SMFS Member Publishing News: Welcome to Armadillo by John Floyd

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, Welcome to Armadillo, appears in the just released Strand Magazine: Fall 2024 issue. The #73 issue is available at the website and from other vendors.

 

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Unpublished G.K Chesterton PLUS an exclusive with James Patterson

For fans of classic detective fiction, The Strand Magazine presents an exceptional issue featuring what appears to be a never-before-published essay by the legendary G.K. Chesterton. Known for his brilliant Father Brown mysteries, Chesterton’s influence on detective fiction is undeniable. In this issue, readers are treated to “The Historical Detective Story,” a rare essay recently found in the Rare Books and Special Collections of the Hesburgh Library at the University of Notre Dame.

Written with Chesterton’s trademark wit and insight, this essay reflects his sharp understanding of the crime genre. In it, he critiques the predictable formulas of detective fiction and advocates for fresh, innovative storytelling—advice that remains as relevant now as when it was first written. Although this piece was intended for the first issue of a magazine by the Detection Club—founded by Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers—it was never published, to the best of our knowledge, making this discovery a true treasure for mystery lovers. This essay is introduced by Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society, who offers expert context and insight into Chesterton’s thought process and literary impact.

Chesterton, a founding member and the first president of the Detection Club, shaped the detective genre in profound ways. His essay provides a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the genre’s pioneers. Beyond his popular Father Brown stories, Chesterton’s thoughtful approach to the moral and philosophical dilemmas behind human actions continues to resonate, as does his enduring belief in forgiveness and redemption.

In addition to Chesterton’s essay, this issue features a host of exciting new works pushing the boundaries of mystery fiction. Josh Malerman’s “Children Aren’t the Only Ones Who Know Where the Presents Are Hidden” tells a chilling tale of escape from the past, while neo-noir master Joe R. Lansdale’s “Night Trail” follows a boy’s late-night adventure that takes a dark and dangerous turn. Margie Deck’s “The Case of the Pensive Poet” brings Sherlock Holmes and Watson into a locked-room literary mystery, and John M. Floyd’s “Welcome to Armadillo” follows a PI back to his perilous hometown.

Rounding out the issue are interviews with Rupert Holmes and James Patterson, two creators who continue to innovate in their respective fields. Holmes, celebrated for his Broadway plays and writing success, discusses his latest novel, How to Murder Your Employer, while Patterson shares his experience bringing Michael Crichton’s unfinished novel Eruption to life.

This special edition also includes the nominees for the 2024 Strand Critics Awards, recognizing the best in mystery and crime fiction today. Don’t miss out on this unique issue, which features a rare piece of detective fiction history—published for the first time, as far as we know—alongside cutting-edge stories from contemporary masters.

If you’re looking for more previously unpublished short stories by other legends like Rod Serling, be sure to check out these issues with stories by Shirley Jackson, Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Raymond Chandler, H.G. Wells, Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett,  Tennessee Williams, Louisa May Alcott, John Steinbeck, and Ray Bradbury.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Pushing Joe Carter by John Floyd

 

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, Pushing Joe Carter, appears in the just released Strand Magazine: Spring 2024 issue. The issue is available at the website and from other vendors.

 

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Strand Magazine: Unpublished Rod Serling Short Story

(Strand Magazine: Featuring an unpublished Rod Serling short story, fiction by Adam Hamdy, John Floyd, Vasa Clarke, and exclusive interviews with Robert Littell and Laurie R. King)

Rod Serling’s unpublished short story “First Squad, First Platoon” headlines The Strand Magazine’s latest issue. Written after Serling returned from World War II, the story preceded his television career and draws from his experiences fighting with the 511th Airborne in the Philippines, where he witnessed some of the most intense combat of the entire conflict and the horrific deaths of many of his fellow soldiers. Serling wrote this story in his early twenties, yet it carries a maturity beyond his years. In terse prose, he delivers the immediacy, sense of place, and cutting dialogue you’d expect from Hemingway, Crane, or Dos Passos. It’s a powerful, unvarnished look at war in all its brutality—an unforgettable study of ordinary people in extraordinarily hellish situations. This unique issue also includes forewords to the story by Rod Serling’s daughters, Jodi and Anne, who provide context to the story and deeper insight into the man behind the words.

