Rising From the Dead – Book Wise That Is

Rising From the Dead – Book Wise That Is by Debra H. Goldstein

During the past few years, more than seventy of my short stories have been traditionally published. Twenty-two of those that won or for finalists for major awards were made into a collection, With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, published by White City Press in February 2025. These stories all deal with family and friends, their sins, and their sometimes redemption.

Unfortunately, several of my stories and those by other authors were published in anthologies whose publishers went out of business. In this kind of situation, the story often fades into nonexistence. Recently, several publishers agreed to re-issue many of these orphaned books.

The music is playing loudly for five books edited by Josh Pachter. Two of those books, Paranoia Blues: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Paul Simon and Cryin’ Shame: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Lyle Lovett, are scheduled to be available for pre-order on October 26.

The Great Filling Station Holdup: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Jimmy Buffett, Happiness Is a Warm Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Beatles, and Friend of the Devil: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Grateful Dead are all scheduled to go up for pre-order on August 25.

Of the five Pachter books, I only have a story in the Paul Simon book. At the same time, I also have stories in two other recently re-released books Sleuths Just Wanna Have Fun (edited by Michael Bracken) and In Too Deep (edited by Adam Meyer). These books are already available to be purchased.

Do you believe in giving books second chances when publishers go under? Here’s hoping you take the opportunity to pick up any of these books you might have missed.