The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: A Cornucopia of Great Reads from the Short Mystery Fiction Society

The Short Mystery Fiction Society Blog: A Cornucopia of Great Reads from the Short Mystery...: The past few weeks have seen a virtual explosion of great new publications from the talented writers of the Short Mystery Fiction Society! L...

Thursday Treats 11/05/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 

Black Cat Weekly #270 is out. This final issue includes short stories by SMFS list members Michael Bracken (Zombie Girl’s Temporary Agency and Spare Parts Emporium), Barb Goffman (Just One Twist) and Paula Messina (The Closer). The cover story is by SMFS list member  Robert Jeschonek (The Biggest Grudge of All). You can pick up the final issue here.

 

Personal note: I am very sad to see this end. John Bentacourt was great to work with and I wish I had submitted more to him. My short story, A Plan Comes Together, appeared in BCW #254. You can pick up the issue here.

 

Speaking of stuff I have been involved with, Santa Rage II: Another Killer Claus Compendium, is on the way and available for preorder. I announced the TOC Sunday, but thought I would mention it here as well. In alphabetical order,  John T. Aquino (The Bad Side of Santa Claus), Madison Blackwell (The Contract), Ron Clyburn (Jingle Bell Justice), Michael Ferreter (Get What You Need), John M. Floyd (Up On The Roof), Tom Haftmann (Christmas Week at the North Pole), Geoff Holder (All l Want For Christmas Is An Ass Tattoo), April Kelly (The Devil's In The Details), Beverle Graves Myers (Slay Ride), Pat Remick (The Throuple Claus(e)), Kevin R. Tipple (Second Contact),  and Christine Verstraete with “Nick's Secrets.”

 

SMFS list member Pam Ebel announced that her short story, The Thrill is Gone!, was published online at Kings River Life Magazine. A Halloween related tale, you can read it for free here. While there, you can also read fellow SMFS list member Debra Bliss Saenger’s short story, Knocking on a Heathen’s Door, here.

 

Speaking of KRL, the most recent Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast was Halloween themed and featured SMFS list member  Leslie Budewitz. The mystery short story, Pepper Reece and the Ghost of Arthur Goodwin, runs a little over 12 minutes. You can listen, for free, here.

 

SMFS list member Abe Margel announced that his short story, Weather Report, was published online at Mystery Tribune. You can read it, for free, here.

 

Another free online read is Umbrea Magazine. SMFS list member John M. Floyd announced that his short story, Rainbow's End, had been published here. Fellow SMFS list member Martin Hill Ortiz also announced his short story, Eyetooth, had been published and was free to read here.

 

SMFS list member H.K. Slade announced that his short story, Dodging a Train, had been published by Close to the Bone Magazine. You can read the tale, for free, here. You can also read some background on the story at the author’s website.

 

SMFS list member James Patrick Focarile announced that his short story, Some Other Time, appeared at the substack, Rat Bag. You can read the 300 word story, for free, here.

 

SMFS list member Veronica Leigh announced that her novel, Eye For An Eye: A Lady Sheriff Mystery, had been published. The first of a planned trilogy, the read was released by Level Books-Historia, and is available at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Author J. R. Lindermuth announced on Facebook that his novel, A Favored Child: A Sheriff Syl Tilghman Book, was now out. This is the fifth read in the Sheriff Syl Tilghman series and is published by Sunbury Press. You can pick it up at Amazon , where it is also part of the Kinlde+ program or direct from the publisher.

 

A reminder that Mystery Fanfare: Mystery Readers Journal: Cross-Genre Mysteries is now available for purchase. SMFS list members Kaye George (My Ghost Mystery) and donalee Moulton (Trials and Tribulations of Researching Life -- and Death -- in 1734) publicly announced on the list their presence in the read. Lots of other familiar names contributed pieces to the read. Learn more at the website.

 

Also, Crimeucopia - Objection! Overruled!! is now out from Murderous Ink Press. The anthology includes short stories by Wil A. Emerson (Three Strikes—You’re Out) and John M. Floyd (Nothing but the Truth). The read is available at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Author Maryann Miller announced on Twitter that her new book, Second Chances And Other Stories, is now available for preorder. Published by MCM Enterprises, the read is about characters experiencing life in many different ways. Scheduled to be published on November 24rth, when it will also be available on Kindle+, the read can be purchased now on Amazon.

 

 

Until  next time…

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Publishing News: Table of Contents for Santa Rage II: Another Killer Claus Compendium

It seemed a good idea to announce the authors and their titles for the upcoming anthology, Santa Rage II: Another Killer Claus Compendium. In alphabetical order they are:

 

John T. Aquino with “The Bad Side of Santa Claus.” 

