Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Society Members' News: May 2017

The members below reported their publishing successes this month:


Michael Bracken, “Sibling Rivalry” in True Story (May 2017) as well as “My Second Mother” and “Fashion Disaster” in True Confessions (May 2017).

John Floyd, “Vanity Case” in Mysterical-E: Spring 2017  and “A Thousand Words: A Mystery Short Story” at Kings River Life Magazine (May 27, 2017). John is also once again in Woman’s World in the May 29th issue with his tale “Special Delivery.”

Gail Farrelly, “Don’t Forget To Take Your Vitamins” in two parts at the Yonker’s Tribune. Part One appeared on May 23rd with Part Two appearing on May 25th.

Joan Leotta’s poem, “Boats on Blue,” originally published the Dove Tales anthology, won first place in Wilda Morris' Poetry Challenge for May 2017.

J. R. Lindermuth, “A Bad Draw of the Cards” at Rope and Wire (May 2017).

Edith Maxwell, Mulch Ado About Murder, Kensington Books (May 2017).

Jude Roy, “The Tattooed Corpse” in Mystery Weekly Magazine (May 2017) and "Mrs. Thibodeaux" in Gravel Magazine: Summer 2017.


When, and only when he makes the call onlist, email news for next month's post to SMFS President Kevin R. Tipple (KEVINRTIPPLE at VERIZON dot NET).

Short Story Month: Jake Devlin

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Jake Devlin shares “The Cupcake Caper: Mystery Short Story” archived at Kings River Life Magazine.

If you would like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Short Story Month: Peter DiChellis (Take 2)

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Earlier this month on the 16th, Peter DiChellis  shared a story. He is back today with another as he shares “Murderous Lies” archived at Plan B Magazine.

If you would like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Short Story Month: John M. Floyd (Take 2)

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Earlier this month on the 19th,  John M. Floyd shared two stories. Today, he is back with two more as he shares “Vanity Case” archived at Mysterical-E  and the just published  A Thousand Words: A Mystery Short Story” at Kings River Life Magazine.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Guest Post: FIRST LINE; FIRST PARAGRAPH by Jan Christensen

It is Monday and that means Jan Christensen is back today sharing wisdom…..


FIRST LINE; FIRST PARAGRAPH


I have used the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon more and more when making a decision to buy a book or short story, especially if the author is new to me. And I’ve been rejecting several lately because they have what I consider a fatal flaw. They begin with a character alone and musing. I admit that some readers don’t mind this at all. But some will become quickly bored if the musing goes on too long, which it usually does. Musing, by definition, takes some time. In my opinion, it’s better to get right into the story and fill in the backstory when needed. Using the character is thinking about the past, after all.

What should the first line of your story do? Grab the reader, of course. How do you do that? For modern writers, usually having something exciting happen works well. Involve at least one sense, and you’ll do even better. The main character hears a scream, smells smoke, sees an airplane nosediving from the sky, touches something icky, tastes something odd.

To complete the first paragraph or sentences, be sure to plant the reader someplace specific. The character is most likely not floating out in space. Having her on the move is a good move. Some bit of action that nails the setting helps. Preferably physical action on her part, not in a car. A train might be okay. An airplane will work if she hears a scream or smells smoke or feels the plane taking a nosedive.

Whatever you do, don’t have the character waking up or just sitting around someplace thinking.
    
To recap, have your character’s senses on alert. Set your character in a specific place, and use a small bit of description to plant the reader. And finally, show the reader how your character is reacting emotionally to what’s going on around her.

A good exercise is to write down in your reader’s notebook every first line and paragraph you read that pulls you into the story. This includes first lines of scenes, not just the first line of a short story or novel. And perhaps also write down those that you feel are not very good.


