}%=====================================================================%} %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% THE SHORT ORDER %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%} %============= Volume TWO Number THREE November 1998 =============%} %===================== A Newsletter From The =====================%} %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SHORT MYSTERY FICTION SOCIETY %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%}%=====================================================================%}####### TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: POE SHORT STORY CONTEST}####### COLUMNS SCAM ALERT by Kate Grilley MARKET REPORT: The Old Double-Cross by G. Miki Hayden THE OTHER MASON FOR THE DEFENSE by Michael Mallory The Cowboy Bar Murder, Or How a P.I. Really Works By Nancy L. McGuire The Case of Steve Schaffer and TheCase.com by G. Miki Hayden ANNOUNCEMENTS}####### ODDS & ENDS KEEPING IN TOUCH, SUBSCRIBING, ETC. MASTHEAD SUBMISSION GUIDELINES LINKING TO OUR WEBSITES 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:ATTENTION. Please see our special Announcement below regarding the SMFSEdgar Allen Poe short story contest.***"What've we got Detective?""Dead computer, Sir. It's through here.""Any clues to the cause?""No Sir, it looks like the techs will have to do a post-mortem.""That the Owner?""Yea. He's pretty shook up. Just sits there, rocking back and forth, mumbling.""They never learn do they.""No, they never seem to.""Well, finish your usual procedures and then lets pack it up.""Sir...I, uh, Well he keeps muttering something about people going to kill him.""How's that?""Well, some group called the 'Sisters' or the 'SMiFSters', Sir. He thinks they're going tokill him. You think it could be Organized Crime or one of those Online Cults?""'SMiFSters'? I've never heard of 'em. Do a routine check on it and note it in the file.Itcould be just the emotions talking.""Right."***As you may have guessed from the above passage, I have been having computer problems. Notsomuch that I have been rocking back and forth muttering but, hey, that's what artisticlicense is all about. :) As a result, this issue is a month late and only in email formatfor now. I do not currently have access to the separate email subscriber list that Imaintained before this. Those who don't check the website or who are not on the ShortMystery listserv will be wondering where the issue is. I can only apologize and hope theyfind their way to this issue.Kate Grilley is back with the next installment of her Scam Alert column. I have personallyforwarded a number of emails to Kate from various authors having run-ins with somewhatdubious people. For authors just starting out you might want to absorb some of her helpfulinformation. G.Miki Hayden has another Markets Report for us as well as an interview withSteve Schaffer. We also have a piece from Nancy L. McGuire which G.Miki has been kindenoughto edit together for this issue. Also, Michael Mallory has contributed a piece on theearlyhistory of the short mystery genre. All in all it turns out to be a pretty substantialissue. I hope you all enjoy it.Thanks for supporting The Short Order andHAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!Here's to a good mystery!_________R.K.FosterEditor, The Short Order(TSO)(The Newsletter of the Short Mystery Fiction Society -- SMFS)http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter}%=====================================================================%}####### 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.}####### SCAM ALERTby Kate Grilley"A fool and his money are soon parted." Keep your wallets/checkbooksfirmly shut when these folks come calling.***** CLARIFICATION *****Scam Alert Editor's Note: In the interest of fairness, I am including thefollowing message(s) as received by me. I always welcome input from myreaders. -- KateRE: Wolcott Literary Agency{{Wolcott Literary Agency formally Nordhaus-Wolcott is not phony nor ascam. Mr. Nordhaus opted out of the agency to devote full time to hishorror writing, hence Wolcott Literary Agency - same URL, same emailaddress, same snail mail address, but different phone number. It should berather obvious with everything the same other than one name dropped and adifferent phone # (it was being forwarded)that they we were not hiding fromanyone. We never took anybody's money and did not do exactly what are website states. Whoever is saying we kept their money and did not performexactly as our web site states is not telling the truth and certainly doesnot possess any integrity. If I sent someone money whether it was $5 or$500 and they did not deliver, I certainly would be contacting the concernfor resolution instead of running to someone else saying they took my money.There is no mention of an attempt torectify the situation and the reason is because it simply did not happen.As I was telling Kate Grilley this attack on my honesty and integrityaffects me, but more importantly it directly damages my clients some of whoare published and others that we are still trying to place. Being a writerwe all know hard it is to be published and to have erroneous info spewed bysome unscrupulous person is a very sad state of affairs.Kate this is basically all I have to say. I do have a question. When oneof your spies gives you a report, do you check it out or do you print itverbatim. Obviously no one checked out this attack on me. Not to changethe subject, but you heard anything of Picasso Publications - mysources THINK or ASSUME they are Commonwealth Publications (the scam inCanada) reborn?? Would you mind acknowledging receipt of my message becauseI feel like I am on an island on this remote location.RegardsChris WolcottWolcott Literary Agency }}Here's a report from a very satisfied Wolcott client whose name is usedwith her express permission:{{Dear Ms. Grilley,I just finished reading your "Scam Alert" column. Although while I findyour efforts toward making writers aware of the many pitfalls they mayencounter when seeking publication as very helpful, your sharing of onewriter's letter regarding the Wolcott Literary Agency is entirely absurd.My work has been represented and *sold* by the Wolcott Literary Agency forover a year now. I have just signed my second year contract with ChrisWolcott, therefore I have first-hand knowledge of his very ethicaltreatment of me and my works. His character is above reproach.Yes, the Wolcott Literary Agency does charge a one-time reading fee toevaluate and critique works. However, the author receives more than theirmoney's worth for that nominal fee. In fact, my own first contact withChris Wolcott came about in this manner...and I was delighted with what Ireceived in return. For that one-time reading fee, I received a longletter detailing his view of my work. His evaluation was so thorough thatI knew he had he had not only read my work...but that he understood mystyle of writing and all the nuances of my first novel's plot. Further,Chris Wolcott mentioned aspects of my writing that *I* had not consciouslyconsideredbefore reading his extremely thoughtful critique. Chris also included adetailed list of each typo/grammar error he found within mymanuscript...and his suggestions for changes I should implement were listedby page, paragraph, and each particular word or phrase in question. Chris'written critique of my work was attached to a signed contract.During our association, the only item I've ever paid is postage.The largestpostage bill I've ever received for any month was in the amount of$12.50...and official receipts from the US Post Office are invariablyincluded. Chris forwards all rejection letters pertaining to thesubmissions of my works. I hear from him every two weeks or so viae-mail...with reports as to our progress on my several works. Any time Iwrite to him with questions about my work, Chris responds within a day, ortwo at most.I don't know why your 'source' has 'squealed' so loudly...but I assure youwhat this person has written is very far removed from the dependablyethical business practices of the Wolcott Literary Agency I know.As far as the change of name for the agency, many forward-thinkingbusinesses seek a new 'handle' when updating their organizations to keepcurrent with the needs of their business' operation. This is simply smarttrade sense! There is nothing sinister or underhanded in that.Your 'source' failed to mention that the Wolcott Literary Agency still hasthe same address and phone number they've had since their founding day.The agency's listing has been on the 'net' for years and is also easilylocated in the numerous telephone directories found there. Chris Wolcotthas never failed to respond to *my* frequent e-mails or phone calls. Ifind it impossible to believe your 'source' has NOT been able to speakdirectly with Chris.Have you or your 'source' considered that Mr. Wolcott simply did notreceive anything? Your 'source' did not write he had subsequently receiveda canceled check, did he??Ms. Grilley, you've been quite unfair by publishing information that iscompletely ungrounded. To sully an honest literary agent's reputation is aserious matter... with far reaching consequences that harm that agent'sclients. You owe Mr. Chris Wolcott a published retraction of theseaccusations...and an apology for your own hasty rush to judgment.Although I realize you do not agree with any literary agent charging a'reading fee'...your site's disclaimer does not remove guilt from your ownshoulders.Yes...DO continue to warn writers about the numerous scams 'out there'.Well researched reports in that quarter are wonderful and very beneficialfor all aspiring writers. Yet, as all proficient reporters should...pleasecheck your stories carefully FIRST...before you "go to print". Your ownliterary agent is probably a very good 'inside' source for this type ofinformation. Successful literary agents are aware of what's happening inall phases of the publishing world. I urge you to take advantage of yourown agent's expertise and knowledge of his fellow agents before staininganother "good agent's name".In my opinion, without the highest ethics routinely employed with regard toyour own actions, you're merely publishing a gossip column! I don't feelthat's what you originally had in mind when you created your "Scam Alert"site...IS IT??Most sincerely,Ellie Miller}}--------------------------------------------* * * * * Reader requests for information, can YOU help? E-mail me withyour replies.1. {{I would like information on a literary agent named Mary Lee Laitsch.The name of her agency is Authentic Creations Literary Agency located inLawrenceville, Georgia. She does not have a web page and is not listed inLiterary Agents on any sites.}}2. {{Any info on BAWN Publishers in Cincinnati, Ohio?}}3. {{The manuscript that I am speaking of...is being edited by TheEditorial Department.Namely, Jim Poindexter of Cleveland, SC. He does consulting work for RenneBrown of the Editorial Department. We have had alot of trouble with hisediting services. He has had our manuscript since January and has only readit once and edited 53 pages. He has given new meaning to the wordprocrastinating. He will put nothing in writing as to an agreement of atime frame on when we might expect him to finish the editing. Didn't knowif you knew the Editorial Department or ever heard from anyone on theirservices. Please let me know if you can fill us in on information regardingpast history.}}4. {{Elizabeth Harty/Elizabeth Broome Agency...I have been trying tocontact Mrs. Hardy for some time. E-Mail goes unanswered, Letters gounanswered and her phone has been disconnected. Have you heard anything, orperhaps you can suggest somewhere I can contact for up to the minuteinformation like : What happened to her?}}5. {{"Sligo Literary Agency." Any information???