Announcing HOT SHOTS: CELEBRATING THIRTY YEARS OF THE SHORT MYSTERY FICTION SOCIETY

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, the free-to-join community of writers, readers, editors, publishers and others dedicated to the celebration and promotion of short stories in the mystery genre. In addition to providing discussion and resources related to all aspects of the genre, the Society also presents the annual Derringer Awards, recognizing the best stories published in the field.

In recognition of the first three decades of SMFS, Level Best Books has published HOT SHOTS: CELEBRATING THIRTY YEARS OF THE SHORT MYSTERY FICTION SOCIETY, edited by Josh Pachter, himself a recipient of the Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in Short Mystery Fiction. The anthology includes one Derringer-winning story for every year from 1998, when the Awards were first presented, through 2025. It also includes a complete list of all Derringer winners, along with an introduction by Pachter and a foreword by current SMFS President Joseph S. Walker providing more information about the Society and the history of the Derringers.

This outstanding collection is a celebration not just of the Society, but of short mystery fiction itself. Mystery has its roots in the short story (think of Edgar Allan Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle), and this book provides ample evidence that the form continues not just to thrive, but to grow and innovate. Readers will find here stories from widely acknowledged masters of the field such as Art Taylor, Earl Staggs, Doug Allyn, Melissa Yi, and John Floyd, as well as many stories from writers like Sandy Balzo, Ruth McCarty, and Michael J. Solender whose names may be less recognizable but whose stories are highly deserving of the awards they garnered.

The stories (some of which have been unavailable for decades) range from cozy to hardboiled, offering any fan of mystery fiction a wealth of treasures and new favorite authors to be discovered. And if you'd like to have a vote in deciding future Derringer winners and finding even more fiction to love, all while rubbing shoulders with some of the best writers in the genre today, join the Society yourself. It's free, and there's always room for more!

SMFS Members Published in Farm to Foul Play: 2024 Capitol Crimes Anthology

 

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 Published in 42 Stories Anthology Presents: Book of 42²

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 Members Published in Crimeucopia - Great Googly Moo!

 

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

SMFS Members Published in Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy: Thirteen Tales of Murder Mystery and Master Detection

Today is publication day for the anthology, Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy: Thirteen Tales of Murder, Mystery, and Master Detection. Published by Down & Out Books, the read is edited by SMFS list member Gay Toltl Kinman and Andrew McAleer. The book is available at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors. The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are: 

 

John M. Floyd with “Sunlight and Shadows.”

 

Barb Goffman with “The Postman Always Flirts Twice.”

 

BV Lawson with “The Final Chapter.”

 

Robert Lopresti with “The Nurse Log.”

 

Alan Orloff with “Murder in the Kitchen.”

 

Josh Pachter with “The Land of Entrapment.”

 

Art Taylor with “Tuesday Night Teas.”

 

Stacy Woodson with “The Figs We Tell.”

 

Description

In Agatha and Derringer Get Cozy, thirteen of today’s cleverest mystery and suspense authors get cozy with mystery fans in thirteen original mysteries written exclusively by Agatha and Derringer Award-winning authors. In some of their most creative and cunning cozy stories yet, these modern masters of suspense—John Floyd, Barb Goffman, Tara Laskowski, BV Lawson, Robert Lopresti, Kris Neri, Alan Orloff, Josh Pachter, Stephen D. Rogers, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Marcia Talley, Art Taylor, and Stacy Woodson—have meticulously planned for mystery enthusiasts a full docket of murder, mischief, and mayhem.

The list of quaint homicidal hometowns and unlikely cloak-and-cozy amateur detective heroes is as inexhaustible as the imaginations of their ingenious creators. Keep the lights on and your head on a swivel, Mystery Fans, because with these poisoned-pen masters on the prowl, your safe little nook just might be the next cozy crime scene!

SMFS Members Published in Janie's Got a Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Aerosmith

Today is publication day for the anthology, Janie's Got a Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Aerosmith. Published by White City Press, the read is edited by SMFS list member Michael Bracken. The book is available at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors. The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:

 

 

 

Bill Baber with “Same Old Song and Dance.”

 

Eve Fisher with “Round and Round.”

 

John M. Floyd with “Hole in my Soul.”

 

Steve Liskow with “Dude Looks Like a Lady.”

 

Jeffrey Marks with “Three Mile Smile.”