Jan Christensen ©2017

Jan Christensen lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has had nine novels and over seventy short stories published. www.janchristensen.com  

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Little Big Crimes Review: Tattersby and the Silence of the Lumbs by Neil Schofield

Little Big Crimes: Tattersby and the Silence of the Lumbs, by Neil Sc...: "Tattersby and the Silence of the Lumbs," by Neil Schofield, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June, 2017. Yes, ...

Short Story Month: Kevin R. Tipple

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Kevin R. Tipple shares “The Tell: Mystery Flash Fiction” archived at Kings River Life Magazine.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Short Story Month: Martin Roy Hill

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Martin Roy Hill shares “The Touch of Time” archived at Crimson Streets.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Friday, May 26, 2017

Catherine Dilts Reviews: The Tattooed Corpse by Jude Roy

Catherine Dilts Reviews: The Tattooed Corpse by Jude Roy



Short Story Month: Mary Reed and Eric Mayer

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, co-authors Mary Reed and Eric Mayer share “Waiting: A Halloween Short Story” archived at Kings River Life Magazine.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Short Story Month: Karen Pullen

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Karen Pullen shares “Lady Tremaine’s Rebuttal” as well as “Brown Jersey Cow” and “Snow Day” all archived at Every Day Fiction.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Short Story Month: Jacqueline Seewald

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day. 


Today, Jacqueline Seewald shares “Genesis” archived at Over My Dead Body! 

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Short Story Month: B. K. Stevens

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, B.K. Stevens shares “A Joy Forever” archived at her site.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Short Story Month: Martha Reed

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Martha Reed shares “The Haunting Of Dalton Primble” archived at Spinetingler Magazine

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Short Story Month: KM Rockwood

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.


Today, KM Rockwood shares “Liquor Store Holdup” archived on at KMRockwood.Com after appearing in Jack Hardway's Crime Magazine - Vol. 2, No. 2, March-April 2015

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Guest Post: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A SHORT STORY AND A NOVEL by Jan Christensen

Monday means Jan Christensen is back today with another informative post. Apparently, the difference is more complicated than novels have a lot more words.


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A SHORT STORY AND A NOVEL


An easy way to visualize the difference between writing short or long is to think of pencil sketches for the short story scene--everything is there, but the details are scanty.  Each scene is fully developed, with dialog, a bit of description/setting, and what the characters are feeling and how they're acting.  Usually the time frame is short and the viewpoint is all one character's.

For example, a sketch of a kitchen with the sun shinning in the window (time of day, maybe season), one person facing the viewer (VP character), the background sketchy (pun intended), people black and white, but dressed (or maybe not, if it's that kind of story), but the clothes are probably not that important.  If they are, there's more detail--more lines drawn to indicate type of clothing.  Each character wears a certain expression--the viewer can pretty much tell what each one is thinking. 

A novel is more of a series of oil paintings.  Each one has a colorful background (description/setting), the characters are vivid, and each succeeding painting can be shown with different viewpoint characters and over a longer span of time.  The sun is shining in the first picture, but the moon is hanging high in the sky later on.  The tree outside can have leaves one time, and none later on.  Different characters are the focus of each painting, indicating a change of VP.  Clothing is interesting, and sometimes important to the story.

Each kind of story, whether short or long, has its own special pull.  The quick sketches of a short story where the reader gets to add her own details to fill out the story, but where the story is over quickly.  The oil paintings of the novel where the artist puts in everything for the reader, so the reader can go along with the writer more, and where the story is much longer with more characters, more settings/descriptions, more dialog, even subplots. 

If you are a visual person when writing and reading, as I am, this metaphor for the differences between writing long and short can help you, I believe, with each scene.  While writing a short story, see the scenes as pencil sketches and "report" what you see.  While writing a novel, see each scene as an oil painting with all its rich detail, and get it all down. 

I was writing a short story a while ago, and about halfway through realized I'd put in nothing about setting or the weather.  It came to me then that a short story is more like a pencil sketch than a novel, and so I stopped what I was doing to write this essay.  After I finished the essay, I fleshed out the setting and weather details in the story with only a few sentences.