}}6. {{I got an e-mail from an outfit called J-H Literary Agency, 440 LocustAv, Lexington KY, a Clara James signed it, but gave the name S. Shaw tomail to & said Shaw was empowered to enter into agreements ...They say theyare working with Literary World Promotions which supposedly does freepromotions for agents? authors?). They said "Authors interested in beinglisted with Literary World Promotions must be published internationalauthors & may contact any of the following e-mail addresses: CreativeWorld Online...Creative@starmail.com: GWFT... GWFT@aol.com: ElectronicBusiness Management... e.management@mailcity.com "The subject should say"Literary World Promotions/authors publicity pages". I'm trying to figureout if they're for real or a scam...}}---------------------------------------------My spies have been very busy of late, here are verbatim dispatches from thefront. My sincere thanks to all who took the time to personally e-mail mewith these reports.* * * * *Australian Vanity PublisherOne of my spies told me about an Australian vanity publisher:{{ Here in Australia there is a vanity press actively advertising andtaking a lot of money off people. I want to write an article for themagazines and newsletters here about them but as yet have not been able toget concrete evidence against them. They are Minerva Press. They chargewriters here 3800 english pounds to publish their book (equivalent is aboutAust $8000 or more) and even had the cheek to set up a distributor agenthere (who does very little of course). However they run the usual scam -glowing letter of praise about the manuscript (no matter how bad it is) andthe offer to 'publish'. By my definition, anyone who charges you to publishyour book is not genuine.}}---------------------------------* * * * *A bona fide pitch or a curve ball????{{I have a possible scam story. I contacted an agency called HamiltonHouse in Alliance, Nebraska. I emailed them my novel and within a day theysaid it looked good and they would give me a response the following day.The next day I was emailed by someone calling themselves KC Pearce whoLOVED my book and said it could be marketed etc. They emailed me acontract and in it they requested $250.00 for incidental costs such asmailings, copies, etc. In the contract it also said if I had a problem donot try to call, please write them. In their address it had a PO Boxlisted and no phone number. All business was done via email, which I founda little fishy.}}-----------------------------------* * * * *Be aware and beware!!!!{{ Just wanted you to know I've received a rejection letter from a companyout of Joshua Tree California "New Age World Services and Books. The ladyheading up the company is a Rev. Dr. Victoria E Vandertuin. She referredme to Edit Link (Says she contacted them already regarding my manuscript)and to get back in touch with her if I chose to have Edit Link doctor it upand she'd consider it. She only had 4 pages of the book sent to her. Thisinformation came to me on a standard format letter with underlined areaswhere whoever typed it up placed the title of my book to give it theappearance of a personal touch.}}{{A published writer friend says Karen Carr from Finesse Literary Agencywants money, money, money, which he is unwilling to pay. Wasn't there atime when people paid writers instead of the other way around?}}{{I have just received a letter from Aardvark Literary Agents. Someonenamed Kelley Culmer, claims to be the new owner of the agency. Says shefound my name in the Library of Congress copyright files.}}{{Bonita K. Nelson Literary Agency and Lecture Bureau, 84 Woodland Road,Pleasantville, NY 10570, 212-889-0637,914-741-1322-FAX914-741-1324I noticed Bonita Nelson has a very interesting website on the internet now.I worked with Bonita for several years developing book proposals at greatexpense to myself. She supposedly sent my two book proposals out topublishers (although I have no proof of this and I strongly doubt she didanything at this point) and included me in her Lecture Bureau (for severalhundred of my hard earned dollars) while she was encouraging me to completea third book, which I did. The bottom line was, I was never scheduled forone lecture, she "mentioned" one proposal to one publisher and after Ispent eight months writing, re-writing and thoroughly editing my third bookand mailing her the outline, I recieved a poorly copied form letter fromthe B.K. Nelson Agencyinforming me I would need to send them $350 in order for them to "consider"the manuscript for their agency. }}-------------------------------------* * * * * John Honea/Robert Boyce reports:{{...submitted a manuscript of a story to John Honea Publishing, allegedlyof Alpharetta, GA. Honea referred her to Robert Boyce, who representedhimself as a literary agent out of Atlanta. She submitted the manuscript toMr. Boyce along with $275 and has not seen the manuscript, the money, Boyceor Honea since.}}{{I was scammed by this agency. The referral came from John Honea afterentering a contest with his agency. He returned my manuscript and statedin a letter that his company didn't handle the genre in which I wrote butAmerican Literary/Robert Boyce did. Boyce sent this glowing letter with acontract asking for $375.00 for fee, such as phone calls, faxing, travel,etc. The letter was a form letter sent to a lot of others (I later foundout on the Internet in the questionable agents message board). Boyce alsostated in the letter he could sell the work, (hand written) in 6 months orless and a status check would be given every 6 to 7 weeks. I received 2 ina year's time and when I tried to call, the number had been disconnected.There is also a website on the letterhead he used but it the time the sitewas hiking in Atlanta. It had nothing at all to do with writing or hisagency. I hope something can be done about this scam artist preying on thework of people trying to get published. I learned an expensive butvaluable lesson and I am passing this information on so others won't fallfor this scam. AMERICAN LITERARY AGENCY/ROBERT BOYCE.