SMFS Newsletter: The Short Order -- Vol 2 Num 2 -- July 1998%=====================================================================% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% THE SHORT ORDER %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %===================== Volume TWO Number TWO =====================% %=========================== July 1998 ===========================% %===================== A Newsletter From The =====================% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SHORT MYSTERY FICTION SOCIETY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%=====================================================================%####### TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR: A LITTLE SHORT SUMMER READING LETTER TO THE EDITOR THE DERRINGER AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: POE SHORT STORY CONTEST####### COLUMNS MARKET REPORT: SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS by G. Miki Hayden SCAM ALERT by Kate Grilley THE MISSING LINK'S FAVORITE WEB SITES by Tim Sheard DAVID FIRKS BROADCASTS NOIR ON THE WEB by G. Miki Hayden ANNOUNCEMENTS by Kathy Brown AUDIO AS AN AVENUE FOR THE SHORT STORY AND NOVELLA AUTHOR by G. Miki Hayden SHOOT--I MEAN, ASK AWAY... by Jiro Kimura####### ODDS & ENDS MASTHEAD SUBMISSION GUIDELINES LINKING TO OUR WEBSITES KEEPING IN TOUCH, SUBSCRIBING, ETC. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION -=+=-The Short Order(TSO) is a quarterly email/web newsletter for fans ofmystery fiction in the short form. Those interested in working on somepart of The Short Order can email the Editor, R.K.Foster(Bob) at{rkfoster@ix.netcom.com} with your ideas, contributions, and/orsuggestions. -=+=-The opinions expressed by individual authors are their own and do notnecessarily represent the opinions of the Short Mystery Fiction Societyor its members or the Editor or Staff of The Short Order newsletter. -=+=-The Editor would like to thank the Contributors to The Short Order fortheir submissions and the readership for supporting this fledglingpublication. My thanks also to Margo Power for her advice and support.%=====================================================================%####### FROM THE EDITOR: A LITTLE SHORT SUMMER READINGWelcome to the Summer issue of The Short Order(TSO). We have a big issuethis time around, lots of important announcements and plenty of reading.First off, New 1998 officers have been elected for the Short MysteryFiction Society. Here they are:President - G. Miki HaydenVice-President - Michael (M2) MalloryHistorian - Jiro Kimura (continuing)Newsletter Editor/Website Master - Bob Foster (continuing)Our new TSO Announcements Editor is Kathy Brown, {KSheaBrown@aol.com}.She will be handling the info for letting fellow members know, and thoseoutside the digest list, about upcoming or already happened events.Please send any short mystery related announcements to her for inclusionin the next issue of the newsletter and for posting on the TSO website.Our new TSO Links Editor is Tim Sheard, {tim.mary@worldnet.att.net}.He'll be sleuthing the Net for interesting websites. His current list inthis issue is a real good set of places to start. If you have anysuggestions for interesting Internet sites, send them along to him.ATTENTION. Please see our special Announcement below regarding the SMFSEdgar Allen Poe short story contest.Here's to a good mystery._________R.K.FosterEditor, The Short Orderhttp://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter%=====================================================================%####### LETTER TO THE EDITORSubject: Question on literary agentsFrom: C.S.Good morning,I am in the process of completing my autobiography and am wanting to sendout 20 query letters to legitimate literary agents and or bookpublishers. How do I find a list of legitimate literary agents andlegitimate book publishers that will accept query letters?Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. I really appreciated thelist of scam literary services.Sincerely,C.S* * *Subject: Re: Question on literary agentsFrom: Gail Hayden, MaraWayne@aol.comC.S.,The Association of Author's Representatives, which is based in New YorkCity, has a list of its members, which it will send you for a smallcharge. These agents have signed an agreement to maintain basic standardsof ethical conduct. Hopefully, they do, but of course there's noguarantee. You, personally, have to be aware of what constituteslegitimate behavior on the part of an agent and when that line is crossedto refuse to do business with the person committing a questionable act.Unfortunately, even this is not easy, as I hear stories of agents who dothings that are not ethical behind the author's back. If you areinterested in a particular agent, you will want to "ask around." There isa newsgroup of writers on the Internet, for instance (misc.writing) themembers of which might have some comments on that person's track record.Best of luck in finding the right person to represent you.Gail (G. Miki) Hayden* * *Subject: Re: Question on literary agentsFrom: Gail Hayden, MaraWayne@aol.comC.S.,Nowadays, it is very hard to get any agents to look at even seasonedwriters to be perfectly honest. The market is very soft, to say theleast. Another idea is to go into Barnes & Noble and to look at a booksuch as Jeff Herman's INSIDER GUIDE.Look at the publishers and see if there are some that might acceptunagented submissions in the area in which you are interested. You mightwant to send a few queries directly to the publishers with a proposaloutlining all your chapters, since this is a nonfiction book, and aboutthree chapters.Here, too, however, it is extremely difficult to catch someone'sattention. What they are looking for is promotability. You have notmentioned what it is about your autobiography that makes it unique. If issomething that will be promotable, then you might be in luck. Once youhave a publisher's interest, you can get an agent one, two, three. Neveraccept an offer over the telephone, however. The words are: "I'm verypleased to hear this. It's extremely flattering. I will have to get backto you." Then you get the agent.Gail (G. Miki) Hayden* * *From: C.S. Subject: Re: Question on literary agentsThank you for you quick response and information that you provided. Iappreciate it and will take you up on the suggestions. It is a veryfrightening thing and of course I would love to get an agent like WilliamMorris Agency that we know is legitimate but I hear it is next toimpossible to get the bigger agents to look at new writers. Have a veryhappy day and again thanks for the response.C. S.