I love the urgency of flash. “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid (published in 1978) is one of my favorite stories of any length. Even before flash fiction became trendy, the call of the concise fictional moment rang loudly. Writing, reading, and teaching about flash feel natural to me, but precision can be challenging. Which telling detail will say […]
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Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
I submitted a piece of flash fiction that I believe in to several journals and a contest. Nine months ago. Unfortunately, a well-written trendy novel with a very similar title was published five months ago. I received a rejection from one national market. I haven’t heard back from two others. I retitled the story and […]
Continue readingIn Your Heart, There Are No Small Books
Think big. Like it or not, I always do. This past year, I had the good fortune to participate in panels and book signings with Houston’s witty and talented Women of Mystery. At an early December book signing at the lovely River Oaks Bookstore, we were discussing upcoming projects. I felt excited about the first […]
Continue readingThree Lessons That I've Learned From Publishing My Novella: Guest Blog by Julian Kindred
Let me begin by saying what an honor it is to be asked to write for this blog. I’ve been researching the industry and writing for several years now, and though I still consider myself fairly new, here are three lessons that I have learned, which I am keeping tight to my chest as I […]
Continue readingThe Lust for Motherhood: “Bargaining”
How far could the passion for motherhood drive a woman? That is the question that I asked myself last spring while working on a new short story. I have had my own challenges in trying to become a Mom, and I am familiar with the pang of longing. I began to wonder: if this pang […]
Continue readingSpecial Guest Blog: Short Stories Come to Life
by Kessika F. Johnson As an employee of Spider Road Press, I have had the pleasure of helping our recent collection, Eve’s Requiem, come to life. Now some of my jobs seemed small and seemingly not super book-related. I typed. I proofread. I went to Target. I ordered cupcakes. Other tasks were obviously connected to the […]
Continue readingFive Things That I Learned from my Book Launch Push
I’ve edited and published two books in the last 14 months. That’s either ambitious or kind of crazy, depending on one’s point of view. I also contributed a short story to the most recent one. A story in a new genre for me, no less (historical mystery fiction). I feel proud, humbled, grateful and damned tired. […]
Continue readingThe Colors of Suspense
Catching up With Horror/Science Fiction Writer and colorful crafter Lani Longshore…. Hi, Lani. Your work is truly original. But everyone has their influences. Which mystery, thriller, suspense or horror writer has had the most influence upon you? In brief, why? Every author I read influences me in some way, but let’s start with first ones […]
Continue readingGear Up for All Hallow's Read with Horror Writer Eden Royce
My favorite season of spooky literacy, All Hallow’s Read, approaches. It makes perfect sense to a fan of horror fiction that books and Halloween go together like chocolate and…pretty much everything. Haven’t heard of All Hallow’s Read? The movement to give the gift of a scary book (along with all those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) […]
Continue readingInterview with Mystery Writer Pamela Fagan Hutchins
Thanks for dropping by, Pamela, to chat about writing and writers. Which mystery, thriller, suspense or horror writer has had the most influence upon you? Why? Wow, this is a hard one. I think the one I admire most is Ruth Rendell, and while my writing doesn’t resemble hers, her imagination and versatility admires me […]
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