Michael Bracken
@crimefictionwriter.bsky.social
Edgar- and Shamus-nominated, Derringer-winning short story writer. Anthony Award-nominated editor.
Today is National Adoption Day, and today my romance story "Forever Family" was published by Micromance.
micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/forever-fa...
micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/forever-fa...
Forever Family
By Michael Bracken
micromancemagazine.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Today is National Adoption Day, and today my romance story "Forever Family" was published by Micromance.
micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/forever-fa...
micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/forever-fa...
Coming Soon from Level Best Books: The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025.
November 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Coming Soon from Level Best Books: The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025.
If you had (or will have) a PI story published this year and you want it considered for The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2026, follow the submission instructions here: www.crimefictionwriter.com/submissions....
Remember: If I don't see your story, I can't consider your story.
Remember: If I don't see your story, I can't consider your story.
Submissions
www.crimefictionwriter.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
If you had (or will have) a PI story published this year and you want it considered for The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2026, follow the submission instructions here: www.crimefictionwriter.com/submissions....
Remember: If I don't see your story, I can't consider your story.
Remember: If I don't see your story, I can't consider your story.
“Janie’s Got a Gun”—the third single from Aerosmith’s album Pump—was released this week in 1989, and it’s the title of an anthology of crime stories inspired by the music of Aerosmith. Order here: www.mistimedia.com/product/janie/
Janie’s Got a Gun edited by Michael Bracken – Misti Media, LLC
www.mistimedia.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“Janie’s Got a Gun”—the third single from Aerosmith’s album Pump—was released this week in 1989, and it’s the title of an anthology of crime stories inspired by the music of Aerosmith. Order here: www.mistimedia.com/product/janie/
KissMet Quarterly: The Greatest Holiday Romance Stories Ever Written releases tomorrow and it includes my story "Home for the Holidays."
The ebook is available now; the paperback will be available soon.
www.amazon.com/KissMet-Quar...
The ebook is available now; the paperback will be available soon.
www.amazon.com/KissMet-Quar...
KissMet Quarterly: The Greatest Holiday Romance Stories Ever Written
Amazon.com: KissMet Quarterly: The Greatest Holiday Romance Stories Ever Written eBook : KissMet Quarterly, Cahill, Danielle, Landry, Denise, Turner , Laura, Langevin, Suzy, DeMoney, Barbara , Thompson , Penny, Black, Mickey, Whalen, Jennifer, Belfield , Jo: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM
KissMet Quarterly: The Greatest Holiday Romance Stories Ever Written releases tomorrow and it includes my story "Home for the Holidays."
The ebook is available now; the paperback will be available soon.
www.amazon.com/KissMet-Quar...
The ebook is available now; the paperback will be available soon.
www.amazon.com/KissMet-Quar...
A week or so ago, I was interviewed by Rich Ehisen for The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words, and the interview was posted today at YouTub and all the major Podcast outlets.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLP7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLP7...
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Michael Bracken
YouTube video by The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
A week or so ago, I was interviewed by Rich Ehisen for The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words, and the interview was posted today at YouTub and all the major Podcast outlets.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLP7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLP7...
It's been a tough few weeks for crime fiction short-story writers. Hell, it's been a tough year. Anthology publishers have closed and periodical publishers have closed, gone on indefinite hiatus, or announced closure in the near future. What's a writer to do?
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/10/its-...
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/10/its-...
It’s the End of the World as We Know It
A criminally compelling web site featuring professional crime writers and crime fighters.
www.sleuthsayers.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
It's been a tough few weeks for crime fiction short-story writers. Hell, it's been a tough year. Anthology publishers have closed and periodical publishers have closed, gone on indefinite hiatus, or announced closure in the near future. What's a writer to do?
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/10/its-...
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/10/its-...
Reposted by Michael Bracken
#ICYMI #ShortStory #Review
Kevin's Corner: Short Story Wednesday Review: Renovated to Death by Michael Bracken and Sandra Murphy
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2025/06/shor...
Kevin's Corner: Short Story Wednesday Review: Renovated to Death by Michael Bracken and Sandra Murphy
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2025/06/shor...
Short Story Wednesday Review: Renovated to Death by Michael Bracken and Sandra Murphy
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com
July 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#ICYMI #ShortStory #Review
Kevin's Corner: Short Story Wednesday Review: Renovated to Death by Michael Bracken and Sandra Murphy
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2025/06/shor...
Kevin's Corner: Short Story Wednesday Review: Renovated to Death by Michael Bracken and Sandra Murphy
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2025/06/shor...
