twin Cities Sisters in Crime offers its members the following benefits:

  • Monthly meetings. Examples of meeting topics include writing advice, guest sessions from experts in related fields such as law enforcement and the publishing industry. We also have a few social events each year.
  • Field trips. Sisters in Crime organizes periodic field trips to sites such as the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Hennepin County Courts, firearms practice ranges, and can help you find out about CSI coursework, police ride-alongs, and other similar field work.
  • Bimonthly newsletter. Members receive the ALL POINTS BULLETIN newsletter which is chock full of information on upcoming events and conferences, writing and career advice, member news, featured members, and mystery book releases.
  • Share information with other members. Talk with peers about about resources, including editors, photographers, publicists and subject matter experts.
  • Promote your work. Participate in our Speakers Bureau, on this website and through our active presence on Facebook and Twitter. We also promote chapter members through outreach mailings to libraries, as well as exhibits at book fairs and festivals, bookseller trade shows, and library conferences.
  • Communicate online with fellow writers. Join our Facebook group and follow us on Twitter.

Follow this link to join Twin Cities Sisters in Crime.