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Michael Bracken

@crimefictionwriter.bsky.social
353 followers 238 following 86 posts

Edgar- and Shamus-nominated, Derringer-winning short story writer. Anthony Award-nominated editor.

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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Registration is open for ShortCon 2027 in Alexandria, VA, June 5! Presenters: Reed Farrel Coleman, Linda Landrigan, Libby Cudmore, and Tom Milani. Registration includes a full day of useful information for writers of short crime fiction. www.eastcoastcrime.com#/
eastcoastcrime.com
ShortCon
EAST COAST CRIME
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Paula Benson discusses her experiences at ShortCOn 2026: writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-...
writerswhokill.blogspot.com
The Joys of ShortCon
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Laura Oles writes about "The Emperor's New Clothes," her contribution to Wish Upon a Crime. High Tech, Hustle Culture, and Hope austinmysterywriters.com/2026/06/15/h...
austinmysterywriters.com
High Tech, Hustle Culture, and Hope
Fresh Golden Threads for The Emperor’s New Clothes By Laura Oles “Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” –C.S. Lewis If you’re in search of a dark crime story, look no…
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Wish Upon a Crime is taking Amazon by storm! The Kindle version is #7 and the paperback is #12 on the Hot New Releases list.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Rick Pullen tells readers about "The Rise of Elaine's Literary Salon in Alexandria, Virginia"—the site of each year's ShortCon. Learn more about the restaurant and about Jeffrey James Higgins, the thriller writer who co-owns and manages the place. crimereads.com/elaines-lite...
crimereads.com
The Rise of Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, Virginia
If you spot Jeffrey James Higgins walking the aging and uneven brick sidewalks of historic Old Town Alexandria and talking to himself, don’t interrupt. He’s writing his next thriller. He’s also on …
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Fairy tales and crime fiction collide in Wish Upon a Crime. Today’s most respected short-story writers reimagine familiar classics where the line between good and evil isn’t always clear. www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX3763W...
amazon.com
Wish Upon a Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by Fairy Tales
Wish Upon a Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by Fairy Tales - Kindle edition by Bracken, Michael , Woodson, Stacy. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Wish Upon a Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by Fairy Tales.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
I recently spoke to the SinC Heart of Texas Chapter about "What Makes a Good Short Story." My presentation was recorded and is now available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hyx... The first two-thirds is my presentation and the last third is a Q&A covering a wide range of topics.
youtube.com
Sisters in Crime: What Makes a Good Short Story with Michael Bracken
YouTube video by westbanklibrary
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
My new website went live this afternoon. In addition to a redesign and reorganization of information, it's now mobile phone friendly! crimefictionwriter.com
crimefictionwriter.com
Author & Editor Michael Bracken
Michael Bracken, Author & Editor
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
Released today: A new historical short story anthology, Time After Time, which includes my story "Under the Proctor Street Bridge." www.amazon.com/dp/B0GS23VYCQ #TimeAfterTime #HistoricalFiction #NewRelease #ThaliaPress #ShortStories
amazon.com
Time After Time: 13 Mysterious Tales Inspired By History
No matter what life throws at you, or how much the world changes, human nature has been remarkably consistent throughout the centuries. Driven by love, hate, greed, envy, and, sometimes, completely un...
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Spend 4 weeks in S. Carolina learning to write crime fiction with Joe R. Lansdale, Cheryl Head, Michael Bracken, and Warren S. Moore at the Newberry Crime Writing Workshop. Learn more at www.newberry.edu/academics/ac...
newberry.edu
Newberry Crime Writing Workshop
Newberry Crime Writing Workshop (NCWW), an intensive 4-week writers’ workshop for developing crime and mystery authors, taught by major figures in the field.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Spend July 6-31 at the Newberry Crime Writing Workshop in Newberry, SC, learning to write crime fiction from some of today’s masters: Joe R. Lansdale, Cheryl Head, Michael Bracken, and Warren S. Moore. Learn more and apply here: www.newberry.edu/academics/ac....
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
I feel this first reader's pain. Red Flags in Short Story Submissions open.substack.com/pub/devonhal...
open.substack.com
Red Flags in Short Story Submissions
Avoid these common mistakes in your cover letter and opening pages
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
I'm interviewed today in Cold Caller: coldcallermag.substack.com/p/an-intervi...
coldcallermag.substack.com
An interview with Michael Bracken
Author of "Store-Crossed Lovers"
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
My short romance, "Takes the Cake," appeared in yesterday's Micromance. open.substack.com/pub/microman...
open.substack.com
Takes the Cake
By Michael Bracken
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Reposted by Michael Bracken
Meagan Lucas @meaganlucas.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
I needed a treat, so I registered for this. Hoping to see some short crime fiction and DC area buddies. Also hoping Art Taylor's session on novel-in-stories helps me fix my current WIP mess. www.eastcoastcrime.com
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
My story "Store-Crossed Lovers" appears today at Cold Caller. Store-Crossed Lovers open.substack.com/pub/coldcall...
open.substack.com
Store-Crossed Lovers
Fiction by Michael Bracken
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
The application window for the Newberry Crime Writing Workshop is now open. Spend four weeks this summer with instructors Joe R. Lansdale, Cheryl Head, Warren S. Moore, and me, learning how to write crime fiction. Learn more and apply at www.newberry.edu/academics/ac...
newberry.edu
Newberry Crime Writing Workshop
