SMFS Member Publishing News: Sky Lanterns by Marcelle Dubé

 

SMFS list member Marcelle Dubé reported that her short story, Sky Lanterns, is published in The Saturday Evening Post: November/December 2024 issue. The print issue is available here.

SMFS Member Publishing News: The One I Loved by Elizabeth Dearborn

 

SMFS list member Elizabeth Dearborn reported that her short story, The One I Loved, was published at Punk Noir Magazine. You can read the piece for free online here.

SMFS Member Podcast News: The Jumper by John M. Floyd

SMFS list member John M. Floyd reported that his short story, The Jumper, is featured this week at Mysteryrat's Maze podcast. Produced by Kings River Life Magazine, the podcast can be heard here.

 

Website Description:

This episode features the mystery short story The Jumper by John M. Floyd. It is read by local actor Larry Mattox. The Jumper was originally published in the Autumn 1999 issue of Crimestalker Casebook. You can learn more about the author on his website.

In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and performed by Kevin Memley. If you enjoyed this episode please review or rate it as that helps more people be able to find us! Also, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode!

If you would like to help support this podcast and Kings River Life financially, and get some fun rewards, check out our Patreon Page. You can also make a one time donation through Paypal and you can purchase some fun Mysteryrat's Maze merchandise on Redbubble.

You can find more mystery fun on our websites Kings River Life Magazine and KRL News and Reviews.

SMFS Members Published in Crimeucopia - Great Googly Moo!

 

Today is publication day for the anthology, Crimeucopia – Great Googly Moo! Published by Murderous Ink Press, the read is available at Amazon and other vendors. SMFS list members that reported being in the read are:

 

Michael Bracken with “Twink.”

 

Jay Andrew Connor with “Memindip and the Persian Poet.”

 

Wil A. Emerson with “Cracker Jacks and The Granny Case.”

 

 S. B. Watson with “The Five Cent Detective.”

 

Martin Zeigler with “Barely Is Good Enough.”

 

Publisher Description:

I Remember the Dame Well…

…Mainly as she had a laugh that reminded me of two cheese graters energetically fornicating in an iron bathtub. I looked out the open window at the Johnson Memorial, standing upright and resolute in the persistent rain. The clock on it said it was 3:15 in the a.m. and I figured, what-the-Hell, it was time to review the 14 case files scattered across my desk.

They were from:

Daryl Wood Gerber, Don Magin, James Donzella, J. T. Seate, S. B. Watson,

Wil A. Emerson, Michael Bracken, Glenn Francis Faelnar, Michael Thomét,

Jay Andrew Connor, Martin Zeigler, Michael J. Ciaraldi, Jeff Burt,

and L.N. Hunter

I glanced back out across the skyline and wondered: Why is it always raining in Noir City? I got up and moved over to the chess board. I hadn’t see the cat in several hours, so I rearranged the pieces a little to give myself a bit of an advantage…

Just when you thought Private Eye investigations are a deadly serious business, these 14 skilful and talented writers start shaking the Funny Tree, and you’ll be amazed at what falls out.

Because, in the spirit of the Murderous Ink Detective Agency motto:

You never know what you like until you investigate it.

 

Paperback Edition ISBN: 9781909498624

eBook Edition ISBN: 9781909498631

SMFS Member Publishing News: Dinner with the King by Joseph S. Walker

SMFS list member Joseph S. Walker reported that his short story, Dinner with the King, is published in Black Cat Weekly #168. Published by Wildside Press, the issue is available here in digital format.

 

Website Description:

This issue, we begin the second volume of Ed Glasby’s monumental fantasy trilogy with The Dark Pilgrimage, plus we have a complete science fiction novel by Nelson S. Bond and a complete classic mystery novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, adapted from their play by acclaimed author Stephen Vincent Benét.

   On the mystery short story end of things, Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken has an original from Tom Larsen, and Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman has a Thanksgiving tale by Joseph S. Walker that’s perfect for the holiday. We also have a great original tale by Vy Kava.

   For the fantasy & science fiction readers, we have an original fairy tale-inspired story by Maureen Bowden, plus a dark fantasy classic by John S. Glasby, plus a science fiction survival-in-space classic by E.C. Tubb.

