The Short Mystery Fiction Society will honor excellence in mystery and crime fiction with our Derringer Awards in 2025.
Best Flash Story (Up to 1,000 words)
Best Short Story (1,001 to 4,000 words)
Best Long Story (4,001 to 8,000 words)
Best Novelette (8,001 to 20,000 words)
and
Best Anthology
Join before year end to participate.
SMFS list members are published in the new anthology, Santa
Rage: A Killer Claus Compendium. Edited by fellow SMFS list member Jay
Hartman, the book is currently available from the publisher, White City Press,
and will be available at other vendors soon. The SMFS list members that
reported being in the read are:
KM Rockwood with “Burn, Baby, Burn.”
Kevin R. Tipple with “First Contact.”
Publisher Description:
Inspired by a suggestion from legendary book reviewer, author
and multi-term Short Mystery Fiction Society President Kevin R. Tipple, here’s
the holiday anthology that’s definitely not filled with Christmas cheer. It will,
however, be sure to entertain the darker side of your imagination.
Christmastime is a season full of
stress. Cooking, decorations, trying to find the perfect gift for people you
barely know. It’s enough to make anyone snap. Now, imagine you’re Santa Claus
and you’ve got the entire world to take care of.
Yeah, cookies and milk isn’t
going to make that kind of pressure go down any easier. Add in flippant
reindeer, elves who slack and Mrs. Claus nagging that you never spend enough
time with her during the holidays and it’s enough to make your Kris wanna Kringle,
if you know what we mean.
Welcome to Santa Rage: A Killer Claus Compendium in
which Mr. North Pole himself finally snaps and gets his just desserts…and we’re
not talking gingerbread. Within these ten stories Claus dishes out his own
brand of justice to nonbelievers, kidnappers, meth and other drug dealers while
protecting strippers and doling out some of the best doses of karma Santa ever
dealt that did not involve coal.
These ten stories of
grindhouse-level revenge, horror, and action come courtesy of Kevin R. Tipple,
Alexander Bayliss, KM Rockwood, Dante Bilec, Kurtis Rupé, MJ McClymont, E.
Catherine Tobler, Erica Barnes, Justin Hunter and Leon Peter Blanda.
Today is publication day for the new book, Lost and Loaded: a Gun's Tale (the 509 Crime Anthologies). The anthology from High Speed Creative, LLC, includes short stories by SMFS list members. The read is available from Amazon and other vendors. The SMFS list members that reported being in the read are:
James D.F. Hannah with “Do You See the Light?”
Curtis Ippolito with “8-Hour Detour.”
Robert Lopresti with “The Book Deal.”
Amazon Description:
Taking the revolver was their
first mistake. Using it was their second.
Marlin Hattenburg has no
idea of the mayhem he’s about to unleash when he discovers an ugly gun while at
work. Holding the snub-nose revolver fills him with hope that his marital
problems will soon melt away.
He’s dead wrong.
The same pistol soon winds
up in the hands of a junkie, followed by a mother, a spy, and even a failed
clown. Each of them believes a found revolver to be good fortune or a solution
to their problems. They, too, are wrong.
How does one discarded
revolver lead to so much trouble? Follow the gun through one Pacific Northwest
summer and find out.
Lost and Loaded: a Gun’s Tale is a collection of fourteen stories from crime fiction’s freshest voices. Get your copy today and experience a summer of broken dreams and murder.
SMFS list members are published in the Ellery
Queen’s Mystery Magazine: January/February 2025 issue. The issue is
available at the publisher
and other vendors. The SMFS members that reported being in the issue are:
David Bart with “Going the Distance.”
Marcelle Dubé with “No Title, No Clout.”
Paul Ryan O'Connor with “As You See The World.”
Josh Pachter with a translation of François Bloemhof’s
“The Wages of Sin.”
Manon Wogahn with “Kanab Noon.”
SMFS list members are published in the Alfred
Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine: January/February 2025 issue. The issue is
available at the publisher
and other vendors. Those list members that reported being published in the
issue are:
Joslyn Chase with “Santa's Eyes.”
Marcelle Dubé with “King of the Visigoths.”
Kevin Egan with “The Guardianship of Willie Musslburgh.”
John M. Floyd with “The Cado Devil.”
James A. Hearn with “The Nine Lives of Dr. Impossible.”
Jillian Grant Shoichet with “The Toll.”
SMFS list member Elizabeth Zelvin reported that her
short story, Scorched Earth, was published in Black Cat Weekly #171. Published
by Wildside Press, the issue is available here in digital format.
Publisher Description:
This time, we have holiday-themed
stories from Ron Miller (a great new tale featuring
burlesque-queen-turned-private detective Velda), Nina Kiriki Hoffman (who
remains one of my favorite fantasists active today), and Lillian M. Roberts
(thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman).
Plus,
we have great originals by Elizabeth Zelvin (courtesy of Acquiring Editor
Michael Bracken), Hala Dika, Joshua David Bellin, and Edmund Glasby (concluding
his two-part novel serial from last issue). Our classic reprints are by John S.