Also in this issue, as coincidence would have it, the inimitable John Floyd offers us “Pushing Joe Carter,” a Twilight Zone-esque tale of man’s inhumanity to man with—you guessed it—a twist at the end. Adam Hamdy and Emily Fox show us the psychological toll a life in law enforcement can take on the psyches of those sworn to serve and protect in “The Fear in Their Eyes.” And Vasa Clarke has turned Holmes and Watson’s attention to an unlikely case involving veterinary medicine and national security in “The Adventure of the Ayrshire

We have an exclusive interview with espionage novelist Robert Littell. In a career spanning over half a century, Littell has elevated the genre into the realm of serious literature with scores of novels that have earned comparisons to the works of John le Carré, Graham Greene, Len Deighton, and Eric Ambler. He is indisputably the modern-day master of the literary spy novel. Throughout his writing career, Littell has used the genre of espionage fiction to explore and say something about the human condition. One of the hallmarks of his novels are his character-driven plots. He has a keen understanding of the men and women who live in the shadows where moral ambiguity reigns, and his complex characters often find themselves struggling to hold onto the last vestiges of their humanity amid the deception required by their work, as they fight for or against the inexorable, heartless tide of the realpolitik.

We also have an exclusive with Laurie R. King, known for her Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series, among others. Throughout a prolific three-decade career, King has leveraged her extensive knowledge of history and literature to produce some of the most authentic historical novels of our time, not to mention several bestsellers set in the modern day, winning over legions of readers around the world.

As the weather warms, and benches and beaches beckon, you’ll no doubt need the best new books. Storm Watch by C. J. Box, Independence Square by Martin Cruz Smith, and The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen are but a few of the many gems you’ll find in our reviews section. 

SMFS Member Publishing News: The Florida Blues by John Floyd

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, The Florida Blues, appears in the just released Strand Magazine 25th Anniversary Issue. The issue is available at the website and from other vendors.

 

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25th Anniversary Issue: Unpublished Raymond Chandler, PLUS Alexander McCall Smith, Jeffery Deaver & Bob Odenkirk

Our special holiday issues  features a lost poem by none other than the dean of hard-boiled noir, Raymond Chandler. Written around 1955, “Requiem” shows the softer, sensitive side of the man who gave us the ever brusque, wise-cracking PI Philip Marlowe—it’s hard to imagine a more fitting foil. Joining Chandler this issue are a number of modern-day writers who need no introduction. In “Mr. Slope, he fall,” Alexander McCall Smith turns the English country-house mystery on its head when a party of backstabbing academics gathers for a weekend in the Scottish Highlands. In “The Usual Suspect,” Jeffery Deaver blends existential dread with humor as he plays on the latest paranoia concerning the power of artificial intelligence. Turning to pastiche, Mike Adamson sends Holmes and Watson on foot into the mean streets of East London in “King of the Rats.” And bringing it home, John Floyd, a Strand stalwart ever since Issue 2, strikes a karmic chord in his perfect getaway tale “The Florida Blues.”

This issue will be a tough act to follow when it comes to interviews. Here we are lucky to feature conversations with three great talents. Bob Odenkirk has mastered all kinds of mediums, from sketch-comedy (think cult-classic Mr. Show) to dramatic acting (Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad) to memoir (Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama). Last month, he and his daughter Erin—a painter and illustrator—joined me for a thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion about the importance of the written word, art, and what it was like to collaborate on Zilot and Other Important Rhymes, recently released by Little, Brown and Company. Also, on the heels of a new book—Not Forever, But For Now, published by Simon and Schuster—Chuck Palahniuk of Fight Club fame dropped in for a chat, offering some of the real-life inspirations for his debut novel and other minimalist postmodern masterpieces.