   Here’s the complete lineup—

 

Cover Art: Stephen Hickman

 

NOVELS

 

The Bat, by Mary Roberts Rinehart, Avery Hopwood, and Stephen Vincent Benét

   A killer stalks a mansion, cloaked in darkness. Can a sharp-witted woman unmask The Bat?

When Freemen Shall Stand, by Nelson S. Bond

   A Nazi spy disrupts a war-ending chemical experiment. Centuries later, the survivors awaken…

 

SERIAL NOVEL

 

The Dark Pilgrimage, by Edmund Glasby (part 1 of 2)

   Beginning the second volume in The Apocalypses of Brother Santiago.

 

SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY

 

“The Campground Caper,” by Hal Charles

   An aging teen idol is assaulted backstage during intermission. Can you solve the case before the detective?

 

SHORT STORIES

 

“The Other Brother,” by Tom Larsen [Michael Bracken Presents]

   A botched smuggling operation. A missing brother who knows too much. Can Wilson Salinas uncover the truth before the shadows close in for good?

“Dinner with the King,” by Joseph S. Walker [Barb Goffman Presents]

   A cunning pickpocket, a tough-as-nails detective chasing counterfeiters, and Thanksgiving dinner!

“The Badge and the Interpreter,” by Vy Kava

   An interpreter faces murder, secrets, and impossible choices. Can she survive the truth?

“Edna Lowry’s Legacy,” by Maureen Bowden

   Earth is dying, and humanity’s time is running out. Sean Lowry’s family carries a legacy that may be their only chance to survive.

“Something About Gargoyles,” by John S. Glasby

   A man is dying without any medical explanation. Can the secret to his illness be found in the shadowy feud with a local stonemason?

“Emergency Call,” by E.C. Tubb

   A spaceship loses critical oxygen mid-journey. Survival demands impossible choices...   Until next time, happy reading! 

Edgar Allan Poe Sesquicentennial Tribute Story Contest

 

October 7, 1999 marked the 150th anniversary of the passing of Edgar Allan Poe, the dark genius of American letters and the father of the detective story.  In recognition of this, The Short Mystery Fiction Society, together with MURDEROUS INTENT, sponsored a Poe Tribute Short Story Contest. The contest was open to members of the SMFS and the readers of MI.

All entries were new (never before published) tales of mystery, detection or suspense, 2,500 words or less.  No supernatural horror, and no science-fiction.  The stories were either set in historical times or were contemporary, and were either deadly serious or humorous (in recognition of the fact that Poe in his lifetime was known for his humor writings!).  In keeping with the Poe Tribute theme, each story involved a work of Edgar Allan Poe's as a key story element that was integral to the plot, or used Edgar Allan Poe as a character himself.

We were not necessarily looking for a pastiche, a parody or an imitation of Poe's style, but rather creative and imaginative homages to the writer who defined the form of the short mystery.

The winning story was Mark Troy (writing as M.E. Troy) with "The Montressor Hit". The story was published in the Fall, 1999 issue of MURDEROUS INTENT.

In addition, four other stories were selected for Honorable Mention status by the reading committee and our contest judge, Henry Slesar. They were:

"Cave Cask" by Glynn Marsh Alam

"Poetic Justice" by James L. Oddie

"Midnight Dreary" by D. C. Thomas

"Second Hand Smoke" by E. J. McGill

The original announcement concluded

On behalf of the SMFS and Murderous Intent, we would like to congratulate our winner, Mark Troy, as well as the honorees -- Glynn, James, Debra and Earl -- and thank all those who contributed a story and made this contest a success!  We would also like to express our gratitude to Henry for serving as our final judge.

Poe-etically yours,

G. Miki Hayden, President SMFS

Michael Mallory, Vice President SMFS and Poe Contest Coordinator

* This contest was in no way connected with the Mystery Writers of America and its annual Edgar Allan Poe award.

The 1998 SMFS Derringer Awards

The winners of the first annual Derringer Awards were announced in May, 1998. They were voted on by the members of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. The Award was established in 1998 and named to emphasize the short but deadly nature of the mystery fiction honored. Winners receive a certificate depicting the eponymous weapon.