}}-----------------------------------------------Many writers are fueled by one thing: hope. I find it unconscionable whenthat 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 me at:Kate_Grilley@compuserve.com The names of all correspondents will be keptstrictly confidential.Kate"Burning Of The Witch", Murderous Intent, Summer/Fall, 1998You can reach Kate by e-mail at Kate_Grilley@compuserve.com or on the webat http:/ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Kate_Grilley}%=====================================================================%}####### Markets: The Old Double-Crossby G. Miki HaydenBy the title, of course I mean that you can increase your market reach forshort mystery fiction by crossing mystery with another (although obviouslylesser) genre. For instance, women's fiction suspense stories, sci fi/mystery,and literary mysteries (literary is a genre, right?) will offer you entirelynew marketplaces, thus relieving this market columnist of the need to dredgeup new mystery magazine markets for this issue of The Short Order.First, let me tell you about the romance/women's opportunities for shortmystery fiction. One of the standby markets for every romance writer is theconfessions market. Of course these stories have got to be true. Then again,"truth" to the fiction writer is mostly a state of mind, isn't it? Themagazines in this particular classification are all published by onecompany--Sterling MacFadden. Be careful, therefore: Submit your story to onlyone magazine at a time or you will be disqualified from future submissions.There are pros and cons to this market, moreover. The biggest con is that yourstory might sit in a pile forevermore or even longer. The editors here areinundated. I find it rude, personally, and unprofessional, but be that as itmay, I have sold two (true, of course) stories to the confessionmagazines--and one poem. I only have three or four waiting, forgotten, in theslush somewhere.That brings us to the positive side of the equation. The True Romance/TrueLove type of magazines pay. Some pay three cents per word, and some pay five.There is also a line of black confessions that pays one cent a word. Thehigher pay magazines, of course, have longer waiting periods, so be warned.(Yes I do know people who have nice little additional incomes from a constantsteam of these--true always--stories.)How must you shape your story to appeal to this market? Do you need to havebosom-heaving heroines and dark, dark heroes? Not really. These are nicelittle (true) stories, very `slice of life,' but with a point to make--usuallyof a moral regeneration. For instance. you might write a story from the pointof view of an office thief. There need not even be a hint of romance in here.The thief is somehow tricked and caught (the plot), but experiences remorseand vows internally never to go that route again. The most important thing tonote with these stories is that they are always from the first person point ofview and that the more emotion displayed, the better. Often, these are "tell, don'tshow" stories since the focus is on an inner narrator. Stories can--and must--vary quitewidely. That's what these magazines are looking for--the more unusual story, the better!Before you sit down to write, here's a useful tip. Read one of the magazinesto catch the style. The publications aren't expensive and you'll find TrueRomance, True Confessions, and the others on local newsstands across thecountry. Be aware though--you won't get a byline--merely a check. Themagazines differ in length requirements, but the top length runs from 8,000 to10,000 words.One last comment--men write for the confessions, as well as women, but 99percent of the stories are from the woman narrator's point of view.Science FictionScience fiction mystery stories are a rare treat, although by no meansunknown. Isaac Asimov's classic robot novels in which he established the threeessential laws of robotics were mysteries. I personally have used this form onseveral occasions, selling a couple, while retaining a couple for my privatecollection of all-time favorites that no one else in the entire world hasread. (Obviously the editors who rejected these had not read them). At anyrate, there are big problems with the science fiction marketplace, so thedownside surely exists. As with mystery, there are few science fictionmagazines that pay "professional" rates. Those pro zines might as well bestamped `off-limits,' although the editors read everything and respond withina reasonable length of time. These are very tough publications to breakinto--but what isn't?The other science fiction magazines, the so-called "fan" magazines are of nolesser calibre, often, but they simply pay less well and have minimalcirculation. The stumbling block here is that these magazines open and closewith dizzying rapidity. You might sell a story and then never ever see it inprint. Nonetheless, it might be worth a shot. It was to me, when I published acouple of my cross-genre stories and got a pretty big positive reaction toone. I'm not going to give exact markets for these as the science fictionmagazines rise and fall so regularly. You might try one of the main prozinesthough, just in case!Lastly, there are the literary markets, which I have mentioned in previousissues of The Short Order. These are numerous and often open to genre stories.The precaution here is that the literary journals and magazines often don'tpay well--or consider themselves too good for the likes of us mystery writers.Your story must have the "literary" essentials. (Since it's literary, youdon't even have to solve the crime. )Try any and all of the above if you want to expand your short story targets. Irecommend this as a writing exercise. Get out of the "mystery only" mold. Youmight add