SleuthSayers: Senseless Writing by Michael Bracken

SleuthSayers: Senseless Writing: by Michael Bracken How we sense the world around us impacts our writing in ways we may not realize. Apparently, the couch is blue. B...

Little Big Crimes Review: Plan Z by Travis Richardson

Little Big Crimes Review: Plan Z by Travis Richardson: "Plan Z," by Travis Richardson, in  Deadlines: A Tribute to William E. Wallace,  edited by Chris Rhatigan and Ron Earl Phillips,...

Wicked Authors: Writing Short by Edith Maxwell

Wicked Authors: Writing Short by Edith Maxwell

A Short Walk Down A Dark Street: Issue 28

As posted by SMFS list member Peter DiChellis to the list….

This week’s blog celebrates short mystery and crime fiction with a bad-ass bunch of links to reviews, releases, free stories, and more.

Includes EQMM editor Janet Hutchings’ views on 1st person vs. 3rd person POV.

A short walk down a dark street (#28)

https://shortwalkdarkstreet.wordpress.com/2018/11/25/short-walk-28/

Best wishes,

Peter

SMFS Short Story Saturdays: Joan Leotta

SMFS Short Story Saturdays was born out of the very successful International Short Story Month this year. Each Saturday we feature a SMFS list member whose work can be read online for free. These short stories are at least a year old and were not previously linked to during the May 2018 Short Story Month event.

Today for SMFS Short Story Saturdays, Joan Leotta shares her 2015 short story, “A Cup of Comfort” archived at Over My Dead Body!

If you would like to be included and are a member of the SMFS list at yahoo groups, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple at Verizon dot net. If you are not a member, this would be a good time to check us out at Yahoo Groups.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Chapin Wright

SMFS list member Chapin Wright has a long short story titled Wolf At The Door. The 55 page read is available at Amazon in digital format only. Mr. Wright is new to our SMFS list and writes from New Jersey where he is a semi-retired journalist who also teaches part time.

Amazon Synopsis:

Something really bad happened to Harvey Nash. He wound up a human briquet, handcuffed to the steering wheel inside the burnt shell of a Hummer on the lot of his dealership, which was covered with eco-terrorist graffiti. Buckminster Green, former ATF investigator from New Jersey, now small-town detective in Northern California, catches the case. But first he has to find out if his estranged, activist daughter was involved and track down a missing kid before he becomes the next victim

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Short Story Review: Thanksgiving

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Short Story Review: Thanksgiving 

Little Big Crimes Review: Keep Walking by Geoffrey Household

Little Big Crimes: Keep Walking, by Geoffrey Household: "Keep Walking," by Geoffrey Household, in The Days of Your Fathers, 1987.  (Originally published 1968) Sorry this is late; I ...

SMFS Member Publication News: John M. Floyd

SMFS list member John M. Floyd has another mystery story appearing in the Woman’s World Magazine. Not only did “Cracking the Code” appear in last week’s issue, he is in the current issue (November 26, 2018) of  Woman’s World Magazine with his tale, “Disorganized Crime.” John also helpfully supplied the cover image for this one. The publication is available on some newsstands and by subscription.

Members are reminded that Mr. Floyd shared in his piece at SleuthSayers Blog how he goes about writing short stories for this market. Well worth reading, especially if you are looking to break into this market.  

SMFS Member Publishing News: Michael Bracken

SMFS list member Michael Bracken has a new short story on Story And Grit: Southern Fried Crime website. His short story is “Dollface.”

SMFS Member Publication News: Earl Staggs

SMFS list member Earl Staggs’ short story, “Justice For Elijah: A Thanksgiving Mystery Short Story” appears online today at Kings River Life Magazine.

SMFS Member Publishing News: John M. Floyd

After appearing in The Strand Magazine: Unpublished Ernest Hemmingway Short Story with his short story titled, “The Foreverglow Case” (Issue 55),  SMFS List Member John M. Floyd has a short story in the new issue. Billed as The Strand Magazine Twentieth Anniversary Collector’s Issue (October 2018-January 2019) the read includes Mr. Floyd’s short story, “Lucian’s Cadillac.” The issue is available at the publisher and elsewhere.

A Short Walk Down A Dark Street: Issue 27

As posted by Peter DiChellis to our list…

This week’s blog gulps too much wine at Thanksgiving dinner and pounds the table for short mystery and crime fiction: links to reviews, releases, free stories, and more.

Includes a research list that brainstorms 34 detailed motives for murder (“too slow passing me the sweet potatoes” not among them).

