Sandra de Helen

Early in the new millennium, de Helen turned her focus to novel writing and developed the Shirley Combs/Dr. Mary Watson mystery series of which there are currently two books. She is working on the third book in the mystery series. She has also written one thriller, "Till Darkness Comes," about which Chelsea Cain's blurb said: "I wish I had half the plotting talent that Sandra de Helen has. This is such a terrific and totally satisfying book." Reviews for Sandra's plays, poetry, and novels are generally favorable. In 2012, de Helen was featured on the show Back Page-Episode 266 and interviewed at Oregon State University by talented host and author, Jody Seay. Speaking about novel writing and where her ideas come from, de Helen focuses on the evolution of her Shirley Combs and Mary Watson mystery series and how she created her characters.

With playwright Kate Kasten, de Helen co-founded Actors' Sorority, a women's theatre company in Kansas City, Missouri. She also helped to found the Portland Women's Theatre Company and Pen Play, a multi-cultural theatre company in Portland, Oregon. In 2009, de Helen was featured in the very first Fertile Ground Festival, which showcased new plays by the likes of William S. Gregory, Sandra De Helen, Eleanor O’Brien, Steve Patterson, Matt Zrebski, and others.

Between 1976 and 2020, Sandra penned 26 full-length plays, seven one-acts, one opera, and 33 ten-minute plays. She's also written a multitude of essays, short stories, articles, two mystery novels, and a thriller.

In an interview with Bethel Swift entitled "Poets of Influence," de Helen spoke of her activism/"artivism" and social justice influences: "My mom was president of her union local, and I learned about social justice from an early age. I organized the first animal rights protest in Anchorage, Alaska in 1970, joined the women's movement the minute I heard of it, was part of the Ad Hoc Young Democrats in Alaska, and I protested the Vietnam War. I’ve been active in working for women's rights, gay rights, children's rights. I’ve protested ICE, and wrote a weekly column called “Fight This Hate” for a year after the last presidential election. Most of my activism happens on the page, whether it's a play, a poem, or an essay. My novels reflect my values and my LGBTQ community."

Sandra de Helen (born January 19, 1944) is a poet, playwright, editor, and author of mysteries, plays, short stories, essays, poetry, and articles, many of which feature lesbian protagonists.

Born Sandra Lee McCorkle in 1944 to Helen Taylor McCorkle and Albert Charles McCorkle, de Helen is the older of two daughters. She spent her early years with her family in Rolla and Newburg, Missouri, then lived in St. Louis, Missouri, during her teen years. She has also lived in Amarillo, Texas, Anchorage, Alaska, Wichita, Kansas, Havasupai, Arizona, Kansas City, Missouri, Portland, Oregon, and now resides in San Diego, California.