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

'Preditors & Editors Readers Poll' 2011...

It's that time of year again. It's great to see so many of my writer friends nominated for awards this year. 


Personally, I'm ecstatic that my adult zombie short, Supper Time, has been nominated in the 'Best Short Horror Story' category. It's in good company along with the likes of...
...the popular Drunk On The Moon by Paul D Brazill... Getting High On Daisy by the inimitable Richard Godwin... The Endless Game by Anthony Cowin... It's A Curse by K A Laity... The Devil's Music, Raised In Hell by Julia Madeleine... and Still Alive by Erin Cole... the list goes on...


You can vote for your favourite horror short here...
http://critters.org/predpoll/shortstoryh.shtml


Some selfless, hard-working ezine editors have been nominated... 
... notably and unsurprisingly, my long time mate, David Barber for resurrecting The Flash Fiction Offensive so adeptly... and my co-editor over at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers, Lily Childs, who has invigorated TKnC with her class. Top notch U.S. editor, David Cranmer is also one of my faves, for the sterling work he does over at Beat To A Pulp.


If you have a minute, vote here...
http://critters.org/predpoll/zineeditor.shtml


It's also good to see that The Flash Fiction Offensive and Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers are in the race for 'Best Fiction Magazine' too! 


Here's the link: http://critters.org/predpoll/fictionzine.shtml

Plus, David Barber's short, Best Mates and Lovers, earned a deserved nomination in the 'All Other Short Stories' section along with some crackers from Darren Sant, Graham Smith, Luca Veste, Ben Sobieck and Pete Sortwell, to name a few.


Vote here:http://critters.org/predpoll/shortstory.shtml 


Current standings are here.

The poll runs through to January 10th 2012.


Ps. Sorry if I missed you - nominations increase hourly.

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.

'BRIT GRIT' is live... and a forthright 'CHIN WAG' coming soon...

Unfortunately, it's not crime fiction, but real crime that's dominating my thoughts at the moment. Dark, metaphorical clouds hang over England, including my beloved city, Manchester. I won't ramble on about it here - I'll just say, "sub-human scum" and leave it at that. However, I've been having a 'Chin Wag' with a good friend about this and other stuff, where I do say a lot more, including my endeavours with agent, Nat Sobel.  It'll be a 'warts 'n' all' affair, so watch out for that soon!

I'm also honoured to be involved in the new 'Brit Grit' series, which started last Sunday with Alan Griffith's superb short, 'Two Fingers of Noir'. Thanks to writer/editor, Elaine Ash for setting the whole thing up over at AshEdit. As you can see, my name didn't quite make the promo poster, but I'm in good company with Ian Ayris... One day, Ian, one day... :-)

In other news... Paul Brazill's 'Drunk on the Moon' series rolls merrily on... Dave Barber's back from his jollies, now editing again at The Flash Fiction Offensive... Matt Hilton's latest Joe Hunter thriller is out... and I had the pleasure of publishing a crackin' short by a reviewer who can actually write! Luca Veste's 'Time' is over at Thrillers, Killer's 'n' Chillers.

God, am such a name-dropper, aren't I? :-)

A 100 thank yous, a clingy dog 'n' finding balance... (dunt that just roll off the tongue?)

Great to see my 'followers' officially hit '100'. A heartfelt thanks to you all, including email subscribers and those who follow privately.

Since I'm editing at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers a lot, I can't post here as much as I'd like. Especially as I'm endeavouring to write a crime novel series too. Add demanding full-time shift work, two children and a clingy dog to the mix (Riley's like my shadow, even follows me into the bathroom!), and you can probably appreciate I'm forever battling for that elusive 'balance'.

How do you find your balance? Or, like me, are you constantly striving for it?

BLOGFLASH... Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers has a new 'Guest Editor'...

...LILY CHILDS!

Find out more here...

BULLET POINTS...

