Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Derringer Nominee--That's Me!!

By Luke Flood from the short story “Inquiry and Assistance” by Terrie Farley Moran

 So I guess by now you heard that my cousin, Tommy Flood, got us into quite the escapade, all because Tommy ran into my sister Kathleen and while they were talking, her stuffed shirt boss happened along. Next thing we know Mr. Van Helden hires Tommy to keep an eye on his gorgeous, headstrong daughter. Not the kind of work we would normally do, but with the Depression and all, we did whatever we could to earn a buck. Believe me it gave us quite the look at how the other half lives—and it ain’t always pretty.



Our author Terrie Farley Moran decided to write it all down in a story called “Inquiry and Assistance” so our adventure would never be forgotten. We were gassed when Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine decided to publish it. 

Guys like Tommy and me would have no idea that each year the Short Mystery Fiction Society coordinates the Derringer Awards for short stories. You could've knocked both of us over with a pigeon feather when we found out this year “Inquiry and Assistance” is a nominee for Best Novelette. 

If you want to see for yourself all the fun we had, click over to our author’s website. You’ll find a free link to “Inquiry and Assistance” and you can learn all about those days and nights we spent with the swells. As to the outcome—well you’ll have to read it for yourself.

To celebrate our nomination, our author is giving away a signed copy of the January 2016 issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Yowza! 

To enter, please comment below and tell us how you feel about short stories in general, or “Inquiry and Assistance” in particular. Please include your email in this format: your name (at) your server (dot) com--so the spambots can't pick it up.


Comments close at midnight on Friday, April 21st.
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24 comments:

  1. Karen KenyonApril 19, 2017 at 12:16 AM

    I'm not entering as I have my own copy, but it's a great story! Congratulations on the nomination!

    Reply
  2. GramApril 19, 2017 at 8:44 AM

    I used to read this magazine and EQMM all the time. I like short stories every so often. There were some authors in EQMM that only wrote shorts.
    grammyd01 (at) comcast (dot) net

    Reply
  3. NicoleGApril 19, 2017 at 9:02 AM

    Sometimes I'm definitely in the mood for a short story. I used to buy the mystery magazines on a regular basis and bring them to work to read at lunchtime. [email protected]

    Reply
  4. Tonette JoyceApril 19, 2017 at 9:09 AM

    As much as I love reading long books and series, I love a good short story! I prefer anthologies when I need to wait for appointments and for other people. The Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen magazines are great...I listen to their monthly podcasts...does everyone know there are archived stories on podcasts available at their website? I caught up with years-worth!tonettemjs(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
    Replies
    1. Terrie Farley MoranApril 21, 2017 at 5:47 PM

      Hi Tonette, thanks for the reminder about the podcasts. If anyone is interested click through to the Mystery Place which links to both AHMM and EQMM websites. https://www.themysteryplace.com/

  • Mary PrestonApril 19, 2017 at 11:50 PM

    I do enjoy short stories thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    Reply
  • Dianne B.April 20, 2017 at 6:51 AM

    I enjoy short stories as its good to have some thing to read that doesn't take a long time to read and you don't have to remember a lot of details of what you read previously. I used to subscribe to Ellery Queen magazine but quit, when I got 6 phone calls wanting me to renew my subscription in about 3 minutes time. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

    Reply
    Replies
    1. Terrie Farley MoranApril 21, 2017 at 5:50 PM

      Oh Dianne, that is a shame. I have had a subscription for many decades and never had that problem. Terrible marketing practice!!

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