SMFS Member Publishing News: Bone Deep by Shannon Taft

SMFS member Shannon Taft’s short story, Bone Deep, has been published in the ParABnormal Magazine: September 2023 issue. It is available in print at the publisher website.

 

Publisher Description:

 

PARABNORMAL MAGAZINE September 2023

Stories

Bone Deep by Shannon Taft

Hello, It’s Patrick by Joseph Charles Walter

On a Quiet Street, In a Friendly Neighborhood by Jean Jentilet

Protective Shadow by DJ Tyrer

The Ghost on Coffin Street by Roxanne Dent

The Inner Eye Opening by Daniel R. Robichaud

 

Poems

From the Rim of the Quarry by John Grey

Me and My Ghost by Fariel Shafee

Winter Traveller by Sarah Cannavo

Hot Dog and Ectoplasm by Alicia Hilton

Alone by Alexis Child

House by Lynn White

 

Articles

Ghost Stories by Eric Esquivel and Ryan Cody 

Severed Heads and Omens of Death: The Horror Origins of Halloween by Gary Davis

Psychedelics and the Paranormal by R. D. Hayes

SMFS Member Publishing News: Like a Good Neighbor by Brandon Barrows

SMFS list member Brandon Barrows’ short story, Like a Good Neighbor, appears in the recently released Epic Echoes Magazine, Volume 1, Issue 1. This inaugural edition is available at the publisher website as a free PDF.

 

Publisher Description:

Epic Echoes is a digital magazine that reverberates with the pulse-pounding spirit of vintage pulp fiction while resonating with the modern sensibilities of today's diverse readers. Our publication offers a vibrant symphony of genre-oriented tales, each one a short, sweet echo of the epic narratives that have thrilled readers for generations! From the ghost towns of the Old West to the farthest reaches of space, from the mean streets of crime-ridden cities to the shadowy corners of the supernatural realm, Epic Echoes delivers captivating stories that intrigue and entertain readers while showcasing up-and-coming literary talents!

SMFS Members Published in Black Cat Weekly #105

 

SMFS list members are published in Black Cat Weekly #105. Published by Wildside Press, the issue is available here in digital format. The members and their stories are:

 

Steve Liskow with “This Year’s Model.”

 

Stephen D. Rogers with “Stagnant.”

 

Our 105th issue features a pair of original mystery stories, one by Steve Liskow (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and one by the late Henry T. Parry (revised and completed by me). Parry published more than two dozen mystery stories from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, and his daughter was kind enough to pass on his unfinished and unpublished work, which will be appearing in BCW in future issues. We also have a mystery tale by Stephen D. Rogers (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and a suspense novel, The Horror Expert—a foray into crime noir by noted fantasist Frank Belknap Long. I suspect there are more than a few autobiographical elements! And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from the mighty pen (or word processor) of Hal Charles. 

On the science fiction side of things, we have a classic novel by British writer J.J. Connington, best known for his mysteries. (I thought it made a nice counterpoint to Long’s crime novel.) It chronicles one man’s attempt to stop a plague from destroying humanity. Plus fantasies by Adrian Cole and Joseph Payne Brennan, and SF shorts by Robert Silverberg and Lin Carter. Quite a fun issue.

 

Here’s the complete lineup:

 

Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure:

“This Year’s Model,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story]

“Jellybean Justice,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery]

“Stagnant,” by Stephen D. Rogers [Barb Goffman Presents short story]

“Best-Laid Plans,” by Henry T. Parry and John Gregory Betancourt

The Horror Expert, by Frank Belknap Long [short story] 

 

Science Fiction & Fantasy:

“Broken Billy,” by Adrian Cole

“Age of Anxiety,” by Robert Silverberg [short story]

“The Man Who Feared Masks,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story]

“Owlstone,” by Lin Carter [short story]

Nordenholt’s Million, by J. J. Connington [novel]

SMFS Members Published in Mystery Magazine: September 2023

 

SMFS list members are published in the Mystery Magazine: September 2023 issue. The read is available in digital format from Amazon. The SMFS list members that reported their presence in the issue are:

 

Kevin Egan with “Junior Hits the Big One.”

 

Christine Eskilson with “Confessions of a NIMBY.”

