Sisters In Crime Australia may be right up your alley if you’re an aspiring female crime author!
Sisters In Crime Australia (SICA) may sound a lot like the title of a great crime story or blockbuster movie. Still, it’s really an organization dedicated to up-and-coming, new, and existing female crime writers and authors.
Don’t worry. If you choose to join Sisters In Crime Australia, you’re not joining an international crime ring, but you may be able to get into some trouble if you’re so inclined! Let’s take a drive in the police cruiser and discover what the SICA organization is all about.
What’s the Story Behind Sisters In Crime Australia?
Sisters In Crime Australia was launched at the Feminist Book Festival in Melbourne, Australia, in September 1991. It was inspired by the American organization Sisters In Crime and shares the same name.
The American organization was founded in 1986 by Sara Paretsky (the creator of Chicago PI) and a group of other dedicated female crime writers at the Bouchercon Crime Convention.
What Do Sisters In Crime Australia Do?
Sisters In Crime Australia aims to share their passion for women’s crime writing, bringing women crime writers, screenwriters, booksellers, publishers, producers, and specialists together.
They meet regularly across the country and online to discuss books, movies, films, and television shows and discuss Australia’s latest crime and law enforcement-related issues. Luckily, Australia has a long and rich history of crime, from the early days of settlement when bushrangers, such as the famous Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang, ranged the outback robbing unsuspecting travelers.
Membership also includes exploring contemporary issues at the heart of crime fiction, dissecting its rich history, and the professional development of Australian women crime writers, including emerging and aspiring writers, and providing an opportunity for networking at a professional level. Oh, and having fun!
The SICA organization has over 500 members and includes chapters in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Tasmania. Men, or ‘brothers-in-law,’ are more than welcome to attend groups and join.
How Do You Join the SICA?
Joining Sisters In Crime Australia as a member or supporter couldn’t be easier. Simply head over to their website by clicking here, and you’ll be redirected to their membership application page.
Membership prices range between $10 and $40, but supporting the group is 100% free.
Membership benefits for the SICA include:
- The Crime Stack is a random draw for twenty books given away each month and shipped within Australia.
- Unique opportunities to review existing and new release women’s crime books or to write guest posts for the SICA
- The opportunity to become a SICA volunteer or convenor.
- Promotional support for crime books that you publish, including reviews, launches, guest speaking opportunities, panels, and partnerships with libraries, bookshops, festivals, and other events. (Subject to space).
- A discount on the Scarlet Stiletto anthologies of winning stories, Scarlet Stiletto: The First Cut and Scarlet Stiletto: The Second Cut.
- The opportunity to vote in the Davitt Awards Readers’ Choice for the Best Crime Book written by an Australian
- A 10% discount at the following bookshops: The Sun Bookshop, Hares & Hyenas, Bellcourt Books, Redrock Books and Gallery, Abbey’s Bookshop, and Blues Point Bookshop.
Depending on where you live, there are also local chapters of SICA, including:
- Sisters In Crime Queensland – Check them out on Facebook.
- Sisters In Crime Tasmania – Check them out on Facebook.
If there are other chapters of SICA, please don’t hesitate to comment below, and I’ll add them to the list!
What Is the SICA? – Conclusion
There you go! Everything you ever wanted to learn about the Sisters In Crime Australia organization and their work. If you’re an Australian crime author and want to connect with other crime writers, the SICA organization is a great way to do it.
If you have a large author event or organization you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us.
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Author Services Australia is not affiliated with Sisters In Crime Australia, and this post is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. Please verify all information with the organizers before making any membership purchases, and don’t hesitate to contact them directly with any questions.