A short walk down a dark street (#27)

https://shortwalkdarkstreet.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/short-walk-27/

Best wishes,

Peter

SMFS Members Published in LANDFALL: BEST NEW ENGLAND CRIME STORIES 2018

Eight members of the SMFS list are in the new book, LANDFALL: BEST NEW ENGLAND CRIME STORIES 2018. Published by Level Best Books, the anthology is available in both print and digital formats from Amazon and other vendors. The members included in this book are:

Michael Bracken with “Remission.”

Patricia Dusenbury with “Off the Beaten Path.”

Gerald Elias with “In Bocca Al Lupo.”

John Floyd with “Getting Out Alive.”

Jason Half with “The Last Ferry.”

Alan Orloff with “The Quarry.”

Harriet Sackler with “Baby Blues.”

Shawn  Reilly Simmons with ‘Downcity Detective.”

Amazon Synopsis: 

LANDFALL, the sixteenth Best New England Crime Stories anthology, continues the tradition of presenting the best mystery and crime fiction from both acclaimed seasoned authors and exciting new voices. We've gathered thirty-one original tales by New England authors or with a New England setting, ranging from the historical to contemporary, to noir, and everything in between.

SMFS Member Publication News: Sarah M. Chen

SMFS list member Sarah M Chen's short story, “Influencers” appears in the special issue, Switchblade: Stiletto-Heeled. Edited by Lisa Douglass, the “Women of Noir Special Issue” features stories thirteen tales where the primary protagonist is female as are the authors. Available at Amazon in digital format.

Amazon Synopsis:

It’s been said that hardboiled noir is a boys club. Well, not anymore. Switchblade: Stiletto Heeled is the ultimate women of noir anthology. Thirteen dire and gritty tales from some of the most prominent women writing in the noir genre today. Featuring: Sarah M. Chen, Lissa Marie Redmond, Cindy Rosmus, Susan Cornford, Tawny Pike, E.F. Sweetman, Bethany Maines, Carmen Jaramillo, Serena Jayne, Charlotte Platt, Sarah Jilek, Susan Kuchinskas, and Ann Aptaker. Edited by Lisa Douglass. These aren’t police procedurals or cozy murder mysteries. It’s all hard-as-they-come, no luck tales, featuring all women protagonists, and penned by all women authors. It’s abou

SMFS Members Publication News: Bern Sy Moss

SMFS list member Bern Sy Moss' short story, “The Witness” appears in Mystery Tribune: Fall 2018. It can also now be read online at their site.

Jacqueline Seewald: Interview with Publisher Tanya Eby

Jacqueline Seewald: Interview with Publisher Tanya Eby: Tanya Eby is the owner of Blunder Woman Productions. She is also a USA Today bestselling author and an award-winning narrator of 700 audio ...

SMFS Members Published in Kings River Life Magazine for 11/17/18

Two SMFS members are published in the November 17^th edition of Kings River Life Magazine. Those members are:

Gail Farrelly with “Ya Never Know: A Thanksgiving Tale.”

http://kingsriverlife.com/11/17/ya-never-know-a-thanksgiving-tale/

In “Thanksgiving Treats and Threats, Merrilee Robson shares some Thanksgiving stories and a recipe

http://kingsriverlife.com/11/17/thanksgiving-treats-and-threats/

SMFS Short Story Saturdays: Ruth M. McCarty

SMFS Short Story Saturdays was born out of the very successful International Short Story Month this year. Each Saturday we feature a SMFS list member whose work can be read online for free. These short stories are at least a year old and were not previously linked to during the May 2018 Short Story Month event.

Today for SMFS Short Story Saturdays, Ruth M. McCarty shares her 2016 short story, “First Dates” archived at Flash Bang Mysteries.

If you would like to be included and are a member of the SMFS list at yahoo groups, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple at Verizon dot net. If you are not a member, this would be a good time to check us out at Yahoo Groups.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Josh Pachter

Several SMFS members were published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine: November/December 2018 issue. Those members included Josh Pachter with his short story “50.”  That tale marked the 50 year anniversary of his appearance in EQMM with his first published short story, “E. Q. Griffen Earns His Name.” Now, E. Q. Griffen is back in “50.”

Today on the “Something Is Going To Happen” blog of EQMM, Josh Pachter is interviewed by Janet Hutchings regarding reading, writing, and life.

“Fifty Years After the Fair”: Josh Pachter—Author, Translator, and Dedicated Mystery Fan—Interviewed by Editor Janet Hutchings on His 50th Anniversary With EQMM

Also, over at “The First Two Pages” hosted by Art Taylor, Josh Pachter explains how he approached writing “50.”

The First Two Pages: “50” by Josh Pachter

SMFS Member Publishing News: Nik Morton

SMFS list member Nik Morton has a short story out in the recently published book, The Untamed West. Published by the Western Fictioneers and home of the “Peacemaker Awards” which are awarded annually, the book is available from Amazon in print and digital formats as well as from other vendors.  Mr. Morton’s short story is “Preacher.”

