Thursday, May 31, 2018

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 two short stories. “Violet Eyes” archived at Over My Dead Body as well as her Anthony Award nominated story, “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixies’s Place” by way of PDF.

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

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

SMFS Member Publication News: Kaye George



SMFS Member Kaye George has announced that her story "Ella and the Ball" appears in the just released anthology, Once Upon A Fact: Futuristic Fairy Tales. Kaye says her story contains, among other things, self-driving cars and hackers. Available by way of  Wildside Press, the book is also available at Amazon in print as well as eBook formats.


Synopsis:

"Once upon a time" is a magical phrase; an incantation that conjures stories into being and gives them life. What we now call "fairy tales" outlived their original creators, outlasted their descendants, and one day might very well survive the death of our species. When, and if, humanity leaves this planet, fairy tales will make the journey too -- into the far-flung reaches of the galaxy and into the distant dimension of the future.


How different will the fairy tales of the future be from the stories told around hearth fires a thousand years ago? I suspect they will be utterly different and yet completely familiar.

Short Story Month: Edith Maxwell


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, Edith Maxwell shares “
Adam and Eva: 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 29, 2018

SMFS Member Publication News: Travis Richardson


SMFS Member Travis Richardson has a new story just out at Out Of The Gutter Online in their Flash Fiction Offensive section. “A Misunderstanding” can be read here.

SMFS Member Peter DiChellis and “A Short Walk Down A Dark Street.”


SMFS Member Peter DiChellis has a new blog titled “A Short Walk Down A Dark Street.” As noted on the mast head, the blog is “celebrating short mystery fiction.”

This is done by way of links to short stories, links to reviews, as well as links to new anthologies, books, and more. Updated each week, the blog will also be covering the world of crime fiction in the short story form.

Short Story Month: Cathi Stoler

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, Cathi Stoler shares “What If?” archived at Mysterical-E.


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

Monday, May 28, 2018

Mysterical-E: The Joy of Writing Mysteries

Mysterical-E: The Joy of Writing Mysteries

Guest Post: Mystery Markets for Short Stories: Thinking Outside the Box by Jacqueline Seewald

Please welcome SMFS list member Jacqueline Seewald to our blog today…


Mystery Markets for Short Stories: Thinking Outside the Box by Jacqueline Seewald


There are not as many mystery magazines as there once were. However, there seem to be many more people writing and submitting mystery fiction than ever before. This can be frustrating for writers, especially those who are new to the game.


By all means submit your work to the major publications first. If your work is accepted, celebrate! However, we have all experienced rejection at one time or other in our careers. So how do we handle it? First, did the rejection include editorial comments about the work? If so, pay attention. It means the editor took the time to offer constructive criticism because he or she thought your work was special. If there are suggestions for improvement, strongly consider them. Perhaps you should do some rewriting.

You may eventually decide to try some of the smaller publications, whether online or print. I suggest that you avoid writing only for “exposure” if possible. There are paying markets that encourage beginners who lack publishing credits.

Suppose your work has been rejected by all the traditional mystery publications, should you simply give up? Not if you believe you’ve written a first-rate story. Be aware that there are other possible fiction markets out there. A few changes in your story might make the difference.


There is a large market for science fiction, fantasy and horror. These speculative markets can and will publish mystery stories that meet their guidelines. The trick is to pay close attention to what they will acquire and accept. Here’s an example: HYPNOS publishes several volumes per year. I’ve been published in their magazine for the past four years.

They look for “weird” fiction. My short story “Seekers” was published in the current Spring 2018 issue. It’s a mystery story in which the sleuths are Kim Reynolds, psychic librarian, and her fiancé, Mike Gardner, a homicide detective. They are featured in four of my mystery novels, the last one being THE BAD WIFE. “Seekers” was inspired by a real life story which involved two local fires. It’s also a ghost story that has elements of horror fiction.

However, you must realize that each genre has its own type of content. Mashups are acceptable, but first you should know the rules of each genre before you attempt to mix them. Do the research before you start to write or change your story to suit a particular set of guidelines. Successful writers are first analytical readers.

Check out the markets for mystery fiction listed on this blog:


Also of value:

http://ralan.com/  (excellent current market listings for genre short story fiction of all kinds)

http://darkmarkets.com/ (up-to-date listing for speculative fiction)

http://sandraseamans.blogspot.com/ (a great resource. Sandra blogs almost every day and offers the most current market listings. Although her interest is geared toward mystery fiction, you will find many others listings of value here as well.)

(submission database)


Jacqueline Seewald ©2018


Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Nineteen of her books of fiction have been published including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies such as: THE WRITER, L.A. TIMES, READER’S DIGEST, PEDESTAL, SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY MAGAZINE, OVER MY DEAD BODY!, GUMSHOE REVIEW, LIBRARY JOURNAL, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. Her latest novel, DEATH PROMISE, has just been published by Encircle.  Her writer’s blog can be found at: http://jacquelineseewald.blogspot.com 

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, three time Derringer award winner Earl Staggs shares his 2004 Derringer Finalist short story, “Silky’s Getaway” 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.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

2018 Shamus Award SMFS Member Nominees


Earlier today the Private Eye Writers of America announced their Shamus Award nominees for the 2018 Shamus Awards. There are four categories for awards given for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2017. Two members of the Short Mystery Fiction Society are nominated in the “Best P. I. Short Story” category. The winners will be announced at the PWA Banquet at Bouchercon.

