DERRINGER AWARD FINALIST! Big thanks to every SMFS member who voted for ON FIRE. And the warmest of congratulations to Editor @curtisippolito.bsky.social, and our 15 contributors. Great news.

About that great writing news I teased… I’m thrilled to announce I signed with RHP to publish my next novel, WAVES OF BURDEN. In working with the team last summer I found everyone to be passionate, dedicated, and so thoughtful. I can’t think of a better press to bring this story into the world.

NEW THIS SUMMER from RHP Press: WAVES OF BURDEN. The new novel from Anthony Award-winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social. You don't want to miss this one.

Climate change is real. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social Listen to what @jordanharper.bsky.social says and order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

Thrilled that On Fire and Under Water is a Finalist for the Best Anthology Derringer Award!Congrats to the other five well-deserving finalists also! This is an honor and I’m so happy for everyone at @rhppress.bsky.social and our 15 contributors for making this anthology such a great success.

WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN: Derringer Award-winning author @cwblackwell.bsky.social mourns an America lost to the shadows, exploring a broken economic system that has given rise to rampant inequality, violence, and darkness. Take it from @hlessig.bsky.social: bit.ly/4runwWU

3 BY NICK KOLAKOWSKI: The “Jake Halligan” trilogy is an action-packed, blood soaked saga that will leave you wanting more! Pick up all three books by @nkolakowski.bsky.social for that crime fiction lover in your life today: bit.ly/3J1ekYN

If you’re going to Left Coast Crime, some cool guys and I will be reading at Book Passage on Thursday night to celebrate the launch of The Savage Waves of Spring anthology.

Time to read more gut-punching crime fiction anthologies from RHP. Add one or two or three collections to your wish list today. Better than broccoli: bit.ly/3MbYXOk

Advance praise for the debut collection by @marythor.bsky.social. Out March 15th from RHP Press. #literaryfiction #crimefiction #darkfiction

So proud and thrilled for these three! I knew they would crush it. If you’re in Colorado, they’ll be doing two more events soon, so keep an eye out.

It was so cool to have my very first live speaking event for the anthology ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER this past weekend. My friends @pujaguha.bsky.social and Raymond J. Brash joined me to chat with Douglas County readers about climate change, crime, and revisiting our favorite places through words!

This year, read more gut-punching crime fiction anthologies from RHP. Add one or two or three collections to your wish list today: bit.ly/3MbYXOk

Climate change is real. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social Listen to what @jordanharper.bsky.social says and order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

I won’t review this book out of principle, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t!

If you’re a SMFS member, would love if you would nominate On Fire and Under Water for Best Anthology.

In case you missed the virtual event with @johncopenhaver.bsky.social, Mysti Berry, and myself, here it is on YouTube. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Had a great time talking to @frank212.bsky.social about my recent collection WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN from @rhppress.bsky.social, writing crime fiction, and the fable of the American dream. Check it out here 👇👇👇

Make a resolution to read more gut-punching crime fiction anthologies from RHP. Add one or two or three collections to your wish list today: bit.ly/3MbYXOk

I only had one credit this year, and I’m damn proud of it. Closing out this challenging year, I extend my deepest appreciation to the editors and staff at @rhppress.bsky.social for the opportunity and to the talented 15 writers who made On Fire and Under Water a success. tinyurl.com/46z7cvx6

My year-end newsletter is here. scottvondoviak.substack.com/p/best-of-2025

Climate change is real. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social Listen to what @jordanharper.bsky.social says and order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

Best short mystery I read this week.

Check it. @roblopresti.bsky.social called “The Skies Are Red” by @richienarvaez.bsky.social the best story he’s read this week. Check out his thoughts, and then grab On Fire and Under Water to read Richie’s story and the other 14 excellent entries.

Although last year was the first time being published, this year has been full of publishing firsts. First short story, first anthology, first podcast interview, and now first one of these posts. 2025 has been a good year.