 

Madison Blackwell with “The Contract.”

 

Ron Clyburn with “Jingle Bell Justice.”

 

Michael Ferreter with “Get What You Need.” 

 

John M. Floyd with “Up On The Roof.”

 

Tom Haftmann with “Christmas Week at the North Pole.” 

 

Geoff Holder with “All I Want For Christmas Is An Ass Tattoo.”

 

April Kelly with “The Devil's In The Details.”

 

Beverle Graves Myers with “Slay Ride.”

 

Pat Remick with “The Throuple Claus(e).”

 

Kevin R. Tipple with “Second Contact.”

 

Christine Verstraete with “Nick's Secrets.”

 

The read is up now at the Misti Media Bookstore  for pre order with a planned release date of later this month. It will be up soon at other vendors, at a higher cost, so the publisher bookstore is the way to go is the way to go. I hope you will check it out. Makes for a great stocking stuffer IF the recipient is okay with violence strong language, twisted humor, etc.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Thursday Treats: 10/29/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 

Black Cat Weekly #269 is out and the focus is primarily on Halloween through short stories and more. SMFS list member Debra H. Goldstein’s short story, “Dating, Dining, and Dying” is the featured tale. You can pick up the penultimate issue at the website.

 

SMFS list member Gary Phillips announced that he was one of a several authors who were asked to “… adapt a horror short story by Joe R. Lansdale for the comics medium in this tradepaper collection from Vibrant Graphic Arts. My effort is called “Chompers.” You can pick up Joe R. Lansdale’s Tales of the Razor here.

 

Out now is BAM! Stories With A Punch Magazine -Autumn 2026. Edited by Jeffrey R. DeRego, the read contains short stories by several authors. You can pick it up in print or digital formats at LuLu.

 

Janet Rudolph announced earlier this week that Mystery Readers Journal: Cross-Genre Mysteries is now available for purchase. SMFS list members Kaye George (My Ghost Mystery) and donalee Moulton (Trials and Tribulations of Researching Life -- and Death -- in 1734) publicly announced on the list their presence in the read. Lots of other familiar names contributed pieces to the read. Learn more at the website.

 

Released at Bouchercon, the new anthology, The Lines We Cross: Stories of Crime and Mystery is now available for purchase. SMFS list member John M. Floyd’s short story, Garden Path, is included. When he publicly announced his success on the list, he shared the fact that this is his seventh appearance in a Bouchercon anthology. Published by Level Best Books, the read of 23 stories which includes other SMFS list members who did not announce their success on the list as well as other authors is available at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

Out tomorrow is the new anthology, The Power of 13.  Authored by members of The Mesdames of Mayhem, a Canadian mystery writing collective, and published by Carrick Publishing, the read of 21 stories celebrates their 13th anniversary. The SMFS list members that have announced their presence in the read via the SMFS list are: J.E. (Jayne) Barnard (13 the Hard Way), M. H. Callway (Amdur's Mouse), Melodie Campbell (An Unlucky Stiff), Therese Greenwood (A Hard Ticket), Madona Skaff (Lennie and the 13), Hope Thompson (The Anniversary), Sylvia Maultash Warsh (Catalina and Mr.  the King of the Fishes), and Melissa "Yi" Yuan-Innes (Flamingo Flamenco). It is available for preorder at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Coming on November 3^rd from Murderous Ink Press is the anthology, Crimeucopia - Objection! Overruled!! SMFS list members in the read are John M. Floyd (Nothing but the Truth), and Wil A. Emerson (Three Strikes—You’re Out). The read is available for preorder at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Now out, A Fatal Affair: The Murder of Helen Grier by Amanda Capper and Judy Penz Sheluk, was released by Superior Shores Press. This is a true crime read on the case of the death of Helen Grier. Was it murder or something else? You can get it in eBook and print formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

Author Maryann Miller announced on Twitter that her new book, Second Chances And Other Stories, is now available for preorder. Published by MCM Enterprises, the read is about characters experiencing life in many different ways. Scheduled to be published on November 24rth, when it will also be available on KindleUnlimited, the read can be purchased now on Amazon.  

One more thing, Santa Rage II is coming soon. I have seen the cover and it is so very cool. Once the preorder deal is up and can be shared, I will have a lot more to say. I am very appreciative of Jay Hartman for all he has done to make this project happen. I am also very appreciative of the authors who entrusted me with their tales. 

 

 

Until  next time… 

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

And a final plea to vote. I am not telling you whom to vote for. Though, if you follow me on social media, you have a very good idea how I feel about things. I am asking you to vote and not sit out this election.  Voting matters. It is the only way to try and bring about a better world. Not only for ourselves, but for our kids and grandkids. 