Then, when I wrote “the end” to the story, I felt as if I did a complete job of it. Anyone else tend to forget mentioning settings enough, and the weather? Sometimes they really don’t matter that much, in my opinion. But I bet some readers disagree with that.


Jan Christensen ©2017

Jan Christensen lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has had nine novels and over seventy short stories published. www.janchristensen.com

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Little Big Crimes Review: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Girl! by Jeff Cohen

Little Big Crimes: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Girl! by Jeff Cohen: "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Girl!" by Jeff Cohen, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2017. Years ago Akas...

In Reference To Murder Blog: The 'Zine Scene

A roundup of short mystery fiction currently available to read both in print and online. Includes mention of several SMFS members.

In Reference To Murder Blog: The 'Zine Scene

Short Story Month: Craig Faustus Buck

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Craig Faustus Buck shares via PDF link the short story “Blank Shot” published in the Black Coffee anthology (2016) edited by Andrew Macrae.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

SMFS Member 2017 Anthony Award Nominations

SMFS congratulates B.K. Stevens and Art Taylor for their 2017 Anthony Award Nominations.

B. K. Stevens was nominated in the "Best Novella" category for her story, "The Last Blue Glass" published in the April 2016 issue of  Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Art Taylor's Agatha award winning story "Parallel Play" published in the anthology Chesapeake Crimes: Storm Warning is a nominee in the "Best Short Story" category.

Also nominated in the "Best Anthology" category is Blood On The Bayou: Bourchercon Anthology 2016 featuring the short stories of a number of SMFS members.

The full list of nominees can be found at the Bouchercon 2017 website. Winners to be announced on October 15, 2017 at Bouchercon 2017.


Short Story Month: Jan Christensen

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Jan Christensen shares “Grave Matters: A 4rth of July Mystery Short Story” archived at Kings River Life Magazine and "Just A Man" at Mysterical-E.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Friday, May 19, 2017

Short Story Month: John M. Floyd

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, John M. Floyd shares “Saving Grace” archived at The Saturday Evening Post as well as “Doctor in the House” in the Spring 2017 issue of Flash Bang Mysteries.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Catherine Dilts Reviews: nothing ordinary

Catherine Dilts Reviews: nothing ordinary

Short Story Month: Liz Milliron

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Liz Milliron shares “Decision Points” archived at Mysterical-E.
 
If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Short Story Month: Debra H. Goldstein

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Debra H. Goldstein shares “A Garden for Adonis” archived at Texas Gardener’s SEEDS

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Short Story Month: Peter DiChellis

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Peter DiChellis shares “They Die in Eight Minutes” archived at Shotgun Honey

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Little Big Crimes Review: The Montclair Dead-Star Comedy Revue by Michael Mallory

Little Big Crimes: The Montclair Dead-Star Comedy Revue, by Michael M...: "The Montclair Dead-Star Comedy Revue," by Michael Mallory, in The Mystery Weekly Magazine,  May, 2017. First of all, congratu...

Short Story Month: J. H. Bográn

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, J. H. Bográn shares “The Little Wig Factory” archived at Short-Story.Me.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Guest Post: THE 10% SOLUTION by Jan Christensen

Another Monday and that means Jan Christensen is back today with another informative post…


THE 10% SOLUTION
 
Rule of thumb--after you've finished what you deem is your last draft, get rid of 10%.  I saw this idea someplace a while ago, but it wasn't brought home to me until I needed to make a story, which was over 5,000 words, no more than 4,000 words to meet a particular publisher’s guideline. It was polished and ready to go, I thought. 

Then I followed the 10% “rule” to edit, and guess what--I rather easily eliminated 500 words.  One tenth.  And yes, I think it's a better story now.  Some non-essential stuff is gone.  The story itself hasn't changed.  I've trimmed several descriptions, and I've found I need to look at the end of each sentence for trailing prepositional phrases and other stray words.  I don't use a lot of adverbs or adjectives, but I found several that could go, often replacing two words with one, stronger word. 

