by Paula Gail Benson From: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-soft-ice-cream-day-august-19/ Did you know that today, August 19, is National Soft Ice Cream Day? Shari Randall, you should take note of this commemoration! According to the National Day Calendar website, while no one has been clearly identified as organizing the special designation, soft serve ice cream began around Memorial Day in […]
by Paula Gail Benson Two more award lists, with presentations to occur at Bouchercon 2019 in Dallas, have been announced and include some familiar names and titles for short story finalists. The Macavity nominees, presented by the Mystery Readers International (MRI), subscribers to Mystery Readers Journal and members and friends of MRI, are: Gigi Pandian […]
by Paula Gail Benson Logo by Krista Anderson Nancy Pickard (Photo by Anita Baker) For the second year, the Southeastern Chapter of Mystery Writers of America (SEMWA) and the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime presented a day-long mystery conference offering master classes and panels in Columbia, South Carolina. Called Mystery in the Midlands, it […]
by Paula Gail Benson If you’re a writer of mystery short fiction, you’ve probably followed a blog called “My Little Corner” that was written by Sandra Seamans. Faithfully, Sandra chronicled potential publishers seeking short fiction and linked to information about the submission guidelines. Every time I spoke to groups about writing short stories, I referred […]
by Paula Gail Benson Since 2013, StoryaDay.org has declared May Short Story month and has set up a website (http://shortstorymonth.com/) to recommend short stories and recognize their authors. Indeed, May has been a month where short stories have been celebrated. During the first weekend in May, at Malice Domestic in Bethesda, Maryland, a tie-winner was […]
by Paula Gail Benson At the end of this week, many of us will gather in Bethesda, Maryland, to celebrate the best of the traditional mystery. It will be a homecoming, family reunion, and all round party blast–wonderful in the anticipating and attending, yet over far too soon. Let’s get the party started early with […]
by Paula Gail Benson When your day job requires extensive writing, can the well run dry? Do you come home from work and avoid the computer or laptop, just ready to let the words flow over you from the closest television or other viewing or listening device? Do you wake reserving your word skills for […]
by Paula Gail Benson This time of year, it’s great to be able to celebrate some of the best in mystery short stories with the nominations for recognition by the Mystery Writers of America (which presents the Edgar awards, named after Edgar Allan Poe) and Malice Domestic (which presents the Agathas, named after Agatha Christie). […]
by Paula Gail Benson This weekend, I’ve delighted in reading about all the activities at Sleuthfest. Next weekend, in Columbia, S.C., we’re looking forward to our own literary festival, Deckle Edge, on Saturday, March 23. The “deckle edge” is the rough edge on hand cut paper, often seen on early printed books. If you’re in the area, please […]
by Paula Gail Benson In this lovely month, I have to admit, I adore my Stiletto Gang blogging partners. What a truly delightful group with which to be affiliated! My opportunity to join this blogging band came from two outstanding writers: Linda Rodriguez, acclaimed mystery author, poet, and writing teacher, and Debra Goldstein, former judge, […]