something to your "voice," that deepens it. Here are a couple ofaddresses to try.Coleen DorseyTrue Life ExperienceMacFadden Women's Group233 Park Ave. So.New York, NY 10003This magazine pays five cents per word and responds slowly...very slowly.Alison WayTrue LoveMacFadden Women's Group233 Park Ave. So.New York, NY 10003This magazine pays three cents per word and responds slowly!Gordon Van GelderThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science FictionP.O. Box 1806NYC 10159Mr. Van Gelder is the kind of editor who makes submitting, even being rejected, arelativelypainless experience. He reads quickly and responds courteously.Gardner DozoisAsimov's Science Fiction1270 Ave of the AmericasNew York, NY 10020Mr. Dozois is another helpful editor who responds quickly. As noted, these arevery tough markets. Just FYI, Asimov's is a sister publication to Ellery Queenand Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazines.-------------------------------------------------G. Miki Hayden 's crossed genre book, PACIFIC EMPIRE, combines alternatehistory--which is categorized as science fiction--with crime and uses the short story formto create a novel. G. Miki's new novel, BY REASON OF INSANITY, is a psychiatric mystery.}####### THE OTHER MASON FOR THE DEFENSEby Michael MalloryA full century before Johnnie Cochran, there was Randolph Mason for the defense.Largely forgotten today, except by the hardiest of hard-core short mystery buffs, RandolphMason was the creation of author and attorney Melville Davisson Post. Without doubt, heisalso among the strangest and most disturbing protagonists in all of crime fiction. Likehisnamesake, Perry, he is a prominent defense attorney. But unlike Erle Stanley Gardner'sheroof the courtroom, Randolph Mason, dubbed "the mysterious man of New York," is a completelyamoral and unscrupulous figure who does not solve crimes so much as perpetrate them.Mason, whose genius lies in exploiting loopholes in the law through which his clients canescape retribution, is hated and feared by his peers, and with good reason. He isarrogant,anti-social, hot-tempered and abusive to everyone, including his clients, whom hefrequentlyberates as "fools," "bunglers," "blunderers" and "amateurs." He is also a very ugly man,whose furrowed, sneering face reflects cunning, cynicism, fearlessness or brutality,depending upon the angle at which it is seen.Mason first appeared in 1896 in the collection, The Strange Schemes of Randolph Mason,whichgained instant notoriety through its first story, "The Corpus Delicti," one of the mostcynically gruesome tales ever penned. Here Mason's client is Richard Warren, a murdererandimpostor whose companion - the wife of the man he killed - is threatening to expose him onthe eve of his marriage to another. Mason tells him the solution to his problem is quitesimple: he must kill the companion, dismember her and dissolve the pieces in acid!Incredibly, Mason states that if Warren follows his instructions to the letter, the lawwillnot be able to touch him.Warren does so (in a scene so coldly grisly it would make Jeffrey Deaver shudder) and issubsequently arrested. The prosecution has a iron-clad case, based on the evidence ofoverheard threats, bloody clothes and knife, and even a near confession. But Mason wipesall the evidence away by reminding the court that the law demands a body must be producedbefore murder can be proven. Where, he asks, is the body? Of course, it has beendisposedof, by Mason's own directive. The judge has no choice but to set the two-time killerfree.While the rest of the stories in Strange Schemes are considerably warmer-blooded,frequentlydealing with industrial con games rather than murder, they still present Mason as a manwithout a conscience. He is not, however, without his demons.One of the more fascinating aspects of Mason's character is his struggle to maintainsanity.Grim and obsessive even on his best days, by the time of the story "The Animus Furandi"Mason is a broken man, having lost his wealth and failed in a major case involving theFrench syndicate. His equally strange, but loyal, secretary Parks tries to build him backup by procuring clients.Mason's illness is even more pronounced in the second volume of stories, Man of LastResort,or The Clients of Randolph Mason, published in 1897. Making only token appearancesthroughout, Mason is described as ailing, weak and old looking (though he is only in hismid-forties). Illness has not mellowed him, however, and in the story "Mrs. Van Bartan"heis so unpleasant and offensive that he nearly drives his client away before the tale canbegin.By the end of the volume's final story, "The Rule Against Carper," Mason is suffering fromamania so acute, so pronounced, that not even two hypodermics of morphine can stop him from"raving like a drunken sailor." Today, a mystery writer is almost duty bound to providehisor her protagonist with personal weaknesses and problems. In the 1890's, however, it wasquite a radical approach.Why would a writer foist such an unattractive character on the reading public? Post'smotive was as daring as it was controversial. By basing each story on a real statute orlegal precedent, Post hoped to expose flaws in the legal system, believing that was thefirst step toward their eradication. Not surprisingly, some critics labeled StrangeSchemesa "dangerous book," calling it a virtual handbook for cheating the courts. But Post heldfirm on his convictions, and the Mason stories are said to have actually prompted changesinthe law.After Clients, the account on Randolph Mason stayed closed for eleven years. But in 1908hewas back in a new volume titled Corrector of Destinies, and greatly changed (though whatbrought about the alteration is never explained). Mason seems to have conquered hismania,and although he is still impatient and a bit prickly, his manners have greatly improved.Asbefore, his cases tend to play against the