 

Adam Meyer with “Livin' on the Edge.”

 

Tom Milani with “Jesus Is on the Main Line.”

 

M.E. Proctor with “Drop Dead Gorgeous.”

 

Ed Ridgley with “Dream On.”

 

Joseph S. Walker with “Janie's Got a Gun.” 

Publisher Description: 

With a career spanning over 50 years, Aerosmith has been a trend-setter in the world of rock and roll. From early hits such as “Dream On” and “Sweet Emotion” to their legendary collaboration with Run DMC for a cover of “Walk This Way” to their contribution of “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” on the soundtrack for Armageddon, Aerosmith has proved time and again to be a band capable of reinvention and constant influence on the music scene.

With their 2024 announcement that the band will no longer tour, 16 crime fiction authors have come together to produce an anthology paying tribute to some of Aerosmith’s greatest hits and their studio albums. This literary trip across the rock and roll landscape is courtesy of multi-award winning editor Michael Bracken with stories by Ed Ridgley, Bill Baber, Eve Fisher. Avram Lavinsky, John C. Bruening, Jeffrey Marks, Mary Dutta, Tom Mead, Steve Liskow, Joseph S. Walker, Adam Meyer, John M. Floyd, Leone Ciporin, M.E. Proctor, Tom Milani and Jim Winter.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Skeeter Done Shot Billy Bob by John M. Floyd

SMFS list member John M. Floyd reported that his short story, Skeeter Done Shot Billy Bob, appears in the recently released anthology, Shamus and Anthony Commit Capers: Ten Tales of Criminals, Crooks, and Culprits. Published by Level Best Books - Level Short, the book is available at Amazon.

 

Amazon Description:

Mystery lovers beware because in Shamus and Anthony Commit Capers some of today’s most prestigious award-winning mystery and suspense authors are quicker than the eye—and the law! The sleight of hand, the second-story black bag job, and the high-stakes heist have never been more cunning, clever, and crookedly outrageous. In Shamus and Anthony these wily masters of mystery aren’t just up to their usual baffling bag of artful tricks in this exciting collection of ten original tales—they’re one squirrelly step ahead of the fuzz with bushels of hot new hustles and hi-jinks.


Stories by: Marcia Muller, Lori Armstrong, Libby Cudmore, John M. Floyd, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Verena Rose, John Shepphird, Marcia Talley, and Bill Pronzini

SMFS Member Publishing News: Twenty Centuries by James D.F. Hannah

SMFS list member James D.F. Hannah reported that his short story, Twenty Centuries, appears in the anthology, Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hanukkah Noir. Recently published by Soho Crime, the book is available from the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors.

 

Amazon Description:

The perfect holiday gift for the crime fiction lover in your life!

Curated by New York Times bestselling author Tod Goldberg, this collection of eleven delightful and twisted Hanukkah capers will entertain you through all eight nights of the Festival of Lights.

In Stefanie Leder’s “Not a Dinner Party Person,” an unstable pharmaceutical rep tries not to kill anyone at her family dinner on the last night of Hanukkah; in Ivy Pochoda’s “Johnny Christmas,” a taciturn Gulf War vet commissions a tattoo from a man he knew from his prison days, a man not named Christmas but Goldfarb; in David L. Ulin’s “Shamash,” it’s the last night of Hanukkah, and a live-at-home adult son considers doing something drastic to get out of his elderly father’s Upper West Side apartment; in James D.F. Hannah’s “Twenty Centuries,” a pair of detectives solve a curiously unprompted murder during the holiday season.

This captivating collection contains old-school slapstick comedy, hardboiled noir, gritty procedurals, and poignant reminders of the meaning of Hanukkah, offering something for almost every reader willing to take the journey through these twisted tales.

With stories by: Ivy Pochoda, David L. Ulin, James D.F. Hannah, Lee Goldberg, Nikki Dolson, J.R. Angelella, Liska Jacobs, Gabino Iglesias, Stefanie Leder, and Jim Ruland, plus a foreword and story by Tod Goldberg.

SMFS Members Published in Sex & Violins: An Erotic Crime Anthology

Today is publication day for Sex & Violins: An Erotic Crime Anthology. Edited by Sandra Murphy, the book is published by White City Press, an imprint of Misti Media. The read is available at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors. The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:

 

 

Chandler Christie with “The Tail.”

 

Linda Kay Hardie with “The Cello of Monkey Pawn Shop.”

