Episode 28!

Episode 28 of The Dark InSpectre is now online, in which our hero learns some baffling new evidence, and then reluctantly decides to visit an old friend.

Here’s an excerpt:
“We found it, boss, Peeks’ las pistol, and about a ton of sludge. Lucky for us there’s a DV hangs out down there, told me where to look. Anyway, I had the lab boys run a full spec on the piece, results just came back. Two DNA signatures found on that gun. One, Peeks. The other…” He paused for dramatic effect, enjoying the moment. I really hated him just then.

Enjoy: http://darkinspec.blogspot.com/

The Short List

Something new has happened over the past couple of weeks with a couple of my story submissions. On two occasions recently, I've gotten responses that my stories have been short listed. I'm taking this as really good news. I mean, the short list is better than no list, right? This does keep me waiting even longer, but hopefully the news will be good when I eventually get a final answer.

The first one is a re-print, so I'd be tickled if it does get an acceptance. I mean, sending off a re-print is absolutely no effort at all. I do it basically to get a free book to read. The second one is interesting. I got an email out of the blue from the editor of Something Wicked magazine. Remember that pub? The one I subbed to which then went out of business without communicating with any of the authors? Well after a year of dormancy, the guy emailed me (he even contacted me through my web site) to tell me Something Wicked is coming back, hopefully as soon as June, and my story has been short listed - can I send him an electronic version?

You betcha! Let the waiting continue.

Oh, and I'm blogging about creative writing over at Abandoned Towers Magazine today. Check it out!

Episode 27!

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I actually was out of town for work, so please forgive me!

Anyway, Episode 27 of The Dark InSpectre is now online, in which our hero plays the stay-at-home detective, without much success.

Here’s an excerpt: It was all I could do to keep from putting my fist through the vid screen as I considered the growing string of bizarre crime scenes. I didn’t know how Laszlo fit in, but these last two seemed aimed directly at my unit. And the press leaks were coordinated. Somebody was orchestrating this. But why? The answer blared like a siren in my head: Discredit Special Investigations, discredit me.

Enjoy: http://darkinspec.blogspot.com/.

New Dark InSpectre Episode!

Episode 26 of The Dark InSpectre is now online, in which our hero finds himself taking a sick day after hearing some disturbing news.

Here’s an excerpt:

I stopped him, my hyper-paranoia kicking in. For all I knew somebody could be listening in, even though a Department vid connection was supposed to be the most secure, encrypted communication there was. “Hold it, just tell me this. Would you say it was consistent with what Suzie described from her crime scene?”

His expression was grim. “Yeah, boss, highly consistent.”

Enjoy: http://darkinspec.blogspot.com/

Back from the Dead

I submitted a short story to Flashing Swords Magazine about 8 months ago, and then nobody heard from it again. Everyone assumed it was dead after repeated message board postings from numerous people went unanswered. Then, out of nowhere, the editor posted a message today saying that no, in fact, the zine is not dead. She was just taking care of various visa and family matters that were unavoidable, yadda, yadda, yadda. Anyway, she's back and she'll be replying to everyone who submitted "shortly." So that's good! As it happens, thinking FSM was dead, I actually subbed the piece to an anthology over at Pulp Empire, so maybe I'll get accepted somewhere, fingers crossed!

And in other news, I just learned that a reprint I submitted to a different anthology was "short listed" and I'll hear a final decision around the end of April.

So even though none of these represent an actual acceptance, I still consider these to be reasonably good news. So yay!

Guest Spot!

I'm blogging about springtime writing ideas over at Abandoned Towers Magazine, today.

Here's an excerpt:
Spring is in the air! It seems like the winter was particularly long and brutal here on the East Coast, and now that the weather has finally turned, it is only natural to want to frolic a little in the great outdoors. But don’t let all the lawn lazing put a crimp in your writing, springtime should instead inspire a fresh wave of stories for the creative mind.

Check it: http://abandonedtowers.com/weblog/spring-into-story-ideas/

New Episode Time

Episode 25 of the Dark InSpectre is now online, in which our hero earns a little rest and recuperation, well sort of.

Here's an excerpt:
The sunlight streaming in through the balcony window told me I was not in my usual west-facing guestroom while the sumptuous sheets and king-size mattress told me I was, in fact, dozing in Mary’s master bed. Furthermore, the small, warm form snuggling against my body beneath the sheets informed me that I was not alone.

It was probably that last one that shot me bolt upright in bed in a state of unreasoning panic.

Enjoy: http://darkinspec.blogspot.com/