%=====================================================================%####### THE DERRINGER AWARD WINNERSTHE 1998 SMFS DERRINGER AWARDSThe winners of the first annual Derringer Awards were announced in May,1998. They were voted on by the members of the Short Mystery FictionSociety. The Award was established in 1998 and named to emphasize theshort but deadly nature of the mystery fiction honored. Winners receive acertificate depicting the eponymous weapon.THE NOMINEESFLASH (under 1000 words)Vicki Cameron, "Zebra Mussels"Cottage Country Killers (anthology)General Store Publishing House,ISBN 1-896182-53-4 1997Kimberly Haugh, "Exceptions"Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Nov 1997Robert L. Iles, "What the Sheriff Saw"Whispering Willows Mysteries,Summer 1997, ISBN 0-9653990-3-6.Tom Kreitzberg, "A New Beginning"Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineVol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997Michael Mallory, "Curiosity Kills"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine,Vol. 3, No. 4, Fall 1997.SHORT STORY (1000-3000 words)Dan Crawford, "All's Fair"Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine,Vol. 42, No. 11, November 1997.Elizabeth Dearl, "Same Old Henry"The Case (www.thecase.com) June 1997Kate Grilley, "Guavaberry Christmas"Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineVol 3, No 4 Fall 1997Peter Lovesey, "Never a Cross Word"Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Feb 1997Ralph McInerny, "Copy Dog"Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Feb 1997Kris Neri, "Getting His"Whispering Willow, Premier Edition, 1997.SHORT (3,000-10,000 words)Colleen Mary Aminoff, "The Confession"Red Herring Mystery MagazineVol. 4 No. 1 ISSN 1076-643XAnn Bayer, "Gertrude"Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Sep/Oct 1997Branden DuBois, "Trade Wars"Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Feb 97John M. Floyd, "King of the City"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine,Spring 97, V3 #2Robert Gray, "The Word on the Street"Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Dec 1997Robert l. Iles, "The Burning Woman"Whispering Willows Mysteries, Fall 1997Robert L. Iles, "A Hand in the Case"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine,Vol. 3 #2 Spring 1997.M.D. Lake, "Tea For Two"Funny Bones, Signet Penguin Books ISBN 0-451-40720-2Robert Lopresti "Uncle Victor On Watch"Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineVol 3 #4 Fall 1997Richard A. Lupoff, "Chinese Gunboats"Fall 1997 Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineMichael Mallory "The Adventure Of The Illustrious Patient"Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineVol 3 #1 Winter 1997Margaret Maron, "Shaggy Dog"Funny Bones, Signet, Penguin Books ISBN 0-451-40720-2Kris Neri, "L.A. Justice"Murder by Thirteen (L.A. Sisters in Crime anthology)Crown Valley Press, ISBN 0-9647945-3-5, 1997.Anne Perry, "A Matter of Blackmail"Mary Higgins Clark Mystery,Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer/Fall 1997.Margo Power, "All There Is And More"MIMM Vol 3 #4, 1997Polly Whitney, "Etiquette Lesson"Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineVol. 3, No. 4, Fall 1997.Jane Ann Tun, "Mea Culpa"Cottage Country Killers (anthology)General Store Publishing House ISBN 1-896182-53-4Barbara White-Rayczek, "The Adventurers"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazinevol 3, no 1, Winter 1997NOVELLA (15,000 to 35,000 wds)Gillian Linscott "Poisoned With Politeness"Ellery Queen MysterySeptember/October 1997 Double issueMargo Power, "Image of Conspiracy"Madison Publishing CompanyISBN 1-881699-02-7 (pb) 1997BEST FIRST STORY (any length)Eileen Brosnan "Back Stairs"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine,Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997J.R. Chabot, "Quite Contrary"Mary Higgins Clark Mystery,Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer/Fall 1997.K. R. MacLeish, "Neither Rhyme Nor Riot"Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June '97Nick Schinker, "Since My Last Confession"Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Sep/Oct 1997THE WINNERSFLASH (under 1000 words)Michael Mallory, "Curiosity Kills"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine,Vol. 3, No. 4, Fall 1997.SHORT STORY (1000-3000 words)Kate Grilley, "Guavaberry Christmas"Murderous Intent Mystery MagazineVol 3, No 4 Fall 1997SHORT (3,000-10,000 words) - TIEKris Neri, "L.A. Justice"Murder by Thirteen (L.A. Sisters in Crime anthology)Crown Valley Press, ISBN 0-9647945-3-5, 1997.TIED WITHBarbara White-Rayczek, "The Adventurers"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazinevol 3, no 1, Winter 1997NOVELLA (15,000 to 35,000 wds)Margo Power, "Image of Conspiracy"Madison Publishing CompanyISBN 1-881699-02-7 (pb) 1997BEST FIRST STORY (any length)Eileen Brosnan "Back Stairs"Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine,Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997Congratulations to all the winners!%=====================================================================%####### SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: POE SHORT STORY CONTESTEDGAR ALLAN POE SESQUICENTENNIAL TRIBUTE STORY CONTESTOctober 7, 1999, will mark the 150th anniversary of the passing of EdgarAllan Poe, the dark genius of American letters and the father of thedetective story. In recognition of this, The Short Mystery FictionSociety, together with MURDEROUS INTENT MYSTERY MAGAZINE, is sponsoring aPoe Tribute Short Story Contest.* The contest is open to members of theSMFS and the readers of MIMM.All entries must be new (never before published) tales of mystery,detection or suspense, 2,500 words or less. No supernatural horror, andno science-fiction. The stories can either be set in historical times orbe contemporary, and can be either deadly serious or humorous (inrecognition of the fact that Poe in his lifetime was known for his humorwritings!). In keeping with the Poe Tribute theme, each story shouldinvolve a work of Edgar Allan Poe's as a key story element that isintegral to the plot, or use Edgar Allan Poe as a character himself.We are not necessarily looking for a pastiche, a parody or an imitationof Poe's style, but rather creative and imaginative homages to the writerwho defined the form of the short mystery.Submissions (one per writer) will be accepted from October 7, 1998 (the149th anniversary of Poe's death) through January 19, 1999 (the 190thanniversary of Poe's birth). The writer of the story that is judged bestfrom the entries will be notified in June of 1999, and the winning storywill be published in the Fall, '99 issue of MURDEROUS INTENT MYSTERYMAGAZINE. All submissions should be formatted in the standardprofessional way: on numbered pages, double-spaced, with a one-inchmargin on all sides. Please include the title of the story on each page. DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS since the manuscripts will not be returned. Faxedor e-mailed submissions will not be accepted.Mail submissions to:Poe Short Story Contest2317 Blackmore DriveGlendale, CA 91206-3008No entries postmarked later than January 19, 1999, will be accepted.This is a chance for writers of short mystery fiction to challenge theirimaginations and talent and provide a fitting tribute to one of the mostimportant literary voices that America has produced. Let's see yourtribute to the master of mystery!* This contest is in no way connected with the Mystery Writers of Americaand its annual Edgar Allan Poe award.