Country Music and Truth

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by Paula Gail Benson

As Killer Nashville approaches at the end of August, I’ve been binge watching Nashville, the musical/soap opera drama TV series that aired on ABC from 2012 until 2016 and on CMT from 2016 to 2018. It’s now available to view on Netflix.

From the beginning, the episodes chronicle the careers of Rayna Jaymes (played by Connie Britton), an established country star trying to maintain and improve her place in the industry, and Juliette Barnes (played by Hayden Panettiere), a newcomer ready to take Rayna’s place as the Queen of Country Music. An interesting dynamic between these characters that helps to showcase locations in Nashville is that Rayna comes from “old money” and had to leave her wealthy home at sixteen to pursue music. Through her eyes and her family’s activities, viewers see the symphony, political events, Vanderbilt University and Hospital, and private schools. In contrast, Juliette was raised by an addicted mother in a trailer park. Her experience has hardened her from beyond scrappy to mean and vindictive. She confronts a lot of trouble, most of it arising from her own actions.

Both have frequented the Bluebird Café, a small restaurant/performance venue in a strip mall that opened in 1982 and has become a mecca for established and aspiring song writers. I think the series made it look a lot easier to get a seat or a place on stage at the Bluebird than it actually is.

The show has been praised because it features music as much as drama. The actors sang the songs they performed and some of them have gone on from the series to develop musical careers.

During one trip to Nashville, I met a young Uber driver who worked to transport actors and crew to the locations. It was interesting to hear how Nashville embraced the series. The driver had made enough from the work to take a trip to Europe. A great return.

My parents met in Nashville. Seeing the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry (which I attended with Debra Goldstein to see Garth Brooks) have special meaning to me.

What I’ve particularly enjoyed is how the series depicts the unseen aspects of the music industry, especially what it’s like to write a song. There are lots of scenes where people try composing alone, then turn to work with others to come up with lyrics and tunes. New artists are encouraged to draw upon their own experiences, to describe situations that touch them personally.

The personal connection is a strong identifier with the musicians depicted on Nashville. I know that fiction authors don’t always tell stories based on their own lives or experiences, but many do feel it’s important to keep faith with their readers by maintaining certain elements. I pondered on that as I watched Nashville and saw how language and brands were carefully chosen and protected. Maybe that’s why it is so important to write from a place and about a situation that truly resonates with you. I think that’s what Nashville is trying to tell us: being true to yourself is a quality that readers and fans appreciate and respect.

I hope you will have the chance to experience Nashville in person. It has its own special magic.

Calls for Short Stories

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by Paula Gail Benson

Two organizations have posted calls for short stories and are accepting submissions this summer: Malice Domestic 2027 and Bouchercon 2027 (to take place in Washington, D.C.). Here are the basic requirements along with the websites where you can find additional information.

Anthology | Malice Domestic Ltd

Malice Domestic 21: Anthology Submissions

The Deadline to Submit Your Story for Consideration is July 31, 2026

Mystery Most Musical

Presented by Mary Kay Andrews

Mus-i-cal – adjective – of or relating to music; having the pleasing harmonious qualities of music; having an interest in or talent for music; set to or accompanied by music; of or relating to musicians or music lovers

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

  1. Stories should a maximum of 5,000 words in length
  2. Submissions open June 1 with a deadline of July 31, 2026
  3. Stories should have no Author identifying infomation
  4.  Stories must feature elements relating to music
  5. Stories cannot be previously published
  6.  Stories must be Traditional Mysteries(no graphic sex or violence, please)
  7. All writing submissions must be the original work of the author. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate creative content is prohibited.

~ Story Selections will be made in the fall/winter of 2026
~ Submissions will be judged blindly by a panel of readers
~ Publication Date will be April 2027

 

Mystery Most Monumental Anthology — Bouchercon 2027

Power Corrupts

Important Dates

Submissions Open: May 1, 2026

Deadline to Submit: October 1, 2026

Winners Announced: January 31, 2027

Anthology Launches: September 1, 2027

  • The Theme

Our theme, Power Corrupts, is meant to encompass a wide range of storytelling options and any sub-genre within crime fiction, whether that be political, historical, cozy, traditional mystery, romance, suspense, noir and more.

The theme also lends itself to an exploration of power dynamics within an organization, a marriage, a family, partnership, a personality quirk, and more. These can be stories about resistance or submission, responses to active or passive aggression, questions about authority and the necessity of following or disobeying leadership. Any relationship presents this dynamic, and we want to see the unique, exciting ways you explore the concept.

