C.W. Blackwell
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cwblackwell.bsky.social
C.W. Blackwell
@cwblackwell.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.3K following 1.2K posts
Author: SONG OF THE RED SQUIRE ✷ HARD MOUNTAIN CLAY ✷ WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN ✷ THE COLD DARK FOREVER (2026) ✷ 2X Derringer Award winner #crimefiction #noir #santacruz

https://lnk.bio/cw_blackwell_writer
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cwblackwell.bsky.social
I wrote a crime novelette for the Myopic Duplicity anthology and it’s now available as an audiobook AND e-book! Special thanks to @jeffcircle.bsky.social, @leonardoaudio.bsky.social, and @victordeanda.bsky.social!!
Myopic Duplicity e-book cover referencing my story “The High Priest of Low Men” with a blurb from Victor De Anda that’s says “Blackwell's story gnaws at you with poetic violence and beauty. It simmers in anger at the world's injustices and explodes with a reckoning we all pray would come true."
November 13, 2025 at 10:23 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein. Great film.
A marquee for Frankenstein, Die My Love, and Train Dreams at the Del Mar Theater in Santa Cruz. A sign indicating in which theater room Frankenstein is playing
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 AM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Stoked that readers are still picking up HARD MOUNTAIN CLAY and digging the book. And I have something new coming from @shotgunhoney.com (soonish)!
A review of Hard Mountain clay by C.W. Blackwell that reads: “Blackwell's characters make you feel something: anxiety, fear, rage. His descriptions of landscapes are evocative and cinematic. Pacing and plotting are consistently strong. So glad I discovered him, and can't wait to read more!” Book covers of Hard Mountain Clay spread out on a table
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Picked up my copy of ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER from @bookshopsantacruz.bsky.social!
A copy of ON FIRE AND UNDER WATER held in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz
November 1, 2025 at 6:23 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Very excited to have passed the halfway mark on the WIP!
Title page for my next novel BLEED THE MACHINES, with a logline that reads “A dark literary noir meets A.I. techno dystopia.”
October 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Buzz McAllister in Home Alone
October 28, 2025 at 3:18 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Saw this angry note posted in my neighborhood and I think I am obligated to write a short story.
A handwritten note tapped to a brick wall that says: TO THE LOWLIFE SCUMBAG WHO ENJOYS BREAKING THE WINDOW GLASS OF CARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, MAY YOU BURN IN HELL FOR ETERNITY.
October 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
You can find two signed copies of WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN in the mystery section at @bookshopsantacruz.bsky.social in downtown #santacruz. Get yours before they’re gone!!
A signed copy of WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN on a bookshelf at Bookshop Santa Cruz
October 19, 2025 at 7:50 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Today’s #bookmail from @meproctor.bsky.social—Declan Shaw is back!
Book cover of CATCH ME ON A BLUE DAY from M.E. Proctor with a silhouette facing the sea.
October 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Woke up to this excellent 5🌟 Goodreads review of WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN. Thank you, Eric!!
A Goodreads review of Whatever Kills the Pain by C.W. Blackwell: October 5, 2025 An astonishing collection of short stories populated with desperate losers in hopeless situations. Kindred to Donald Ray Pollock's Knockemstiff. Brutal but not totally bleak; there's a glimmer of justice and positivity here and there. One of the best things l've read all year.
October 6, 2025 at 10:55 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Hard to overstate what an outstanding job voice actor Matt Godfrey did with my story THE HIGH PRIEST OF LOW MEN. This whole collection is out today, containing stories from some of the best crime fiction writers on the scene. If you love audiobooks, grab this one 👇👇👇
Promo for my short story THE HIGH PRIEST OF LOW MEN, about a man who confronts the conspiracy theorist who inspired his wife’s killer. Cover art for MYOPIC DUPLICITY, which contains my story THE HIGH PRIEST OF LOW MEN.
October 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Great movie. Loved it from the start, didn’t mind the long run time at all.
One Battle After Another on the marquee at the Del Mar Theater
September 29, 2025 at 2:56 AM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
My noirish folk horror novella SONG OF THE RED SQUIRE was released three years ago this month. If you haven’t read it, pick up a copy in time for the apple harvest 🍎
Front cover art for Song of the Red Squire, depicting a small village through the vantage of a bloody apple tree.
September 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Two months since pub day! I still love seeing all the WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN #bookmail shots. Thanks for sharing!
#bookmail pictures of Whatever Kills the Pain by C.W. Blackwell in various locations.
September 21, 2025 at 8:19 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
When you’re done tearing through these brilliant novels, be sure to pick up Jordan’s short story collection LOVE AND OTHER WOUNDS, an absolute masterclass in short fiction writing 🔥🔥🔥
Cover art for Love and Other Wounds by Jordan Harper depicting an old car racing on a dirt road.
September 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
If your very good boy does a very bad thing to your copy of WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN, don’t get mad at your pup—reach out and I will replace it for free.
A copy of my book WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN that has been turned into a pit bull’s chew toy.
September 13, 2025 at 3:17 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
A HUGE shoutout to everyone who has bought, rated, reviewed, or helped spread the word about WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN. The response has been beyond wonderful. Thank you!
Bits of reviews describing the short story collection WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN by C.W. Blackwell as "A LIVE WIRE" "A TREMENDOUS READ" "HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK" "A STIFF SHOT OF NOIR"
September 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
When you win a prestigious award but there are crazy people everywhere…
Acclaimed author Curtis Ippolito proudly displays his Anthony Award while some maniac lurks in the background.
September 11, 2025 at 3:53 AM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Restocked the Bouchercon bookstore with fresh copies! Last day to get your own!
September 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
11:15 breakfast in the French Quarter. Better late than never 😎
Veggie omelette with hasbrowns
September 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Caught this amazing tribute to Ozzy by the Late Greats last night on Frenchmen Street. So good 🔥🔥🔥
September 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Reviews are rolling in for WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN! If you’re at Bouchercon this year, there are a couple copies left at the Bouchercon bookstore!!
Accolades for WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN by C.W. Blackwell WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN: "A TREMENDOUS READ" "HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK" "A STIFF SHOT OF NOIR" A stack of WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN by C.W. Blackwell
September 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
Congratulations to @mikemchone.bsky.social on his Derringer Award for Kargin the Necromancer!!
Derringer award medal and certificate for Best Flash Story, awarded to Mike McHone
September 5, 2025 at 1:18 AM
cwblackwell.bsky.social
In the New Orleans tonight? Drop by Backspace Bar and Kitchen at 7:30pm for this killer launch party. I’ll see you there! Here’s the details 👇👇👇
AUDIOBOOK AFTER DARK with CEO Chris Ciulla from Leonardo Audio The mystery doesn't end with Bouchercon. Step into the shadows with Leonardo Audio at Backspace Bar & Kitchen for a night of intrigue, celebrating Myopic Duplicity & Fighting Words with authors in attendance. Wednesday, September 3rd @ 7:30 PM CT www.leonardoaudio.com Backspace Bar & Kitchen 139 Chartres St New Orleans, LA 70130 backspacebarkitchen.shop
September 3, 2025 at 3:59 PM