I have had an unusual experience recently. For one thing, I have a story, "Welcome to JFR!", in the November/December issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. That's unusual all by itself since I have only sold them 4 stories in 48 years of trying. But I also have a story, "Christmas Dinner," in the same issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Talk about serendipity.
"Welcome to JFR!" barely qualifies as a story. It is the editor's introduction to an issue of a rather unusual journal - my revenge on 35 years of being an academic librarian.
"Christmas Dinner," on the other hand, is a novella, the third about Delgardo, the beat poet detective, and set in 1958. My narrator, Thomas Gray, is experiencing homesickness because it is his first December away from home, so a friend takes him for a traditional Manhattan Christmas dinner - in a Chinese restaurant. Naturally, murder happens.
Now here is the really weird thing. Back in 2009 I had a story in the July/August issue of AHMM and another in the August issue of EQMM. So, this is the second time I have doubled my pleasure, so to speak.
But there is another coincidence (a double double event). I recently learned that Otto Penzler put one of my stories in his Other Distinguished list at the back of The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2024. And now I discovered that Steph Cha put one of my tales in the Distinguished list in Best American Mystery and Suspense.
The coolest part is they were two different stories.
Penzler, who is among other things, a historian of our field, chose "The Accessories Club," (AHMM March/April), which plays with some of our subgenres. Steph Cha, when she took on the editorship of her series said we might expect to see more stories by women and people of color. I am neither but "Memorial" (Black Cat Weekly #95) does feature a strong female protagonist.
You might say both editors were on-brand. I'm just happy they liked my tales.
By the way, extra credit to anyone who recognizes the source of the title for today's blog.
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