Bobby Mathews
@bamawriter.bsky.social
Author: NEGATIVE TILT: STORIES (2024), MAGIC CITY BLUES (2023), LIVING THE GIMMICK (2022), Best American Mystery & Suspense 2024, Anthony Award nominee, Derringer Award winner. Unrelentingly weird.
Hey hey, it's the day of the event. If you're in the Birmingham metro area, come say hi at the Hoover Public Library at 3 p.m.
I'll be reading a couple of stories, talking about why I write about the South, and giving away a few books!
I'll be reading a couple of stories, talking about why I write about the South, and giving away a few books!
October 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Hey hey, it's the day of the event. If you're in the Birmingham metro area, come say hi at the Hoover Public Library at 3 p.m.
I'll be reading a couple of stories, talking about why I write about the South, and giving away a few books!
I'll be reading a couple of stories, talking about why I write about the South, and giving away a few books!
If you're in the #BHM — that's Birmingham, Ala-damn-bama — area on October 19, I'll be reading some of my short fiction and talking about what inspires me in this city. Come see me at the Hoover Public Library! Event is free and open to the public. :-)
October 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
If you're in the #BHM — that's Birmingham, Ala-damn-bama — area on October 19, I'll be reading some of my short fiction and talking about what inspires me in this city. Come see me at the Hoover Public Library! Event is free and open to the public. :-)
If only Robert E. Lee had shaved. Pete Hegseth and the rest of MAGA would have the country they truly want.
October 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
If only Robert E. Lee had shaved. Pete Hegseth and the rest of MAGA would have the country they truly want.
Sherman coulda marched through Georgia in a day-and-a-half if he hadn't had a beard.
October 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Sherman coulda marched through Georgia in a day-and-a-half if he hadn't had a beard.
Noir at the Bar tonight in Birmingham, Ala-damn-bama. Y'all come out for what will be a great night of stories and sass.
June 7, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Noir at the Bar tonight in Birmingham, Ala-damn-bama. Y'all come out for what will be a great night of stories and sass.
Got a story you want to tell? Cool.
If you're in the Birmingham, Alabama area, come to my short story class starting June 2 at the Hoover Library and learn the ropes from an award-winning (and award-losing, dammit) author.
If you're in the Birmingham, Alabama area, come to my short story class starting June 2 at the Hoover Library and learn the ropes from an award-winning (and award-losing, dammit) author.
May 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Got a story you want to tell? Cool.
If you're in the Birmingham, Alabama area, come to my short story class starting June 2 at the Hoover Library and learn the ropes from an award-winning (and award-losing, dammit) author.
If you're in the Birmingham, Alabama area, come to my short story class starting June 2 at the Hoover Library and learn the ropes from an award-winning (and award-losing, dammit) author.
Friends, if you're looking to make charitable donations: You can change lives in Birmingham's West End community with your donation to 501(c)(3) nonprofit Urban Ministry Inc. Join our neighbors and empower them to use their God-given gifts to bring new life to West End! Use the QR code below.
May 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Friends, if you're looking to make charitable donations: You can change lives in Birmingham's West End community with your donation to 501(c)(3) nonprofit Urban Ministry Inc. Join our neighbors and empower them to use their God-given gifts to bring new life to West End! Use the QR code below.
Four years ago today, I withdrew my novel MAGIC CITY BLUES from a publisher due to what I perceived as their unethical & harmful behavior. At the time, it was the hardest publishing decision I'd ever made. Still ethically the easiest.
April 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Four years ago today, I withdrew my novel MAGIC CITY BLUES from a publisher due to what I perceived as their unethical & harmful behavior. At the time, it was the hardest publishing decision I'd ever made. Still ethically the easiest.
Random memory I need to insert into a story/book:
Dirt road. Summer break. Sweat on brown faces. White teeth. Laughter. Ache of thirst. Legs switching through grass-filled ditches, no concern for snakes or other creepy-crawlies, searching for wild blackberries & yellow-red plums & maypop fruit.
Dirt road. Summer break. Sweat on brown faces. White teeth. Laughter. Ache of thirst. Legs switching through grass-filled ditches, no concern for snakes or other creepy-crawlies, searching for wild blackberries & yellow-red plums & maypop fruit.
April 19, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Random memory I need to insert into a story/book:
Dirt road. Summer break. Sweat on brown faces. White teeth. Laughter. Ache of thirst. Legs switching through grass-filled ditches, no concern for snakes or other creepy-crawlies, searching for wild blackberries & yellow-red plums & maypop fruit.
Dirt road. Summer break. Sweat on brown faces. White teeth. Laughter. Ache of thirst. Legs switching through grass-filled ditches, no concern for snakes or other creepy-crawlies, searching for wild blackberries & yellow-red plums & maypop fruit.
