Author Archives: somethingisgoingtohappen

MYSTERY’S BUSIEST WEEK

Last week the Mystery Writers of America held its annual Edgar Allan Poe Awards banquet in Manhattan. Each year, writers come from all across the country to attend this formal dinner and the many parties, signings, and panel discussions that … Continue reading

Posted in Awards, Business, Conventions, Writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“You Do WHAT With Your Short Stories?” (by Brendan DuBois)

EQMM has published many prolific short-story writers over the years, most notably Edward D. Hoch, who, in the course of his lifetime, sold more than 900 short stories. A tenth of that number would be a lot by just about … Continue reading

Posted in Ellery Queen, Fiction, Guest, Writers | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“On Location in Paradise” (by Hayford Peirce)

EQMM’s August issue, which mails to print subscribers a few weeks from now, contains a story set in French Polynesia—often said to be the most beautiful region in the world. Entitled “The Lethal Leeteg,” the story forms part of a … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Fiction, Guest, Historicals, History, Police Procedurals, Setting, Writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE SCIENCE OF CRIME?

I spent the week before last doing jury service on a medical malpractice case. After decades immersed in fictional recreations of trials and courtrooms (what mystery editor hasn’t encountered barrelsful of successors to Perry Mason), it was enlightening to see … Continue reading

Posted in Courtroom Mysteries, Editing, Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“A Post to Burn on the IRS Fire to Warm Mystery Writers and Those Who Plan to Be” (by Jim Weikart)

With the U.S. tax filing deadline just days away, what could be more opportune than some advice to writers from former tax accountant turned full-time mystery writer Jim Weikart? In the early 1990s, it was my privilege to acquire and … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Guest, Writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“For Love of Gothic: When Home is the Most Mysterious Place of All” (by Laura Benedict)

Laura Benedict’s first fiction publication was in EQMM in May of 2001. Since then, she has become a successful novelist with two dark suspense novels (Isabella Moon and Calling Mr. Lonely Hearts) to her credit, and, most recently, a modern … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Characters, Fiction, Gothic, Guest, Historicals, Setting, Supernatural, Thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“History Mystery” (by Amy Myers)

Ellery Queen thought the historical mystery the hardest of all to write. But he must have been drawn to the form, because he produced some of our genre’s most memorable stories involving history, such as “The President’s Half Disme,” and … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Fiction, Guest, Historicals, History, Setting, Writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Truth or Point of View?” (by V.S. Kemanis)

I read a lot of unsolicited manuscripts and it sometimes seems to me as if everyone who ever earned a law degree at some point tries to write a mystery. The reasons are obvious: The law is meant to serve … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Courtroom Mysteries, Fiction, Guest, Setting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Tips and Other Compensations” (by Terence Faherty)

Terence Faherty’s fiction has earned a number of honors, including multiple Shamus Awards from the Private Eye Writers of America. He writes both contemporary and historical mysteries for EQMM, mostly in two series, those featuring Owen Keane and Scott Elliott. … Continue reading

Posted in Characters, Fiction, Guest, Writers | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

ON FANS

Since my last post, the nominees for this year’s Agatha Awards have been announced and EQMM wishes to congratulate all of the nominees in the short story category, but especially regular EQMM contributors Dana Cameron and Art Taylor. Dana earned … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Characters, Conventions, Fiction, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment