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.
In 1986, twenty-six women crime writers, frustrated with the obstacles they faced in publishing, met at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in Baltimore to plot a path toward being treated as the equals of male writers. They gathered again in May 1987 during the Edgar Awards Week in New York to formally establish the organization, Sisters in Crime (SinC). At the 1987 Bouchercon in Minneapolis, the group formed a steering committee and held the first membership meeting, with Sara Paretsky serving as the first president. Read more about the history of Sisters in Crime.
Today the worldwide Sisters in Crime organization includes more than 3600 members. Our Twin Cities/Minnesota chapter serves more than 100 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 information about the writing craft, guest sessions from experts in fields such as law enforcement and forensics, and the publishing industry.
- Field trips. Sisters in Crime has organized 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.
- Share information with other members. Our members have a wide range of knowledge about resources and challenges, including social media and marketing, editors, photographers, publicists, and subject matter experts. If you have a question about firearms or finding a cover artist, you can find answers.
- Promote your work. Participate in our Author Panels. We also promote chapter members through outreach mailings to libraries, as well as exhibits at book fairs and festivals.
2026 Board & Officers
President: Lynn Garthwaite
Vice President: William J. Anderson
Treasurer: Michael Allan Mallory
Secretary: Judy Kerr
Member at Large: Christine Husom
Membership Coordinator: Timya Owen
Webmaster: Julie Holmes
To reach any of the officers, email tcsistersincrime@gmail.com