If you ever get the chance, hit up Saw's Soul Kitchen in Birmingham's Avondale neighborhood. The pork & greens is particularly delicious. And if you've read Magic City Blues, you know how the restaurant got its name. :-D
April 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM
If you ever get the chance, hit up Saw's Soul Kitchen in Birmingham's Avondale neighborhood. The pork & greens is particularly delicious. And if you've read Magic City Blues, you know how the restaurant got its name. :-D
I have spent a good deal of time over the last several years coaching rec baseball for players ranging in age from 7 to 12 years old. I did it largely because I wanted to spend time w/my boys. But sometimes ... sometimes I get a text from a parent that reminds me this is worthwhile.
April 4, 2025 at 11:13 AM
I have spent a good deal of time over the last several years coaching rec baseball for players ranging in age from 7 to 12 years old. I did it largely because I wanted to spend time w/my boys. But sometimes ... sometimes I get a text from a parent that reminds me this is worthwhile.
Imagine, in the year of our Lord 2025, writing a piece bemoaning the lack of upper-middle class white male writers in litfic spaces. I read the whole thing so you don't have to, and here's my thought: If it reads like horseshit, sounds like horseshit, and smells like horseshit — it's horseshit.
March 26, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Imagine, in the year of our Lord 2025, writing a piece bemoaning the lack of upper-middle class white male writers in litfic spaces. I read the whole thing so you don't have to, and here's my thought: If it reads like horseshit, sounds like horseshit, and smells like horseshit — it's horseshit.
Friends, if any of you have Anthony Award ballots, I'd be pleased if NEGATIVE TILT: Stories made your slate for Best Anthology/Collection.
March 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Friends, if any of you have Anthony Award ballots, I'd be pleased if NEGATIVE TILT: Stories made your slate for Best Anthology/Collection.
Morning gym session … LFG
February 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Morning gym session … LFG
Since I hurt my back, I have not been able to complete a workout. In fact, it is difficult to sit for long, stand for long, or lie down for long. I’m still down about 40 pounds from my highest weight. This is me withouta pump, and without using creatine for several weeks. Just keeping it real.
February 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Since I hurt my back, I have not been able to complete a workout. In fact, it is difficult to sit for long, stand for long, or lie down for long. I’m still down about 40 pounds from my highest weight. This is me withouta pump, and without using creatine for several weeks. Just keeping it real.
Spring training. My happy place.
February 18, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Spring training. My happy place.
The absolutely stellar @kirstynpetras.bsky.social is part of a killer lineup at Shade Bar in NYC on Feb. 23 ... if you're in town, stop by. It's gonna be spoooooktacular.
February 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The absolutely stellar @kirstynpetras.bsky.social is part of a killer lineup at Shade Bar in NYC on Feb. 23 ... if you're in town, stop by. It's gonna be spoooooktacular.
This is a real sign at a small business here in Birmingham.
February 4, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This is a real sign at a small business here in Birmingham.
A lot of my stuff is set here in Birmingham. Photos like this should tell you why. For all of its faults, Birmingham is home.
January 23, 2025 at 11:34 AM
A lot of my stuff is set here in Birmingham. Photos like this should tell you why. For all of its faults, Birmingham is home.
Join me at these upcoming events:
Join me and other mystery authors at the Homewood Library in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 1, 2025 for a fun day of panels and more! Info & tix: www.mmcmysteryconference.com
Join me and other mystery authors at the Homewood Library in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 1, 2025 for a fun day of panels and more! Info & tix: www.mmcmysteryconference.com
January 21, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Join me at these upcoming events:
Join me and other mystery authors at the Homewood Library in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 1, 2025 for a fun day of panels and more! Info & tix: www.mmcmysteryconference.com
Join me and other mystery authors at the Homewood Library in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, February 1, 2025 for a fun day of panels and more! Info & tix: www.mmcmysteryconference.com
Homewood, Alabama last night ... (not my pic ... stolen from Reddit). The snow didn't stick, but it was pretty to see.
January 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Homewood, Alabama last night ... (not my pic ... stolen from Reddit). The snow didn't stick, but it was pretty to see.
15 years ago today we lost one of the greatest to ever do it, when it comes to PI/crime fiction. Rest in Peace, Robert B. Parker.
January 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
15 years ago today we lost one of the greatest to ever do it, when it comes to PI/crime fiction. Rest in Peace, Robert B. Parker.
This was a lovely surprise. It would’ve been even lovelier had they spelled my name right.
January 17, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This was a lovely surprise. It would’ve been even lovelier had they spelled my name right.
It looks like I’m resting. I’m mostly thinking.
January 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
It looks like I’m resting. I’m mostly thinking.