In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books - Bouchercon Revisited Edition

In Reference to Murder: Friday's "Forgotten" Books - Bouchercon Revisited ...: In honor of the current Bouchercon mystery conference, instead of choosing just one "forgotten" book as usual this week, I thought...

Thursday Treats: 10/22/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 
Black Cat Weekly #268 is out and again features short stories and more. Halloween is the theme, but the issue is as wide ranging as ever. John Bentacourt reminds everyone that there are only two more issues before it goes to Level Best Books and becomes a monthly. To learn more, read the note at the end of the issue from the new publisher. SMFS list members by Leslie Budewitz (This Little Piggy) has the cover and Shari Held (Cordelia’s Quest) and by A.L. Sirois (Drowning in Monstrosity) also reported being in the issue. You can pick up the issue at the website.

 

Personal Note: My understanding is that when it becomes Black Cat Mysteries next month and relaunches as a monthly release, a subscription will be $60 bucks a year. As folks are well aware, as I have made no secret of it, things are very bad here so I will not be a subscriber. I hope the new venture works, but this reader has been priced out. And that should not be taken as a criticism of what they are doing. If anything, it is yet another indictment of my failure in life.

 

Author Maryann Miller announced on Twitter that her new book, Second Chances And Other Stories, is now available for preorder. Published by MCM Enterprises, the read is about characters experiencing life in many different ways. Scheduled to be published on November 24rth, when it will also be available on KindleUnlimited, the read can be purchased now on Amazon.

 

 

Released last week is the new anthology, Songs to Woody. Published by Cowboy Jamboree Press, the read includes short stories by SMFS list members Zakariah Johnson (Oklahoma Hills) and Stephen M. Pierce (This Machine Kills Itself). You can pick it up at Amazon.

 

Out at the end of the month is the new anthology, The Power of 13.  Authored by members of The Mesdames of Mayhem, a Canadian mystery writing collective, and published by Carrick Publishing, the read of 21 stories celebrates their 13th anniversary. The SMFS list members that have announced their presence in the read via the SMFS list are: J.E. (Jayne) Barnard (13 the Hard Way), M. H. Callway (Amdur's Mouse), Melodie Campbell (An Unlucky Stiff), Therese Greenwood (A Hard Ticket), Madona Skaff (Lennie and the 13), Hope Thompson (The Anniversary), Sylvia Maultash Warsh (Catalina andMr.  the King of the Fishes), and Melissa "Yi" Yuan-Innes (Flamingo Flamenco), Sylvia Maultash Warsh (Catalina and the King of the Fishes). It is available for preorder at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

Speaking of SMFS, The Short Mystery Fiction Society, I remind you of other reads by our members as recently compiled and posted by SMFS President Joseph S. Walker. In his October 7^th post titled, A Plethora of Pulse-Pounding Pages as the Short Mystery Fiction Society Enters a New Age!, Mr. Walker details numerous reads and includes the launch of the first issue of the new SMFS Mystery Magazine. All the details are in his post on the SMFS blog.

 

 

Coming in November from Murderous Ink Press is the anthology, Crimeucopia - Objection! Overruled!! SMFS list members in the read are John M. Floyd (Nothing but the Truth), and Wil A. Emerson (Three Strikes—You’re Out). The read is available for preorder at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

The Sisters in Crime Colorado Chapter has announced that their latest anthology, Colorado Mystery Merge: Crime Fiction Collection 2, is coming out tomnorrow. SMFS list members Chris Dreith (The Clueologists Club), and Lisa Harkrader (The Mall Walkers), reported being in the read. The 26 tales are not only complete individual mysteries; they also provide the clues to solve the overarching mystery of the book. Sounds pretty cool to this reader. Learn more at their website. You can also preorder the digital format at Amazon.

 

 

A reminder that Tollund Man: Stories by SMFS list member Jeff Esterholm is now out. Published by Cornerstone Press, you can get it at Amazon.

 

Finally, at the end of the month, A Fatal Affair: The Murder of Helen Grier by Amanda Capper and Judy Penz Sheluk will be released by Superior Shores Press. This is a true crime read on the case of the death of Helen Grier. Was it murder or something else? You can get it in eBook and print formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

Until  next time….

  

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Picture taken earlier this week. Vote. It matters. 

Thursday Treats: 10/15/2026

Some reading opportunities of interest this week.

 

Black Cat Weekly #267 is out and again features short stories and more. This issue is dedicated to Halloween and spooky season. You can pick up the issue at the website.

