I was lucky enough to snag an early copy of @brandonbarrows.bsky.social’s upcoming release, THE DARKER THE NIGHT, a novel that starts innocently enough — a man taking a road trip to visit his young son — but turns into a disaster when his ex is found murdered shortly after his arrival.

SEVEN ANGELS by @keithroysdon.bsky.social is a pressure cooker of a novel, weaving together a disparate set of characters — some with hopes of reviving the titular small town, others intent on bleeding its populace dry — and hurtling them towards a confrontation that leaves no one unscathed.

Today’s #BookMail is another highly anticipated novel: THE DARKER THE NIGHT from @brandonbarrows.bsky.social, a writer who never fails to bring the goods. Right to the top of the pile it goes.

Finished Whiskey Warfare earlier this morning. Loved it. A lean-and-mean installment of The Bartender, complete with Calder’s patented high body count and pedal-to-the-metal final chapters. Great way to try the series (free download below). Guaranteed to leave you wanting the rest.

Whaaaaat?!?! Jump on this one, folks, then go grab the other three installments. The Bartender kicks all kinds of ass. I’ll be starting this shortly. Can’t wait!

Today’s #BookMail is the first installment in Stark House’s new Whipcrack Western series. Love Marvin Albert/Al Conroy’s crime fiction (my favorite being DEVIL IN DUNGAREES), but I’ve never tried his westerns. I look forward to checking this out.

Today’s #BookMail is one of my most-anticipated releases of the year: @keithroysdon.bsky.social’s new novel, SEVEN ANGELS. Can’t wait to dive in later today.

Happy #IndependentBookstoreDay! I stopped by my local shop, Lykke Books, and walked away with some new titles. You should do the same at your local indie. They need our support now more than ever.

(1 of 5) The short version: KANSAS CITY BREAKDOWN, the second book in the Detective Keegan/Gunselle series by @meproctor.bsky.social and @russellthayer10.bsky.social, is a sexy, pulpy noir that pulls even with its predecessor before mashing down the pedal and blowing right by. So freakin’ good.

We're excited to see Prompted Stories land in the bin - you still have until 8pm (BST) tomorrow to lob one at us 🦝 Here's what Andrew Monge @muchadoaboutnil.bsky.social did in 2025 with the prompts: A Morgue/ Funeral Home, Nightshift Worker, an Unwanted Gift trashcatlit.com/rubbernecker/

Just saw RATINGS GAME by #RyanCThomas is back with a 20th Anniversary edition. This book is a pulpy, demented, over-the-top, darkly comedic look at the news and what it takes to stay at the top. I read it a few years back and had a lot of fun with it. You might too. Link below.

#BookMail, Part Two: an oldie from #JackFinney, recommended by @brandonbarrows.bsky.social.

#BookMail, Part One: two books and a writing journal from @pmpress.bsky.social.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a short story as gonzo as “All In” from #RonClyburn. I can say it involves a hitman and a target, but not much else without spoiling the fun. Had me flipping pages as fast as I could. An absolute riot.

“The Predator’s Daughter” by #JeffSoloway explores the feelings of surviving family members after the patriarch - a respected professor and author - passes away to accusations of being a sexual predator throughout his life. Packs a one-two punch that takes your breath away.

Finally digging into the latest issue of Guilty, which is lead off by the always-on-his-game @brandonbarrows.bsky.social. “Danny Said” centers on a trio of lifelong friends, detailing what happens when one breaks bad, dragging the other two into the shit. Excellent story, per usual.

It’s an honor to have a story at @literarygarage.bsky.social, publisher of numerous writers I greatly admire. Click through to read “The Pocket Watch,” my tale of a funeral, a family heirloom, and a difficult decision.

It’s an honor to have a story at @literarygarage.bsky.social, publisher of numerous writers I greatly admire. Click through to read “The Pocket Watch,” my tale of a funeral, a family heirloom, and a difficult decision.

A couple titles from @pmpress.bsky.social in my recent #BookMail. As an aside, their sticker game is on point.

Last month, @micromancemagazine.bsky.social hosted a Frantic Romantic contest: 48 hours to write a 500-word story, using the words “romantic” and “inaugural,” and ending with a kiss. Click through to see how I incorporated Ed McBain into a tale of love! open.substack.com/pub/microman...

Today’s #BookMail.

Just a few days away from @marythor.bsky.social’s new release at @rhppress.bsky.social. I’ve got my copy pre-ordered; you should grab one too.

Bring together a talented graphic artist @frankvatel312.bsky.social, a cool publisher, @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social, a writer with more ideas than you can sling a typewriter at, @russellthayer10.bsky.social and you get a ring toss game and ice cream. Out April 14. Have we got a surprise for you !

LINE OF SIGHT by @jqwritesstuff.bsky.social is an excellent bit of crime fiction, detailing a race-related case taken on by reporter-turned-PI Russ Avery. From the gritty Newark setting to the cast of drug dealers, crooked cops, reporters, and activists, this debut keeps the pages turning.

