Since it's my site, I can toot my own horn, and let me say, I feel like I'm kind of on a roll lately.

Here are a few recent acceptances, all of which I'm thrilled about.

1. "Fair is Fair" - a short story accepted for Mystery Weekly Magazine​

2. MSW also accepted my (long) short story "Sure as Apples" for the anthology of humorous crime stories they're publishing later this year, entitled Die Laughing (no cover as of yet).

​3. "Let it Go" - a short story featuring my series character Art Van Leuven was accepted by Unsettling Reads for their Autumn Noir​ anthology, coming this fall.

4. "No Matter What" - my first carny-noir, this short story was accepted by Schlock! Publishing for their upcoming Serious as a Heart Attack! An Anthology of Clown Noir​ anthology.

5. Finally, (for now!) my story "Among Stones and Stars", the first non-Azuma Kuromori weird fiction I've written in years, was accepted by Redwood Publishing for their Lost Librarian's Grave​ anthology.

Be on the lookout for all of these books and, of course, I'll have more news to share about each when they're released.

I have a new story out this week, entitled "Give Me a Reason", in the first issue of Guilty Crime Story Magazine!

There's a lot of great stories in this issue, and I say that as an aficionado of crime fiction, not just a contributor.

Contents include:


“Midnight at the Oasis” by Robb T. White 

Nate thought he and his uncle Rex were as close as brothers until one midnight at the Oasis changed everything.
•
“French Twist” by Joe Giordano

While on vacation in Paris, American Max Caspian offers police his assistance with a very unusual murder.
•
“Unprincipaled” by Stephen Sottong

Everyone wondered about the day Principal Taylor stole the truck. Nobody would have ever guessed the reason.
•  
“Give Me a Reason” by Brandon Barrows 

Something was taken from Chris Zender while serving in Afghanistan and if he can't get it back, he'll get revenge.
•
“Bridal Wreath” by Jill Hand 

Robin was lonely for a long time. Then she met Richard, then Richard brought the flowers...
•
“Cymbaline” by Alec Cizak 

When Raven and Sparrow saw an opportunity, naturally, they took it. Wouldn't you?
•
“Chasing 61” by Bruce Harris 
​
The Babe set the record of sixty homeruns. Both Roger Maris and Frankie Z. aim to break it.
 •
“The Famous Last Words of Mickey Spillane”
(Article) by Mike McHone 

So what are you waiting for? Get your copy today!

Look what I got!

Advance copies of STRANGERS' KINGDOM, my next novel, coming in August from Black Rose Writing!

If you're interested in getting your hands on a signed copy, let me know! $20 postage-paid via PayPal! Drop me a message via the contact page!

You can also pre-order from Amazon - either the Kindle edition or print!

First issue is coming this summer and I'll have a story in it, among other involvements. ;)

Check it out! STRANGERS' KINGDOM, my novel being released this summer by Black Rose Writing, is available to pre-order! If you use promo code, PREORDER2021, you'll get 15% off!

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So what are you waiting for? Pre-order STRANGERS' KINGDOM today! Use Promo Code PREORDER2021 to get 15% off!

More good news!

I'm pleased to say my crime story "Throwing Flags" was accepted by Mystery & Suspense Magazine!

You may remember last year I co-authored with Jill Hand a non-fiction article on the intersection of the western and thriller genres for M&S Magazine.

Starting this summer, the magazine will carry a single piece of fiction each issue and I was thrilled when publisher Sam Boush reached out to me asking me to pitch a story and I'm very grateful he accepted the one I chose to submit!

​"Throwing Flags" will appear in the fall issue, so look for more information later this year!

This past Friday, I got two pieces of good news:

First, my western novelette "Wild Yellow" was accepted as a reprint in Murderous Ink's upcoming anthology "Dead Man's Hand". Only five stories, of ten to fifteen thousand words each, are being accepted for this anthology so it's a great honor.

Second, my folk-horror story "Dead Horse" was accepted by Oxygen Man Books' "The Dark Heart of the Woods" anthology of folk horror. This is my first time writing horror in several years and my first attempt at folk-horror, so I'm beyond thrilled.

The announced TOC for "Dark Heart" is:

Ashley Dioses -- "The Stag"
Sunni Ellis -- "Sineater and the Devil"
John Claude Smith -- "L'albero Eterno"
Rhys Hughes -- "The Folk Horror Hotel"
Brandon Barrows -- "Dead Horse"
John Linwood Grant -- "Parliament of Faces"
Maxwell Ian Gold and Duane Pesice -- "Shedding Some Light"

No cover has been revealed yet, but below is the cover of the last folk-horror anthology OMB did. Check it out and read more here!

Nothing much to report this week and nothing in particular to talk about.

I have a ton of submissions out now; more than I've ever had at one time in my life, and more than I've had out in the last several years combined. I hope to have some good news about at least some of them soon.

In the meantime, why not revisit something older that might be new to you or something you've forgotten?

There's a ton of free-to-read stuff right here, linked to various places these stories and poems were published, as well as a bunch of free-to-read comics right here on my site.

Enjoy and do let me know what you think.

The final table of contents for Occult Detective Magazine #8 has been announced!