%=====================================================================%####### MARKET REPORT: SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS by G. Miki HaydenI'm going to discuss that dirty little secret that writers only talkabout in private, whispering to one another while looking over theirshoulders nervously. I've come out of the closet, folks, because I nolonger give a damn.I believe in simultaneous submissions. There, I said it, and I'm glad.Let me add here, hastily, that I only believe in "sim subbing" (as it iscalled among its wicked practitioners), to secondary markets. If youdon't want to offend a mystery magazine, don't sim sub there, it's asimple as that. If that market doesn't pays well, nor do you know thefolks there, nor is it really in your usual genre, go for it. Turn yourhome office into a factory and send out all the subs you can afford toset postage on.When I was a novice sim subber, I asked an old pro rather naively, "Butshould one really do it? Isn't it a risk?" He looked at me quitescathingly (if one can be said to look scathingly across an email chasm)and said, "Ah, but the point is, does it work? Have you sold stories bydoing it?" And I could only bow my head and answer, "Yes." And so it hascontinued, onto this day.Don't sim sub where you are going to get caught, mind you, such as tosister publications. And don't sim sub if you want to stay friends withany of the markets. You have to imagine the worst that might befallyou--that you'd sell the story to two markets at once. Ekkk! (Lousy luck,everyone loves that story of mine!)Yes, it happened to me once, and I asked the first editor if he wouldmind waiting to publish the story on down the line. Being the sweetestguy in the world, he said, no problem, and I then wrote for him anequally excellent story to replace the one I "borrowed."It's two years later and the second market has not yet published thatburning hot story. I just asked for them to be so kind as to cancel ourcontract. But that is neither here nor there.Why do I sim sub? I do it because editors hold on to manuscripts untilthe cows come home and some of those cows have never returned to roost atall (I am not a farmer, is there a clue to that fact in this paragraph?).I have lists of stories sent and responses to them. If I had a dollar forevery submission that never got Word One as an answer, I'd be diningtomorrow evening at the Four Seasons. But they don't send you dollarsinstead of a reply. They steal your postage and whatever else you'vesent--like the fond hope that they might publish your story.Yes, there are good editors out there and if you find them, don't messwith them. Show them the respect that they, in turn, show you. But guiltyuntil proved innocent, is my philosophy, and if they are so respectful ofyour rights as a hardworking mystery scribe, then they will respondbefore the other publications do and either reject or contract for yourstory.The end.P.S. NEVER, EVER admit in public to being a dirty rotten sim subber. Justdo it.Some markets:My Country 'Tis Of Thee Sweet Land Of Mystery announced in June 1998 thatit is looking for mystery stories "representing each of the fifty statesin the US." The anthology, depending on final word count, may be brokeninto two and perhaps four separate volumes to be sold separately. Thestories will showcase a particularly interesting and little known aspectof the state in which the story is set in.All the stories should be fairly current, time-wise, and run under 8,000words. Submissions should be by snail mail and include on page one anemail address, phone number (optional), and the state in which the storyis set. Payment (from sales and/or any advance) will be split evenlybetween the authors in each volume, less the editor's thirty percent.Authors will retain rights.Send stories to: David K. Harford, P.O. Box 87, Emporium, PA. 15834.Market maven notation: Although David says he has a couple of publishersinterested, be cautious in signing an open-ended contract with anyone. Iwould set a time limit in the contract and say, "if not published by suchand such a date, the contract will be considered null and void." I'velearned my lesson--see story above. That's how it's done with bookcontracts, too.-----------------------Jack the Ripper Gazette, et al., includes articles, reviews, interviews,poetry, fiction, a recommended list of links, plus artwork andphotographs all about the world of Jack the Ripper and other Victorianvillains. Submissions are welcome on a regular basis. For guidelines orto send submissions, e-mail {ripper@hhdeve1.com} or{sherlockian@mailcity.com} or {sherlockian@england.com}Otherwise, send an SASE for guidelines or send submissions via regularmail to: Jack the Ripper Gazette, C/O Baker Street Publications, 577Central Ave., Box 4, Jefferson, LA 70121-1400 For other inquiries,e-mail:{sherlockian@hotmail.com} or {sherlockian@usa.net}There are other sites and mystery publications from this publisher. Thebest bet would be to query.__________Crimestalker Casebook is "looking for new writers and established writersof murder mystery, Gothic tales, and poetry noir...two thousand words orless!"Crimestalker Casebook, C/O Falconcroft Press, Mount Independence, 121Follen Road, Lexington, MA 02173______________________Roofbeam Magazine, Marc Wondra, Founder and Publisher, P.O. Box 33369,Las Vegas, NV 89133-3369, submissions@roofbeam.com, website atwww.roofbeam.com/Guidelines.htm Short fiction pays $50. The magazineeditors are "looking for well-written, engaging work from both new andestablished writers." Check the website for more information.* * *G. Miki Hayden is author of the intertwined short story work, PACIFICEMPIRE, which crosses alternate history with crime. Hayden's BY REASON OFINSANITY will be out in the fall from Free Range Press. She can bereached via email at {MaraWayne@aol.com}%=====================================================================%####### SCAM ALERT by Kate Grilley"A fool and his money are soon parted." Keep your wallets/checkbooksfirmly shut when these folks come calling.My spies have been very busy of late, here are verbatim dispatches fromthe front. My sincere thanks to all who took the time to personallye-mail me with these reports.***** CLARIFICATION *****Scam Alert Editor's Note: In the interest of fairness, I am including thefollowing message as it was received by me. I have no furtherinformation, pro or con, about the San Francisco organization. I welcomeinput from my readers. -- KateRE: editcetera{{Just browsed your "Scam Alert" web site and wanted to give you somefurther information about William Appel of Edit Ink and the changingnames of his company. We mainly want to clarify this to protect theprofessional reputation of our own organization.editcetera (with a lowercase initial "e") is a San Francisco bay areaassociation of freelance proofreaders and editors. We have been inexistence under this name since 1971. We have always been known as anorganization of the highest integrity and quality.A few years ago we became aware that William Appel and his associateswere doing business as "Editcetera" (uppercase initial "E") in New Yorkstate. After some correspondence between our group and Mr. Appel'scompany, he agreed that we had prior rights to the name and agreed tochange the name of his company, which was subsequently known as "EditInk". The subsequent legal difficulties Mr. Appel and company encounteredwere the subject of a short article in "Publisher's Weekly" a few monthsago.The main point here, and we would appreciate it if you could make thisclear on your web site entry, is that our organization, editcetera, hasnever had any affiliation whatsoever with William Appel or his company.Feel free to e-mail us if you need clarification.