Reposted by Michael Bracken
EXCITED that “Won’t You Be Vine?” appears in this week’s edition of Black Cat Weekly (@wildsidepress.bsky.social). Everybody loves nature, and sometimes nature loves you back! Thanks to editor extraordinaire Michael Bracken for accepting this story—I guess it grew on him!
August 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
EXCITED that “Won’t You Be Vine?” appears in this week’s edition of Black Cat Weekly (@wildsidepress.bsky.social). Everybody loves nature, and sometimes nature loves you back! Thanks to editor extraordinaire Michael Bracken for accepting this story—I guess it grew on him!
Reposted by Michael Bracken
A little something from "Diana and the Princess," in SLEUTHS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN, edited by the amazing Michael Bracken -- out today from Down & Out Books!
Where you get your books!
Where you get your books!
April 14, 2025 at 9:12 PM
A little something from "Diana and the Princess," in SLEUTHS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN, edited by the amazing Michael Bracken -- out today from Down & Out Books!
Where you get your books!
Where you get your books!
Lunatic Fringe, which contains my story "Black Velvet," is now available for preorder.
whitecitypress.com/product/luna...
whitecitypress.com/product/luna...
Lunatic Fringe edited by J. Alan Hartman – White City Press
whitecitypress.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Lunatic Fringe, which contains my story "Black Velvet," is now available for preorder.
whitecitypress.com/product/luna...
whitecitypress.com/product/luna...
Now available for preorder: The Vigilante Crime Pulp Fiction Anthology, which includes my story "4:13 a.m."
amzn.to/48ZXrrS
amzn.to/48ZXrrS
The Vigilante Crime Pulp Fiction Anthology: A High Quality Mix of Straight Shots and Genre Cocktails
Amazon.com: The Vigilante Crime Pulp Fiction Anthology: A High Quality Mix of Straight Shots and Genre Cocktails eBook : Lansdale, Joe, Scott Bell, James, Bracken, Michael, Hoag, Christina, Altman, Steven-Elliot, Arturo, Michael, Sorondo, Marc, Cizak, Alec, Smith, Philip, Louis, Matthew: Kindle Store
amzn.to
October 15, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Now available for preorder: The Vigilante Crime Pulp Fiction Anthology, which includes my story "4:13 a.m."
amzn.to/48ZXrrS
amzn.to/48ZXrrS
Coming Saturday, October 18: Mystery in the Midlands: Writing Short Mystery Fiction, a free, one-day online conference.
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Mystery in the Midlands: Writing Short Mystery Fiction 2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
A One-Day Program with Experts to Instruct about Plotting Short Stories, the Experiences of New Authors, and Making Sure Editors Remember You
us02web.zoom.us
October 14, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Coming Saturday, October 18: Mystery in the Midlands: Writing Short Mystery Fiction, a free, one-day online conference.
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Coming tomorrow:
www.sincchicago.com/chapter-meet...
www.sincchicago.com/chapter-meet...
Chapter Meetings — SISTERS IN CRIME CHICAGOLAND
www.sincchicago.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Coming tomorrow:
www.sincchicago.com/chapter-meet...
www.sincchicago.com/chapter-meet...
Submit to The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2026.
SJ Rozan will be the guest editor.
If you had or will have a PI story published this year, ensure that I get a copy. If I don't see your story, I can't consider it.
www.crimefictionwriter.com/submissions....
SJ Rozan will be the guest editor.
If you had or will have a PI story published this year, ensure that I get a copy. If I don't see your story, I can't consider it.
www.crimefictionwriter.com/submissions....
Submissions
www.crimefictionwriter.com
August 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Submit to The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2026.
SJ Rozan will be the guest editor.
If you had or will have a PI story published this year, ensure that I get a copy. If I don't see your story, I can't consider it.
www.crimefictionwriter.com/submissions....
SJ Rozan will be the guest editor.
If you had or will have a PI story published this year, ensure that I get a copy. If I don't see your story, I can't consider it.
www.crimefictionwriter.com/submissions....
My short romance, "Banking on Love," appears today at Micromance Magazine.
open.substack.com/pub/microman...
open.substack.com/pub/microman...
Banking on Love
By Michael Bracken
open.substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
My short romance, "Banking on Love," appears today at Micromance Magazine.
open.substack.com/pub/microman...
open.substack.com/pub/microman...
Attempting to predict anything in publishing is a mug’s game, especially trying to predict how long it will take for a short story to find a home. In today's post, I examine my 10 most recent acceptances. (Hint: one took 22 years to place.)
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/08/hot-...
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/08/hot-...