Amazon Synopsis:

A collection of twenty-nine tales of the Old West featuring previously unpublished stories by such classic Western writers as James Reasoner, Douglas Hirt, McKendree Long, and Michael R. Ritt. Edited by award winning author, L. J. Washburn. Western Fictioneers is the only writers’ organization devoted solely to traditional Western fiction, and this huge collection will take readers from the dusty plains of Texas to the sweeping vistas of Montana and beyond.

Western Fictioneers was founded in 2010 to promote the oldest genuine American art form, the Western story. Its worldwide membership includes best-selling, award-winning authors of Western fiction, as well as the brightest up-and-coming new stars in the Western field. The organization*s third anthology features original stories by Big Jim Williams, Easy Jackson, Jeffrey J. Mariotte, McKendree Long, Michael R. Ritt, S. D. Parker, James Reasoner, J. L. Guin, J.E.S. Hays, James J. Griffin, Jesse J Elliot, Ben Goheen, Barbara Shepherd, Nik Morton, S. L. Matthews, James Clay, Keith Souter, Tom Rizzo, Matthew P. Mayo, Dorothy A. Bell, L.J. Washburn, Angela Raines, Gordon L. Rottman, Charlie Steel, Douglas Hirt, Dennis Doty, and Cheryl Pierson.

THE UNTAMED WEST is more than 150,000 words of action packed classic Western fiction.

Little Big Crimes Review: Strangers on the Run by Sarah M. Chen

Little Big Crimes: Strangers on the Run, by Sarah M. Chen: "Strangers on the Run," by Sarah M. Chen, in  Deadlines: A Tribute to William E. Wallace,  edited by Chris Rhatigan and Ron Earl...

SMFS Member Publication News: James Blake

SMFS list member James Blakey’s short story, “The Last Case” has just been published by Over My Dead Body!

SMFS Members Published in Mysterical-E: Fall 2018 Issue

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

Cathi Stoler with her short story, “Where to Now?”

Gerald So once again considers aspects of the world of television with “Mysterical-Eye.”

SMFS Member Publication News: John M. Floyd

SMFS list member John M. Floyd has another mystery short story appearing in the Woman’s World Magazine. His latest mystery short story, “Cracking the Code” is in the current issue (November 19, 2018) of  Woman’s World Magazine. The publication is available on some newsstands and by subscription.

Members are reminded that Mr. Floyd shared in his piece at SleuthSayers Blog how he goes about writing short stories for this market. Well worth reading, especially if you are looking to break into this market. One could say he cracked the code.

A Short Walk Down A Dark Street: Issue 26

As posted by Peter DiChellis to our list…

This week’s blog sharpens a shiv and walks the yard for short mystery and crime fiction: links to reviews, releases, and free stories.

Links include a review of anthology stories written by prison inmates and edited by Joyce Carol Oates.

A short walk down a dark street (#26).

https://shortwalkdarkstreet.wordpress.com/2018/11/12/short-walk-26/

Best wishes,

Peter

SMFS Short Story Saturdays: Barbara Eliasson

SMFS Short Story Saturdays was born out of the very successful International Short Story Month this year. Each Saturday we feature a SMFS list member whose work can be read online for free. These short stories are at least a year old and were not previously linked to during the May 2018 Short Story Month event.

Today for SMFS Short Story Saturdays, Barbara Eliasson shares “Mean Girl” from the archives of Flash Bang Mysteries.

If you would like to be included and are a member of the SMFS list at yahoo groups, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple at Verizon dot net. If you are not a member, this would be a good time to check us out at Yahoo Groups.

SMFS Member Publication News: John M. Floyd

SMFS list member John M. Floyd, in addition to his new book out now, The Barrens, has a short story in the current issue of “Deep South Magazine.” The story is titled "Annabelle" and is available to read, for free, online.

SleuthSayers: Everybody Hurts by Michael Bracken

SleuthSayers: Everybody Hurts: by Michael Bracken There have been times in my life when all I wanted to do was turn off the lights and put R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” on ...

Little Big Crimes Review: Top Ten Vacation Selfies of Youtube Stars by Preston Lang

Little Big Crimes: Top Ten Vacation Selfies of Youtube Stars, by Pres...: "Top Ten Vacation Selfies of Youtube Stars," by Preston Lang, in Deadlines: A Tribute to William E. Wallace, edited by Chris Rh...

A Short Walk Down A Dark Street: Issue 25

As posted by Peter DiChellis to our list.... 

Wanna go find some trouble? This week’s blog dishes out plenty, including links to a sinister selection of reviews, releases, and free stories. Plus, an annotated list of 123 personality imperfections you can sort through to humanize your fictional characters.