To that end, we invite you to be creative, but ask that you ensure the theme is incorporated within your work, and that your story features a crime. Stories can take place anywhere, at any time.

  • The Rules

Please read the rules carefully before submitting your work. Entry implies acceptance of the rules and failure to comply may result in disqualification.

  1. Each electronic submission should be submitted as a Word document (doc or docx).
  2. The maximum word count is 4,000 words per story.
  3. Only one story per contributor is allowed.
  4. Please ensure you are submitting the final copy of your manuscript. Revisions will not be allowed.
  5. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please immediately notify us of acceptance elsewhere.
  6. Entries cannot have been published prior to submission. This includes self-publishing (work that appeared on your own web site, for example).
  7. Manuscripts will not be returned.
  8. Manuscripts should be formatted as follows:
  9. Attach the title page before page one (this page will be removed prior to judging), including: (a) title, (b) word length, (c) author’s name, and (d) email address. All identifying information must ONLY appear on the title page. No additional identifying information should appear anywhere in the pages of the manuscript.
  10. Use Times Roman 12 pt font, Double space, One-inch margin, all sides, No extra spacing between paragraphs, Number the pages
  11. No use of AI.
  12. Please submit your story via this link.

Fear and the Writing Habit

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by Paula Gail Benson

Just looking at the title of this message, what do you think it’s about?

Could it be about starting the practice of writing on a schedule?

Might it provide ideas on how to maintain the practice?

Could it discuss what is the most effective time for a daily writing habit: pre-dawn, morning, midday, evening, or late night—including whether or not there is a correct answer to that question other than the time that works for each individual?

Might it consider ways to return to a daily writing practice after having been away from it?

Could it involve none or all of the above?

Why is fear mentioned? Does the idea of writing each day aways involve fear?

I started writing this message because I had been able to keep a daily writing process until just recently when I became overwhelmed with other obligations. I felt very good about what I had accomplished, and I had forgiven myself if I didn’t finish all I hoped to each day.

Is a writing practice necessary to be a writer?: Duh. On some level, yes, a writer must plan to write. One cannot produce without cultivating.

Rather than saying a daily process is necessary, my answer is that goal setting is necessary for an author. To achieve goals, you need a timetable for when you plan on reaching them.

Keeping up a writing practice can be scary, but it is necessary to create and finish a story. Working toward a goal may make the process less intimidating.

How do you start?: This year, I’ve been successful in setting up and maintaining a daily writing practice. I began with new notebooks at the beginning of the year. January is always a good time to start fresh, but a new writing venue or notebook might also give the same joy of beginning.

How do you maintain?: I managed to challenge myself by working on more than one project at a time and limiting the time I had to work on each. Michael Bracken, when asked about writer’s block at the Capitol Crimes Chapter of Sisters in Crime meeting this past weekend, spoke of an author who didn’t believe in writer’s block. This author worked on several projects at the same time and would turn to another if he became stalled with one.

What time of day do you write?: The time that fits best into your schedule and keeps you motivated. I write at the end of the day because it is something I look forward to doing.

How do you return if you can’t maintain?: Recently, I literally could not write each day. As my life returned to a more normal pace, I feared I couldn’t recapture the habit.

Why is there fear?: No one wants to fail—even if its just not keeping up with a practice each day. This is when you must give yourself some grace and also remember the goal. Remind yourself that what goes on the page initially is for you to get your thoughts in order and to have something to revise. The perfecting part comes with the revision.

Fortunately, for me, when my pen met paper, it covered the pages with words. Whether those words are like flowering plants or spreading manure is yet to be seen, but at least I have the potential to prune or fertilize.

So, back to the words.

Newly Issued Short Story Anthologies to Explore

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by Paula Gail Benson

With March coming in like a lion and continuing to exhibit changeable weather, why not enjoy a virtual vacation by taking advantage of some great reissued short story anthologies?

Edited by Michael Bracken and Gary Phillips, Jukes and Tonks (originally published by Down and Out Books, April 18, 2021, and issued by Audecyn Books March 15, 2026) features stories set in darkened halls with jukeboxes playing sad songs or lively bands pulsing out beats that wipe away any thoughts of regrets and have all the customers hopping. Some of the characters have reached the end of their ropes only to find new hope, while others discover what the true darkness of the place hides. The authors are all brilliant practitioners of the art of the short story: Trey R. Barker, Michael Bracken, Jonathan Brown, S.A. Cosby, John M. Floyd, Debra H. Goldstein, Gar Anthony Haywood, Penny Mickelbury, Gary Phillips, William Dylan Powell, Kimberly B. Richardson, and Stacy Woodson.