-Carl Grundberg Editcetera@aol.com}}* * * * * EDIT INK./EDITCETERA.......is in the Scam Alert news again.LATE BREAKING NEWS...FROM: http://www.authorlink.com/pubnews.html#editink{{Shady Publishing Ring ThwartedBUFFALO, NY/ 5/13/98--A ring of fraudulent literary agencies, editorialservices and publishers this month was ordered by the New York SupremeCourt to stop defrauding unsuspecting writers and to pay cash restitutionto every person who had their manuscript edited by a company called EditInk.The scheme, which spread from New York State to California, hadreportedly netted the perpetrators more than $5 million before the NewYork State Attorney General's Office began investigating last winter.Named in the case are: William S. Appel and Denise Steers, bothindividually and as president of Edit Ink; Eduardo E.Gahona, individuallyand formerly doing business as Amherst Press; Kelly Culmer, individuallyand formerly doing business under the names: Aardvark Literary Agents,The Silver Branch Literary Agency, and Crescent Books; and Charles C.Neighbors, individually and formerly doing business as Aardvark LiteraryAgents.The decree, handed down May 1 by New York Supreme Court Judge John A.Michael, J.S.C. called their practices "fraudulent, deceptive, andillegal in inducing authors to employ the services of Edit Ink." Thegroup also formed fake publishing houses as part of its front.By about August 1, 1998 Edit Ink must provide a full accounting of allmonies collected from writers for editing since January 1, 1995. Thelist, including agents or publishers who referred each person, will beused by the New York State Attorney General's Office as the basis forpro-rata repayment to repayment to defrauded authors. Should Edit Inkfail to provide the accounting and payment, they will be permanentlybarred from accepting any monies from authors.In addition to restitution payments, Edit Ink is ordered to pay civilpenalties of $500 for each author from whom it received payments, andfrom each author who was referred to Edit Ink from Gahona, Culmer orSterrs. Restitution must be paid to all authors whose manuscripts wereedited by Edit Ink regardless of whether they were published or not, gotagents or not or were satisfied or not.The order requires all of the named parties tell writers that Edit Inkpays referral fees to persons who refer authors to Edit Ink for editing.Edit Ink is banned from saying that referral fees are "standard industrypractice", or from indicating that publishers or agents will not considermanuscripts that have not been professionally edited. The order furtherbans the parties from implying that a manuscript edited by Edit Ink mayhave significant commercial potential. Also Edit Ink may not say thathaving a work edited by Edit Ink will bring the author "closer topublication," or in any way indicate that the manuscript's prospects ofbeing published are increased as a result of having been edited by EditInk.The order bars Edit Ink and others involved in the suit frommisrepresenting their experience, credentials and the quality of theediting performed by Edit Ink.New York Assistant Attorney General Dennis Rosen, in charge of the case,told Authorlink! that he is "concerned about whether the parties arecomplying with the order." He also said that another party not named inthe suit but who reportedly works with Edit Ink, "Mark Maine of AAA orAuthors Assistance Agency is saying that he has talked to me and thateverything is okay with Edit Ink. I want writers to be particularlyalerted to this agency." He invited anyone with a complaint about EditInk or the other parties to contact him at (716) 853-8417.}}COMMENTARY:Sad to say, I have heard reports since this news article that there areagents/agencies out there who are STILL touting Edit Ink. Included inthis list are: Levleva Agency in Hollywood; Lisa Browksy of AvatarLiterary Agency, Davies, Fl.; Chadd Stevens Literary Agents (Lee Jordan,Pres); Mark Maine of AAA Literary Agency; Jodie Rhodes (Jodie RhodesLiterary Agency) in La Jolla, CA; EKP Productions (Eddie KritzerProductions), Hollywood, CA; Alison J. Picard; Frank Wiemann of TheLiterary Group International, New York, NY. If anyone receives Edit Inkpitches from any of the above, use 'em to line your bird cage. If youhear from anyone NOT on the above list pushing Edit Ink...let me know!---------------------------------* * * * * Truth is stranger than fiction?????One of my spies told me about receiving a solicitation to buy:{{The Truth about Fiction Writing, written by William Appel and DeniseSterrs. The information included an order form which will allow the buyerto pay by any number of credit cards or to send checks directly to EditInk in Cheektowaga, NY.}}---------------------------------* * * * * A bona fide pitch or a curve ball????A note from another spy says...{{ David Hiatt of Walla Walla WA. He wants to market my book - sent me ayear's contract on the basis of reading two chapters. His letter states,"...please don't be amazed that I am offering to represent the work afteronly reading the first two chapters. This is how books are bought andsold...." and he continues to describe the procedure for marketing atrade book proposal rather than a completed work of fiction. He alsowould like $350 up front. }}Here's another spy story...{{ The Nordhaus and Wolcott Agency is a phony. I am sure they must havebeen found out, because now they are simply calling themselves WolcottLiterary Agency.I found their website on the internet. I E-mailed them and received areply within 3 days. They were very excited for me to send them mymanuscript and a $150 reading fee. They were promising a reply within 45days and even if they decided not to represent me, they would at the veryleast, offer a critique of my work.I mailed the manuscript and the reading fee and surprise, no response,not even in 6 months. I called and E-mailed, but received no reply. Irecently found their new website, Wolcott Literary Agency and asked afriend to send a query. She did and received the same reply I received,once again asking for a $150 reading fee and promising a reply within 45days.}}And another...{{I sent my full manuscript to Jodi Jill at Eden Literary Agency. Shepromptly mailed me a contract and requested $600!! When I called to talkto her, she had no idea who I was, and acted as though she'd never laideyes on the manuscript. I asked her to send it back to me. I've alsoheard of other complaints that she doesn't return manuscripts (I calledthe Better Business Bureau for Denver, Colo. She has a number ofcomplaints against her!)}}-----------------------------------* * * * * Be aware and beware!!!!