wealth and power of the oil, coal and railroadindustries, but now, instead of devoting his time and talent to abusing justice, RandolphMason is a righter of wrongs.He has also become a man of sound character, as evidenced in the story "The PennsylvaniaPirate," in which Mason rebukes another attorney for threatening to file a frivolouslawsuit. "If the law permitted this wrong, would your conscience permit it?" Mason asks,afar cry his one-time declaration: "The word moral is a purely metaphysical symbol."One effect of this change in demeanor is to recast Mason as an almost Holmesian figure.His221b, as it were, is a run-down mansion on Broadway, near Wall Street, and his exploitsarenow faithfully recorded by his "Watson," Courtlandt Parks, who has likewise undergone atransition, from the melancholy little clerk of the earlier stories to a gregarious NewYorksocialite. An additional Sherlockian parallel can be found in the last Mason story, "TheIntriguer," which features a strong-willed female character who ultimately undoes all ofMason's careful plotting - shades of Irene Adler!After Corrector of Destinies, Post abandoned Mason altogether. He went on to create thebetter-known Uncle Abner series for the Saturday Evening Post, which were judged byAnthonyBoucher to be "the best American detective stories since Poe." But for short storyafficionados readers looking for an unconventional peek into the dark side of humanity inturn-of-the-century New England, nothing can beat the strange tales of Randolph Mason.Copyright (c) 1997 by Michael Mallory}%=====================================================================%}####### The Cowboy Bar Murder, Or How a P.I. Really WorksShort mystery writers need to know things that only a true-to-life expert canreveal. Enter Short Mystery Fiction Society member Nancy L. McGuire, privateinvestigator, fraud auditor, and writer. For those who want to know more,McGuire will be profiled in the Spring issue of Murderous Intent MysteryMagazine. Here's her take on:The Cowboy Bar Murder, Or How a P.I. Really WorksBy Nancy L. McGuireMy client was an insurance company that was going to have to pay a doubleindemnity accident benefit to the parents of a man (about 24 years old) whowas shot to death in a country western bar on a Saturday night in front of atleast 200 assorted rednecks and Patsy Cline wannabes. For reasons known onlyto the insurance gods and goddesses, and against ALL evidence, the insurancecompany decided that the man actually committed suicide and therefore was notentitled to any money under the policy's suicide clause.My client decided that the victim went into this bar wearing a motorcyclejacket and boots in a deliberate attempt to incite the cowboy crowd. My clientdecided that the victim played pool with several regulars and beat themsoundly in a deliberate attempt to incite the pool-playing cowboys. My clientdecided that the victim drank four beers and six tequila shooters in threehours in a deliberate attempt to get up enough nerve to incite the pool-playing cowboys. My client decided that the victim whacked his pool-playingopponent on the back with a pool cue in a deliberate attempt to incite saidopponent--said opponent refusing to be incited due to his resulting state ofunconsciousness. My client decided that the victim then went out to his truckand came back in brandishing a 38 which he proved was loaded by firing awarning shot into the rack of mugs over the bar, thus FINALLY inciting 20cowboys who now had glass shards in their beer to rise as one and tackle thevictim to the ground.During the ensung scuffle, just like in the dime novels, the gun went off. Thebullet first passed through a cowboy's upper arm before lodging in thevictim's neck causing the victim to bleed so profusely that he died in theambulance on the way to the hospital. This indicated to everyone EXCEPT myclient that the victim was not aiming at himself, did not have suicide on hispickled brain, and was not grateful to be oozing life on a barroom floor.My task was to prove that my client was right and thus save the beleagueredinsurance giant from forking over the benefits of a policy whose premiums hadalways been paid, in full and on time. And, this was what they were calling aburial and expenses policy... total payout $2,000! (I was the secondinvestigator to work the case and I know the first guy charged him at leasthalf that!)My client decided that I should investigate this in a covert manner--no badgeflashing, no direct questions. That's how the first guy handled it and he gotcompletely wrong results! I went into the bar with a female friend the firsttime. It was a Saturday night, same time as the shooting and the place waspacked... with cowBOYS. Besides a female bartender at the back bar, theresident lush, and the ubiquitous "rodeo girl", we were the only women.Witnesses did not want to talk to me--they wanted to dance with me, buy memassive amounts of beer, sing songs to me, shoot pool against me, marry me,live for me, die for me--anything but talk to me about some nasty ole murderwhich was too gruesome for my delicate sensibilities, or too much a guy thingfor a gal to understand. Mind you, I am 5'9'', wearing jeans, my shit-kickerboots and a flannel shirt. In no way do I resemble a delicate flower. But tothese cowboys, in their condition, I was to be protected. It was sofrustrating! Betty, the female bartender was getting a big kick outof the whole thing and eventually took pity on me enough to rescue me from acertain Mr.Pepperoni breath. She wasn't an ideal witness having worked theback bar the night of the shooting but she did offer that the cowboy who wasshot in the arm was out of town this night but would return next Saturday.The following Saturday I had to have a new plan. A bold plan. A prettyridiculous plan, if you really think about it. I called on a friend of minewho does make-up for a couple of the commercial film companies