The two SMFS member nominees are:

Robert S. Levinson for “Rosalie Marx is Missing” in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine: May/June 2017.

Paul D. Marks for “Windward” in Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea. The anthology was edited by Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks.

The SMFS congratulates our member nominees as well as all the nominees. The full list of the 2018 Shamus award nominees can currently be found at the Writing PIs website.

Little Big Crimes Review: Fast Bang Booze by Lawrence Maddox

Little Big Crimes: Fast Bang Booze, by Lawrence Maddox: "Fast Bang Booze," by Lawrence Maddox, Shotgun Honey, 2018. Lot of housekeeping to get through today, so bear with me. 1. My...

Short Story Month: William Burton McCormick

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. After earlier this month sharing “
Cleopatran Cocktails” from the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine: March/April 2018 issue, William Burton McCormick is back today with "The Last Walk of Filips Finks" at Trigger Warning: Short Fiction with Pictures. He also has "On Record" 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.


Saturday, May 26, 2018

Short Story Month: Jeff Esterholm


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, Jeff Esterholm shares “The Forcier Brothers” archived at Shotgun Honey.


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

Friday, May 25, 2018

Short Story Month: Sylvia Warsh

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, Sylvia Warsh, shares “The Ranchero’s Daughter” archived at her site.


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

Thursday, May 24, 2018

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 “Rainbow’s End” archived at Mysterical-E.


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

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Short Story Month: Rusty Barnes

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, Rusty Barnes shares “Monongahela Run” archived at Plots With Guns.


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


Tuesday, May 22, 2018

SMFS Member Publication News: Paul D. Marks



SMFS Member Paul D. Marks has announced that his 2013 Shamus Award for Best Indie P. I.  winning novel, White Heat, has just been reissued by Down & Out Books. The book is available at the publisher, well as Amazon, and elsewhere.


Publisher Synopsis … Winner of the 2013 Shamus Award for Best Indie P.I. Novel!

P.I. Duke Rogers finds himself in a combustible situation in this racially charged thriller. His case might have to wait…
The immediate problem: getting out of South Central Los Angeles in one piece during the 1992 “Rodney King” riots and that’s just the beginning of his problems.
Duke finds an old “friend” for a client. The client’s “friend,” an up and coming African-American actress, ends up dead. Duke knows his client did it. Feeling guilty that he inadvertently helped the killer find the victim, he wants to track down the client/killer. He starts his mission by going to the dead actress’ family in South Central L.A.—and while there the “Rodney King” riots ignite.
While Duke searches for the killer he must also deal with the racism of his partner, Jack, and from Warren, the murder victim’s brother, who is a mirror image of Jack in that department. He must also confront his own possible latent racism—even as he’s in an interracial relationship with the dead woman’s sister.

SleuthSayers: Noir at the Opportunity Bar by Michael Bracken

SleuthSayers: Noir at the Opportunity Bar: by Michael Bracken Eeek! In late March 2003 I lost my job. Well, I didn’t actually lose it, to steal a Bobcat Goldthwait joke, I knew ...

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 “Elementary, My Dear Abraham” archived at Mysterical-E as well as “With Sweet Lavender” archived at  Over My Dead Body.


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

Monday, May 21, 2018

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 Merril's Run archived at Mystery Weekly Magazine.


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

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Little Big Crimes Review: 10,432 Serial Killers (in Hell), by Emily Devenport ..

Little Big Crimes: 10,432 Serial Killers (in Hell), by Emily Devenpor...: "10,432 Serial Killers (in Hell)," by Emily Devenport, in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2018. Let me star...

SMFS Members Published in Mysterical-E: Spring 2018 Issue

Mysterical-E Spring 2018 issue has just been released and features the work of two SMFS members.

Paul D. Mark’s short story, “The Practical Girl’s Guide To Murder.”

Gerald So once again considers apects of the world of television with “All Too Real---A Winter Column in Spring.”

Short Story Month: Kristin Kisska

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, Kristin Kisska shares “To The Moon And Back” archived at her site. The story originally appeared in the anthology, Day Of The Dark: Stories Of The Eclipse edited by Kaye George.


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

Saturday, May 19, 2018

SleuthSayers: Hints and Shortcuts by John M. Floyd

SleuthSayers: Hints and Shortcuts: by John M. Floyd This post is a followup to a column I did two weeks ago called " Manuscript Mechanics ." (By the way, Leig...

Short Story Month: Maryann Miller

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, Maryann Miller shares “To Love Again” archived at Story Shack.