For more back issues with works by literary legends follow this link!

SMFS Member Publishing News: Short Stories by John Floyd

Several of SMFS list member John Floyd’s short stories appear in the recently released, 2 Minute Mini- Mysteries: Murder & Mayhem. Published by Woman's World, these stories are reprints of tales that previously appeared in the Woman’s World weekly issues. The collection is available in grocery stores, newsstands, and at various online vendors such as MagazineShop.US.

John M. Floyd's short stories in the read are, A Very Deadly Clue, Caught Up in the Crossfire, Angela's Taxicab, and, A Shot in the Dark.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Liz and Drew and Betty Lou by John Floyd

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, Liz and Drew and Betty Lou, appears in the just released Strand Magazine #70. The issue is available at the website and from other vendors.

 

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Unpublished Truman Capote Story

Truman Capote’s unpublished, lost short story “Another Day in Paradise” has now been published for the first time ever here in The Strand. The story remained unpublished until it was found handwritten in the pages of a red and gold scrolled Florentine notebook. It has, like so much of Capote’s other works, some autobiographical elements, as well as Capote’s signature style—evocative descriptions, wry humor, and all too human characters. While Capote will forever be associated with his 1958 novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s, made more famous by the 1961 film starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, and his 1966 true-crime novel In Cold Blood, it was short stories that were the author’s first love and enduring passion.  And once again, here is an unforgettable story from the quintessential mid-century American author.

Also in this issue, the incomparable, always unique, and ever-prolific Joyce Carol Oates returns to The Strand with “The Chair of Tranquility,” a haunting tale that feels simultaneously classic and contemporary. John M. Floyd, speeds us to more modern times with an AI-inspired caper involving a couple of teenagers and a captivating car in “Liz and Drew and Mary Lou.” And what would an issue of The Strand be without a Sherlock Holmes yarn? Derrick Belanger, has Holmes taking a back seat this time, allowing Watson to try his hand at detecting in “Dr. Watson Takes the Case.” Headlining this issue’s interview is Martin Cruz Smith, the legendary creator of the Arkady Renko series. In this insightful interview with Strand managing editor Andrew Gulli, Cruz Smith shares his perspective on writing, his career in journalism, and the state of affairs in Eastern Europe. As usual, The Strand’s team of expert book reviewers has the scoop on the latest offerings from the mystery world.

 In addition featuring this unpublished short story by Truman Capote, we’ve featured scores of unpublished works by legendary authors including  Shirley Jackson, Ernest Hemingway, Raymond Chandler, H.G. Wells, Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Tennessee Williams, Louisa May Alcott, John Steinbeck, and Ray Bradbury.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Short Stories by John Floyd

Several of SMFS list member John Floyd’s short stories appear in the recently released, 2 Minute Mini- Mysteries: Catch A Thief edition. Published by Woman's World, these stories are reprints of tales that previously appeared in the weekly issues. The collection is available in grocery stores, newsstands, and at various online vendors such as MagazineShop.US.

John M. Floyd's short stories in the read are, Gone Goes the Weasel, License to Steal, A Very Dirty Trick, and, Stick 'Em Up.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Last Day at the Jackrabbit by John Floyd

 

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, Last Day at the Jackrabbit, appears in the just released Strand Magazine #69. The issue is available at the website and by other vendors.

 

Description

Issue 69 of The Strand Magazine features a previously unpublished short story by James M. Cain, Jacqueline Winspear on writing, an exclusive interview with J.T. Ellison, and fiction by John Floyd, Adam Hamdy, and Vaseem Khan

We’re very proud to feature in our 69th issue an unpublished short story by James M. Cain. Set in the aftermath of the Korean War, the story takes a hard look at, greed, sacrifice, friendship, and redemption between three damaged and fallible characters. In just over 3000 words, Cain offers up all the noir elements we’ve come to expect from him complete with gritty dialogue and a cunning antagonist but puts in an unexpected twist that turns the tale on its head, offering a surprisingly nuanced take on these supposedly hard characters. It’s sure to thrill fans of neo noir such as Breaking Bad, Nightmare Alley, and Blade Runner.