THE WINNERS

FLASH (under 1000 words)

Michael Mallory, "Curiosity Kills"

Murderous Intent, Vol. 3, No. 4, Fall 1997.

SHORT STORY (1000-3000 words)

Kate Grilley, "Guavaberry Christmas"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3, No 4 Fall 1997

SHORT (3,000-10,000 words) - TIE

Kris Neri, "L.A. Justice"

Murder by Thirteen (L.A. Sisters in Crime anthology) Crown Valley Press, ISBN 0-9647945-3-5, 1997

TIED WITH

Barbara White-Rayczek, "The Adventurers"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3, No 1, Winter 1997

NOVELLA (15,000 to 35,000 words)

Margo Power, "Image of Conspiracy"

Madison Publishing Company, ISBN 1-881699-02-7 (pb) 1997

BEST FIRST STORY (any length)

Eileen Brosnan "Back Stairs"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997

THE NOMINEES

FLASH (under 1000 words)

Vicki Cameron, "Zebra Mussels"

Cottage Country Killers (anthology), General Store Publishing House, ISBN 1-896182-53-4 1997

Kimberly Haugh, "Exceptions"

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 1997

Robert L. Iles, "What the Sheriff Saw"

Whispering Willows Mysteries, Summer 1997, ISBN 0-9653990-3-6

Tom Kreitzberg, "A New Beginning"

Murderous Intent, Vol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997

Michael Mallory, "Curiosity Kills"

Murderous Intent, Vol. 3, No. 4, Fall 1997

SHORT STORY (1000-3000 words)

Dan Crawford, "All's Fair"

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 11, November 1997

Elizabeth Dearl, "Same Old Henry"

The Case (www.thecase.com) June 9, 1997

Kate Grilley, "Guavaberry Christmas"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3, No 4 Fall 1997

Peter Lovesey, "Never a Cross Word"

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1997

Ralph McInerny, "Copy Dog"

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1997

Kris Neri, "Getting His"

Whispering Willow, Premier Edition, 1997

SHORT (3,000-10,000 words)

Colleen Mary Aminoff, "The Confession"

Red Herring Mystery Magazine, Vol. 4 No. 1 ISSN 1076-643X

Ann Bayer, "Gertrude"

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 1997

Brendan DuBois, "Trade Wars"

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 97

John M. Floyd, "King of the City"

Murderous Intent, Spring 97, V3 #2

Robert Gray, "The Word on the Street"

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 1997

Robert l. Iles, "The Burning Woman"

Whispering Willows Mysteries, Fall 1997

Robert L. Iles, "A Hand in the Case"

Murderous Intent, Vol. 3 #2 Spring 1997

M.D. Lake, "Tea for Two"

Funny Bones, Signet Penguin Books ISBN 0-451-40720-2

Robert Lopresti "Uncle Victor on Watch"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997

Richard A. Lupoff, "Chinese Gunboats"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997

Michael Mallory "The Adventure of the Illustrious Patient"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #1 Winter 1997

Margaret Maron, "Shaggy Dog"

Funny Bones, Signet, Penguin Books ISBN 0-451-40720-2

Kris Neri, "L.A. Justice"

Murder by Thirteen (L.A. Sisters in Crime anthology) Crown Valley Press, ISBN 0-9647945-3-5, 1997

Anne Perry, "A Matter of Blackmail"

Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer/Fall 1997.

Margo Power, "All There Is and More"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997

Polly Whitney, "Etiquette Lesson"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997

Jane Ann Tun, "Mea Culpa"

Cottage Country Killers (anthology) General Store Publishing House ISBN 1-896182-53-4

Barbara White-Rayczek, "The Adventurers"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #1 Winter 1997

NOVELLA (15,000 to 35,000 words)

Gillian Linscott "Poisoned with Politeness"

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 1997 Double issue

Margo Power, "Image of Conspiracy"

Madison Publishing Company, ISBN 1-881699-02-7 (pb) 1997

BEST FIRST STORY (any length)

Eileen Brosnan "Back Stairs"

Murderous Intent, Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997

J.R. Chabot, "Quite Contrary"

Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer/Fall 1997

K. R. MacLeish, "Neither Rhyme nor Riot"

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June '97

Nick Schinker, "Since My Last Confession"

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 1997

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!