I've written several flash pieces which were almost twice as long as they had to be to place them.  I've whittled them down to the required word count.  Sometimes this is a bit too much, but usually it makes for a more interesting, sharper story.  And it's a good exercise.  Try it, you might be surprised.

However, I decided I couldn’t eliminate another 500 words in that piece without making parts of it unclear. So, I’m looking for other places to send it.

(This post edited for wordiness--have fun finding any extras!)

 
Jan Cristensen ©2017

Jan Christensen lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has had nine novels and over seventy short stories published. http://www.janchristensen.com

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Short Story Month: Maddi Davidson

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Maddi Davidson shares “Gold Rush To Judgement” archived at The Copperfield Review.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Short Story Month: BV Lawson

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, BV Lawson shares three stories archived at various sites. “Gun Love” from Plots With Guns and “Wrong Side of the Bed” at The Cynic Online Magazine as well as “But for the Grace of God” at Powder Burn Flash.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Short Story Month: Robert Lopresti

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day.

Today, Robert Lopresti shares “Shanks Holds The Line” archived at Trace Evidence, the blog of AHMM

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Short Story Month: James Dorr

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year. The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members’ online stories per day. 

 
Today, James Dorr shares his “paranormal detective story” archived at Daily Science Fiction  titled “Dead Lines.” James adds that the tale is also “…intended as a tip of the hat to Edgar Allan Poe as a father of the detective genre.” While at the site, James has another story, "Casket Girls" in the archives for your reading pleasure.


If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Short Story Month: Gail Farrelly

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.

The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, Gail Farrelly shares her three-part story, “Keys to the Kingdom” archived at the Yonkers Tribune.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

The First Two Pages: “Most Evil” by Peter Di Chellis

The First Two Pages:  “Most Evil” by Peter Di Chellis

Short Story Month: Victoria Weisfeld

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.

The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, Victoria Weisfeld shares her 2017 Derringer winning story “Breadcrumbs” archived at her website.

If you’d like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Short Story Month: O'Neil De Noux

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.


The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, O'Neil De Noux shares his story “Friscoville: A Lucien Caye Story” archived at Thrilling Detective and “The Forever Choice” archived at The Saturday Evening Post.


If you'd like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Guest Post: WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM? by Jan Christensen

Another week begins with an inspirational post by Jan Christensen.....



WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM? by Jan Christensen


Every published author will eventually be asked, “Where do you get your ideas?”

Stephen King has his “boys in the basement.” Riffing off of that, I have my aunts in the attic. And sometimes the Mad Hatter. (And probably bells in my belfry, as well.)

Victor Banis has his muse Snotty. Other writers and artists have had muses throughout the ages.

A muse is defined as: a spirit or source that inspires an artist. Some famous writers, such as Hemingway, used real women as their muses, then married them. Unfortunately, the muses often divorced the writers. I don’t know what that did for the writing of the writers, but it couldn’t have been very good in the short term. In the long run, it may have inspired a lot of writing, especially about what women are like. Or what they thought women were like.

Do those who write both short stories and novels have different muses for each length? Would there be any upside in doing that? I think there might be. The short muse (of course short in stature) is direct, to the point, pithy, impatient. The long muse (tall, of course) is wordy, slower to react, and patient. Or perhaps one muse has a split personality.

For me, besides joking about the aunts in the attic and the Mad Hatter, I don’t really have any muses that I call on regularly. When muses are mentioned, I think of the aunts and the Hatter, but otherwise, not very much.

If you dig deeper into the idea of a muse as inspiration, you realize it is really only a trigger. Or something to get angry with when the inspiration isn’t there.

