Sisters in Crime began 30 years ago as a way to support and advocate for female writers, who … wait for it… weren’t getting nearly as many reviews as male writers were, as well as a lack of attention for other things in the writing and publishing world.

Me and Coralie Jensen talk to fans after a Sisters in Crime 30th Anniversary talk at Rodgers Library in Hudson, N.H. this week.

This month, as Sisters celebrates its 30th birthday with library events across the country, things are a little better (a little), but the group is still as necessary as ever.

Now with 3,600 members nationwide, Sisters in Crime offers support, advocacy and community to writers at all levels of the game and, we’re proud to say, welcomes the fellas to join as well.

Many of the bloggers on this site are members of Sisters in Crime. Just as Maine has a huge pool of talented writers, New England seems to be the strongest, most active Sisters group.

If you write, or just love mysteries, check us out.

Is there food? You bet there is! McArthur Library in Biddeford provided these beautiful cupcakes when Kate Flora, Lea Wait and I spoke there on April 20. And they tasted as good as they looked.

Also, keep an eye out for a Sisters event near you. To celebrate, Sisters has joined with its biggest fans and supporters — libraries — to present events across the region. Sisters’ Speakers Bureau, which provides a two or three-author panel to libraries, similar to the Maine Crime Writers Death & Desserts program, has brought authors, libraries and fans together for years and is going strong.

Look for an event near you! Tomorrow, Gayle Lynds, Janet Morgan and I will be at Wiscassett Public Library for a 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sisters open house, with the author program at 11 a.m.

On May 21, a number of us as well as some special guests, will be at the Curtis Library in Brunswick for Sisters’ annual Murder by the Minute event, where we read from our works.

If you can’t make either of those, keep an eye out at your local library either for one of our “birthday” events this spring, or in general. Or ask your local library to have us there.

You can find out more about Sisters in Crime at sincne.org.

Maureen Milliken is the author of the Bernie O’Dea mystery series. Follow her on Twitter at@mmilliken47 and like her Facebook page at Maureen Milliken mysteries. Sign up for email updates at maureenmilliken.com. She hosts the podcast Crime&Stuff with her sister Rebecca Milliken.