Short Story Publication
Thanks to the Desert Sleuths Chapter (Phoenix) of Sisters in Crime for accepting my short story, “Ariana,” for the forthcoming SOWEST: DANGER AWAITS! anthology. The collection will be available in September 2025.
The Ghost of Poe
I’m thrilled to announce that my short story, “The Ghost of Poe,” appears in Black Cat Weekly (Issue 166), published November 3, 2024. Many thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken and Wildside Press. Check it out: https://blackcatweekly.com/b/zdZAr.
ShortCon 2024
ShortCon, the first conference focused on short-story writing by crime fiction authors, was held June 22, 2024, at Elaine’s Restaurant in Alexandria, VA. Forty-plus writers, including myself, heard Brendan Dubois talk about writing short stories for “fun and occasional profit.” Jackie Sherbow addressed what happens at the editor’s desk at …
Virginia Festival of the Book 2024
The Virginia Festival of the Book, five days of literary events featuring local and national authors, wraps up tomorrow in Charlottesville, VA. The weather gods smiled today (less rain than forecasted) as we made our way to the Omni Hotel for the “Sequels and Segues: Crime Wave” panel featuring award-winning …
Thrillers, Killers, and Wine Chillers
On Thursday, March 21, 2024, I attended a Fall for the Book event, “Thrillers, Killers, and Wine Chillers,” at Old Town Hall in Fairfax, VA. Award-winning authors Tara Laskowski and E. A. (Ed) Aymar discussed their most recent novels, Weekend Retreat and When She Left, respectively. Wine and crudités, accompanied …
Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival
Attended the 10th annual Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival in Suffolk, VA yesterday. Two excellent panels: “Woman of the People: Inspiring Female Characters” (l to r: Nancy Naigle, Kristin Kisska, K. L. Murphy, Courtney G. Foutz, Christine Trent), and “Nerve Shredders: Fiction to Keep You Up at Night” (l to r: …
An Evening with Mark Greaney
On Februrary 28, Mark Greaney, author of the bestselling Gray Man series, entertained fellow authors and fans at Elaine’s Restaurant in Alexandria, VA. Jeffery James Higgins conducted a masterful interview, and there was a surprise visit by Senator Mark Warner (VA). It had been several years since we last saw …
Williamsburg Book Festival
I’m a big (huge) fan of book festivals. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the Williamsburg Book Festival in Williamsburg, VA. As usual, I came home with several books to add to my “To Be Read” pile, which is in danger of toppling. The two novels, both recently published, …
I’ve deactivated my Twitter account.
Recommended Books to Read
The three books I’m recommending today have been out for a while, so I urge you to check them out if you haven’t already done so. Win, by Harlan Coben, is a brilliant mystery/thriller by a master storyteller. When a Stranger Comes to Town, edited by Michael Koryta, is a …