• The Brazilliant blog king extraordinaire, Paul D. Brazill has an exciting new ebook out, which is incredibly 'cheap as chips'! For more on 'DRUNK ON THE MOON' click here.
• Over at cool American ezine, A Twist Of Noir, editor Christopher Grant has resumed the 600 to 700 Challenge. 
• Geoff Eighinger has thankfully resurrected the sorely missed, Bullet Awards for best stories of the month on the net.  It's truly awesome to have this back, as it is to see David Barber's ever-growing Flash Fiction Offensive bagging TWO places in the top three!  Dave's doing a sterling job over there. Well done to all the winners - more here. 
• Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers has yet more debuting writers, with some great flash fiction, including Thomas Pluck, Margaret D. Whittle and K.R. Helms, amongst others.
• Crime thriller author of the popular Joe Hunter series, Matt Hilton, talks about the importance of libraries, and how they inspired him to write as a kid.  Listen to Matt's many variations of the word, 'Erm' (including, 'ehm' 'n' 'um') on BBC Radio Cumbria (fast forward to 2 hrs 18 secs). 
• Oh, 'n' after some heavy research for my crime novel, I've decided to join horror writer Steven Chapman in the 'summer camp' at NaNoWriMo, where you commit to writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. What have I done? Cheers, Steve! If you need a bit of motivation to write, then it's not too late to join. Here's my profile page.  Obviously, I'll be aiming at the 90,000 word mark. But I'm a third of the way in already, so doing this is good for focus, in the busy life of a working dad!

Regards to all,
Col

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...

Gotta Kindle? Then check out B. R. Stateham's gritty 'Smitty' stories...

'A Dish Served Cold - Two Tales of Blood & Mayhem, from the 'Call Me Smitty' series, is now on Kindle. I know the central character pretty well, having published two of B.R.'s 'Smitty' stories on Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

Smitty lurks in the shadows, waiting to dish up poetic justice with blood dripping from the plate. Don't be deceived by those dark eyes - he's a killer with a heart, and a conscience, but mess with Smitty 'n' you're in deep shitty!

For a short intro' to Smitty go here.

To read 'A Dish Served Cold' go here.

Learn more about the author B.R. Stateham here.

The Full Nine Yarns... over at Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers...

Nine mighty fine short stories, from writers old and new, uploaded in a day. Pour yourself a drink, enjoy and, if you have time, please support the authors by leaving a comment. Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

Thanks,
Crime Editor, Col

Spinetingler Award Nominees 2011, for best short story...

The Spinetingler Awards, as many writers and readers will know, are among the most respected on the net. So, to see some of your friends on the list of nominees is thrilling. Two of the nominees made my 'Crime Fiction Choice' series, proving the Spinetingler selectors also have impeccable tastes! :-)

I have to say, I'm particularly thrilled that my loyal friend, horror/crime writer extraordinaire, Lily Childs, made the coveted list with her short story Carpaccio. We're so proud to have published this creepy and memorable tale on Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

Jodi MacArthur's cracker, Pillow Talk, is also among the ten nominees - including, others I'll be checking out from, Matthew C Funk, Nigel P Bird, Chad Eagleton, Steve Weddle and more. Voting starts next week. The full list is here.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

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

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.

Final round of voting on Joe Hunter short story comp'...

Matt Hilton's 'Joe Hunter' style short story competition is now at round two. Voting has been reset to zero and the top three stories from round one now feature on both Matt's blog and Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers.

Up to the launch of Matt's latest novel, Slash and Burn, on March 31st voting for your favourite story on both sites is permitted here and here.

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 mention at the RAP SHEET & a polite request...

I'm pleased as punch to have had another mention over at top American site, the Rap Sheet. You have to scroll down a bit as I'm not a headline act...yet! Editor, Jeff Kingston Pierce has done yet another quality post, this time on happenings around the blogosphere, and my recent online flash fiction win with FRANTIC is included.

Also there's an award for the best ezine, webzine, fiction zine, call it what you will, over at Critters Writers Workshop called the Predators & Editors Readers Poll. Personally I voted for my favourite ezine A Twist Of Noir, but our very own Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers is also on the list so feel free to offer your support.

Voting is easy, but please do so before January 14th at...
http://www.critters.org/predpoll/fictionzine.shtml