Hot Streak
A criminally compelling web site featuring professional crime writers and crime fighters.
www.sleuthsayers.org
August 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Attempting to predict anything in publishing is a mug’s game, especially trying to predict how long it will take for a short story to find a home. In today's post, I examine my 10 most recent acceptances. (Hint: one took 22 years to place.)
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/08/hot-...
www.sleuthsayers.org/2025/08/hot-...
My story "Curves" appears today as a Guilty Flash on Guilty Crime Story Magazine's website:
www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/curves...
www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/curves...
Curves by Michael Bracken
“I want you to kill my husband.” My gaze traveled the long way around her curves and returned to her eyes. “What’s in it for me?” “Ten thousand. Small bills. Non-sequential.” Ten...
www.guiltycrimemag.com
August 17, 2025 at 2:32 PM
My story "Curves" appears today as a Guilty Flash on Guilty Crime Story Magazine's website:
www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/curves...
www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/curves...
In "Crafting an Interconnected World, One Short Story at a Time" (Writer's Digest, S/O 2025). P.M. Raymond discusses how the Chop Shop stories all tie together. She also interviewed Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier about her interconnected stories set in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
August 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
In "Crafting an Interconnected World, One Short Story at a Time" (Writer's Digest, S/O 2025). P.M. Raymond discusses how the Chop Shop stories all tie together. She also interviewed Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier about her interconnected stories set in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
PW reviewed The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2025 and gave a shout out to Gary Phillips’s “The Darklight Gizmo Matter,” which offers "tantalizing twists on the classic PI story."
The original publication: Private Dicks and Disco Balls (Down & Out Books).
www.publishersweekly.com/9780063422292
The original publication: Private Dicks and Disco Balls (Down & Out Books).
www.publishersweekly.com/9780063422292
The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025 by Don Winslow, Steph Cha
City in Ruins author Winslow selects 20 splendid shorts for the latest volume of this long-running anthology series. Many of the...
www.publishersweekly.com
August 10, 2025 at 12:09 AM
PW reviewed The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2025 and gave a shout out to Gary Phillips’s “The Darklight Gizmo Matter,” which offers "tantalizing twists on the classic PI story."
The original publication: Private Dicks and Disco Balls (Down & Out Books).
www.publishersweekly.com/9780063422292
The original publication: Private Dicks and Disco Balls (Down & Out Books).
www.publishersweekly.com/9780063422292
I have stories in the September/October issues of AHMM & EQMM.: "The Girl in the Shop" in AHMM and "Blind Pig" in EQMM.
August 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I have stories in the September/October issues of AHMM & EQMM.: "The Girl in the Shop" in AHMM and "Blind Pig" in EQMM.
ShortCon 2026, The Premiere Conference for Writers of Short Crime Fiction, will be held at Elaine's Literary Salon, Alexandria, Virginia, on June 6, 2026 and feature:
Gary Phillips, Michele Slung, Art Taylor & Stacy Woodson
Registration limited to 50.
www.eastcoastcrime.com#/
Gary Phillips, Michele Slung, Art Taylor & Stacy Woodson
Registration limited to 50.
www.eastcoastcrime.com#/
ShortCon
EAST COAST CRIME
www.eastcoastcrime.com
August 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
ShortCon 2026, The Premiere Conference for Writers of Short Crime Fiction, will be held at Elaine's Literary Salon, Alexandria, Virginia, on June 6, 2026 and feature:
Gary Phillips, Michele Slung, Art Taylor & Stacy Woodson
Registration limited to 50.
www.eastcoastcrime.com#/
Gary Phillips, Michele Slung, Art Taylor & Stacy Woodson
Registration limited to 50.
www.eastcoastcrime.com#/
In advance of our appearance at Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar in Austin this Saturday to discuss Sleuths Just Wanna Have Fun, Laura Oles Author, Mark Thielman, William Dylan Powell, Andrew Hearn, & I were interviewed by Scott Montgomery at The Hard Word:
www.thehardword.org/single-post/...
www.thehardword.org/single-post/...
SLEUTHS JUST WANNA' HAVE FUN'S MICHAEL BRACKEN, MARK THIELMAN, LAURA OLES, ANDREW HEARN, & WILLIAM DYLAN POWELL
A few months back Michael Bracken released his collection Sleuths Just Wanna' Have with original private eye tales set in the eighties, linked to a moment in the culture. I will be moderating a panel ...
www.thehardword.org
July 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
In advance of our appearance at Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar in Austin this Saturday to discuss Sleuths Just Wanna Have Fun, Laura Oles Author, Mark Thielman, William Dylan Powell, Andrew Hearn, & I were interviewed by Scott Montgomery at The Hard Word:
www.thehardword.org/single-post/...
www.thehardword.org/single-post/...