SMFS list member John M. Floyd reported that his short
story, The Home Front, was published at Punk Noir Magazine. You can read the
piece for free online here.
SMFS members reported that they were published in the
anthology, Farm to Foul Play: 2024 Capitol Crimes Anthology. Published
late last week by Capitol Crimes, the book is available at Amazon.
The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:
.
Tori Eldridge wrote the forward.
Karen Harrington with “Midtown Market Girl.”
Amazon Description:
Sacramento, California, lies at the heart of the largest
agricultural producer in the nation. Known as the Farm-to-Fork Capital of
America, this beautiful region produces hundreds of crops each year and has
become recognized as a great restaurant city thanks to the chefs who use
locally-grown, locally-sourced ingredients.
Fifteen
amazing authors — William Bishop, Sarah Bresniker, Chris Dreith, Susan Egan,
Elaine Faber, Karen Harrington, Debra Henry, Virginia V. Kidd, Karen A.
Phillips, Brian Shea, Linda Joy Singleton, Darrell Smith, Joanna Vander Vlugt,
Nick Webster, and Dänna Wilberg — have captured the bounty of all Sacramento
has to offer … with a little mayhem thrown in.
Expert judges
selected fifteen stories by Capitol Crimes members, who captured the bounty of
all Sacramento has to offer ... with a little mayhem thrown in.
SMFS members reported that they were published in the anthology,
42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42². Published late last
month by MacKenzie Publishing, the book is available at Amazon.
The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:
Joan Leotta with “Serving Lavender Tea Can Make A
Person Free.”
Karen McCullough with “Being in the Wrong Place at the
Wrong Time.”
Amazon Description:
Behold, 42 Stories Anthology
Presents: Book of 42², or Project 42², filled with time, devotion, and passion.
1,764 micro stories of exactly 42 words, circulated through 42 genres.
Some readers might wonder, “Why 1,764 stories?” 42
stories times 42 genres equals 1,764. Hence, the book’s logo and title having
42². In order to have such an omnium-gatherum of works in one book, the team
searched for authors around the world, from East to West. Finding stories for
the book proved a challenge. Therefore, anthology staff accepted up to four
works, using pseudonyms, from the same author, which were chosen by one
critique partner, one story editor, and one reviewer from a staff of 42. The
book had to have 1,764 author names in conjunction to the stories. There are
still over 1,200 unique writers responsible for writing this anthology. A full
list of authors is available within the anthology website, listed in the
introduction.
In keeping with the theme, titles of stories are
approximately 42 characters and biographies are roughly 42 words. The judges of
the 42 Story of Excellence Awards (SOE) were the authors of the Craft of
Writing Chapter, and the award for that chapter was selected by judges.
Along with the stories, we found 42 unique works
of chapter art from talented artists and photographers. Notably, the Sports
chapter has an original high-resolution photo of JACKIE ROBINSON, by PATRICK A.
BURNS/The New York Times/Redux, which we purchased the rights to in order to be
included in the anthology.
Moreover, the book cover, front and back, has 42
photos on each side, by the talented photographer, KATYA BROWN.
Enjoy the fun, 42 words at a time.
SMFS list members are published in Black Cat Weekly
#169. Published by Wildside Press, the issue is available here in digital format. The list
members that reported being in the issue are:
Richie Narvaez with "The Intruder."
M.E. Proctor with "Magpie."
Publisher Description:
Here in the United States, we are rapidly approaching our
Thanksgiving holiday—famed for its huge feasts, epic shopping sales, football
games, family gatherings, and almost as a side note, reflecting on what we’re
thankful for. We have several Thanksgiving-themed stories, and we hope you will
enjoy them.
It’s been a busy year here at Wildside Press and Black
Cat Weekly. Thinking back over everything that happened in the last 12
months, as editor, I find I have a lot to be thankful for. We’ve reached our
third anniversary, launched our submissions portal at blackcatweekly.com (if
you’d like to contribute, we’re always reading!), had the amazing Ron Miller
join the team as Art Director (and he has provided some truly stunning covers),
and found some great new team members in Tom Easton, Ryan Hines, Vicki Erwin,
Paula Messina, and Richard Prosch. And, of course, our first two Acquiring
Editors are still with us: Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman have added vastly
to the magazine’s ability to find and showcase great stories. Another Acquiring
Editor, Darrell Schweitzer—far more infrequently than we’d like—still manages
to bring in a few memorable stories each year. We hope Cynthia Ward will be
able to return as an Acquiring Editor in coming months, as her family situation
permits.
And while I’m singling out people for praise, probably the
biggest thanks must go to our readers. If not for your support through
subscriptions and single-copy purchases, Black Cat Weekly wouldn’t
be here. This magazine was never intended to make money. (It still doesn’t.)
It’s meant to showcase fiction new and old, bring deserving writers to your
attention, and promote reading. Circulation has slowly but steadily increased,
and all subscription money continues to go toward bringing in new stories.
That’s why the amount of original material in each issue has increased over the
last year.