 

Wendy Harrison with “Last Ride of the Valkyries.”

 

Shari Held with “Concerto for Harp and Homicide.”

 

Karen Keeley with “Through a Looking Glass Darkly.”

 

Steve Liskow with “Reed Between the Lines.”

 

Editor Sandra Murphy with “Rescue Me.”

 

Anna V. Nelson with “Piano Tuning.”

 

Joseph S. Walker with “Ruby Wants to Watch.”

 

Publisher Description:

PLEASE NOTE: This anthology contains scenes with graphic depictions of sexual acts between consenting and wildly enthusiastic adults. We advise readers to read a maximum of two stories at a time to reduce the risk of overheating.

Sex can be the greatest pleasure or the deepest disappointment. It’s an expression of love, a few moments of fun, the way to scratch an itch, a lifetime commitment and all with two (or more) bodies tangled in the dark. The human form comes together in perfect harmony, like musical instruments coming together to create the ultimate composition or concert..

Twelve authors have penned tales of sex, crime, revenge, ego, espionage, and unexplainable events, each involving a musical instrument commonly found in an orchestra.

Couples, threesomes, group sex, same-sex, multiple partners, a bit of bondage, and one mermaid—no matter who they are or what configuration they choose to satisfy their lust, all participants soon learn it’s not just about sex.

Of course, with just one wrong note…it’s murder.

Sex & Violins features stories of crime and intimacy by Jack Bates, Laura Hazan, Anna V. Nelson, Chandler Christie, Albert Tucher, Shari Held, Karen Keeley, Joseph S. Walker, Linda K. Hardie, Steve Liskow, Wendy Harrison and Sandra Murphy.

 

SMFS Member Publishing News: A Necessary, Dangerous Thing by Gabriela Stiteler

 

SMFS list member Gabriela Stiteler reported that her short story, A Necessary, Dangerous Thing, appears in the anthology, Shotgun Honey Presents: At The Edge of Darkness. Today is publication day for this sixth anthology from Shotgun Honey Books. The book is available from the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors. 

 

Amazon Description:

Shotgun Honey Presents volume 6 brings together a spooky group of authors for this special Halloween crime/horror anthology. Including contributions by Libby Cudmore, Andy Davidson, KC Grifant, Elizabeth Guilt, Mackenzie Hurlbert, Caden Kalfin, James Kinslingbury, Nick Kolakowski, Ethan K. Lee, Andrew Majors, Luciano Marano, Joey R. Poole, William Steffen, Casey Stegman, Gabriela Stiteler, Thomas Trang, Wendy N. Wagner, Benjamin B. White, Gordon B. White, Grant Wamack, and Paul Tremblay.

Guest editor is best selling author Keith Rosson (Fever House, The Devil By Name). All profits from this edition will go to a local Portland, OR charity to benefit foster children.

SMFS Members Published in Yeet me in St Louis: Crime Fiction from Under the Arch

 

SMFS list members are published in the recently released book, Yeet me in St Louis: Crime Fiction from Under the Arch. Published by White City Press, the read is available at the publisher and Amazon. The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:

 

Glen Bush with“Waverly, My Love.”

 

Vicki Erwin with “Magpie Baby.”

 

Stormy White with “Tell No Lies.”

 

Publisher Description:

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri is a 630-foot monument to Western expansion in the United States. It overlooks a city known for its barbecue, blues music and art. It’s a modern marvel to behold.

At night, the Arch holds sway over the darker side of the city. Nightclubs, dimly lit bars and people leading secret lives takes place in its shadows. Sometimes, the criminal element comes out to play. If you’re not careful, you might just find yourself getting yeeted into the afterlife.

St. Louis author and editor Sandra Murphy brings together a talented group of Missouri-based crime fiction writers to pay homage to St. Louis and its home state. This anthology is both a love letter to a city and state like no other as well as a warning to any who might try to get away with something nefarious within its borders.

Yeet Me In St. Louis features all-new original works of short crime fiction from Eileen Dreyer, G.R. Miller, Daniel Sohn, C.A. Fehmel, Stormy White, Sarahlynn Lester, Catina Williams, Vicki Erwin, Glen Bush, Fedora Amis, JD Frain and Larry Lovan.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Moist by donalee Moulton

SMFS list member donalee Moulton reported that her short story, Moist, appears in the just released anthology, Beautiful Darkness: A Dragon Soul Press Anthology. Published by Dragon Soul Press, the book is available at Amazon.

