Thursday Treats

Welcome to what will be, I hope, the first of many weekly columns highlighting cool stuff to check out. Publishing news of books, short stories, interviews, and more, that I have seen and think might be of interest to you. So, you will see a lot of publishing news related items as, more than anything else, I am a reader. A reader who reads both eBooks and print.

 

I’m not a true crime kind of guy. Many of you are, and so I mention that authors Judy Penz Sheluk and Amanda Capper are writing a book on the Helen Grier murder case. Judy explains the background and their plans in her post earlier this month on The Stiletto Gang. Even though I am not a true crime guy, the post is intriguing. Her post is well worth the read.

 

Ed Ridgley’s short story “The Blue Lincoln” is up at the Guilty Crime Magazine website. A flash tale and a free read. And, if you missed it, the latest issue of the magazine, Guilty Crime Story Magazine: Issue 015 - Summer 2025 is available over on Amazon. I have my copy in the TBR pile along with several other issues. Just way behind in my reading.

 

As Lesa Holstine announced on Lesa’s Book Critiques back in November 2024, Bill Crider’s books are being republished by his daughter, Angela, and her husband, Tom. In recent days, Jan Grape wrote about her love for Bill, the Dan Rhodes series, and more in a post that includes an interview with Angela. Check out her  SluethSayers post. By the way, if you have not read the mystery series set in East Texas with the good sheriff, you should do so. Begin with Too Late To Die and read in order. I have reviews of the books here on the blog as well if you want to know more. Been a big fan for decades.

 

The new issue, Starlight Pulp Review #7, is out. Features short stories by numerous folks including SMFS list members, Robert J. Binney with “Gifts of Providence,” Ron Clyburn with “Send in the Killers,” Martin Hill Ortiz with “Not Enough Corpses,” and Jennifeer Slee with “The Apex.”

 

Mystery Writers of America put out their monthly roundup of publishing news from their members. New Books by MWA Members – January 2026 also lists short stories. This month, all the stories are found in the pages of AHMM or EQMM. SMFS list members are featured in the books as well as the short story categories.

 

Speaking of SMFS, the latest publishing news post as compiled and issued by SMFS President Joseph S. Walker came out last week. With winter weather making things dangerous outside coming for most of the nation, including my part of NE Dallas where we are being threatened with a crippling ice storm this weekend (God, no), this is a good time to stock up on reading materials.

Also, get your submissions in to the Derringers. All the details are up on the SMFS blog. Deadline is 1/30/2026.

 

Finally, as Lorie Ham of Kings River Life Magazine has shared on Facebook and elsewhere, “We've had some big unexpected expenses come up lately, so I'm running another big ad special for KRL. So if you are interested in knowing more reach out via email at kingsriverlife@gmail.com.”

Until next time...  

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026