What amazed me in reading these stories is how, with such limited words, the authors drew the settings so clearly and the characters so poignantly. Both S.A. Cosby’s and Debra H. Goldstein’s stories deal with young women learning about the world through their connections with similar honky tonk venues, but each does so in a completely unique and unexpected manner. John M. Floyd’s story contains a wonderful twist in the end. All the stories are delightful and engaging.

Love in the Lowcountry: A Winter Holiday Collection (by the Carolina Romance Writers, originally published October 26, 2022, and reissued November 14, 2025) initially launched as a project of the Lowcountry Romance Writers of America, a chapter of the Romance Writers of America (RWA). When that group separated from RWA to form the Carolina Romance Writers, it undertook to republish its winter collection (with stories from Thanksgiving through Groundhog Day) with a new introduction, a few new stories, and some updates to the original stories, all set in South Carolina. It features tales of contemporary and historical romance, magical realism, and time travel, by experience and debut authors, including Rebekka DeReu, Linda Joyce, Paula Gail Benson, Suzie Webster, HM Thomas, J. Lynn Rowan, Addie Bealer, Robin Hillyer-Miles, Victoria Houseman, Elaine Reed, Victoria R. Benson, and Danielle Gadow. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to the Carolina Romance Writers, a nonprofit organization where romance writers connect, hone their craft, and create beautiful stories.

So try a staycation with one or both of these fun anthologies. You’ll really enjoy it!

Interconnected February Celebrations

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by Paula Gail Benson

I remember seeing the 1942 black and white movie Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Bing ran an inn that only opened on the holidays. In 1952, Kemmons Wilson named his chain of hotels Holiday Inn after the movie, seeking to give guests the same special relaxing accommodation experience.

The movie’s Holiday Inn opens on George Washington’s Birthday and Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. While this movie introduced Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” it has not often been shown in recent times due to its depiction of black characters and a performance using blackface. A new musical version of Holiday Inn appeared on Broadway in 2016, eliminating the Presidents’ birthday recognition numbers from February and using only Valentine’s Day from that month.

I thought both Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthdays were federal holidays, but I was wrong. Washington’s Birthday was informally celebrated across the country after his death in 1799, and was designated as a federal holiday on January 31, 1879. Later, it became celebrated on the third Monday in February pursuant to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed on June 28, 1968. Lincoln’s Birthday was never recognized as a federal holiday, but was celebrated in some states.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (or, by the dating system at the time of his birth February 11, 1731—the British Calendar Act of 1750 moved to the Gregorian calendar). Since 1896, the United States Senate has had a member read Washington’s Farewell Address on February 22 each year.

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. His birthday is observed as a holiday in Hodgenville, Kentucky (where he was born), Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, California, Missouri, and New York.

The Mount Vernon website indicates the name of the federal holiday has never been changed to “Presidents’ Day.” It contends that happened as a merchandizing effort for sales.

African American communities began celebrating Black History Month in February as part of the commemoration of Lincoln’s Birthday. In the 20th century, the recognition also sought to honor Frederick Douglass’ Birthday of February 14.

To celebrate the holiday, here’s a link to Washington’s Farewell Address, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Douglass’ Fourth of July Speech.

Frederick Douglass
Image from Wikipedia

Short Story Terminology

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by Paula Gail Benson

With the start of a new year, some writers may be looking to experiment with a new fictional form. Why not try short stories?

If you haven’t already dabbled in this genre, here is some terminology you may wish to use to guide you. Short stories are defined by their brevity. Their word count determines how they are categorized.

Drabble—is a story of exactly 100 words (not including the title or author attribution)

Flash Fiction—are stories of 1,000 or fewer words. Some sources say up to 1,500 or 2,000 words.

Brief fictional forms in addition to drabble and flash fiction include:

(1) “the six-word story” exemplified by one attributed to Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

(2) the 280-character story or “twitterature” (based on the maximum number of characters allowed by X as a tweet or twitter). Philip Pullman and Neil Gaiman are practitioners.

(3) the “dribble” or “minisaga,” which is exactly 50 words (here are some examples).

(4) “micro-fiction” or “nano-fiction” is less than 300 words.

(5) “postcard fiction” is up to 500 words.

(6) “sudden fiction,” which can go up to 750 words.

(7) the “microstory.”

