Category Archives: Writing

“Love Your Characters Before You Kill Them, and Other Strategies for Fledgling Crime Writers” (by Katia Lief)

Katia Lief’s most recent story for EQMM, “The Orchid Grower” (November 2015), was a finalist for the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award for best long story.  The Brooklyn author has also been recognized for her novel-length fiction, with nominations … Continue reading

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“The Hawthornden Castle Fellowship Experience” (by William Burton McCormick)

William Burton McCormick’s fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, and elsewhere. A four-time Derringer Award finalist for the year’s best short mystery fiction, he is also a novelist whose historical … Continue reading

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“Last Minute Thoughts on Millennials, Acronyms, and Bullets” (by Carl Robinette)

Carl Robinette made his professional fiction debut with “The Hard Rise,” in the Department of First Stories of EQMM’s September/October 2014 issue.  Since then, several more of his short stories have been published in print and online and he has … Continue reading

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“Of Bradshaws and Bonafides: Building a Better Pastiche” (by Keith Hann)

Keith Hann debuted in EQMM’s Department of First Stories (in this year’s February issue) with a Sherlock Holmes pastiche that turns on some real historical events. The Canadian author is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Calgary, studying … Continue reading

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“How to Write Killer Flash Fiction” (by Tara Laskowski)

Tara Laskowski is the author of the short story collections Bystanders and Modern Manners For Your Inner Demons. She has been the editor of SmokeLong Quarterly since 2010, and her flash fiction has been featured in the Norton anthology Flash … Continue reading

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“And Not Forgetting, ‘Wow!’ ” (by Mat Coward)

Mat Coward is an extraordinarily versatile writer. He’s the author of many excellent mystery short stories and novels, and has also been widely published in the field of science fiction and fantasy. He has written children’s books, humor, even a … Continue reading

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“The Juggling Act of Writing Novels and Short Stories” (by Brendan DuBois)

Brendan DuBois’s fiction-writing career began in 1986 in EQMM’s Department of First Stories. As he mentions in this post, he’s had more than 150 short stories published since then, all while also pursuing a successful career as a novelist. Brendan’s … Continue reading

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“What I Know” (by Steven Gore)

Steven Gore last posted on this site on July 8, 2015, just as the EQMM issue that contained his story “Black Rock” was going on sale. The private investigator turned author of short stories and seven novels (the latest of … Continue reading

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“Drunks on Character” (by Suzanne Berube Rorhus)

Suzanne Rorhus got her start as a writer in EQMM’s Department of First Stories in May 2013. Since then, her work has appeared in several anthologies, including Memphis Noir. Her next EQMM story, “Cletus Vanderbilt and the Theft of Lord … Continue reading

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“The Good, the Bad, and the Criminally Stupid” (by Rob Brunet)

Rob Brunet turned to writing crime fiction after running a “digital-media boutique” for twenty years. His short fiction and reviews have appeared in a number of publications, including the Toronto Standard, Shotgun Honey, and the latest Bouchercon anthology, Murder Under … Continue reading

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