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Between novels, I
really enjoy writing short stories filled with suspense, humor and good old
fashion romance with happy endings.
BIG NEWS FOR
2021: I have sold SEVEN short stories! "The Works" will appear in an
upcoming CRIMEUCOPIA anthology from Murderess Ink Press, a UK-based
publisher; "Just Call Wally" will appear in an anthology called
ASININE ASSASSINS, published by SmartRino Publications, and five will
appear in the 2021 BOULD AWARDS Anthology!
Below, you'll find
covers and brief descriptions of my stories. Of course, ordering/ reading links
are included!
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Black Cat Weekly #32 features my short
story "Insieme" in the April 2022 issue. "Insieme" is a
story about Detectives Chadwick Hamilton and Denzel Lewindowski who are not
pleased with working together. However, the ritualistic death of a young woman
brings them closer to resolving their dislikes as they match intuitive skills
against brutal facts. "Insieme" reveals working together has
its advantages.
Black Cat Weekly showcases the best short
mysteries and is published by Wildside Press LLC and its sister publication
Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine. Submissions to Black Cat is by
invitation only. I am pleased to be on the Black Cat
authors list.
Click here to
read an excerpt.
Please click here to order.
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Be on the lookout for Blue Suede
Shoes," the story of two private eyes who face off against a wily blond
and a mob of egotistical gangsters will be appearing in GROOVY GUMSHOES:
PRIVATE EYES IN THE PSYCHEDELIC SIXTIES, Vol. 2, from Down and Out
Books, late this year. (Cover not yet available; this is Volune 1.)
Click
here to read an excerpt.
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ASININE ASSASSINS, published by SmartRino Publications, includes
my short story "Just Call Wally, " which has been nominated for a
Derringer Award.
Click
here to read an excerpt.
ASININE ASSASSINS was released in digital format and trade
paperback on 14 September!
Please
click here to order.
About the anthology:
Simpletons & Suspense - Welcome to
ASININE ASSASSINS. Inept, brainless, daft, harebrained, loony,
witless, lunkheaded, just plain stupid. Not exactly attributes you seek when
employing a hired gun, right?
We asked our authors to write stories with an
"asinine" element critical to the plotwe preferred dark humor,
but we also considered anything comedic, zany, or surreal. The stories could be
any genre, but they had to fit the anthologys theme. We were
intentionally broad here and asked the writers to stretch their imaginations.
They paid off in spades!
This is NOT your typical crime fiction. If you love a
wonderful blend of suspense, humor, and general weirdness, expect to be
surprised and entertained by these 23 great stories.
Please
click here to order.
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AVAILABLE NOW in both e-book format and trade
paperback: CRIMEUCOPIA: CARELESS LOVE, an anthology from
Murderess Ink Press (a UK-based publisher), featuring my short story "The
Driver," which has been nominated for a Derringer Award.
Click here
to read an excerpt.
About the anthology:
"Oh Baby, Baby, How Was I Supposed To
Know
Is Love ever perfect? Or is it an obsession that remains rather than
just a passing phase? And whos to say that Revenge isnt, in fact, a
dish best served hot from the flames of passion?
"Fifteen writers tell us about affairs of the heart
some with humour, some with a darker intent, and others that are never
quite exactly what they seem. Is it all about manipulation? Can there be more
than one agenda? And does Love really conquer all, even when its
supposedly blind? Or maybe Love is just an old Devil, looking for mischief?
"Hitchcock may well have said Dial M for Murder, but we
say Dial C for Crime, extension L for Love.
"Featuring material from: Steve Sneyd, Ange Morrissey,
James Roth, Michael Wiley, Gustavo Bondoni, Matthew Wilson, Peter W. J. Hayes,
Wil A. Emerson, Brandon Barrows, Bern Sy Moss, Michael Anthony Dioguardi,
Russell Richardson, Robert Petyo, Sam Westcott, Bryn Fortey and Vicky LaPerso
all of whom take us on roller coaster rides through a fictional Tunnel
of Love.
"So, while the jurys always going to be out
regarding Loves guilt or innocence, we hope youll find something or
someone that you immediately like, as well as something that takes you out of
your comfort zone and puts you into a new one.
"And in the spirit of the Murderous Ink Press motto:
You never know what you like until you read it."