Novelette may be 7,500 to 19,000 words.

Novella may be 17,500 to 40,000 words.

A novel can be 40,000 words. Most mystery novels are around 80,000 words. Science fiction and fantasy novels may be as long as 120,000 words.

In addition, short stories are defined by where they are located. Many are found in magazines or online sources. A book of short stories is categorized by the number of authors whose work is contained in it.

Collection—consists of stories all written by the same author, such as John M. Floyd’s River Road and Other Mystery Stories or Barb Goffman’s Don’t Get Mad, Get Even: 15 Tales of Revenge and More

Anthology—contains the work of more than one author and may be organized by theme, for example the Malice Domestic anthologies: Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Diabolical, Malice Domestic 18: Mystery Most Devious, and Donna Andrews Presents Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Humorous.

Beginning the Year with Celebrations

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by Paula Gail Benson

The year 2026 is starting with a series of significant celebrations and anniversaries. For my first post of the year, I sought out the historical context of resolutions. Then, as I learned of upcoming events, I realized I needed to prepare for a year of recognitions.

Peacock Image by 123stitch.com

When I looked up the history of New Year’s resolutions, I found a reference to the “peacock vow,” a tradition from medieval times involving knights pledging their civility and support to a community by placing their hands on a live or roasted peacock. (See Ringing in the New Year: A Medieval Perspective – History Tools.) Such a feast is described in “Vows of the Peacock” a poem written by Jacques de Longuyon around 1310. I wondered if that practice might have influenced a number of cultures, perhaps including the United States’ holiday of Thanksgiving.

Monks on Gervais Street Bridge Image by msn.com

Next, I began hearing news stories of a group of about two dozen Buddhist monks based in Fort Worth, Texas, walking 2,300 miles to Washington, D.C., in support of peace. During the journey, due to a vehicle accident, one had to have his leg amputated. The group’s “peace dog” Aloka, a stray acquired on a trip to India, missed some of the walk to have tendon surgery. Part of their route brought them to Columbia, South Carolina, where thousands followed them across a bridge to the steps of the Statehouse. In a very real way, the monks shared their peacefulness with all who observed them. You can follow them through their Facebook page.

 

Monks on Statehouse Steps Image from Facebook

Martin Luther King, Jr. Image from Wikipedia

This post will appear on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, a holiday signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 and first observed in 1986. This year with be the fortieth year it has been recognized. King’s actual birthday was January 15, 1929. The federal Uniform Monday Holiday Act requires that it be celebrated on a Monday. In South Carolina, King Day at the Dome is celebrated beginning with a service at Zion Baptist Church, a march to the Statehouse, and speeches by community leaders and elected officials with a keynote by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (NJ-D).

A new series premiered this week to celebrate Star Trek’s sixtieth anniversary. Starfleet Academy features Holly Hunter as the new Chancellor for the school that is opening for the first time in one hundred years. Even though set in the 32nd century, the far future from other Star Trek series, it draws on characters and cultures that viewers will find familiar.

So far, 2026 has had an auspicious beginning. and still to come is the United States Semiquincentennial, to celebrate the 250th birthday of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

It’s Time for Advent Ghosts

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by Paula Gail Benson

Since 2015, I have been participating in Loren Eaton’s annual celebration of a “spirited” holiday by contributing to his call for “drabble” (short stories of exactly 100 words) that evoke the spectral or paranormal aspects of the season. Over the years, I’ve considered the perspectives of the deceased with unfinished business, inanimate objects that despise their own garish decorations and long for a real Santa experience, folk tales about Yule Cats and Snow Maidens, and even a takeoff on a joke about an elf, reindeer, and snowman stopping by a bar for an artic beer.

The whole experience is wonderfully creative as well as challenging. Each year, I’m amazed by the emotion and ideas that can be packed into 100 words.

Loren provides a link to contributors’ websites or will publish the stories on his own, with the authors retaining their copyrights.

Please consider joining the fun this year. Here’s the link with the instructions I Saw Lightning Fall, which I’ve also included below.

Happy Holidays to all!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADVENT GHOSTS FROM LOREN EATON:

1) Email me at ISawLightningFall [at] proton [dot] me if you want to participate.
2) Pen a story that’s exactly 100-words long—no more, no less.
3) Post the story to your blog anywhere from Saturday, December 13, to Friday, December 19.
Hosting on ISLF is available for those without blogs or anyone who wants to write under a pseudonym. (Don’t worry, you’ll retain copyright!)
4) Email the link of your story to me.
5) While you should feel free to write whatever you want to, know that I reserve the right to put a content warning on any story that I think needs it.

Read a Short Story a Day with John M. Floyd’s Collections

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by Paula Gail Benson

Barb Goffman, an excellent short story author and editor, has suggested that the best way to learn the craft is to read a short story a day for a year. Barb’s collection from 2013, Don’t Get Mad, Get Even, is an excellent place to start. May I also recommend John M. Floyd’s work?

If you haven’t encountered John from his stories, excellent posts in SleuthSayers, or his programs (in October he gave a class on Plotting the Short Story for the virtual Mystery in the Midlands: Writing Short Mystery Fiction 2025), then definitely you need to check out one of his collections. John, a former Air Force captain and IBM systems engineer, has written over one thousand stories, been nominated for an Edgar Award, received a Shamus Award and six Derringer Awards, and has been recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Crippen and Landru has recently released River Road and Other Stories, John’s ninth collection, which includes his work found in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, The Strand, and the Saturday Evening Post.

Fifty Mysteries: the Angela Files compiles the Solve-It-Yourself stories about Angela Potts written for Woman’s World magazine. Although each is less than one thousand words the mysteries are well developed and thought provoking.

Dreamland contains Floyd’s Law and Daughter series along with some of his work in genres other than mystery.

Rainbow’s End and Other Stories offers thirty stories that features Floyd’s skill with the plot twist. Readers will enjoy his dialogue, diverse settings, and invention.

For quantity and quality, John’s work is inspiring. For anyone wanting to learn the craft and anyone wanting to enjoy great storytelling, these collections would be fabulous gifts.

 

Planning to Enjoy a Year of Writing Craft Programs

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by Paula Gail Benson

Writers are always looking for opportunities to hone their skills. Attending classes is the perfect way to keep advancing and making valuable connections. While in-person programs offer a terrific means to engage in discussion, virtual workshops give some of the same educational possibilities at a more economical cost.

If you are looking for short story courses, check out the past programs presented through Sisters in Crime and 2025 MWA University – Mystery Writers of America.

Additionally, in October, for the second year in a row, author and editor Michael Bracken joined with the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Southeastern Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America to present a free virtual program on writing short mystery fiction. Called Mystery in the Midlands: Short Mystery Fiction 2025, it featured John M. Floyd explaining how to plot the short story; Michael Bracken moderating a panel of New Voices in Short Mystery Fiction, consisting of N.M. Cedeño, LaToya Jovena, and Tom Milani; and me speaking with three wonderful editors: Barb Goffman, Sandra Murphy, and Josh Pachter. (Plans are in the works to have another free virtual short story program in 2026.)

If you would like to view the recording of Mystery in the Midlands: Short Mystery Fiction 2025, here is how you may access it. Connect to the link below by pressing CTRL (control) and clicking on the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/iZh6oa8BgBpUUzPDxu1nDwpbbfmq8sWcKe7KT4XdknrONPNVGTaNvsG6X-m3k3HS.OG0O8fzM1XHqDPtt?startTime=1760799152000

When prompted, enter this Passcode: 7Zb@%i5f

For an in-person short story conference, check out Michael Bracken’s ShortCon, which will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Elaine’s Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. It provides an excellent forum for learning and networking.

Outliers Writing University (at this link: Write Your Bestseller With Outliers Writing University) was created by Kathleen Antrim and D.P. Lyle to offer three types of online programing. The Online Ongoing Writers Conference provides 2 classes per month for a year, available live and for a limited time by recording. Single classes or workshops may be purchased at Advanced Workshops | Outliers Writing University. Also a 5-class, 10-week Manuscript Boot Camp | Outliers Writing University is offered periodically for small groups to help improve manuscripts and give personalized feedback.

The Mystery Writers of America has presented its University in-person at several locations for years. Now, online classes (see 2024 MWA University – Mystery Writers of America or 2025 MWA University – Mystery Writers of America) are available free of  charge for MWA members and for a cost to nonmembers. MWA also is collaborating with Outliers Writing University to offer programs.

Killer Nashville, the conference started by Clay Stafford, now sponsors Killer Nashville University | Learn, Grow, and Elevate Your Writing (which has a new name, The Balanced Writer). For a monthly or annual subscription, it provides access to speeches, classes, workshops, discussions, and a newsletter.

So, if you are looking for yourself or to gift an author, consider some of these great in-person and online programs. What a terrific way to celebrate writing and the holidays!

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