It still boggles the mind.

After "Black Flies" by Shannon Burke, a chilling novel about paramedics in 1990s Harlem, I need to switch things up with a lighter New York saga, thanks to @msemilyedwards.bsky.social.

One day at the Missoula airport, I came around a corner and managed to dance out of the way of Andie MacDowell as she charged toward me. We just barely did not interact.

i see so much love for inclusive detective stories, nick & nora spouses, and solid whodunnits and yet i can get no traction for my series that is all that and more. can you PLEASE help people know about Viviana Valentine? www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/GFM/a...

Crime fiction is the gift that keeps giving. Why not send an issue or two of RHP to that person in your life who can't get enough stories of people on the edge, people making bad decisions? Buy an issue today: bit.ly/3MbYXOk

Only three short stories made it to screens in 2025, but this thing happened, mostly thanks to my writing pardner @meproctor.bsky.social. We plan to keep at it with a new one in 2026, with wrinkles removed, and another stunning cover by the great @frankvatel312.bsky.social.

Ta-dah!!!! Cat's out of the bag ... It's OK when it's your publisher who makes the announcement 😂 .... Yep, @russellthayer10.bsky.social and I are back at it, and @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social rebooked us!

April brought a first for CJ: a double-authored piece of detective noir brilliance. @meproctor.bsky.social & @russellthayer10.bsky.social brought the goods with BOP CITY SWING. (Psst! BCS's Tom and Vivian will be back in 2026 in KANSAS CITY BREAKDOWN.) www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/bop-city-swi...

This got here in a hurry. I suspect it's going to be my kind of mystery. From @msemilyedwards.bsky.social.

If you’re looking for a quick fix this holiday weekend, head over to the ‘zon and grab “Irish,” a short story by @russellthayer10.bsky.social. Such a clever bit of noir about a girl wise beyond her years…and not someone you’d ever want to cross. Link below. Best buck you’ll spend today.

This humid little story by @msemilyedwards.bsky.social was right up the center of my alley. Always good stuff @bristolnoir.bsky.social. www.bristolnoir.co.uk/to-avoid-the...

For the Friday night crowd- Roll into the weekend with this great story from @meproctor.bsky.social - retro noir in an stylish voice that blends Chandler, John D. MacDonald, & Ross Macdonald. The pacing in this one is superb with sharp dialogue, sensory richness, and emotional subtlety

Like a Coen Brothers video game. Wildly fun.

Just finished this enthralling book about the progressive reforms in women's prisons of the 1920's and 30's, leading to the cutting-edge institution at Tehachapi. I'm doing some research for a story. (The backgrounds of some of the female prisoners mentioned in here would make a dozen good stories.)

When things look bleak, and I mean really bleak, all we want to do is talk to our loved ones. That's it. (If you need a good ab workout, see it in the theater.)

I'm grilling in regalia. Mariners vs Tigers. My son is at the game. I'm envious. And will soon be feeling mellow on wine and ribeye.

My two favorite teams are going at it this weekend. I plan to be happy and sad at the same time.

I gobbled up this grindhouse extravaganza. Keeps my immune system strong.

From the era of actresses that made me fall in love with the movies. www.facebook.com/reel/1873138...

I recently spoke with Kenneth Turan about his new book, "Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg." Thinking about old movies inspires me to repost a link to this tale of Vivian in old Hollywood. Part One of a trilogy. www.bristolnoir.co.uk/short-story-...

Maggie and Vivian ("Bop City Swing") first appeared together in this old story. In fact, this one is old enough that Viv had not yet exposed herself to me as the woman behind the Gunselle. Happy to have it safely parked @literarygarage.bsky.social literarygarage.com/cattle-call

Maggie and Vivian ("Bop City Swing") first appeared together in this old story. In fact, this one is old enough that Viv had not yet exposed herself to me as the woman behind the Gunselle. Happy to have it safely parked @literarygarage.bsky.social literarygarage.com/cattle-call

We're ending the week with a story from @russellthayer10.bsky.social - if you've followed his writing as we have, you're familiar with Vivian. This one has a cool blend of grit, period detail, & layered perspective we love. Check it out: literarygarage.com/cattle-call #BopCitySwing #fiction

Armand Chats With... C.W. Blackwell youtu.be/RAolFA8NCZA

My mother died recently. I wrote a little crime story a few years ago based on a childhood incident. It's no longer available online, so I thought I'd make a KDP version. Most of it is true. Not all, of course. That's her on the cover. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQGK4K3...