Thank you, thank you, thank you one and all!
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Here’s the complete lineup—
|
Cover Art: Ron Miller |
|
NOVELS |
|
Hunter at Large,
by Thomas B. Dewey |
|
Detective
Mickey Phillips seeks revenge after a deadly attack leaves his world in
ruins. A classic noir crime novel. |
|
That Worlds May Live, by Nelson S. Bond |
|
Scientists
race to save Earth from mysterious cosmic rays. An interplanetary adventure
filled with bold heroes, alien civilizations, and stunning revelations. |
|
SERIAL NOVEL |
|
The Dark Pilgrimage, by Edmund Glasby [Part 2 of 2] |
|
The
conclusion of the second apocalypse of Brother Santiago. |
|
SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF
MYSTERY |
|
“A Memorable Clue,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] |
|
Can
you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there! |
|
SHORT STORIES |
|
“The Intruder,” by Richie Narvaez [Michael Bracken Presents short story] |
|
Missing
cash, creaking floorboards, and an unlocked door—was it a thief, a lover, or
something worse? |
|
“Where There’s a Will,” by Elizabeth Hosang [Barb Goffman Presents short story] |
|
A
family’s Thanksgiving reunion turns deadly when Grandma’s will demands a
murderous twist. |
|
“The Couple Next Door,” by Wayne J. Gardiner |
|
Two
victims, no past, and no leads—the case seems impossible. But Reilly knows
someone out there holds the deadly truth. |
|
“Magpie,” by M.E. Proctor |
|
A
jade pendant vanishes, a fake Picasso raises eyebrows—and Alice’s magpie
tendencies spark trouble in a family full of surprises. |
|
“Misplaced Person,” by E.C. Tubb |
|
Sleepless,
emotionless, and terrified, Mark seeks answers to his fear. |
|
NOVELET |
|
“The Green Ray,” by Arthur Leo Zagat |
|
A
brilliant scientist perfects a devastating light-ray, but enemies close in. |
Until next time, happy reading!
—John Betancourt
Editor, Black Cat Weekly
SMFS list member Twist Phelan reported that her short
story, Good Shoes, appears in the anthology, Coolest American Stories 2025.
Published by Coolest Stories
Press earlier this month, the book is available at Amazon and other vendors.
Amazon Description:
America’s
most talented storytellers share their most interesting, engaging,
unputdownable work in a collection made for story lovers.
The fourth volume of the annual anthology that’s been praised nationwide by
readers and numerous award-winning and bestselling authors, COOLEST AMERICAN
STORIES 2025 exudes its editors’ philosophy that a collection of widely
appealing short stories can make for common ground that could unite rather than
divide Americans.
Toward this end, COOLEST AMERICAN STORIES 2025 features a romp of a crime story
by multiple Thriller Award winning author Twist Phelan; a poignant yet
surprising story about prison life by Pushcart Prize winner Mathieu Cailler;
and NYC veteran author Francine Witte's hilarious rom-com about a woman who's
obsessed with love and murder both.
And since interesting storytelling―rather than a bunch of publishing credits―matters most
to story-hungry readers, COOLEST AMERICAN STORIES 2025 also includes rising
star Demond J Blake's Kerouacian, laugh-out-loud tale about a search for
meaning in modern-day Southern California; a tense contemporary spy story by
gutsy author Philip Cesario; and a shocking portrayal of the emotional effects
of American cancel culture by the Canadian writer Mehdi M. Kashani―among others
in this treasure trove of unputdownable, sharply written, sometimes comic,
sometimes frightening, always suspenseful stories loaded with twists and turns.
SMFS members are published in the recently released, Pulphouse
Fiction Magazine: Issue 35. Published by WMG Publishing, the read is
available from the publisher,
Amazon,
and other vendors. The SMFS list members that reported being in the issue are:
David H. Hendrickson with “The Long Crawl.”
Annie Reed with “When Nicky Met Holly.”
Publisher Description:
The Cutting Edge
of Modern Short Fiction
A three-time Hugo Award nominated magazine, this issue of Pulphouse
Fiction Magazine offers up ten fantastic stories by some of the best
writers working in modern short fiction.
No genre limitations, no topic limitations, just great stories. Attitude, feel,
and high-quality fiction equals Pulphouse.
Includes:
|
Snow Angel by
Kristine Kathryn Rusch Green
Carnations and Hot Apple Cider by DeAnna Knippling The Sudden Room
by Rob Vagle The Key to
Everything by Nina Kiriki Hoffman The Long Crawl
by David H. Hendrickson Cruelty the
Human Heart by O’Neil De Noux Barnstorming by
Ron Collins A Hell for
Frogs by Adam-Troy Castro When Nicky Met
Holly by Annie Reed Thanksgiving at
Glosser’s by Robert Jeschonek Minions at
Work: View From On High by J. Steven York |
SMFS list member K.L. Abrahamson reported that her
short story, Norwegian Wood, was published at The Saturday Evening Post. You
can read the piece for free online here.
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 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 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.
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