 

Larry Keeton with “Some Treats Are Nasty Tricks.”

 

Nikki Knight with "The Telltale Request."

 

Martin Hill Ortiz with “The Murder of the Very Dead Victim.” 

 

Recent Story Previews:

 

“Junior Hits The Big One” by Kevin Egan

Retired layabout Junior Calandrillo is convinced he has hit the lottery. Buster Muller, the town's former police chief, is convinced Junior is the target of a scam.

 

“You're A Daisy If You Do” by Ken Brosky

A teen boy and a stranger suspect his step-father of a series of murders. It will require the boy's nerdy obsession with Westerns to uncover the truth ...

 

“The Murder Of The Very Dead Victim” by Martin Hill Ortiz

Jules Pfennig, erstwhile detective and next door neighbor to Sherlock Holmes, is drawn into a plot to murder an already dead woman.

 

“Confessions Of A NIMBY” by Christine Eskilson

A misanthrope tries to protect his property from a rapacious developer.

 

“Some Treats Are Nasty Tricks” by Larry M. Keeton

A failed comedian needs money for his family. He goes out on Halloween to do his own trick or treating. Scores big only to find out he's been tricked.

 

“The Telltale Request” by Nikki Knight

Vermont DJ Jaye Jordan takes a page from Edgar Allen Poe and flushes out a murderer with a song when her priest friend is put in an ethical bind.

 

“Beak House” by Stephen Ross

Two bitter brothers squabble over their family's past and the long ago disappearance of a housemaid.

 

“Inspector Willoughby And The Sneak Thief” by Jeff Reynolds

A cozy mystery version of an old fairy tale told from a new perspective.

 

“The Codicil” by Preston Lang

Amanda is very close to her anarchic grandmother, Bev. When Bev realizes she has only a few months to live, Amanda suggests a shocking prank they can play on the rest of the family. But what lengths will Amanda go to make the joke work?

SMFS Members Published in Guilty Crime Story Magazine: Issue 009 - Summer / Fall 2023

 

SMFS list members are published in the Guilty Crime Story Magazine: Issue 009 - Summer / Fall 2023. Published by Full Speed Publishing, the read is available in digital and print formats at Amazon. The SMFS list members in it are:

 

Editor Brandon Barrows with "Scratch Pace."

 

Nils Gilbertson with "Clairy-V."

 

M.E. Proctor with "A Ring for Rosie."

 

Amazon Description:

Guilty is a magazine of crime stories, of criminals, their motivations and their beginnings and ends.

 

In issue nine:

"Clairy-V" by Nils Gilbertson - Clairvoyance isn't supernatural, it's all about making the right choices.

"Her Big Win" by Luke Foster - Dart sees their chance to score, but Alli sees an opportunity of her own.

"Scratch Pace" by Brandon Barrows - The horse must lose the race for Tom to win the girl.

"A Ring for Rosie" by M.E. Proctor - Poor but honest doesn't cut it for Rosie anymore.

"Bassoon Trouble" by Susan Kuchinskas - Daddy always called Lucy "his little f*cker" for a reason.

"One Lucky Punch" by Robb T. White - An instant of luck, a whole lot of trouble.

"The Number of the Beast" by Michael Zimecki - A holy man can raise holy Hell if he chooses.

All brand-new material by top writers!

SMFS Member Publishing News: Heart of Wisdom by Jacqueline Seewald

Today is publication day for Heart of Wisdom by Jacqueline Seewald. Published by Level Best Books, the read is available in digital format from Amazon.

 

Amazon Description:

Part I of HEART OF WISDOM is an historical family saga featuring the immigrant Demsky family during the years 1920 through 1946 as they face the challenges of surviving life, love and loss in Newark, New Jersey.

Part II is mainly Sora’s story, youngest daughter of the family, and develops as a mystery in which her husband is accused of murder. Sora, with the help of a local lawyer, is determined to prove Eli innocent. Members of her family lend support.

SMFS Member Publishing News: Well Beyond Sorry by Tom Andes

SMFS list member Tom Andes’ short story, Well Beyond Sorry, is the selection this month at Stone’s Throw: A Rock And A Hard Place Publication. Each month a new tale is selected to appear on the first and is free to read online. You can read Tom Andes short story here.