This one is a doozy. Will forever be known as "classic Frank Vatel."

"You’re either supposed to be a star or a star-fucker. Your mother will settle for a star-fucker." @chelseastickle.bsky.social mrbullbull.com/newbull/flas...

I have a new piece up at "Grit Quarterly" today. It's called "Champagne Service." Something a little different. Check it out. Check it all out. gritquarterly.com#russell-thay...

Grit Quarterly launches today—congrats to Ed. Dan Russell. Happy to contribute an icy little chunk of S.E. Manitoba. @gritquarterly.bsky.social @nberlat.bsky.social @dashlarkin.bsky.social @melissacuisine.bsky.social @russellthayer10.bsky.social @byjeffsykes.bsky.social @maudlavin.bsky.social

I have a new piece up at "Grit Quarterly" today. It's called "Champagne Service." Something a little different. Check it out. Check it all out. gritquarterly.com#russell-thay...

Murder in Common did a mini review of "Bop City Swing" (thank you @junelorrainer.bsky.social ) . Tip of the fedora to my co-author @russellthayer10.bsky.social and deliciously noir artist @frankvatel312.bsky.social (he did that banger of a cover). murderincommon.com/2025/07/20/m...

"Instead of leaving, which I had promised myself I would do, I went to you." -- a brooding summer coming-of-age story by Gabriela Stiteler.

I vote whenever I can:

Just a reminder that this little beauty is out there in the world, stuffed with heart and soul.

For the amazing authors making our lives better! @keithroysdon.bsky.social @meproctor.bsky.social @russellthayer10.bsky.social @danrussell.bsky.social @blacktopkid.bsky.social

I don't have a lot of artistic satisfaction to show for my long life, but when something good happens, I'm shameless.

Strawberry farming? What’s that? Check it out. Honored to be in this wonderful 1st issue. 💙💙💙

If you're in the Missoula area and crave some pulp in your diet, stop by Shakespeare & Company. They'll fix you up and keep you regular.

Today at @dosomedamage.bsky.social, @meproctor.bsky.social swings by to talk about matches made in noir heaven - specifically the collaborative process they developed writing BOP CITY SWING with @russellthayer10.bsky.social Check it out here: www.dosomedamage.com/2025/06/bop-...

Just finished this colorful ode to San Diego. Sharp stories about hope and connection. The bulge in my shorts is hiding the author's name because I liked these stories THAT much. You'll find him @fbereaud.bsky.social

Listen to @meproctor.bsky.social . A year's worth of bad decisions and desperate people. Available now from @rhppress.bsky.social : bit.ly/42IyT2W

"When Writers Click" - want to know what it was really like working with @russellthayer10.bsky.social on Bop City Swing? Head on over to Ladies of Mystery, I'm g›uest blogging: ladiesofmystery.com/2025/05/29/g...

The Mariners lost 0-1 to the White Sox last night, but this thing still cheers me up every morning.

Contemplation and action in the death house. A great story by @kmwriter01.bsky.social theyardcrimeblog.com/category/cri...

Take it from @meproctor.bsky.social . A year's worth of bad decisions and desperate people. Available now from @rhppress.bsky.social : bit.ly/42IyT2W

There's no Pope, but here's Gunselle raising hell in a black dress. theyardcrimeblog.com/2025/05/01/h...

If you haven't read the "Motel" anthology from Cowboy Jamboree Press, then get after it. Best collection of the year, in my opinion. "Effie's Oasis" is a stunner. Congrats to @caseystegman.com for having it recognized.

Take two well-established characters from @meproctor.bsky.social and @russellthayer10.bsky.social, add in a classic pulpy setting and storyline, mix in a bit of sexiness and a whole lot of violence, and folks, you’ve got one excellent short novel in BOP CITY SWING. Out now from Cowboy Jamboree!

This Gunselle story came out today. She's taking a break from the cold streets of San Francisco to enjoy some sunny relaxation by a hotel pool. Good luck. (This takes place a few years before the novel.) theyardcrimeblog.com/2025/05/01/h...

These lovely products came to the house while I was in Seattle.