{{ Northwest Publishing in Salt Lake City, Utah was a real bad deal for agreat many wannabe authors. They took hundreds of thousands of dollarsin subsidy contracts, then flew the coop. }}BTW...I understand there may be a new type of "edit ink" scam brewingwith Aegina Press, Inc. If anyone is approached by this outfit, pleaseget in touch with me.Many writers are fueled by one thing: hope. I find it unconscionablewhen that fragile emotion is preyed upon by greed. Heard of any scams?You, too, can win a pocket for your spy coat! Send your scam news to meat: {Kate_Grilley@compuserve.com} The names of all correspondents willbe kept strictly confidential.Kate* * *Forthcoming: "Burning Of The Witch", Murderous Intent, Summer, 1998 Youcan reach Kate by e-mail at Kate_Grilley@compuserve.com or on the web athttp:/ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Kate_Grilley%=====================================================================%####### THE MISSING LINK'S FAVORITE WEB SITES by Tim SheardThe MISSING LINK lurks in the teaming jungles of Brooklyn. Late atnight, when the subway cars rumble through lonely stations, you'll seehim in a car, notebook in hand, looking out at the city and imaginingstories about its sleepless citizens. At home, the LINK cruises theINTERNET searching for websites with writers who can draw an image asvivid as a dream that wakes you with a start. Sometimes he submits hisown short stories. Always he looks for the writer who will tell thestory that holds him like leather restraints, squeezing the brain untilit hemorrhages images, feelings, memories...and leaving behind scars thatare tender to the touch forever.THE MYSTERIOUS HOMEPAGEhttp://www.webfic.com/mysthome/Jan Steffensen, a Danish mystery fan, has created a solid resource forfinding international publications and organizations. He listseverything, from authors and publishers to news groups, mailing lists,online and print magazines, mystery organizations and awards.The ClueLass Home Pagehttp://www.slip.net/~cluelass/(also at http://www.cluelass.com -- ed.)Kate Derie has the best resource for mystery writers and fans. The sitejust gets better every month, with many useful links, news, reviews andlinks to other sites.Murderous Intent Mystery Magazinehttp://www.teleport.com/~madison/Margo Power has created one of the most entertaining, imaginative websites. Built to promote her quarterly print magazine, Murderous Intent,this is a very cheeky Web Site, with music, a crawling spider, a hauntedhouse, and more. Also great links to many mystery resources.The Casehttp://www.TheCase.com/Steve Schaffer has built a solid source of short mystery fiction and oneof the best markets for new writers. He pays $50-300/story, is aresponsive editor, although overworked, he may get behind in hisresponses at times. His format is very specific, so study several issuesand read the guidelines carefully.Blue Murderhttp://www.bluemurder.com/David Firks has built a fine, new online monthly ezine, featuringoriginal short stories, nonfiction aritcles, links and more. A freedownload, with the promise of exciting features to come, such as trailersof new mystery/thriller movies, audio downloads of radio plays, and more.Dogwood Taleshttp://www.dogwoodtales.com/This traditional short mystery/short story, bimonthly print journal paysmodest fees to writers and publishes a lot of new voices. The on-linemag promotes the print journal and the entire mag can be read bysubscribers only.The Mystery Zonehttp://www.mindspring.com/~walter/mystzone.htmlWalter Sorrells has one of the freshest voices out there. His shortstories, free from his web site, are great. My favorite is MidlifeCrisis. Walter also has a treasure trove of great links to resources incriminology, encryption, copyright law, etc. Just a great, well-roundedsite.Without A Cluehttp://www.webpanache.com/ewgpresents/clue.htmThis is a new journal of fiction and non-fiction from Marcia Kiser andFelicia Lacosse. It promotes new writers, and has interviews and linksto other organizations.Mystery Writers of Americahttp://www.bookwire.com/mwa/The permiere writers' and fans' organization, the MWA presents the EdgarAwards, supports new writers with mentor programs, sends professionalwriters to public schools to encourage appreciation of literature, andpromotes mystery writing in general. Many of the local chapters are alsoactive and great resources for new writers.Eternityhttp://www.webpanache.com/ewgpresents/clue.htm (URL correct? -- ed.)This online journal of speculative fiction features mostly scifi andmystical/horror, but it has added dark pulp, a cross genre style thatallows mystery writers to get in touch with their devilish alter egoes.The writing in Eternity is first rate. A site that shows that webliterature is second to none in the print medium.Writers Markethttp://www.bookwire.com/mwa/ (URL correct? -- ed.)This site lists many on-line and print outlets for writers. Heavy onspeculative/fantasy journals, it also lists literary journals, mysteryjournals and pulps.* * *Know a good website? Send it to the MISSING LINK attim.mary@worldnet.att.net and he will add it to the list.%=====================================================================%####### DAVID FIRKS BROADCASTS NOIR ON THE WEB by G. Miki HaydenI'd like to say that I'm impartial about David Firks and his Blue MurderMagazine (www.bluemurder.com) but I'm not. I like David. And so do otherpeople. Such as Kris Neri, who said, "BMM is a terrific market and theeditor, David Firks, is wonderful to work with." I've found that to betrue, myself. While Kris has produced some short mystery fiction forDavid, I am now doing book review features for his magazine. I'm asomewhat picky person, so if I feel that David has done right by me--andI do--then you can probably accept that at face value.But that's not the reason I thought I would write an article featuringDavid Firks and Blue Murder Magazine. I'm doing a piece on Blue Murderbecause it's a good market and it pays. As time has gone on there aremore and more markets for mystery on the Web and Blue Murder is a choiceone. David puts a new issue up every two months and he's quite dedicatedto it. Witness the last unveiling, for which he was up for about 24 hourstinkering with the site.But in addition to being selective in the editors I work with, I'msomewhat lazy, so I asked if David would tell his own story, interviewstyle, so I could put my feet up and relax and still take the credit.Here's what David Firks had to say to me.GMH: How did you come up with the concept for Blue Murder?DF: When I was a kid, growing up in the city of Chicago, I saved myweekly allowance and bought paperback pulp crime fiction novels writtenby great authors such as Harry Whittington, Charles Willeford and JimThompson. It was a joy for me to sit in my bed with a lamp glowing on mynight table at two in the morning, turning the pages of fast paced,suspense crime novels.Ever since then, I've read anything in the crime fiction genre I couldget my hands on. I've also taught creative writing in highschools/colleges and after many years of tedious devotion to my computer,now teach Web Design at the University of Oregon. Two years ago I came upwith an idea for a crime fiction magazine on the web. Why? Because Ithought it would be wonderful to allow new and established writers of thegenre to share their work worldwide in a professional looking package. Atthe same time, I believe this medium is cutting edge technology and thewave of the future. My thanks to Adobe Systems, because visitors to oursite can download the magazine in handy Acrobat PDF format and read orprint it out at their convenience.GMH: Tell me more about your own writing.DF: I write short crime fiction, which is a very dear art form to me.I've always have been intrigued by the short story structure and it'svery rewarding when an editor/reader likes your story. Publication in theshort form though, can be a challenge, because magazines/editors may foldin a heartbeat, after they have just bought your story. I've had manystories in limbo somewhere after the contract was signed. This is anotherreason why I created the Blue Murder Project. Those writing for BlueMurder usually get published within one to six months after the contractis signed. We're also here to stay.GMH: What type of stories are you looking for?DF: I look for cutting edge crime fiction that is unique