More Short Story Successes...(plus, news snippets).

***Note: bit of a 'me post' for a change! ;-)

After last year's inclusion in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST BRITISH CRIME 9, alongside the likes of Mark Billingham and Zoe Sharp, I didn't realise, until recently, that this time I'd be sharing the pages with stellar names, such as of Lee Child and Ann Cleeves, in  THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST BRITISH CRIME 10.  It is quite an honour, as you can imagine.  The book's out in February 2013, and my story's called, FISTS OF DESTINY, selected from the ebook, MANCHESTER 6.  A huge thanks goes to author/publisher, Maxim Jakubowski for twice showing faith in my crime writing.

So that's the name-dropping out of the way! ;-)

I'm still beavering away in the background regarding the crime novels, but, as they say, "patience is a virtue", right?  I also like the phrase, "The harder you work, the luckier you get."

In the meantime, as short stories pour out of me, I've had a few more accepted recently: four flash pieces in the forthcoming "OWC Writers' Talkback anthology"; one short in a Zombie Apocalypse anthology (more details to follow); one short in, OFF THE RECORD 2 - At the Movies, charity anthology; plus, there was my editors' contribution short  in the Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers Halloween Comp, which you can read here.

The winning stories from the TKnC comp are absolute crackers and the standard was off the scale.

They've already been posted on the site, so have a browse around for a horror feast. The results are here.  Big Congrats to the winners and runners up, and a hat tip to all who entered.

One last note: Paul D Brazill, the man with his finger on the crime fiction pulse, keeps us up to date weekly on all things juicy down Brit Grit Alley. So, if you don't wanna miss anything, get over there!

Laters,
Col

At last... LEE HUGHES is officially back!!!

A long overdue 'n' welcome return to a dark fictional world like no other.  Lee's work has left a void in the online writing community.  If you've missed his mind-altering stories as much as I, then enjoy his raw talent again here.


To announce his comeback, he's also treated us to another cracker on his blog here.

THRILLERS, KILLERS 'N' CHILLERS revamped with cool new features...

TK'n'C has had an overdue makeover! It's BIGGER... it's BETTER...

• Can you make our top ten popular posts, and join the likes of Richard Godwin, Sean Patrick Reardon, RS Bohn, Chad Eagleton, Michael J Solender, Nick Quantrill and Jodi MacArthur?
• Have you voted on the site's new layout yet?
• Or have you checked out a crackin' debut from Robin Billings...?

Well, what are you waiting for? Get your butt over there!

And please remember, comments are actively encouraged...

Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers' closed for submissions, but the show still goes on...

Just a quickie to let you know that the award winning ezine I help run, with Matt Hilton and Lee Hughes, has closed for submissions until March 31st 2011. To read about a couple of changes to the site go here.

Preditors & Editors 'Best of 2010' Polls... update...

Well, with only two days of voting to go, the clock is ticking, and we're extremely proud to announce that out of the 51 nominated fictionzines for 2010, Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers is a very respectable 4th at the moment. Up to January 26th, you can vote for your fave here.

Also, I'm both stunned and ecstatic, that from the 31 zine editors on the list, I sit proudly in 3rd place. Wow! There are many deserving editors of some cracking ezines to choose from - cast your vote here.

Browsing through the categories I spotted many of my online friends, especially in the short story sections... Paul D. Brazill, Anthony Cowin and Jodi MacArthur, to name a few. If you have time, have a nosey here, and for the current standings go here.

Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to show your support.

Regards,
Col

'Preditors & Editors Readers Poll'... TK'n'C nominated... & little old me ... jeez!

TK'n'C, sure... but ME...? Anyway, voting is open until January 26th 2011. If you wanna vote for Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers - or any of the other fine sites listed - as the best fiction e-zine of 2010 go here... http://www.critters.org/predpoll/fictionzine.shtml

And if you really think I was last year's best e-zine editor (then keep taking the tablets!) - vote here... http://www.critters.org/predpoll/zineeditor.shtml

You have to scroll down a tad to reach the list and you do have to verify each vote with your email address, but 'Critters Workshop', who run the poll, is a trustworthy site and doesn't send spam.

Note: If there is another site/editor you feel should be on the list, then you can nominate them too (Matt Hilton & Chris Grant are pretty damn good).