Order CRIMEUCOPIA: CARELESS LOVE
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BOULD* Awards
2021 Short Story Anthology (*Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless,
Daring): This is always a fun publication, and I was lucky enough to
have FIVE of my my stories included again this year: "What Mary Did to
Daniel ," "Come Uppenance," "Nano Second, Nano Sorry,"
"Sweet It Is," and "An Unexpected Reunion."
"An Unexpected Reunion" is a finalist for the 2022
Short Mystery Fiction Society Derringer Award!
Please click here for more info!
The 2021 edition was delayed slightly, due to a fire that
destroyed the editor's home. Needless to say, he has had other things on his
mind, but it is availble to order NOW!
Please click here to order.
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BOULD* Awards 2020 Short Story Anthology
(*Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless, Daring): This is a fun
publication, and I was lucky enough to have three of my my stories included
this year: No Matter, which won third place; "Mama's Boy --
The Tale of Edward and Sophia," and Honor Amongst the Rigid Loyals
2."
About the anthology:
"Are you an adventurous, daring reader?
Like to explore new frontiers? If so, this one's for you.
"In this third edition, you'll find 53 of the weirdest,
most outrageous, wackiest, scariest, puzzlingest (is that really a word?) short
stories submitted for this anthology in 2020. (There were 21 in the 2018
edition, 40 in 2019, all selected by a panel of independent judges.)
"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be shocked, scared,
and maybe even perflutzed by some of the stories you'll find inside, in many
different genres and styles. But with nearly every story, we know you'll be
surprised.
"We expect the 2021 edition to be BOULDer (no relation
to the city in Colorado), and that'll raise the bar even higher for the 2022
edition. We might wind up changing Limitless to Loopy
if writers can really let their inhibitions go and let their haywire
creativity.
"But now it's time for you to quit reading these promo
bits, brace yourself and dig in. Have fun!"
Order Kindle format * Order Print version
As a sample -- here's a link to No Matter, the
3rd place winner in the Bould Award Anthology. Its not your usual mystery
or romance. Meant to fall into the category of Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered,
Limitless, Daring
.
Read "No
Matter" for free (pdf)
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BOULD* Awards 2019 Short Story Anthology
(*Bizarre, Outrageous, Unfettered, Limitless, Daring): This is a fun
publication, and I was lucky enough to have two of my my stories included:
Oh, Henry and Honor Amongst the Rigid." (Just click
on the titles or scroll down for details on those!)
About the anthology:
"Are you an adventurous, daring reader?
Like to explore new frontiers? If so, this one's for you.
: In this second annual edition, you'll find nearly 40 of
the weirdest, most outrageous, wackiest, scariest, puzzlingest (is that really
a word?) short stories submitted for this anthology in 2019. That's nearly
twice the number of stories in the 2018 edition, our first.
" You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be shocked, scared,
and maybe even perflutzed by some of the stories you'll find inside, in many
different genres and styles. But with nearly every story, we know you'll be
surprised.
"These stories have all been anonymously selected by a
panel of independent judges. . . . But now it's time for you to quit reading
these promo bits, brace yourself and dig in. Have fun!"
Order Kindle format * Order Print version
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Available Through
Smashwords:
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Honor Amongst the Rigid, approx. 3160
words. From their celestial place, Cornic, the ruler of the Other domain, and
his devoted wife Beguile, share love, honor and duty. Unlike many in their
homeland, they are devoted to one another and believe in eternal love. Life's
force has brought them together to care for each other, bear children and
foster others. But Cornic is nearing the latter stage of strength and vitality
and demands Beguile have more children to insure proper care in longevity. Will
Honor and Duty prevail, if she mates with another? This is a tale of love in an
unearthly place. The mysteries of their universe unveiled, rules and
regulations written by the Masters. Will loyalty prevail?
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Chocolate and Vanilla, approx. 7472
words. April's constant companion is her dog Tobler. Who would ever think the
large brown lab would fall in love with a wisp of a dog like Cotton? The two
are as opposite as their owners. The odd couples can't help but run into each
other and before long, chocolate and vanilla becomes the best mix in town.