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

Friday, May 18, 2018

Short Story Month: Leslie Wheeler

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, Leslie Wheeler shares “Chasing The Moon” archived at her site. The story originally appeared in the anthology, Day Of The Dark: Stories of The Eclipse, edited by Kaye George.


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

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Short Story Reviews: Serial Killers and Carnival Rides

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Short Story Reviews: Serial Killers and Carnival Rides

Short Story Month: Tom Barlow

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, Tom Barlow shares “Leave The World A Better Place” archived at TOUGH.


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

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Short Story Month: Kaye George

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, Kaye George shares “Handbaskets, Drawers, and A Killer Cold: 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 15, 2018

2018 Derringer Awards

April 16–May 15, 2018, all present Shortmystery members were eligible to vote for the Derringer Award winners from five finalists in each category, previously nominated by SMFS-member volunteer judges.

In this official announcement, the winners appear first and in bold and the finalists follow, alphabetized by author's last name.


Best Flash (Up to 1,000 words)

Finalists:
  • "Cold Turkey" by Patricia Dusenbury, Flash Bang Mysteries ed. Brandon Bourg (Summer 2017)
  • "Happy Birthday" by Alan Orloff, Shotgun Honey ed. Jen Conley, Angel Luis Colón, and Nick Kolakowski (June 15, 2017)
  • "Final Testimony" by Travis Richardson, Flash Fiction Offensive ed, Hector Duarte Jr. and Rob Pierce (July 10, 2017)
  • "Flash Point" by Elizabeth Zelvin, A Twist of Noir ed. Christopher Grant (March 20, 2017)

Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words)

Finalists:

Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 words)

Finalists:

Best Novelette (8,001-20,000 words)

Finalists:

The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement is annually awarded to an outstanding living writer of short mysteries, selected by a five-member panel of the SMFS President, Vice President, and Awards Coordinator, and two regular members. This year's recipient:

  • John M. Floyd -
"I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to all or you at the Short Mystery Fiction Society for this great honor. SMFS is an always supportive, always informative group, and I’m truly pleased and humbled to have been given this award. Thank you so very much!"


Congratulations to the Derringer winners and Golden Derringer recipient. The Derringer medal presentation will take place during Bouchercon 2018 opening ceremonies, September 6 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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
” 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.

Monday, May 14, 2018

Short Story Month: Joan Leotta


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, Joan Leotta shares “
An Ancient Recipe” archived at her new site, What Editors Want You To Know.


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

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Little Big Crimes Review: The Last Siege of Bothwell Castle by Chris Brookm...

Little Big Crimes: The Last Siege of Bothwell Castle, by Chris Brookm...: "The Last Siege of Bothwell Castle," by Chris Brookmyre, in Bloody Scotland, edited by James Crawford, Pegasus, 2018. Each of...

Short Story Month: Alison McMahan


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, Alison McMahan shares the short story “The New Score” from Fish Out Of Water: A Guppy Anthology.


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

Saturday, May 12, 2018

SMFS Anthony Award Nominees

Several SMFS Members are nominated for Anthony Awards in two categories.


Best Short Story

Barb Goffman’s “Whose Wine Is It Anyway” from the anthology, 50 Shades of Cabernet, published by Koehler Books. You can read it in full here.

Debra H. Goldstein’s “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place from Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine: May/June 2017. You can read it in full here.

Art Taylor’s “A Necessary Ingredient” from the anthology, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea, published by Down & Out Books. You can read it in full here.


Best Anthology

Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea, edited by Paul D. Marks (and Andrew McAleer), published by Down & Out Books.

The Obama In heritance: Fifteen Stories of Conspiracy Noir, edited by Gary Phillips, published by Three Rooms Press.


Those attending Bouchercon 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida will vote on the finalist nominees. Winners will be announced at the awards presentation on Saturday, September 8, 2018.

Congratulations and good luck to all of our SMFS nominees.

Short Story Month: Barb Goffman


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, Barb Goffman has two tales for your reading pleasure. You can find “Whose Wine Is It Anyway” published in the 2017 anthology
50 Shades of Cabernet at her website. Also from 2017 and found at her website, is “Crazy Cat lady” originally published in Black Cat Mystery Magazine: Issue One.


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

Friday, May 11, 2018

Short Story Month: Gary Cahill


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, Gary Cahill shares the short story “The Way To A Man’s Heart” archived at Plan B Magazine.


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

Thursday, May 10, 2018

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 the April 2016 short story “Please Remain Calm” archived at Flash Bang Mysteries.


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

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

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, Michael Bracken
shares “Itsy Bitsy Spider” published last month at TOUGH.


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

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

SMFS Member Publication News: Steve Liskow



SMFS Member Steve Liskow’s short story “The Girl In The Red Bandanna” appears in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine: May/June 2018. Available at their website as well as at Amazon and elsewhere.

It should be noted that Mr. Liskow is the forth SMFS member published in this issue. Also published in the issue are Leslie Budewitz, Dayle A. Dermatis, and Deborah Lacy.    

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 2017 Derringer Award Finalist short story, “A Just Reward” archived at his website.


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