to the genre.The categories are Private Eye, Police Procedural, Hardboiled Crime, andLove Gone Bad. I favor manuscripts under 3,000 words. Over 3,000 words,the story has to be really good. It's an art to blend theme, characters,and dialog concisely into the short form. In our first issue, SaraHoskinson Frommer did this beautifully with her story, "Taken Care Of".In less than two pages, she grabs the reader and doesn't let go. If thewriter can do something like that, it belongs in Blue Murder Magazine.GMH: So, on the whole, you've had the type of submissions you've beeninterested in?DF: Generally, yes. We receive approximately 30 to 40 submissions a week.It's really enjoyable to see the great submissions from new writers. AtBlue Murder, we believe in promoting the new as well as the establishedwriter. When I read a story that is 80 percent suited to our magazine, Itry and work with the writer to polish and tighten it up a bit. That typeof interaction between editor and writer is rewarding for both parties.There's a sense of accomplishment and intrinsic reward that cannot bedenied.GMH: Why did you decide to combine fiction and non-fiction?DF: The Blue Murder Project is evolving. We receive a lot of email on adaily basis from visitors to our site, (worldwide) expressing theirpraise (I'm keeping my fingers crossed), and also suggesting some ideasfor our development. This is why we've incorporated reviews and columnsinto our site/mag. Our project is aimed at creating a global crimefiction (interactive) web site where visitors can enjoy their staycommunicating with authors, downloading well-written stories, or gainingopinions, facts, and current events in regard to the genre.GMH: Do you have any other goals for the magazine?DF: By the end of the first year of publication, we plan on having themagazine available to readers in many different languages. That's thebeauty of the world wide web. We also will be incorporating real livechats with authors of the genre. So, at a specific time, you can postquestions and receive answers in real-time from a writer of crimefiction. Finally, our on-site staff will be posting daily news clippingsof events that are taking place at mystery writer conventions, such asBouchercon and other conferences.GMH: How are you planning on getting multi-language translations?DF: Since I teach at the University of Oregon, there are many translationpossibilities, either through individuals or computer technology.American crime fiction is very big right now in Japan as well as inFrance. It would be a great accomplishment to make our magazine availableto any country without language being an obstacle.GMH: How would readers join your BMM family?DF: It's very simple. All they have to do is mail $5 for a year'smembership, which includes many cool perks and supports a good cause.They can obtain more information on our web site at www.bluemurder.com,or mail their membership, (including their email address) to: Blue MurderMagazine, 555 NW Parks Avenue, Portland, OR, 97209.* * *G. Miki Hayden is author of the intertwined short story work, PACIFICEMPIRE, which crosses alternate history with crime. Hayden's BY REASON OFINSANITY will be out in the fall from Free Range Press. She can bereached via email at {MaraWayne@aol.com}%=====================================================================%####### ANNOUNCEMENTS Compiled by Kathy BrownWATCH FOR "Two Tickets to Paradise" by Barbara White-Rayczek in DeathKnell III, an anthology sponsored by members of Delaware Valley Sistersin Crime (October 1998).------------Janet A. Rudolph, Editor, Mystery Readers Journal, announces:The Macavity Awards are nominated and voted on by members of MysteryReaders International. Membership is open to all fans, readers, writers,editors and publishers.The 1997 awards are:Best Mystery Novel"Bloodhounds" by Peter Lovesey (Mysterious)Also nominated:"Grass Widow" by Teri Holbrook (Bantam)"Multiple Wounds" by Alan Russell (Simon & Schuster)"The Chatham School" Affair by Thomas Cook (Bantam)"Two for the Dough" by Janet Evanovich (Scribner)"Hearts and Bones" by Margaret Lawrence (Avon)Best First Mystery Novel"Death in Little Tokyo" by Dale Furutani (St. Martin's Press)Also nominated:"Final Jeopardy" by Linda Fairstein (Scribner)"Murder on a Girl's Night Out" by Anne George (Avon)"A Brother's Blood" by Michael White (HarperCollins)Best Non-Fiction"Detecting Women 2" by Wiletta Heising (Purple Moon Press)Also nominated:"Mystery! A Celebration" by Ron Miller (KQED Books)"St. James Guide to Crime & Mystery (4th Edition)" edited by Jay Pederson(St. James Press)Best Mystery Short Story"Cruel & Unusual" by Carolyn Wheat from Guilty As Charged (Pocket)Also nominated:"The Bun Also Rises" by Jill Churchill from Malice Domestic 5 (PocketBooks)"Red Clay" by Michael Malone from Murdered for Love (Delacorte)"Takeout" by Joyce Christmas from Malice Domestic 5 (Pocket Books)"The Music Lesson" by Rosemarie Santini from New Mystery MagazineFor more information on Mystery Readers International and the MysteryReaders Journal, check out our website at:http://www.murderonthemenu.com/mystery------------Karen L. Cooper announces:Letting you know that the July issue of EWGPresents, located athttp://www.webpanache.com/ewgpresents/, contains my story TREMAINE'SDOMAIN. To bypass the main page and go directly to their mystery section,use http://www.webpanache.com/ewgpresents/clue.htm------------Clocktower Fiction invites you to check out our new on-line speculativemagazine Outside at http://www.clocktowerfiction.com/Outside. Outside is100% freelance-written. We pay 3 cents a word and are looking for storiesup to 3,000 or 4,000 words long. Please check out the magazine forcomplete Writer's Guidelines at the above url.------------Michael Mallory announces:One of the highlights of Bouchercon '98 will be a Thursday morning trackdedicated to the Short Story. Four separate panel segments featuringwriters, editors and mystery scholars will take place within a block ofthree sessions, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00, including an hour devoted toshort story readings, conducted by the Short Mystery Fiction Society,which are the ONLY readings that will be staged at this year's Bouchercon.For the SMFS, these readings are a real-profile raiser, and for anyoneinterested in the short mystery, the event promises to be a vital,valuable and vastly entertaining morning. Spread the word!------------Murder Ahoy! Mystery Cruise in March, 1999For cruise information: contact Laurie Brown, Ship n' Shore Travel at800-585-0884. Cabin prices start at $725. The conference rate is just$100. For conference information contact:Elaine Raco Chase, 703-378-9580 phone/fax, Email: elainerc@juno.com------------Robert Iles announces:The following stories are from my series++ The Adventures of Peter B. Bruck, Private Investigator ++"The Delinquent Debutante Caper," published in the Spring '98 issue ofTHE COZY DETECTIVE MYSTERY MAGAZINE."The Blonde on the Beach," published in the Sleuth Edition of WHISPERINGWILLOWS MYSTERY MAGAZINE, volume II, number 1 (appeared in the spring of'98)."A Little Fiction," accepted for publication in MURDEROUS INTENT MYSTERYMAGAZINE. (Could appear as early as the Fall '98 issue.)"The .44 Caliber Headache" has been accepted for publication in the fall1998 issue of Potpourri Magazine of the Literary Arts.