Culinary journalist Naomi Sinclair is cooking up a maelstrom of trouble upon her return to the blue waters of her native Saint Thomas in THE BUSH TEA MURDER by @armbernier.bsky.social. #ewgc #libraryreads Request on Netgalley: https://loom.ly/O_KPybI

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

First snow for the year came today in Denver. Only one other time in recorded history has it gone past Thanksgiving. In 2021. Wonder what thats about...

It’s back 😏 Nominate Your Favorite Lit Mags of 2025 through this form ⬇️ www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag... Let’s love on some editors, folks. They freakin’ deserve it!

Sixteen reviews and counting. Appreciate everyone who is helping spread the word about this timely and excellent anthology.

The 5 star reviews for On Fire and Under Water keep rolling in. This one from Alan Warren, who recently interviewed @ce-mckenna.bsky.social, @kendallbrunson.bsky.social, and myself for House of Mystery Radio. Check out the full review in the comments.

Feeling for a quick story? Check out my new flash fiction story that came out last week at Please See Me's Issue 17! pleaseseeme.com/issue-17-fre...

The latest review of On Fire and Under Water and its one hell of a ringing endorsement! From the incredibly-talented, Anthony Award winner Holly West at that. “Best Anthology of the Year.” 🤯🤯

Climate change is real. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social Listen to what @jordanharper.bsky.social says and order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

Me today after reading "I Keep Coming Back Empty Handed" @cwblackwell.bsky.social

Just a reminder that I wrote an Anthony Award nominated pulp thriller that I would love for you all to read.

SUBS OPEN NOW THRU NOV. 22! We want stories that detail life at the bottom or at the margins of human society. Make it sad. Make it dark. Make it the tiniest bit hopeful. More info here: bit.ly/4onmEBw

Time to spill the tea! Meet the cover of my debut novel-length work, The Bush Tea Murder, coming from Crooked Lane Books in April 2026! Want to win one of 5 physical galleys of the book? Enter at Goodreads between now and 11/16: www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...

Thought I'd give horror a shot, wrote a story about a guy who builds a panic room to force his dad to get sober. Got picked up for Stolen: A Horror Anthology. Out now! a.co/d/fJaKnf3

A suspenseful story throughout, “Ban Yuh Belly” is a hell of an examination of character under duress. @rjbrash.bsky.social’s deep knowledge of the place and people anchor you one sentence in. Buy a copy and see: tinyurl.com/2s45pmu4

This baby’s been out for three weeks today, and I would love to see some more reviews over on A. If you’ve read, please drop a sentence or two about what you loved. Reviews will help more readers find these great stories. Thank you!

Still completely awestruck that my story made it in this anthology!

AVAILABLE NOW: Some say the world will end in fire or flood. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today, including @rjbrash.bsky.social. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social. Order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

Zakariah’s story shows how the consequences of climate change are upon us. A great story filled with emotion.

The paperback of On Fire and Under Water is now available on @bookshop.org and is on sale! Support your local independent bookstore and grab a copy. tinyurl.com/fbeux58s

A nice hike and hang with my Anthology Sisters Puja Guha and @ce-mckenna.bsky.social in Boulder. Wonderful people and wonderful writers. Shoutout to @curtisippolito.bsky.social for introducing me to them by way of including my story in the @rhppress.bsky.social anthology.

Bessie got her copy of ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER today.

TODAY: Some say the world will end in fire. Some say flood. 15 short stories from some of the best crime fiction writers today. Guest-edited by Anthony winning author @curtisippolito.bsky.social Listen to Jordan Harper and order your copy today: bit.ly/4nOVXoK

Tomorrow! One more day until you can read this killer anthology and find out what all the buzz has been about. I am so proud of our 15 authors and their incredible stories.

I really enjoyed this conversation I had with @eaaymar.bsky.social and am blown away by his incredible review of On Fire and Under Water.