From post-war America, we go to post-independence India, where Vaseem Khan pits the country’s first female police officer against prejudice, corruption, and murder in “Ace of Spades.” Moving to modern-day neo-noir, Adam Hamdy lays out “Tarot,” in which a New York City psychiatrist’s world is upended after an eerie session with his new patient. John Floyd takes us back to small-town America in “Last Day at the Jackrabbit,” where a small-time crook and his moll get more than they bargained for. And we round out our short stories this issue with Mike Adamson’s “The Affair of the Russian Violinist,” a locked-room mystery that has Holmes and Watson racing against time to avert a diplomatic crisis.

Pivoting to nonfiction, we are thrilled to share firsthand insight from one of today’s best-selling mystery writers in “Quest for Gold.” For fans of the Maisie Dobbs series—and stellar storytelling in general—Jacqueline Winspear’s insights into the heart of great writing amount to a master class on what it takes to bring a story to life.

We also have an exclusive interview with the incomparable J.T. Ellison.

Our team of reviewers has worked hard to provide a timely and interesting mix of the latest mysteries and thrillers out there. Fans of the Batman franchise should not miss Chris Chan’s review of the Blu-ray Batman: The Long Halloween.

The Strand Magazine continues to bring our readers the best in fiction, interviews with authors, as well as insightful book and audiobook reviews. In addition featuring this unpublished short story by James M. Cain, we’ve featured unpublished works by other legendary authors including  Shirley Jackson, Ernest Hemingway, Raymond Chandler, H.G. Wells, Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Tennessee Williams, Louisa May Alcott  and Ray Bradbury.

This is the second time we’ve released an unpublished short story by James M. Cain, the first lost gem we released was in 2012 with  “Mommy is a Bar Fly.”

For more back issues with works by literary legends, follow this link!

SMFS Member Publishing News: Short Stories by John Floyd

 

Several of SMFS list member John Floyd’s short stories appear in the recently released 2 Minute Mini- Mysteries: Third Edition. Published by Woman's World, these stories are reprints of tales that previously appeared in the weekly issues. The collection is available in grocery stores, newsstands, and at various online vendors such as MagazineShop.US.

John M. Floyd's short stories in the read are, Candid Camera, Stolen in Plain Sight, Diamonds Are Forever, and, Turn Right at the Light.

 

Website Description:

Unwind with 40 all-new whodunits in our thrilling Third Edition!

Test your detective skills with this collection of mind-bending mysteries! Feel your excitement build as you solve each whodunit—from theft to sabotage to murder. Each 2-minute case contains a clue to finding the culprit, but stay sharp: Misdirection, red herrings and secret codes abound as the tales get tougher and tougher. Do you have what it takes to become a super sleuth and solve them all?

SleuthSayers: A Cold Case by John Floyd

SleuthSayers: A Cold Case:   Those of you who know me well know I'm not fond of winter weather. My friends in northern climes often say, to irritate me, "I lo...

SMFS Member Publishing News: Crow's Nest by John Floyd

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, Crow's Nest, is published today in Black Cat Weekly #70. Published by Wildside Press, the issue is available here in digital format.