Order Chocolate and
Vanilla
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Temporarily Detained, approx. 2737
words. What if you invented a device that could stop an individual in his
tracks? Detained a convicted criminal or save a patient with Alzheimers from
wandering away from home? What would you do if the wrong people got there hands
on it? Kidnapped...and no where to go. Will the device save you or destroy the
U.S.? (NOTE: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers
17 and under.)
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Oh Henry, approx. 5136 words. Independence didn't
come easy for twenty-two year old Henry Weinstein. But now that's he got a job
at Metropolitan Hospital in Detroit, he comes and goes as he pleases. As a
night shift orderly, he can entertain himself while he does his chores. He
loves music and his favorite singer, Sweet Lady Jesus sings to him all night
long. And he's a collector...well let's not talk about his latest treasures.
What can be wrong with a guy who does his job and never complains. Oh Henry,
we'd like to know!
Read on Wattpad
Oh Henry and my novel Fatal Mistake were featured
at the 2015
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention! (For more information on the
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, please see:
http://www.bouchercon.info/)
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Dear Hunting, approx. 3684 words. Love and
marriage...Not always made in heaven. Grace and Ted are working out their
differences one snowy night in Northern Michigan. It's legal to hunt for deer
and fill plates with the rich, warm meat until spring returns. Will Ted be the
first hunter out before the sun breaks over the horizen? Or will the deep snow
cause Ted to crawl back in bed and hope his wife takes a few more shifts at the
diner to pay for his next case of beer? Grace has her mind set on resolving
their problems... hunting season has just begun and this season she's not going
to worry about meat on the table. (NOTE: This book contains content considered
unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)
Read for free
(pdf)
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Bone Music, approx. 4904 words. A walk in the park
isn't what it used to be. A madman murderer has a knack for butchering his
victims and leaving the parts in plastic boxes for strollers to find. During a
hot, steamy summer, Mike and Dan have to stop this killer before the city is
shut down. But it's the wit and gile of a clever reporter and her mom who find
music is at the heart of the matter. (NOTE: This book contains content
considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)
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Three Strikes...Out, approx. 8300
words. Danny Parker has been accused of murdering his beloved wife. Theresa
Brown, who works at the Cooney Bar and Grill with Danny and his wife, has been
called as a material witness for the defense. Of course, she'll tell the truth.
Danny was devoted to Sara. But will her testimony set Danny free? She knows who
killed his wife and justice must be served. (NOTE: This book contains content
considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under.)
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Available To Read
Online at Wattpad:
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Oh Henry: See above for description.
Read for free on Wattpad
Magic Interferes in New Orleans: A widow and four
sons. For Rose Marie, even though she lost her husband, an opportunity couldn't
be ignored. Hard work and determination made all the difference. Can't help but
be happy for someone who carves a path to success. Or maybe not.
Read for free on Wattpad
Today At the
Amusement Park: Being a parent isn't all that it's cracked up to
be. Just ask two parents whose only son has run off to join a carnival.
Read for free on Wattpad
A Day in the
Life: An accident can change a life. It's what you do thereafter
that counts. Read for free on Wattpad
Chasing the Enemy:
Brothers--opposite poles. It there a reason why two brothers, souls
intertwining have different goals? Read for free on Wattpad
Business as UNusual: It isn't
everyday a woman gets to walk the streets of New York. But when she does, she
should be prepared for the unexpected. A busy city. A safe city? Read for free on Wattpad
The Year is 2563: Space Station life
had its limitations but times have changed. Now it's just a flick of the wrist
and the future is yours. Read for free on Wattpad
Friends on the Town: Christie and
Jared met on their first day of college. Years later, Christie has plans for
change. Will the truth come between good friends? Read for free on Wattpad
A Lunch Date Gone Wrong: It's not
every day Louanne gets asked to a fancy restaurant for a Lunch Date. On this
day, she gets more than she bargained for. and walks away a little wiser.
Read for free on Wattpad
Sisters and Cousins: It's all in the
genes or is it the jeans. When it comes to sisters, they are what they are. And
it doesn't take much for one or the other to know what makes a sister a sister.
Or does it? Read for free on Wattpad
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Home ~ Shorts ~ Novels ~ The Rosie MacIntosh
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Photos
© Copyright 2011, Wil A. Emerson. All Rights Reserved.
Website design ©
Copyright 2011, Michelle Crean,
Hook & Web
Designs. All Rights Reserved.
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