Newberry Crime Writing Workshop (NCWW), an intensive 4-week writers’ workshop for developing crime and mystery authors, taught by major figures in the field.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
My story "Collateral Damage" appears in today's issue of Black Cat Weekly.
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Reposted by Michael Bracken
SinC Desert Sleuths @desertsleuths.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
At our first member meeting of the year, this Wed, Jan 21, Michael Bracken & Stacy Woodson present "Writing for Anthologies: How to Slip Between the Covers." All welcome! Register at DesertSleuths.com #SinC #SMFS #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ShortStories @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025 picked up a 5-star review on Amazon. Do you have your copy yet? www.amazon.com/Best-Private...
amazon.com
The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025
The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025 [Coyle, Matt, Bracken, Michael] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
My short romance, "Drawn to Love," appears today at Micromance. open.substack.com/pub/microman...
open.substack.com
Drawn to Love
By Michael Bracken
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Reposted by Michael Bracken
Kevin R. Tipple @krtipple.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Please welcome back author Tom Milani to the #Blog as he shares the backstory of his #shortstory, Amanda Ross, that appears today in the latest issue of Black Cat Weekly. Kevin's Corner: Guest Post: Bringing “Amanda Ross” to the Page by Tom Milani kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com
Guest Post: Bringing “Amanda Ross” to the Page by Tom Milani
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
My story "Field of Bodies" appears in Black Cat Weekly #224.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025, featuring the 20 best PI stories of 2025 and an essay on the state of the genre by Kevin Burton Smith, is now available. www.amazon.com/Best-Private...
amazon.com
The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025
The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025 [Coyle, Matt, Bracken, Michael] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Coming to ShortCon 2026? Need a room? Hotel registration information is now available! Scroll down to the bottom of the home page for the link: www.eastcoastcrime.com#/
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Looking for a good Christmas read? Consider Murder, Neat—winner of the Derringer Award for Best Anthology AND an Anthony Award nominee for Best Anthology. Edited by Barb Goffman and me, it features stories by the writers who blog together at SleuthSayers. bookshop.org/p/books/murd...
bookshop.org
Murder, Neat: A SleuthSayers Anthology
A SleuthSayers Anthology
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
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
Forever Family
By Michael Bracken
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Coming Soon from Level Best Books: The Best Private Eye Stories of the Year 2025.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
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.
crimefictionwriter.com
Submissions
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
“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/
mistimedia.com
Janie’s Got a Gun edited by Michael Bracken – Misti Media, LLC
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
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...
amazon.com
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
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
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...
youtube.com
The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Michael Bracken
YouTube video by The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
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-...
sleuthsayers.org
It’s the End of the World as We Know It
A criminally compelling web site featuring professional crime writers and crime fighters.
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Reposted by Michael Bracken
Kevin R. Tipple @krtipple.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
#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...
kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com
Short Story Wednesday Review: Renovated to Death by Michael Bracken and Sandra Murphy
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Reposted by Michael Bracken
Alan Orloff @alanorloff.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
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!
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Reposted by Michael Bracken
MysteryMarple @mysterymarple.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
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!
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Lunatic Fringe, which contains my story "Black Velvet," is now available for preorder. whitecitypress.com/product/luna...
whitecitypress.com
Lunatic Fringe edited by J. Alan Hartman – White City Press
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Now available for preorder: The Vigilante Crime Pulp Fiction Anthology, which includes my story "4:13 a.m." amzn.to/48ZXrrS
amzn.to
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
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
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...
us02web.zoom.us
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
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Coming tomorrow: www.sincchicago.com/chapter-meet...
sincchicago.com
Chapter Meetings — SISTERS IN CRIME CHICAGOLAND
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
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....
crimefictionwriter.com
Submissions
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
My short romance, "Banking on Love," appears today at Micromance Magazine. open.substack.com/pub/microman...
open.substack.com
Banking on Love
By Michael Bracken
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
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-...
sleuthsayers.org
Hot Streak
A criminally compelling web site featuring professional crime writers and crime fighters.
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Michael Bracken @crimefictionwriter.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
My story "Curves" appears today as a Guilty Flash on Guilty Crime Story Magazine's website: www.guiltycrimemag.com/flash/curves...
guiltycrimemag.com
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...
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