------------Jonathan Lowe announces:You can buy SNAPSHOTS--TALES OF MYSTERY & HORROR FOR PEOPLE WITH LITTLETIME TO KILL, at www.mirror.org/commerce/hmspress/snap.html. There are 26stories, some previously published in magazines.* * *Kathy Shea Brown, Announcements Editor for "The Short Order," has been acomputer consultant for over 15 years, mostly in the San Francisco BayArea. Deciding that the stress of consulting (usually on troubledprojects) was just not fun anymore, she recently started pursuing herlove of writing. Kathy is a member of the Evanston mystery writing groupSpellbinders and several online groups.If you have tips or announcements you'd like the internet community toknow about, send them to KSheaBrown@aol.com to have them included in thenext edition of "The Short Order."%=====================================================================%####### AUDIO AS AN AVENUE FOR THE SHORT STORY AND NOVELLA AUTHOR by G. Miki HaydenI have been listening to short mystery fiction on tape and I want to tellyou what's going on in that fiction market segment. There's good news forthe short story writer here.The audio tape business, once dominated by the publishing giants--theSimon & Shusters, the HarperCollinses, and so on--is now taking on anentrepreneurial new lease on life and they might want us (the shortmystery fiction authors).For instance,Image of Conspiracy by Margo Power, audiotape from Elmtree Publishing(800-691- 9003) ISBN 1-894188-03-9; performed by Alison Matthews, 1 hour55 minutes; unabridged; $12.00.Margo Power's breathless suspense-adventure novella, which won the ShortMystery Fiction Society Derringer Award for Best Novella this year, isnow available on tape, and it's good! If the story was fun in print (yup,it is), it has a whole new life as the spoken word. It's breezy, lively,and completely entertaining. Alison Matthews is the perfect reader forit, too, both professional and intelligent in her presentation.For those of you who haven't yet caught up with the story, it's like aHitchcock piece, somehow, beginning with an almost-murdered man clutchingdizzily onto the heroine in Vancouver, British Columbia, which sets off afrantic chase to catch her by relentlessly insistent spies with guns.Thankfully, Seattle photographer Maggie Flynn is first kidnapped by ahandsome American, who claims he's a diplomat. Who's who? To sort thatout, you'll have to listen.I spoke to Margo about her coup in selling the tape and from her story,the contract just about leaped into her lap--well, not quite, but whendoes it ever? Margo found her audio publisher on line somewhere--you knowhow these things come up--and submitted the book. Not that long after,Margo received word from Elmtree--just about the time she won theDerringer!Flash forward a couple of months, and a handsome tape set was in Margo'strembling hands. She inserted Tape One into the player and gasped! Therewas her novella, a thing of beauty, to be sure.Elmtree has done a wonderful job with this--packaging and reading areboth superb. Then, too, which is what an author really loves about thebusiness--they wrote Margo out a check upon signing of the contract! Nota large one, she assures me, but definitely cashable. Royalties, in time,will come her way.Was it easy? Relatively so. Congratulations, Margo, on laying down tracksfor the rest of us.Since we were on this topic, I talked to a couple of other authorsregarding stories sold to tape and checked out a few sites. Here's thereport. Get busy and sell, short story authors!Vicki Cameron who has been acting as the official anthology editor forThe Ladies' Killing Circle and the Sisters in Crime authors' secondvolume, Cottage Country Killers -- both of which published in print withGeneral Store Publishing House, a Canadian small press -- told me how theladies wound up on tape. Their audio label, Proof In Advance, heard aboutThe Ladies Killing Circle and sent a letter to Vicki by way of thepublisher. Vicki did the early discussions with Proof In Advance, whileGeneral Store sent review copies along. After much mulling, four storieswere chosen for a one-hour tape. There was no advance, and royalties onthe $4.99 impulse purchase won't be grand after General Store gets itsshare, Vicki said. But we authors do all this for fun, right?Author/publisher Connie Shelton works with Books in Motion, an audiopublisher that specializes in mystery and western titles. They dounabridged books, which really appealed to Connie. There is no advance,but royalties are paid twice yearly, and the contract is non-exclusive astheir primary markets are libraries and rental outlets. Connie haspublished a how-to book Publish Your Own Novel and can be reached atpublish@afweb.com (Intrigue Press). She's offered to try to help authorssell their audio rights to Books in Motion--which would be for a fee, ofcourse. Below, however, are publishers you can contact yourself, and youcan find many, many more online.Tangled Web Audio, 3380 Sheridan Drive, Suite 167, Amherst NY 14226, isat tangled@bis.on.ca or call (519) 442-5010, or fax: (519) 442-2346. Oneof this company's offerings is Ms. Murder, a four tape collection ofmystery stories featuring women detectives from Agatha Christie, MignonG. Eberhart, Ruth Rendell, and others. Maybe they will be interested inyour stories, too.The Publishing Mills AudioBooks, 9220 Sunset Blvd., Suite 302, LosAngeles, CA 90069 Phone: 800-722-8346, Fax: 213-858-5391 E-mail:editor@pubmills.comThe Audio Partners Publishing Corp., 1133 High Street, Auburn, CA 95603,Phone: 800-231-4261, 530-888-7804; Fax: 530-888-7805 Email:info@audiopartners.com.Obviously, it's better to have a work in print first, but you never know.A friend of mine had several science fiction stories chosen for a tapewithout their having been in an anthology first, so give it a shot.* * *G. Miki Hayden is author of the intertwined short story work, PACIFICEMPIRE, which crosses alternate history with crime. Hayden's BY REASON OFINSANITY will be out in the fall from Free Range Press. She can bereached via email at {MaraWayne@aol.com}%=====================================================================%####### SHOOT--I MEAN, ASK AWAY... by Jiro KimuraQuestion:In Japan the Manga (Comic book) market seems much more "mainstream" thanit is here in the US, with adults of all walks of life reading Manga.Are there any Mystery related Manga or graphic magazines in Japan? Domystery writers submit material to these to be turned into Manga or isthe writing handled by staff writers? How popular are Mystery relatedManga if there are any? -- R.K.FosterAnswer:Wait, wait, one question at a time. First you should know that I am noexpert on mystery manga. Usually, I don't "read" them. Okay, back tothe questions. They are illustrated books rather than comic books, andthere are a lot of genres such as mystery, suspense, horror, romance,sci-fi, and porn.I heard there are some stories based on Ellery Queen's books and EdMcBain's the 87th Pricinct novels. I have not found them or want to"read" them. Some story writers are commissioned to submit material tocomic strip writers, or they work with comic strip writers. I guessmystery manga are more popular than mystery fiction, and manga writer arepaid better than fiction writers, but the competition is extremelyfierce. However, as I have said, I am more interested in American comixthan Japanese manga these days. Sorry. I am not the right guy to answerthese questions.Any other questions? Easy ones, please. --JiroDear everybody, if you have questions about short mystery fiction, pleasee-mail me at{A HREF="mailto:jkimura@nsknet.or.jp"}jkimura@nsknet.or.jp{/A}. If youdon't want your name used or if you want a cute pseudonym used, pleaselet me know. Otherwise, I will use your "real" name. If your question istoo tough for me to answer, I apologize in advance.