Glasby and Philip E. High.
Here’s
the complete lineup—
Cover
Art: Ron Miller
SERIAL
NOVEL
The Battle of Mageddo, by
Edmund Glasby [Part 2 of 2]
The
Third Apocalypse of Brother Santiago concludes!
NOVELET
“Ho, Ho, Ho, Velda!” by Ron
Miller [Velda series]
Velda’s
holiday turns chaotic when a cryptic clue leads to a baffling mystery. Can she
solve it before Christmas is ruined?
SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF
MYSTERY
“An Uncharitable Tournament,” by
Hal Charles
Can
you solve the mystery before the detective? All the clues are there!
SHORT
STORIES
“Scorched Earth,” by Elizabeth
Zelvin [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
Family
tensions simmer as ambition and secrets collide. A gripping tale of loyalty and
betrayal!
“The Reunion,” by Lillian M.
Roberts [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
A
stray dog leads Andi to a mystery that shakes up her holiday.
“The Best Farnsworth,” by Hala
Dika
Detective
Margot Cabot infiltrates a glittering world of wealth to uncover a deadly
secret. Can she outwit the powerful Farnsworth family?
“Company for the Holidays,” by
Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Aunt
Phyllida’s Christmas guest is a boy with a mysterious past—and her house is
hosting a party of shadows….
“The Troop,” by Joshua David
Bellin
A
girl raised among apes warns of a threat to their sanctuary. As two worlds
collide, survival means navigating trust, betrayal, and primal instincts.
“The Method,” by Philip E. High
In
a galaxy where ancient instincts clash with advanced technologies, can Marsin
ignite a rebellion and restore humanity’s place among the stars?
“Where
Dead Men Dream,” by John S. Glasby
In Haiti, a reporter uncovers a sinister ritual. The drums call, the dead rise—and terror awaits!
SMFS list members reported being published in Dark
Yonder: Issue 8. Billed as the Holiday Issue 2024, the print
version came out back on November 13th with the digital version
released on December 1st. Published by Thalia Press, the read is
available at
Amazon. The SMFS list members that reported being in the
read are:
Recita Clemons with “Have Turkey, Will Travel.”
Zakariah Johnson with “Residents and Renters.”
Ed Teja for “Toys for Thugs.”
Amazon Description:
Bah, Humbug!
Yeah, yeah, we know. Peace on earth and all that. We’re
fans. But we also recognize that all the eggnog in the world can’t stop reality
from eventually crashing down on us amidst the revelry. Check out ten great
stories of holiday mayhem and mystery by these outstanding neo noir authors:
Starter Home by Jedidiah Ayres
Have Turkey, Will Travel by
Recita Clemons
Isaiah
by Bradley Harper
Residents and Renters by Zakariah
Johnson
Merry Christmas, You Son of a Bitch by
Charlie Kondek
All I Want for Christmas by Meagan Lucas
A Lot in Common by Stanton
McCaffery
Silver Cord by Sarah Smith
Go Elf Yourself by Casey Stegman
Toys for Thugs by Ed Teja
Issue
8 also features the Drunk Uncle, a special holiday cocktail recipe that honors
everyone’s favorite holiday dinner guest, along with commentary by editors Katy
Munger and Eryk Pruitt.
SMFS list member T. Lee Harris reported today that her
new book, Lies in the Place of Truth: A Sitehuti and Nefer-Djenou-Bastet
Novel was published earlier this month. Published by Per
Bastet Publications LLC, the read is available at Amazon.
Publisher Description:
At the end of the events surrounding the Heb Sed, all young
scribe Sitehuti wanted to do was grab his cat and retreat to his family home in
the Place of Truth, the workers’ village for the Great Place, the Royal
necropolis. That didn’t happen. Now, with the funeral and burial of Prince
Amunhotep looming, he gets his wish — sort of.
The Prince’s murder brings many changes. Among those is
Sitehuti’s temporary appointment as Royal Scribe in charge of the burial.
However, all is not peaceful in the necropolis. Tombs are being robbed. People
are disappearing — among the vanished is one of Captain Djedmose’s Royal Medjay
Guards.
Things are also amiss at Mansion of Millions of Years, Ramesses
II’s sprawling funerary complex and administrative center on the west bank of
the river. To the Pharaoh and Crown Prince, the solution is simple: send
Sitehuti and Nefer-Djenou-Bastet to solve the mysteries.
Captain Djedmose disagrees. Magic Cat or no, he wants Sitehuti
as far away from danger as possible.
But IS it possible?
Available in print and Kindle editions.
SMFS list member Margaret S. Hamilton reported that her
short story, Gnomes For the Holidays, 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
Christmas mystery short story Gnomes For the Holidays by
Margaret S. Hamilton. It is read by local actor Donna Beavers. You can learn
more about the author on her 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.
This is publication day for the new book, Mickey Finn Volume 5: 21st Century Noir. Edited by SMFS list member Michael Bracken, who also wrote the introduction, the anthology from Down & Out books features short stories from a number of SMFS list members. The read is available from the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors. The SMFS list members that reported being in the read are:
K.L. Abrahamson with “Red Dust Express.”