A short walk down a dark street (#25).

https://shortwalkdarkstreet.wordpress.com/2018/11/04/short-walk-25/

Best wishes,

Peter

SMFS Member Publication News: Gary Phillips

SMFS list member Gary Phillips’ short story, “I,Truck” appears in the  just released  anthology, 18 Wheels of Science Fiction: A Long Haul into the Fantastic. Published by Big Time Books, the read is available in print and digital formats from Amazon and other vendors including the publisher.  

Amazon Synopsis:

Take a trip through the imaginations of 18 visionary writers as they explore the future of trucking in this new science fiction anthology! There's something for every genre fiction fan in this follow-up to the hit "18 wheels of Horror - a Trailer Full of Trucking Terrors." 

From the back cover: An alien fuel additive shows just how fast a big rig can go... A disembodied driver wages war on self-driving trucks... A haul through time takes an unexpected turn... Reality shatters for a trucker using an experimental delivery device... Stargazing gives an overweight driver a new lease on life... A young girl risks her life to hitch a ride out of an apocalyptic wasteland...

The highways of the universe will never be the same!

SleuthSayers: How B Is Your SP?

SleuthSayers: How B Is Your SP?: by John M. Floyd This past Tuesday night I attended the "launch" of The Barrens , my seventh collection of short mystery fi...

SMFS Member Publication News: Robert Peyto

SMFS list member Robert Peyto reports that his short story, “Innocent Victims” appears in the recently released Last Shot Fired: The Midnight Writers’ Anthology 2018.  The read is available in print and digital formats from Amazon.

Amazon Synopsis:

If you had one chance to save the world, would you take it? Maybe that last bullet could kill a merciless dictator. Maybe that last vaccine could cure a rampant disease. Maybe that last frame on a roll of film could bring peace to the world. 20 authors from across the globe consider a world where one final action could shape the events of the future forever.

SMFS Short Story Saturdays: Merrilee Robson

SMFS Short Story Saturdays was born out of the very successful International Short Story Month this year. Each Saturday we feature a SMFS list member whose work can be read online for free. These short stories are at least a year old and were not previously linked to during the May 2018 Short Story Month event.

Today for SMFS Short Story Saturdays, Merrilee Robson shares “The Way To A Man’s Heart” from the archives at Over My Dead Body!

If you would like to be included and are a member of the SMFS list at yahoo groups, email the link to your story to KevinRTipple at Verizon dot net. If you are not a member, this would be a good time to check us out at Yahoo Groups.

SMFS Member Publication News: Elizabeth Zelvin

SMFS list member Elizabeth Zelvin has announced that her short story, “A Shift at the Bluebird” appears in the Mystery Weekly Magazine: November 2018 issue. The issue is available in print and digital formats at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors.

SMFS Member Publication News: Kaye George

SMFS Member Kaye George has announced that her story "The Bible Buckle Killer” appears in the just released Suspense Magazine: Fall 2018 issue. Her story, as well as the entire issue, can be read online for free at their website.

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Two Short Story Reviews and One Non-Fiction Review

Catherine Dilts Reviews: Two Short Story Reviews and One Non-Fiction Review

SMFS Member Joan Leotta Interviews Cindy Rosmus, Editor of Yellow Mama

SMFS Member Joan Leotta Interviews Cindy Rosmus, Editor of Yellow Mama

SMFS Member Publication News: John M. Floyd

SMFS list member John M. Floyd has another book out. Published by Dogwood Press, the book is a collection of his short stories titled, The Barrens. Released today, it is available in hardback from Amazon and other vendors.

Amazon Synopsis:

For the past twenty years Mississippi author John M. Floyd has been one of the most widely-published short story writers in America. His work has been nominated for the Edgar Award, has won the Derringer Award three times, and has been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize. In addition, his stories have been listed among the top fifty mysteries of the year seven times by Best American Mystery Stories editor Otto Penzler, and twice among the top twenty. He was even recently awarded the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer Award for lifetime achievement in short mystery fiction. The work of John M. Floyd has been praised by James Patterson, Nevada Barr, Jan Burke, Carolyn Haines, Steve Hamilton, Marcus Sakey, Tom Franklin, and many others. Douglas Preston has called him a master of the art of the short story. Never has that talent been more evident than in this seventh collection of Floyd short fiction. All thirty stories contained in The Barrens are mystery/suspense, most are set in the steamy South, and six of them are installments in his popular Law and Daughter series, featuring Sheriff Lucy Valentine and her crimesolving mother Fran. Like his previous books (Rainbows End, Midnight, Clockwork, Deception, Fifty Mysteries, and Dreamland), the adventures here are full of quirky characters, Hitchcockian tension, and (maybe most important of all) plenty of plot twists and surprises. Welcome to The Barrens. Proceed with caution . . .