***************************JIRO KIMURA is a mysteriouswriter-translator-critic-researcher-collector-whatever, currently holingup in the Far East. He manages{A HREF="http://www.nsknet.or.jp/~jkimura/"}The Gumshoe Site{/A}.%=====================================================================%####### MASTHEADThe Short Orderhttp://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletterEditor - R.K.Fostermailto:rkfoster@ix.netcom.comsubject: TSO - blah, blah, blah...Contributing Editor - G. Miki Haydenmailto:MaraWayne@aol.comsubject: TSO Markets - blah, blah, blah...Contributing Editor - Kate Grilleymailto:Kate_Grilley@compuserve.comsubject: TSO Scam Alert - blah, blah, blah...Announcements Editor - Kathy Brownmailto:KSheaBrown@aol.comsubject: TSO Announcements - blah, blah, blah...Link Editor - Tim Sheardmailto:tim.mary@worldnet.att.netsubject: TSO Links - blah, blah, blah...Publishing Advisor - Margo Power%=====================================================================%####### SUBMISSION GUIDELINESARTWORK SUBMISSION GUIDELINESWe are looking for front cover panels for upcoming issues of The ShortOrder. Check the Front Cover athttp://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter for an example. Artworksubmitted for a Front Cover panel should be 496 pixels wide by 372 pixelshigh with a minimum possible file size. The image should contain thewords "The Short Order" somewhere in the design and should have a mysterytheme. You can include your name, email, and/or website URL in smallprint at the bottom of the image.Other artwork will be considered as long as it is mystery theme related.Please email the Editor at {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com} with a description ofthe work.GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINESIf you would like to submit material for the Short Order newsletter, orhave an idea for material to be included, please email the Editor at{rkfoster@ix.netcom.com} with details, or send the actual material. Thereis currently no monetary compensation for material selected. TheNewsletter is currently published on a quarterly basis.We try to include material directly related to mystery fiction in theshort form or related to support of both authors and readers of shortmystery fiction or non-fiction. Here are some further guidelines: * Submissions should not be longer than 2000 words unless the piececan be spread over multiple issues. We will consider anything that isshort mystery related including poetry, news about the industry, info onwriting, etc. Continuing columns are also possible. * We do not accept actual Short Fiction for the newsletter as we aremeant to be a support publication for readers and writers. * Along with the body of the material, please include the following;The Title of the piece, your full name as you would like it to appear onthe piece, a short blurb or intro for the material, an email and websiteaddress(if available) for yourself, and a closing "author's bio" typeentry to be included at the closing of the article. * Please save a copy of the work in ASCII/text format, if possible,and include it as plain text in your email submission. You can UUencodethe document if necessary. * Email your Newsletter Submissions to {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com}. TheSubject line of the email should begin with something like "TSO: ". * We are currently publishing the newsletter on a quarterly basis.ANNOUNCEMENT SUBMISSION GUIDELINESYou can also submit announcements for inclusion in The Short Order on ourAnnouncements page.I would ask that you "package" the announcement together into one or morebrief paragraphs and send it along to the Announcements Editor, KathyBrown at {KSheaBrown@aol.com} by the upcoming deadline of the next issue.Please make it as _short_ and sweet as possible without sacrificing anyinfo; names, dates, email addresses, website URL's, etc. See theAnnouncements page for good examples of the type of thing to be listed.We prefer a single paragraph per announcement but heck, writing is awonderful, unpredictable thing. ;)%=====================================================================%####### LINKING TO OUR WEBSITESFeel free to setup a weblink to our sites if you support a website orhome page. If you don't wish to use button graphics as shown below thensimply use the URLs listed. Send email to {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com} withinformation about your website and we will add it to our Sponsors page onThe Short Order website.Here is some html code to add a button graphic link to the Short MysteryFiction Society website:{A HREF="http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/"}{IMG HEIGHT=31 WIDTH=88SRC="http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/assets/images/go_SMFS.gif"BORDER=0 ALT="Short Mystery Fiction Society"}{/A}Here is the html code to add a button graphic link to The Short Orderonline newsletter:{A HREF="http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter"}{IMG HEIGHT=31WIDTH=88SRC="http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/assets/images/go_tso.gif"BORDER=0 ALT="The Short Order ezine newsletter"}{/A}%=====================================================================%####### KEEPING IN TOUCH, SUBSCRIBING, ETC.To subscribe to the email version of this newsletter, which is currentlypublished on a quarterly basis, send email to {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com}with a brief note asking to be subscribed. The list is not automatedand is used only for distribution of The Short Order newsletter.If you wish to be removed from The Short Order subscriber email list,also send a request via email to {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com}. -=+=-The World Wide Web version of this newsletter can be found at: http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/The Virtual Offices of the Short Mystery Fiction Society(SMFS) can befound on the World Wide Web at: http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/ -=+=-To join the Short Mystery Fiction Society(SMFS), it's free of charge,send email to: majordomo@teleport.comwith a blank subject line and a message body of: subscribe shortmystery-l-digest(That is the letter L, not a #1)You will receive the SMFS listserv digest in email almost every day.%=====================================================================%####### COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Copyright(C)1998 Short Mystery Fiction SocietyPermission is granted for the redistribution of this Newsletter, so longas the Newsletter is not edited and is attributed to the Short MysteryFiction Society(SMFS). All Other Rights Are Fully Reserved.Any other use of this information without the express written consent ofthe Short Mystery Fiction Society is prohibited. The Short Mystery FictionSociety expressly disclaims all liability for any misuse of thisinformation by any third party.%========================== THE BITTER END?! =========================%