In order to really get ideas, I suggest more concrete tactics. To start, just pick something, anything. Animal, mineral, vegetable. Rock, paper, scissors. Then pick another and another. It would help if they are not usually associated with each other. An animal with scissors, for example. Next write whatever comes to mind for as long as you can. Eventually you most likely will get stuck and not know what to write next. Ask yourself, what if, and list all the things that could possibly happen next. Pick one, or combine some, and off you go again. It can be weird, strange, unlikely, odd, whatever. Quirky is good.

Other ways are to visit places you’ve never been before, people watch at the mall, look at pictures of strangers or even of people you know—one or two of their traits might spark something.

The trick is to absolutely believe that you will come up with something. If you write steadily every day for about a month, this confidence will come more easily. I’ve written so much that I never have any doubt that I can come up with something, that really, I’ll never have enough time to write everything I can think of into publishable form.

So, if you think having a muse will help, make one up or use a real person for inspiration. If you just want to go right to the writing, pick a few fun things to write about and Go.


Jan Christensen ©2017

Jan Christensen lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has had nine novels and over seventy short stories published. www.janchristensen.com

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Little Big Crimes Review: Money Maker by Jas. R. Petrin

Little Big Crimes: Money Maker, by Jas. R. Petrin: "Money Maker," by Jas. R. Petrin, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2017. I admit to being a major fan of L...

Short Story Month: Earl Staggs

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.


The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, Earl Staggs, shares his 2004 Derringer Finalist short story, “Silky’s Getaway” archived at Kings River Life Magazine.


If you'd like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Short Story Month: Jude Roy

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.


The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, Jude Roy shares “Murder on Bayou des Sauvages” found in the current issue of Mysterical-E

If you'd like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Write Like a Pro! A Free Online Writing Workshop: The Long Road to Short Fiction, by Catherine Dilts...

Write Like a Pro! A Free Online Writing Workshop: The Long Road to Short Fiction, by Catherine Dilts...: Welcome guest author Catherine Dilts! A mystery novelist, Catherine offered to share her experience writing short fiction. (If you would...

Short Story Month: Terrie Farley Moran

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.



The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, Terrie Farley Moran shares her 2017 Derringer for Best Novelette winning story, “Inquiry and Assistance” archived on her website. 

If you'd like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

CriminalElement Blog: 2017 Derringer Award Winners

CriminalElement Blog: 2017 Derringer Award Winners

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Different Eras Share a Style

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Different Eras Share a Style

Short Story Month: Diana Deverell

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.


The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, Diana Deverell shares “Dirty Bop to Blighty” originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine: September 2010. It was then serialized in three parts at The Norwegian American last summer. Part One is followed by Part Two and Part Three.

If you'd like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple  at Verizon dot net.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Mystery Playground: Edgars, Agathas and Derringers

Mystery Playground: Edgars, Agathas and Derringers: It's award season and we have plenty of winners this week with the   Mystery Writers of America  Edgar® Awards, The Malice Domestic...

Mystery Fanfare: 2016 Ellery Queen Readers Poll and Paul Marks

Mystery Fanfare: 2016 Ellery Queen Readers Poll: Congratulations, Paul D. Marks . His short story, “Ghosts of Bunker Hill,” was voted #1 in the 2016 Ellery Queen Readers Poll . If you’d ...

2016 Agatha Award Winner and SMFS Member Art Taylor Recaps His Agatha Win

As posted here last Sunday Art Taylor won the 2016 Agaatha Award for his story, "Parallel Play." In his blog posting, Art recaps a very special event. You can, and should, read it here.


Short Story Month: Michael Bracken

StoryADay.org proclaimed May International Short Story Month back in 2013. As the short story, in the mystery genre is the reason why the Short Mystery Fiction Society exists, we join in the celebration each year.


The SMFS spin on festivities is to highlight one or more members' online stories per day. Today, 2016 Golden Derringer winner Michael Bracken offers up two reads. “My Client’s Wife" archived at Thrilling Detective and "Let Dead Dogs Lie" archived at The Molotov Cocktail.  


If you'd like to be included, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple at Verizon dot net.