and he fittedme with the most realistic mustache you've ever seen. He did my eyebrows andadded some subtle shading, figuring in the muted lights of barroom I wouldlook both male and rugged. The wardrobe was no problem, a hat would cover mycurly red tresses, but what to do with the 36C's? I actually read up on theancient "art" of Chinese body binding and, with a little help from some veryhysterical friends, bound myself with ace bandages and covered the resultswith an oversized shirt and a leather vest.The second time I entered the bar, hardly a head turned. Perfect! Now theimportant thing was to get enough information before the bandages burst or Ipassed out from lack of oxygen. Cut to the chase: As long as I was buying thebeers, cowboys wanted to talkabout it. Talk about it?... they wanted to brag about it! Several times thebartender had to remind a couple of them that they did not, in fact, rush todisarm the guy with the guy but instead made a dive for the relative safety oftheir barstool.I got my info, which to the ire of my client matched exactly the info from thepolice investigation and the first guy's investigation. Although I went towhat I thought were heroic efforts, my client did not appreciate the endresults and canceled his contract with us.The good news is: the word got around in insurance circles and we wereinundated with work from much larger, much more respectable, and much muchmore reasonable companies, more than making up for the loss of one smallcompany with its cold heart and its cheap ethics.The boots stand in my closet as fond reminders of that night. And, Iunderstand, somewhere exists a photograph of Nancy Drew, Girl Gumshoe stridingtriumphantly out of the Silver Buckle Saloon with Betty the bartender on herarm.}%=====================================================================%}####### The Case of Steve Schaffer and TheCase.comby G. Miki HaydenWhen I first met Steve Schaffer at a mystery writers' conference in New YorkCity nearly three years ago, he had just started up his site, TheCase.com andwas on a quest, recruiting writers. What he had to say was interesting, but Iwas puzzled as to how he was going to make this thing work. Today Schaffer andNewfront Productions, Inc. is a virtual (take that how you will) mysteryindustry including such individual sites as{http://www.MysteryNet.com} The Online Mystery Network;{http://www.TheCase.com} Fun and Challenging Mini-mysteries; and{http://www.NancyDrew.com} Everyone's Favorite Girl Sleuth.Many of the members of the Short Mystery Fiction Society have sold stories to Steve, andthose who have sold have sold several to him--profitably.Steve attends many of the mystery "cons" and I recently saw him atBouchercon, the World Mystery Conference, in Philadelphia. I didn't reallytalk to him, however, until he was back at his home base, San Francisco, and Icaught him for a few minutes on the phone."I always enjoyed a good mystery as a kid, but as I got older, I never seemedto have enough time to read," said Schaffer. "Then, when I was trying to decidewhat to do after leaving the computer business, I drew up lists. What keptcoming up for me was to go back to my old love of mysteries. I did my researchand found that mysteries were not well represented on the Internet."At the end of 1995, Schaffer initiated TheMystery.com with one "Solve-it"mystery a week. "It became very popular, very quickly," he says. Since then,Schaffer's kingdom has "grown organically" with additional mystery materialcontinually being unveiled. "I have more mystery-related content than the restof the Internet combined," states Schaffer. "There's no need for someoneinterested in mystery to go anywhere else."Not only does he feel that fans should spend all their time with him, Schafferbelieves that writers should stick with him, too; but despite his around-the-country efforts, he hasn't attracted the numbers and quality of writers he hadhoped. "We're disappointed at the low number of submissions we receive.Writers have resisted the notion of publishing their work online." Or, headds, they have tried to sell him work that was not geared to his guidelines,but merely stories rejected elsewhere and inappropriate to his format."If we had more good submissions, we would go from one story a day to two aday," he states. Schaffer also notes that "we love getting stories from newwriters who submit in a professional way." The problem is that manysubmissions don't even have a return address that works--email bounces back tothem. Eighty percent of the submissions arrive without a word count on top.Thus, the timeframe for finding further content has become quite costly. "Wecan only grow as fast as the authors will let us," Schaffer says.Some writers have come to write regularly for him, however, such as Tim Myers,who is published by Schaffer about once a month. "He follows the format," addsSchaffer.Still, insists Schaffer, he is willing to try anything. "We're open to any formatthat works on the Internet." Author Henry Slesar approached Schaffer with the ideaof providing a serialized soap opera. Schaffer accepted and Slesar wrote it.Although writers might think, `oh, it's the Internet, any length will do,'Schaffer says that simply isn't so. He has surveyed his readers and what they arelooking for is a "quick mystery fix."They like mysteries," he said, "but theyare not fanatics and they don't have a lot of time."Seventy percent of his readers, continues Schaffer, are female, and--get this,writers--they number at least half a million registered members who receiveweekly email from Schaffer's "network." That, he commented, makes it thelargest mystery magazine in the world!Schaffer is eager to give potential writers for his site some advice. "It's notabout writing one story," he says. "It's about writing 100." Until you make thatsale, he says, "Find the market, study it, and submit." He means submit morethan once. A rejection isn't personal; it just means you haven't mastered thesite's style just yet.Additionally, Schaffer is looking for something different and authors who have anidea should query him. (Please don't send the first chapter of your novel.) Hehas published an astrological mystery and a classified ad mystery, so he is happyto have offbeat material.One last request from Schaffer--come visit and tell your friends to visit hismystery network, too. It doesn't cost anything, but visits enable him to sellmore ads and provide more mysteries to readers.Those who would like to receive the guidelines for the various formats,should inquire at {writers@newfront.com}.Contact G. Miki Hayden (gmh222222@aol.com) to find out about G. Miki's mostrecent full-length psychiatric mystery, BY REASON OF INSANITY.