Jessie Chandler
Encyclopedia
Jessie Chandler is an American author of mystery
and humorous caper fiction, most of which is about lesbian
protagonists. Her work includes Bingo Barge Murder: A Shay O'Hanlon Caper (2011) and the forthcoming Hide 'N' Snake (2012). Chandler has presented talks about the craft of writing, serves as a mentor to many up-and-coming writers, and is a contributing member of The Golden Crown Literary Society.
, and raised primarily by a single mother, her father having died before she was born. She spent part of her early life with her grandparents in Siren, Wisconsin, then lived with her school teacher mother in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metro area until taking off to attend St. Cloud State University
in St. Cloud, Minnesota
, where she received a bachelor's degree in journalism. She met her long-time partner, Betty Chandler, almost two decades ago, and they were finally able to marry in Iowa in 2010.
A former police officer, Chandler has most recently been the manager of True Colors Bookstore in Minneapolis, previously known as Amazon Bookstore Cooperative
, the oldest lesbian bookstore in North America. As her writing career has gathered steam, Chandler has become a mentor and coach to many young and aspiring writers, especially through her work at The Golden Crown Literary Society
where she has judged the literary awards and provided t-shirts for the yearly conference. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime
, Mystery Writers of America
, and International Thriller Writers
.
who are not constrained by topic, content, or mainstream opinion. Her caper crime fiction falls into the same sub-genre as the work of noted lesbian authors such as Elizabeth Sims
and Joan Opyr.
A Mystery Lovers Bookstore review called the first novel a "winner" and "a delightful romp." Lavender (magazine)
said: "Coffee, romance, murder, and dog all make for Minnesota nice-nice." In a pre-pub review, Library Journal
listed the new book as "Truly Wacky," and Ellen Hart
said: "Bingo Barge Murder is a solid first entry in the Shay O'Hanlon mystery series. Chandler writes with a wonderful sense of place, plenty of humor, and a crisp pace. The best part for me were the characters, which were so richly drawn that they felt like instant friends. This is a great read from the very first page!"
Mystery
Mystery, mysteries, or mysterious may refer to:-Religion:* Sacred mysteries, supernatural phenomena associated with a divinity or religious ideology* Mystery play, a form of medieval European dramatic theatre dealing with religious themes...
and humorous caper fiction, most of which is about lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
protagonists. Her work includes Bingo Barge Murder: A Shay O'Hanlon Caper (2011) and the forthcoming Hide 'N' Snake (2012). Chandler has presented talks about the craft of writing, serves as a mentor to many up-and-coming writers, and is a contributing member of The Golden Crown Literary Society.
Early life
Chandler was born in Grantsburg, WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and raised primarily by a single mother, her father having died before she was born. She spent part of her early life with her grandparents in Siren, Wisconsin, then lived with her school teacher mother in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metro area until taking off to attend St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University is a four-year public university founded in 1869 on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States. The university is the largest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system which is the largest single provider of higher...
in St. Cloud, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, where she received a bachelor's degree in journalism. She met her long-time partner, Betty Chandler, almost two decades ago, and they were finally able to marry in Iowa in 2010.
A former police officer, Chandler has most recently been the manager of True Colors Bookstore in Minneapolis, previously known as Amazon Bookstore Cooperative
Amazon Bookstore Cooperative
The Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, Inc. is a bookstore located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A worker cooperative founded in 1970, it calls itself "the oldest independent feminist bookstore in North America." Amazon Bookstore Cooperative former employee, cartoonist and graphic novelist Alison Bechdel...
, the oldest lesbian bookstore in North America. As her writing career has gathered steam, Chandler has become a mentor and coach to many young and aspiring writers, especially through her work at The Golden Crown Literary Society
Golden Crown Literary Society
The Golden Crown Literary Society is a 501 organization established in February 2004 as a literary and educational organization for the study, discussion, enjoyment, and enhancement of lesbian literature. The GCLS membership includes publishers, distributors, authors, and readers of lesbian fiction...
where she has judged the literary awards and provided t-shirts for the yearly conference. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime
Sisters in Crime
Sisters in Crime is an organization that has 3,600 members in 48 chapters world-wide, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors. Members are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians bound by their affection for the mystery genre and their support of women...
, Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is an organization for mystery writers, based in New York.The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday....
, and International Thriller Writers
International Thriller Writers
International Thriller Writers, Inc., was founded October 9, 2004, at a meeting at Bouchercon World Mystery and Suspense Conference in Toronto, Canada. Six months later, some 150 authors with more than one billion books sold worldwide had joined the organization as founding members.Co-founders...
.
Writing career
Chandler is a member of the new breed of lesbian authors writing Mystery fictionMystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
who are not constrained by topic, content, or mainstream opinion. Her caper crime fiction falls into the same sub-genre as the work of noted lesbian authors such as Elizabeth Sims
Elizabeth Sims
Elizabeth Sims is an American writer.Author of two series of crime novels, she is also a contributing editor at Writer's Digest magazine.Sims is best known for her Rita Farmer Mysteries, a suspense series published by St. Martin's Press Minotaur....
and Joan Opyr.
A Mystery Lovers Bookstore review called the first novel a "winner" and "a delightful romp." Lavender (magazine)
Lavender (magazine)
Lavender Magazine is a biweekly magazine, part of Lavender Media, published in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. It is distributed free of charge in the Twin Cites of Minneapolis and St...
said: "Coffee, romance, murder, and dog all make for Minnesota nice-nice." In a pre-pub review, Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
listed the new book as "Truly Wacky," and Ellen Hart
Ellen Hart
Ellen Hart is the award-winning mystery author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenaway series. She was born in Minneapolis, MN in August 1949. A professional chef for 14 years, Hart's mysteries include culinary elements similar to those of Diane Mott Davidson.The author says of her work, "I don't...
said: "Bingo Barge Murder is a solid first entry in the Shay O'Hanlon mystery series. Chandler writes with a wonderful sense of place, plenty of humor, and a crisp pace. The best part for me were the characters, which were so richly drawn that they felt like instant friends. This is a great read from the very first page!"
Novels
- Bingo Barge Murder: A Shay O'Hanlon Caper (2011)
- Hide 'N' Snake: A Shay O'Hanlon Caper (2012)
Story Contributions to Anthologies
- "Fury" in Women in Uniform (2010)
- "Silent Night, Deadly Night" in Why Did Santa Leave A Body? Yuletide Tales of Murder and Mayhem (2010)
- "Sweet Spring Revenge" in Once Upon A Crime (2011)