 

Website Synopsis:

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“Crow’s Nest,” by John M. Floyd [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“Whom Do You Trust?” by Hal Charles [solve-it-yourself mystery]

“Winter’s Journey,” by R.J. Koreto [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

Smoke of the .45, by Harry Sinclair Drago [novel]

A Certain Dr. Thorndyke, by R. Austin Freeman [novel]

 

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“All in the Golden Afternoon,” by Marilyn “Mattie” Brahen [short story]

“Doubled in Brass,” by Lester del Rey [short story]

“The Admiral’s Walk,” by Sam Merwin [short story]

“Simple Psiman,” by F.L. Wallace [short story]

“Siren Satellite,” by Arthur K. Barnes [novella]

SleuthSayers: Following in John's Footsteps by R. T. Lawton

SleuthSayers: Following in John's Footsteps: Back on November 5th, John Floyd wrote a SleuthSayers blog about three stories he had published in AHMM this year. In the article's con...

SMFS Member Publishing News: Santa’s Helper by John M. Floyd

 
SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, Santa’s Helper, is published at Kings River Life Magazine. It can be read for free online at the website.

SleuthSayers: Happy in My Shorts by John Floyd

SleuthSayers: Happy in My Shorts:    And why wouldn't I be?--I live in what some call the middle of the Deep South, and for about seven months of every year down here, lo...

SleuthSayers: Treasures from the Sock Drawer by John Floyd

SleuthSayers: Treasures from the Sock Drawer: Like all writers, I have a lot of ideas for stories. When one of them occurs to me, I try first to figure out whether it's marketable, a...

SleuthSayers: Three Hitchcock Stories

SleuthSayers: Three Hitchcock Stories:    I'll begin on a happy note: I received word a few weeks ago from Jackie Sherbow at Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine that one ...

SMFS Member Publishing News: The Starlite Drive-In by John Floyd

SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, The Starlite Drive-In, appears in the recently released anthology, It Came From the Trailer Park: Volume 2. Published by Three Ravens Publishing, the read is available at Amazon in digital and print formats.

 

Synopsis:

Think beer, snuff, and double-ought buckshot are what make rednecks tough?

Suburban soccer moms and soy latte-sipping men have no clue what these blue-collar men and women have to put up with on a daily basis. From chupacabras chewing the cable lines during the big game to zombie infestations boiling out from beneath that derelict double-wide on the other side of the trailer park, the heroes of It Came From the Trailer Park II have their work cut out for them! Hold their beer, Romero and Hitchcock. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

With stories by Jonathan Maberry, Arlan Andrews Sr., Philip K. Booker, Benjamin Tyler Smith, John M. Floyd, Michael J. Allen, Jenny Wren, Rob Smales, Mel Todd, Jerry Harwood, Christopher Woods, William Joseph Roberts, and Guest Editorial by the Lord of Hate, Larry Corriea.

So, pull on your boots, grab the whiskey, and don’t forget the shotgun. You’re in for a wild ride of backwoods madmen, hidden horrors, and explosive hijinks no amount of moonshine will help you forget.

SleuthSayers: Second Chances by John Floyd

SleuthSayers: Second Chances:   A common question for fiction writers is  Do editors often ask you to revise and resubmit a short story? The answer, in my case, is no. Mo...

SleuthSayers: Fictional Mistakes (Onscreen and Off) by John Floyd

SleuthSayers: Fictional Mistakes (Onscreen and Off): I watch a lot of movies, thanks to Netflix and Amazon Prime, and mostly from my La-Z-Boy in the den. I usually prefer mysteries, thrillers, ...

SMFS Member Podcast News: John Floyd

 
SMFS list member John Floyd’s short story, The Wading Pool, is featured in the NoSleep Podcast: Season 18, Episode 12. Part of the podcast is free, but Mr. Floyd’s story is deeper in the podcast in the paid part. Mr. Floyd also reports that his short story is approximately 12 to 13 minutes long and that the illustration you see here from the website of the little girl looking out the window is inspired by his tale. You can learn more and listen to it at the website.

SleuthSayers: Real or Nonreal? by John Floyd

SleuthSayers: Real or Nonreal?: I was asked an interesting question a few weeks ago, about writing. First, a quick story. Years ago a writer friend of mine had just publish...