 

Amazon Description:

Ghosts, demons, and more monsters.

In a world where so many dark things go bump in the night, terror awaits around every corner as these authors take horror stories to the next level. Discover ghosts, demons, and your worst nightmares. Read at your own risk.

Featuring 22 stories by the following 20 authors: Natalya Monyok, Trisha Slay, Michael Raff, John S. Aissis, Katie Jordan, Toni Mobley, Justin Rulton, Barend Nieuwstraten III, J.E. Cearlock, Gregory Scott Matics, Elizabeth Stanley, Melody Alice, E.B. Hunter, Warren Benedetto, Karin Becht, Kelly Piner, Charles Kyffhausen, John W. Salvage, Ellie A. Goss, and J.E. Feldman.

SMFS Members Published in Crime Wave: A Dragon Soul Press Anthology

Today is publication day for Crime Wave: A Dragon Soul Press Anthology. Published by Dragon Soul Press, the read is available at Amazon. The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:

 

Margaret Dwyer with “Dry Erase.”

 

Albert N. Katz with “Death of a Cop.”

 

donalee Moulton with “Swan Song.”

 

S. B. Watson with “Godbrillan's Pit.”

 

Amazon Description:

Criminals will be criminals.

Blood soaks the streets. These murderers must be caught before they find their next victim. Deadly skin-walkers, determined vigilantes, dastardly vampires, and many more will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Featuring twenty-four stories by Daryl Marcus, Stephen A. Roddewig, S.J. Walker, Terry Grimwood, Lee Clark Zumpe, Barend Nieuwstraten III, Virgo Kevonté, Tim Newton Anderson, Margaret Dwyer, Templeton Moss, Josh VanZile, Jasiah Witkofsky, Albert N. Katz, Lana Nizhehorodova, Robert Wenson, Kelly Piner, Donalee Moulton, Anne Louise Bannon, Robb White, S.B. Watson, J.L. Royce, Douglas Allen Gohl, Victor Nandi, and J.E. Feldman.

SMFS Members Published in Devil's Snare: Best New England Crime Stories 2024

Several SMFS list members are published in the recently released book, Devil’s Snare: Best New England Crime Stories 2024. Published in early October by Hale Street Press, the read is available at Amazon. The SMFS list members that reported being in the anthology are:

 

Christine Eskilson with “Peregrine Point.”

 

Nikki Knight with “Public Affairs Homicide.”

 

Paula Messina with “Fish Eyes.”

 

Eugenia Parrish with “A Christmas Cat in the Woods.”

 

Stephen D. Rogers with "The Princess and the Corpse.”

 

Gabriela Stiteler with “The Business of Others.”

 

Amazon Description:

Devil's Snare brings together 24 crime stories featuring the innocent to the professional hitman in circumstances that highlight shrewd, the clever, the professional, the accidental, the reluctant sleuth and more. Authors are Christine Bagley, Nancy Brewka-Clark, Bruce Robert Coffin, Hans Copek, Michael Ditchfield, Christine Eskilson, Kate Flora, Connie Johnson Hambley, Sean C. Harding, Kathryn Marple Kalb (Nikki Knight), Chris Knopf, Alison McMahon, Paula Messina, Susan Oleksiw, Eugenia Parrish, Ang Pompano, Stephen D. Rogers, Clea Simon, Sarah Smith, Shelagh Smith, Gabriela Stiteler, Mo Walsh, and Leslie Wheeler.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Dog Days by Veronica Leigh

SMFS list member Veronica Leigh reports that her short story, Dog Days, appears in the just released anthology, Impulse. Published by Inkd Publishing LLC, the “explicit romance anthology” is available at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Amazon Description:

Short stories sure to pleasure. An explicit romance anthology; we're searching for spicy romance. This will be a diverse and inclusive anthology with high heat levels accepted throughout. Edited by Brenda Cothern and Heather Norris

Stories by

Shahera Lyle

Monica Goertzen Hertlein

Faye Ferguson

Diana Parrilla

Vivian Divine

Pip Pinkerton

Rosemary Williams

Paul Stevens

Veronica Leigh

Xidaer Lee

Dei Walker

Stephanie Levy

Paul Lonardo

Jay T. Levy

Steve Burford