me trying to fix all the plot holes in my new novel... #5amwritersclub #amwriting #writerslife #writing #wattpad #mustread #amreading #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #WIP #poetry

Author Finally Finishes Draft, Celebrates By Immediately Hating It #writing #writingcommunity #amwriting

Thanks to @markatley.bsky.social for this great Q&A. While you’re at it, check out his fiction and learn about the Tulsa underworld.

What a gem. Ana Sophia Heger is mesmerizing as Polly. Same for Taron Egerton. I didn't recognize John Carroll Lynch after his turn in "Ballard." Saw this at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday when no one else bothered to be in the theater. Their loss. The book ain't bad, either. @jordanharper.bsky.social

Hey, ya'll. My novel is nearing its second birthday, and I'd love to get a few more reviews on Amazon. If you've read the book and haven't bothered to drop a review, now's the time. Gus will thank you from the bottom of his grumpy heart. (Also, the hardcover is half priced at the moment.)

Had a fantastic conversation with @rhppress.bsky.social editors @smccaffery.bsky.social and @paulgarth.bsky.social about noir, writing for catharsis, late-stage capitalism, and my debut collection WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN. Check it out here 👇👇👇 www.patreon.com/posts/134338...

Thanks, Gabino! Sometimes you just can't get rid of a body. Check out my story "Bad Man Down" here: bit.ly/44y6iNA

This is a good one.

This.

The fire alarm goes off in the theater about 45 minutes in, complete with strobe lights, and I will never be the same. We shuffled back inside after the all clear, but we were lesser people. Great film though.

Friends, if you haven't read my book, now's a good time. It's currently $1.99 on Kindle and $7.49 for the audiobook. www.amazon.com/Burn-this-Ni...

This. All the time.

Can't make this, but it looks like a good one. Get there if you can.

Can’t wait.

My first Noir at the Bar took place seven years ago, almost to the day. It was at a pool hall in Fredericksburg, Va. that served great hot dogs, as I recall. Looking at that lineup, I'm not sure I grasped the company I was in. #amwriting, #crimefiction

What? As I understand this post and thread, under this ruling, a local government could ban library books and there would be no First Amendment claim.

I want to second the praise for Dick Tracy by @alexsegura.bsky.social, Moreci, borges, @suspensesiren.bsky.social englert and Campbell. Brought back great memories. This one will stay with me for a while.

Today’s mail: Because it’s never too early to order that special Star Wars Christmas ornament. Nothing says Peace on Earth like shooting Greedo under the table

Go Crimson!

I was happy to see Henry Wise win an Edgar for best debut mystery novel. I had the pleasure of interviewing him at the York County Public Library "Crime Writers in Conversation" series. It's a great book and he truly persevered getting it into print.

Happy #Easter Weekend! 🤣

If any of ya'll are in the Hampton, Virginia area on Saturday, stop by and say hello. The neighborhood of Phoebus -- a wonderful and quirky place that I used for the setting of my novel, "Fadeaway Joe," is celebrating a big birthday. And I'll be selling books!

Just gave this a five-star review on the Amazons after it somehow migrated to the middle of my TBR pile. Now I want my own "hunting lodge."

This one hits me a couple of different ways. Thirty-six years as a newshound (I just like saying that) and left the biz right before COVID. Thanks, hedge funds. I never tried to "make a living"in the creative world -- I always feared the leap -- but much of this resonates. Smart, sober column.

I went to the first NoirCon -- I think it was 2006 in Philly -- and Ken Bruen was there, big as life. It was a small room, and he held us in stilled silence. Gone too soon.

It was nice to see my book still lives in the wild. Thanks for the nod, @barnesandnoble.com in Newport News.

These past two weekends have been memorable : first, interviewing author Henry Wise at the York County Library March 8, and one week later, a great time at the Suffolk Authors Festival. Wise's "Holy City" is an on-fire debut novel. Pick it up! #amwriting #crimefiction

I'm looking forward to appearing at the Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival on Saturday. If you're in the neighborhood, come and join us!

For Daily Yonder, I wrote about SA Cosby @blacktopkid.bsky.social one of the leading figures in rural noir. dailyyonder.com/sa-cosby-is-...

I plan to retire in May. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

Like they say at the Oscars, it's an honor to be nominated. If ya'll have an Anthony awards ballot, look for "Retro Rhapsody," from Scattered, Smothered Covered and Chunked: Stories inspired by Waffle House, and "Burned" from Mickey Finn Vol. 5. #AnthonyAwards.

Keep flying.

Check out today’s interview for mu weekend launch of my new interview series. Novelist and teacher Scott Blackburn #books open.substack.com/pub/markatle...

My beloved brother-in-law likes to celebrate Black History Month in Star Trek-style.

This is a hostile takeover of the federal government by a private citizen of unlimited means with no restrictions and no transparency. Welcome to the Deep State www.reuters.com/world/us/mus...

I went to post about the National Japanese American Memorial in D.C., which is beautiful but usually missed by tourists. It is a deeply staggering admission of guilt and a warning to future Americans. I went to link to the inscriptions and- Well, they took the site down. www.nps.gov/places/japan...

Had a killer conversation with uber-talented crime and mystery writer @meproctor.bsky.social on her substack, where we talked about Song of the Red Squire, Hard Mountain Clay, and my new crime fiction collection Whatever Kills the Pain! Check it out here 👇 open.substack.com/pub/meprocto...

I'm thrilled to be sitting down with Henry Wise, author of HOLY CITY. This book catches fire. It has been nominated for an Edgar Award as best debut novel, and is catching all kinds of well-deserved buzz. If you're in the area on March 8, stop by. We'll be talking all things crime writing.

Hey, Central Virginia folks, come and see me and some amazing authors at the Powhatan Library today from 10-1 for the Writers Round Up. powhatanlibrary.net/2025-writers...

“More personnel and equipment from Ontario, Quebec and Alberta are ready to be mobilized, according to government officials. And a team of senior technical staff members from British Columbia will fill specialized roles, the government said.”

How a debut author turned around a dismal start to win all the awards, accolades substack.com/home/post/p-...

It’s a Kolchak kind of morning. I picture him hard at work as we approach New Year’s Eve. Just another deadline.

#horrorwriter #amwriting #writingcommunity #indieauthor #indieauthors

Give the gift of great fiction this holiday season. Go on, get some @cmattwrite.bsky.social @stevestred.bsky.social @elfordalley.bsky.social @chadlutzke.bsky.social @aliseay.bsky.social @bamawriter.bsky.social and @robwhart.bsky.social 😀🎅🎄

I don't normally write cozies or funny stuff, but "The Manchurian Canine" came out of the blue. I'm so pleased it will appear in the anthology for Malice Domestic 2025, "Murder Most Humorous." Malice is one of my favorite conventions. A great lineup of authors in this one.