 

Back in September 2023, on the SMFS blog, as SMFS President at the time, I announced the publication day news of the release of Prohibition Peepers: Private Eyes During the Noble Experiment. Editor and fellow SMFS list member Michael Bracken announced on social media that the anthology is back in print with a new publisher. Crimson Gate Books is releasing it on October 19^th and you can pick it up on Amazon now. The SMFS list members that previously annpunced their presence in the book are: Michael Bracken (Cigarette Girl), David Dean (Three Irishmen), Jim Doherty (The Private Untouchable), John M. Floyd (River Road), Nils Gilbertson (Lovely and Useless Things), Richard Helms (West of the Ashley), Hugh Lessig (Cloths of Heaven), Steve Liskow (Peace of Mind Guaranteed), Adam Meyer (The Dance), Joseph S. Walker (Getting Away Clean), and Stacy Woodson (Moonshine Turn).

 

A reminder that SMFS list member Elizabeth Zelvin recently announced that her latest short story collection, Rifts & Reprisals: Collected Stories II, is available in digital form at Amazon. The fifteen tales were previously published between 2017 and 2025 in EQMM, AHMM, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and online at Yellow Mama. This book joins her previously published short story collection, Breaches & Betrayals: Collected Stories, released in 2016 and also available on Kindle Unlimited. You can learn more at her website.

 

A reminder that SMFS list member M. E. Proctor’s new mystery,  The Way You Say My Name: A Declan Shaw Mystery, is now out. will be coming out next week from Shotgun Honey Books. You can pick it up at Amazon and other vendors. This is the 3rd read in the Declan Shaw Mystery series.

SMFS list member John A. Tures announced on the SMFS list that he had a short story podcast up on the Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast. His short story, Kill Your Darlings, is free to listen to at the website.

 

The new issue of the online publication Yellow Mama is now out. Yellow Mama #118 includes short stories by SMFS list members Sandra J. Cady (New Orleans Bound), Pamela Ebel (The Tenth Muse), and Joseph S. Walker (Things That Didn't Happen at a Place That Doesn't Exist). You can read the issue online, and for free, here.

 

Also now out is Black Petals Horror/Science Fiction Magazine #117. Full of short stories and more, you can read the issue online, for free, here.

 

After Claire A. Murray last week announced that her short story, Ned's Bedevilment, placed as an Honorable Mention in the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable 2026 Short Story contest, fellow SMFS list member, Debra H. Goldstein, announced earlier this week that her short story, My Pinball Knight, appears in the new anthology, Illusive Worlds: Sweet, Funny, and Strange® Tales of Science Fiction and Fantasy, published by the same group. The book comes out today and is available at Amazon and other vendors.

 

The Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine: November/December 2026  is now out and includes short stories by SMFS list members. John M. Floyd (Moneyland), Kate Hohl (Advance Obituary), Michael Penncavage (Mr. Muktod Stays For Dinner) and S.B. Watson (Under Pressure) are in the issue. Additionally, SMFS list member Ed Ridgley announced that his short story, A Matter of Culture, won the May/June Mysterious Photograph Contest and is posted in the Nov/Dec issue. Per Mr. Ridgley, “This is my second time winning the contest!” You can pick up the issue at the website and at other vendors.

 

The Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine: November/December 2026  issue is also now out. “Be Still, Your Heart” by SMFS list member Josh Pachter is in the issue as is “My War 2” by Stephen M. Pierce.  You can pick it up on the website and at other vendors.

 

A reminder that the latest season of podcasts, Stuff That Can Kill You (Mysteries to Die For), is now available in eBook format at Amazon and other vendors. SMFS list member Kathleen Marple Kalb announced on social media her short story, The Current Situation, is in the read of twenty stories. You can get your copy at Amazon and other vendors.

 

The Sisters in Crime Colorado Chapter has announced that their lates anthology, Colorado Mystery Merge: Crime Fiction Collection 2, is coming out later this month. SMFS list members Chris Dreith (The Clueologists Club), and Lisa Harkrader (The Mall Walkers), reported being in the read. The 26 tales are not only complete individual mysteries; they also provide the clues to solve the overarching mystery of the book. Sounds pretty cool to this reader. Learn more at their website. You can also preorder the digital format at Amazon.

 

 

A reminder that coming next week is Tollund Man: Stories by SMFS list member Jeff Esterholm who announced this fact on social media. Published in print format by Cornerstone Press, you can order it now in advance of the October 20^th publication day on Amazon.

 

Finally, at the end of the month, A Fatal Affair: The Murder of Helen Grier by Amanda Capper and Judy Penz Sheluk will be released by Superior Shores Press. This is a true crime read on the case of the death of Helen Grier. Was it murder or something else? You can get it in eBook and print formats at Amazon and other vendors.

 

 

Until  next time….

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026