About a quarter of the way through THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT and came to “Wrong Fucking Place, Wrong Fucking Time” by @crobertcargill.bsky.social, a tale that melds love-of-movies with the goings-on of THE STAND, creating a wild story I won’t soon forget. Well done, sir.

A break from the usual #BookMail to show off a new t-shirt and sticker from @pmpress.bsky.social. Go check out their stuff. They’ve published some of my favorite books in recent years, and their other merch is excellent as well.

Mercy #1: A Lady’s Vengeance is a helluva series debut from @pointofimpactbooks.bsky.social, following the title character as she hunts down her family’s killers. Love Mercy’s progression from angry-but-green wannabe to hardened gunslinger as she gains experience, barreling toward the epic finale.

Despite working from home for ages, I’ve never had a proper office space. This past month we’ve been redoing some rooms in our basement, and I now have a nook in one of the bedrooms. So happy to have a place for work and writing! Wifey even got me some finishing touches for V-Day.☺️

Brand new adult western series from @pointofimpactbooks.bsky.social debuts today! Go grab a copy of what is sure to be an action-packed tale of revenge.

Reading #RobertBloch’s PSYCHO for the first time. What an incredible novel. I’ve seen the movie, so no real surprises here, but I can’t stop thinking about how amazing it would’ve been to read it upon release, completely shocked by the twists and turns. It had to be jaw-dropping.

See below for a fantastic short story from the inimitable @coyhall.bsky.social. The level of world-building and characterization in a 25-page story is incredible (yet, as a fan of Coy’s writing, not surprising; he’s one of the best to do it).

(1 of 3) As someone who spent countless hours scouring dungeons in the likes of The Bard’s Tale, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, and Diablo, I’m stunned it took me this long to get to @mattdinniman.bsky.social’s DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL. The short answer: I loved it.

Today’s #BookMail is a new one from @jameygallagher.bsky.social. I mean, how could I pass up a quirky book about (maybe, maybe not?) Idris Elba?!

The newest issue of Guilty Crime Story Magazine was in today’s #BookMail. Always a pleasure to crack the cover on one of these.

Got news today that my short-short, “From A to Z,” was a Cupid’s Choice selection for January 2026. How cool is that?! Thanks to @micromancemagazine.bsky.social for giving it a home, as well as the support you offer *all* of your authors. Happy to be part of the fam. ❤️

We're 13 days away from the release of Mercy: A Lady's Vengeance! The all-action, Adult Western from Dick Remington and the fine folks at Point of Impact! Starting later today, we will be posting one bit of trivia about the book every day until release! Saddle up! books2read.com/aladysvengea...

Today’s #BookMail is one I bought upon publication, but I’m pretty sure I only read the King and then lost/sold my original copy. Grabbed it this time for #EdMcBain’s 87th Precinct novella, but will also read through the others.

DETOUR by #JeffRake and @robwhart.bsky.social is one helluva series debut, detailing a space mission taken by six astronauts…only to have their world be a little off after returning home. Shifting POV’s with phenomenal characterization, doling out bits of mystery along the way. Recommended.

Today’s #BookMail is a collection of six new novellas from @donwinslow.bsky.social. Hoping to start it later this week.

One of my favorite songs of all time. Still a timely bit of songwriting, all these years later. youtu.be/1LOZIhbPk38?...

Today’s #BookMail is a rare foray into sci-fi. Right to the top of the pile it goes.

PICKET LINE by #ElmoreLeonard is a literary neo-western that tackles issues such as race relations, labor conditions, and abuse of power. Written 50+ years ago, yet given the current climate of the nation, you’d think it was ripped from today’s headlines.

51 books into the series, and #EdMcBain was still writing fresh storylines in the 87th Precinct. Massive cast of characters, multiple international cases that intersect in the 8-7, all showcasing how money flows through the system. Numerous callbacks to other books. Great stuff!

The sixth book in the Frenzi series sees our favorite enforcer go up against a rogue Mafia Don who is pushing his family into human trafficking. Relentless pace in this one, mashing the pedal to the metal in the first chapter and never letting up. Fantastic work, @pointofimpactbooks.bsky.social!

Thrilled to see folks are enjoying my romance drabble over at @micromancemagazine.bsky.social! Link in the comments, if you want to check it out. 👇

Today’s #BookMail is a collection of books I snagged during B&N’s holiday sale. The copy of Psycho is quite a sight; the boards feel like shower tiles, and the edges of the pages are speckled with “blood.”

Swing over to @micromancemagazine.bsky.social to read “From A to Z,” a new short story inspired by one of the stranger writing prompts I saw last year: 100 words in celebration of “Sneak a Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day!” open.substack.com/pub/microman...

Today’s #BookMail is for @andrewrihn.bsky.social’s first installment of #HittingTheBooks. Can’t wait to get in the ring later today!

Congrats @keithroysdon.bsky.social and @kmwriter01.bsky.social! Look forward to seeing what you and the others came up with.

2025 saw the publication of 14 stories (up from 11 last year). Most were pretty short — MS brain was in full effect — but a few snuck up into the 1000-word range. Click through to give ‘em a go. api.omarshehata.me/substack-pro...