Eddie Generous with “Sister.”
James A. Hearn with “Gone Fishin'.”
Hugh Lessig with “Burned.”
Tom Milani with “Barstow.”
Alan Orloff with “Solid Six.”
Travis Richardson with “No Requests Denied.”
Joseph S. Walker with “Ronnie Mercer is Back in Town.”
Andrew Welsh-Huggins with “All Apples.”
Description
Mickey
Finn: 21st Century Noir, Volume 5, the fifth entry of the hard-hitting anthology series, is
another crime-fiction cocktail that will again knock readers into a literary
stupor.
Contributors push hard
against the boundaries of crime fiction, driving their work into places short
crime fiction doesn’t often go, into a world where the mean streets seem
gentrified by comparison and happy endings are the exception rather than the
rule. And they do all this in contemporary settings, bringing noir into the
21st century.
Like any good
cocktail, Mickey Finn is a heady mix of ingredients that packs
a punch, and when you’ve finished reading every story, you’ll know that you’ve
been “slipped a Mickey.”
The eighteen contributors,
including some of today’s most respected short-story writers and new writers
making their mark on the genre, include: K.L. Abrahamson, Alan Barker, Michael
Chandos, Caleb Coy, Eddie Generous, Nils Gilbertson, James A. Hearn, Hugh
Lessig, Sean McCluskey, Tom Milani, Bill W. Morgan, Alan Orloff, Travis
Richardson, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Robb T. White, Sam Wiebe, Joseph S. Walker,
and Stacy Woodson.
SMFS list members are published in Black Cat Weekly #170.
Published by Wildside Press, the issue is available here in digital format. The list
members that reported being in the issue are:
John M. Floyd with “Christmas Gifts.”
Paula Messina with "O Tannanbaum.”
Publisher Description:
We kick off December with several
holiday-themed stories. First up is John M. Floyd’s tale of a Christmas scam
artist (with thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman). Then we have Paula
Messina’s tale of a stray Christmas tree found on a beach. Finally, blasting
off to outer space, we have an AI reindeer full of mischief in a story by
Theresa Duck.
Of course, we
have our usual assortment of mystery, fantasy, and science fiction stories,
including originals by Dave Zeltserman (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael
Bracken), R.M. Linning, and Steve Rasnic Tem. Plus we have classic reprints
from E.C. Tubb and Manly Bannister, plus we
begin the serial of Edmund Glasby’s The
Battle of Mageddo, final volume of the Apocalypses of Brother Santiago trilogy.
(See our previous four issues for volumes 1 and 2 of this great fantasy
series.)
We also have
Mary Roberts Rhinehart’s mystery novel Two
Flights Up. And no issue would be complete without a
solve-it-yourself mystery from Hal Charles. All told, another great issue.
Here’s the
complete lineup—
Cover Art: Stephen Hickman
NOVEL
Two Flights Up, by Mary
Roberts Rhinehart
In 1920s America, a mysterious lodger
becomes entangled in scandal, stolen bonds, and forbidden love in an
aristocratic household fallen from grace.
SERIAL NOVEL
The Battle of Mageddo, by
Edmund Glasby [Part 1 of 2]
The Third Apocalypse of Brother Santiago
begins!
NOVELET
“A Song in the Thicket,” by Manly
Bannister
When the Drakes move into a new suburban
development, impossible, persistent, and always returning puddles appear on
their property.
SOLVE-IT-YOURSELF MYSTERY
“Book Smart,” by Hal Charles
Can you solve the mystery before the
detective? All the clues are there!
SHORT STORIES
“The Roommate,” by Dave
Zeltserman [Michael Bracken Presents short story]
A new boyfriend with strange habits, a
mysterious past, and a deadly curfew—is Lisa dating a liar or something worse?
“Christmas Gifts,” by John M.
Floyd [Barb Goffman Presents short story]
Meeting a troubled woman in an elevator,
a suave businessman is reminded that Christmas is a time for helping those in
need—especially if he benefits, too.
“Legacies,” by R.M. Linning
In a powerful Chicago dynasty, secrets,
ambition, and ruthless manipulation bind generations of the Nyland family
together.
“O Tannenbaum,” by Paula Messina
On a stormy Revere Beach, Margaret
stumbles upon a forlorn Christmas tree that stirs memories of love and loss.
“Silent Night in System Nine,” by
Theresa Duck
A space captain and exuberant mechanic
race to deliver holiday trees, but chaos erupts when an AI reindeer joins the
crew.
“Catch and Release,” by Steve
Rasnic Tem
A man recalls his eerie foster mother,
whose strange abilities and secrets haunt him as he searches for her—and
himself—years later.
“Honour Bright,” by E.C. Tubb
A spaceship’s engine malfunctions mid-journey, threatening the lives of its crew.
SMFS list member Abe Margel reported that his short
story, Waterproofing, was published at Freedom Fiction Journal. You can read the story online for free here.