Regards,
Col

HIT THE NORTH!... Paul Brazill interviews little old me...

My latest interview is up over on prolific writer, Paul Brazill's blog, You Would Say That, Wouldn't You? It's part of his popular 'HIT THE NORTH!' series, whereby he speaks with writers from the north of England.

I chat about my crime novel, living in Manchester, and co-editing ezine Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

If you fancy a nosey, just click the here.

Regards,
Col

Ps. The photo is of the Beetham Tower in Manchester city centre.

Eastern Standard Crime is back... plus a few musings...

Geoff Eighinger is re-opening Eastern Standard Crime on October 1st. I have fond memories of the site, as my short FORUM OF FURY was given a very positive review there once upon a time. Plus, several writer friends received acclaim for their stories on the likes of Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers and A Twist Of Noir. I recall TKnC actually winning a 'Bullet Award' from ESC in August 2009, as did, the somewhat stunned, David Barber for one of his first published stories, SORRY LOVE. I blogged about it here on TKnC.

However, to avoid the burnout that saw Geoff close the site last year, he will be only reviewing crime novels from North American writers (sighs). Who knows, he may branch out to the Brits one day (hint, hint, Geoff).

To diverge, may I thank all my blog friends who chose to spread the word about my recent good news of earning representation from highly-respected New York agent, Nat Sobel.

Also, I had a lovely surprise earlier in the week when EVEN MORE TONTO SHORT STORIES slapped onto the hallway mat. It contains my first ever story in print, the gritty, no-nonsense, MOPPING UP - which introduces characters from my crime novel, including Detective Inspector Jack Striker. In a welcome twist of fate, I'm honoured to be sharing the pages with Matt Hilton, whose story THE SKIN WE'RE IN is well worth a nosey.

Thanks, too, to Matt Hilton, who assisted me with my crime postings over at TKnC, as I've been particularly busy lately. There has been a flurry of posts recently and you may have missed some excellent stories, including some cracking debuts, so why not check out the last dozen or so? You won't be disappointed. And please let the writers know what you thought, constructively! http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/
I'm rambling, so catch you soon... hopefully with good news on my crime novel, which is doing the rounds...

Regards,
Col

Sod the footy... Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers is back!

After a much-needed hiatus, and all round rethink, I'm thrilled to announce that Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers is back, and open for submissions from July 1st onwards.
Click on the title above to reveal more, including a revamp(ire) of the site, new submission guidelines, plus a welcome surprise!
Regards,
Col
Ps. Please feel free to spread the word.

Another mention over at The Rap Sheet...

Over at crack American site The Rap Sheet the Editor, Jeff Kingston Pierce, does a top notch job reporting on all crime fiction related matters within the blogosphere. And he kindly mentioned little old me and Matt regarding TKnC's recent award for Best Fictionzine 2009. Click the title of this post 'n' scroll down a bit to have a nosey.

Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers wins prestigious award...

I'm ecstatic to announce that Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers - the fiction ezine I'm so proud to co-edit along with site founder, Matt Hilton - has won the Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll Award 2009. Truly amazing considering it's been our first year!
Go take a look and read the full story over on TKnC by clicking on the title of this post.

Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers' first anniversary today...

Yep, the last year has flown quicker than sparrowhawk with a duracell battery shoved up its butt! And around 250 stories and over 31,000 hits later we celebrate TKnC's first birthday with possible awards on the horizon, praise from creative writing teachers and interest from agents and publishers.

I wonder if my fellow co-editor and TKnC founder, crime thriller author Matt Hilton, ever envisaged what an awesome first year it would be when he started the site simply and selflessly to help new writers showcase their fiction.

I was one of those new writers who'd not really shown my writing to a wider audience until TKnC was born. So I'm living proof that Matt's foresight has worked, as seeing my initial tentative stories receiving constructive feedback really spurred me on and a year later I'm more on track than at any stage in my writing journey.

When Matt asked me - six weeks after the site's inception - to be co-editor I was so thrilled I nearly killed myself laughing (me an editor?) n cracked open a chilled beer (or ten) to celebrate! (That's corny, but it's staying in.) Reading, assessing n uploading well over 100 mixed-genre stories has certainly improved my own understanding (and hopefully my writing) of the short story and the possiblities therein.

It's been, and will continue to be for as long as I breathe, an absolute pleasure and privilege to be involved in TKnC, and witnessing many other new writers feel that buzz too has to be the over-riding positive in our first year. And long may it continue.

