SMFS Member Publishing News: The Home Front by John M. Floyd

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 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:

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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 Black Cat Weekly #169

 

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 Member Publishing News: Good Shoes by Twist Phelan

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 Published in Pulphouse Fiction Magazine: Issue 35

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 Member Publishing News: Norwegian Wood by K.L. Abrahamson

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.