Libraries, bookstores, schools, and community groups can enjoy Twin Cities Sisters in Crime author panel presentations. Our presentations cover a variety of subjects about writing, reading, and researching our work as listed below. Host organizations can also request a topic that’s not included in our list of panels.
Typically, a panel of three to five authors address a topic chosen by the sponsoring organization. All panelists are members of Twin Cities Sisters in Crime. Some favorite topics are listed below.
Suggested Panel Discussion Topics
We’re nothing if not flexible! If you don’t see what you want here, contact us.
- Minnesota Not So Nice: When Minnesota Nice flies out the window, Bad Behavior takes center stage. We explore what defines our legendary Minnesota Nice and why Bad Behavior sometimes has its own rewards. Panelists include authors and editors of our chapter anthology: “Minnesota Not So Nice: Eighteen Tales of Bad Behavior”
- Where History Meets Mystery: Our authors discuss how historical events have inspired their writing, the challenges of researching our past, and how we walk a fine line between mystery and history when writing ‘Mystorical Minnesota.’ Panelists include authors and editors of our chapter anthology “Dark Side of the Loon.”
- It Was A Dark And Stormy Night: Our authors explore the challenges of writing short stories, compiling an anthology, and incorporating “Easter Eggs” into our writing. Panelists include authors and editors of our chapter anthology: “It Was A Dark And Stormy Night, Dontcha Know.”
- Writing Beyond Belief: Capturing the Paranormal in Modern Crime Fiction: Paranormal fiction is more popular today than ever before. Our authors present an intriguing exploration of paranormal elements and their influence on today’s modern crime writing. A great panel for October!
- On The Road To Publication: Every writer has asked “How do I get published?” There are more publishing options available than ever before and each writer has to decide for themselves how to publish. Our authors will discuss traditional publishing, self-publishing, and vanity presses. We will break down the steps it takes to get published and share our experiences on the road to publication.
- In Celebration of the Amateur Sleuth: From Agatha Christie to Nancy Drew and JB Fletcher, the Amateur Sleuth is more popular than ever. Why do we love them, why do we read them, and why do we write them???
- True Crime and the Mystery Writer: The lines blur between reality and fiction when true crime fiction is written. A fascinating journey to the darker side of the genre.
- It’s a Mystery to Me: Authors describe the writing process—getting that first idea, creating characters, doing the research, and the daily writing schedule that gets it done.
- She’s All That, and A Detective to Boot: Single mothers, cops, attorneys, journalists—today’s heroines balance relationships and careers, leap over sexist obstacles, and rescue themselves from danger. Women authors are redefining the genre. Find out how they create strong women characters. A great panel presentation for the month of March (Women’s History Month in Minnesota).
- Visiting the Morgue, or Ideas and Where We Get Them: You don’t need to be a covert operative to write a page-turning thriller. How to put a new twist on an old plot, search newspapers, visit courtrooms, and learn how to discover plots right in your own neighborhood.
- Creating Unforgettable Characters: Hear how writers discover their characters, how they conjure up heroes, heroines, and villains, and how fictional characters differ from real-life bad guys.
- We Can’t Even Make This Up: Ever wonder how real life events inspire fiction? Hear how mystery writers give their plots that ripped-from-the-headlines veracity.
Details
- Contact: For more information or to book an author panel, contact us at tcsistersincrime@gmail.com.
- Fees: We do not charge for our author panels. However, if your library or organization normally offers honoraria, our writers will gratefully accept them.
- Books: We appreciate the opportunity to sell and sign our books, provided either by the panelists themselves or by a local bookstore. Let us know what works best for you.
- For currently scheduled Author Panels, please click on the calendar link.