Many thanks to all the readers and contributors the world over who have made TKnC what it is today. The quality of submissions has confirmed to me that there is a plethora of undiscovered talent out there and 2010 could be THE year that, with the right application, some of that talent will be spotted and finally recognised.

I'm glowing with pride, like the candle on TKnC's virtual birthday cake!

Regards,
Col

Ps. I say, 'virtual' cos I've scoffed most of it!

A Trio of Treats by Col Bury over at TKnC...

I've been working on several short stories - as well as the ongoing novel - with the idea of doing a thriller, a killer and a chiller over at (believe it or not) Thrillers, Killers N Chillers.
So if you fancy a 'trio of treats'...
The Thriller: NOWHERE TO HIDE.
The Killer: WANTED.
The Chiller: WORKING FROM HOME.

Just click on the title of this post for the link, select your favourite beverage, and enjoy!

All feedback welcome.

THRILLER FEEDING FRENZY over at TKnC...

A week ago my last post detailed six top stories over at Thrillers, Killers N Chillers. Well since then Matt n I have uploaded fifteen more belters for your pleasure incorporating all genres appropriate to our site: crime, horror, supernatural, mystery, suspense and, obviously, thrillers, killers n chillers!

So why not pull up a chair, put a cushion under your butt, pour yourself a drink and enjoy...

There are more crackers in the pipeline, too, including something a bit different from yours truly!

http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/

Thrillers, Killers n Chillers...

Some of you may already be aware from previous posts that my good friend Matt Hilton began a site for up and coming writers to showcase their short fiction over at Thrillers, Killers n Chillers, a site I'm proud to say that I co-edit.

There's certainly an ongoing debate running among the writing forum fraternity regarding the merits of non-paying sites, like TKNC, A Twist Of Noir and many others, whereby fiction is 'published.' Nearly all of what I've read has been positive, though on a crime forum I recently read a comment which pricked my senses and with which I wholeheartedly disagree. It read: 'I think short, online fiction should be looked at like those free samples they give away in the supermarket.'

Biting my lip till it bled and trying not to shout the B-word describing male genitalia at the top of my voice, I opted to write sensibly about it instead. I don't know what this guy has been reading online, but for some reason he sounds a tad cynical and blinkered as he shouldn't pigeon-hole all online fiction like that. He's obviously not read TKNC!!! I think it can depend on the editors of the site, too, but on TKNC it does have to be of publishable standard. Most, if not all, the sites of this ilk appear to me to be professional with some excellent stories so I suspect this man is being frivolous, or maybe even envious.

Personally, I can't see a downside. And here's why: I received quite a lot a feedback from my short story, The Handshake, on TKNC, which is probably one of the main reasons Matt started the site in the first place; that is, to bring newer writers on. As a consequence of the feedback I rejigged the story, adding a line here and restructuring there, yet maintaining the basic story core, until I came up with a much more polished version.

I've now entered The Handshake into Word Magazine's 'Murder' short story competition. It doesn't really matter if it doesn't win (there are usually hundred's of entries), the fact that an aspiring writer is continuing to improve and learn the craft is paramount.

Sites like TKNC also give the new writer a small taste - after perhaps years of writing without reader-acknowledgement - of what it's like to see their work in print knowing someone out there may just like it, which is the recognition all writers crave and that which spurs us on.

So to that bloke and his 'Supermarket' comment: I suggest he pops into his local supermarket and purchases a large cucumber...
...I don't think I have to tell you where he can shove it!!!
(Sorry, my sensible time has expired.)

Regards,
Col

Ps. tenacity is key.

http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/

A great link for more short fiction...

Just a brief update...
While writing my ongoing novel, inspiration often strikes and other ideas form. They then keep pecking my head to be written so I've rattled off a few more short stories for you to read at http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com/
Check out: Blind Alley, Death Message, The Handshake, Remember, Domestic Hated and Caught In The Headlights.
I do hope you enjoy them - let me know.
Col
Ps. There's some cracking stories from others there, too!

Further update:
It's great to see others are now taking up the gauntlet as there are now several pages of stories, so don't forget to click the 'older posts' link at the bottom of each page to see them all.
And, since you're here, why not vote on the poll - on the right.
Regards,
Col