}####### ANNOUNCEMENTSSubject: Poe ContestFrom: "Michael Mallory" {m-mallory@email.msn.com}Date: Sat, 14 Nov 1998Duck season. . . rabbit season . . . duck season . . . rabbit season. . .duck season. . . . POE SEASON!That's right, 'tis the season to start sending along your entry to the ED=GARALLAN POE TRIBUTE SHORT STORY CONTEST, in honor of the 150th anniversary= ofthe master's death (October, 1999).WHO: You! And other readers of MURDEROUS INTENT, which is co-sponsoringthe contest.WHAT: A new story of mystery, detection or suspense (no supernaturalhorror, no sci-fi), contemporary or historical, 2,500 words or less,involving a work of E.A. Poe as a key story element or Poe himself as acharacter. It does not have to be a direct pastiche or written in the st=yleof Poe.WHEN: The contest is now open and closes January 19, 1999 (the 190thanniversary of Poe's birth).WHERE: Send entries to Poe Short Story Contest, 2317 Blackmore Drive,Glendale, CA 91206-3008. No fees. Sorry, but entries will not be return=edto please DO NOT include SASE and do not send your only copy.WHY: Why? Because it's a chance to wax Poe-etic, that's why. The storyjudged best amongst the entries will be published in the Fall '99 issue o=fMURDEROUS INTENT. The writer of the winning story will be notified in ea=rlyJune, 1999.That letter To Your Mother can wait another week. In the meantime, writeyour best Poe Tribute and send it on in!***http://www.mediasi.com/chantingmonks/mayhem/index.htmWelcome to Mayhem - the premiere magazine of mystery and suspense.In mid-1999, Mayhem debuts, featuring Mystery and Thriller Fictionfrom both newcomers and seasoned professionals. If you are acreator, we are considering submissions now. Review our newguidelines. News: The magazine Lacunae has been replaced by the title Mayhem. There are new guidelines and genre. Those of you familiar with our previous, genre-varied issues: some of these issues are still available for ordering only.***Subject: Puget Sound SinC chapter co-presidentsFrom: Eileen & Joseph Massucco {massucco@nwlink.com}Please update your records for the Puget Sound SinC chapter.=20We now "officially" have new incoming co-presidents for the chapter, whoalso both have email for ease of communication with the chapter.Continuing as our Secretary/Treasurer/Newsletter Editor is Nan Robkin,whose email address is {alhrobkin@aol.com}...EileenThe new co-presidents are:=20Robyn Fritz3142 Alki Ave SW #203Seattle, WA 98116(206) 937-0233rfritz@nwlink.comandCindy Bentson2322 - 37th Ave SWSeattle, WA 98116(206) 932-9987bentsonc@grieg.seaslug.orgNorthWest Crime Scene Web Sitehttp://www.nwlink.com/~massucco/crime-scene.html***Subject: Welcome to the new Lyris list!From: "Margo Power" {madison@teleport.com}The shortmystery list has a new home and look. Members have many more=20options to control how they receive the list. The new list address is=20shortmystery@telelists.com. This is where you will address any messagesyou'd like to send to the list via email. You can reach the web-viewing=20area by going to:http://lyris1.telelists.com/htbin/lyris.pl?enter=3Dshortmystery&text_mode==3D0Using this list is pretty self explanatory but if you have questions plea=se=20feel free to email me at madison@teleport.com. If I don't know the answer==20I'll do the best to find out.Best wishes,Margo PowerListmanager***From: MaraWayne@aol.comSubject: Derringers ClarificationClarification on the Derringers: The categories are short story, flash, a=ndnovella. Word count doesn't really apply this year. Include the story sou=rcein your nominations. Again, nominations to yeattslo@mindspring.com (Tabat=haYeatts).Thanks.g. miki***ROMANCE NOVEL WRITERS CONTEST!{A HREF=3D"http://www.Personal-Passions.com"}http://www.Personal-Passions=.com{/A}Are you the next Barbara Cartland or Desire=E9 Lamour? Personal Passions =(apublishing company that sells personalized books as a novelty gift item a=roundthe world), is sponsoring its first contest for undiscovered (or discover=ed!)writers. $500 will be awarded to the winning entry, $250 for the 2nd plac=eentry, and $100 for 3rd place. In addition, your manuscript may be select=edfor publication! Information and tip sheets are available at the web site= at=20{A HREF=3D"http://www.Personal-Passions.com"}http://www.Personal-Passions=.com{/A} or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Personal Passions, P.O=. Box5891, Arlington, VA 22205. All entries must strictly adhere to the guide=linesand be received by December 31, 1998. Winners will be notified by mail an=dposted at the website.For more information, please contact: pashns@aol.com, Subject: Contest o=rcall (703) 532-7855***Hi. I am trying to spread the word about my murder mystery web site.Here are the details:Announcing a new interactive web-based murder mystery. Who killed Laura Mitchell http://www.who-done-it.comStanton, Conn., has everything you would expect to find in a mid-sized Am=erican community,including a daily newspaper, bank, police department, local businesses an=d more.Laura Mitchell loved living in Stanton. At least, until someone gunned he=r down.=20Now it is up to you to find her real killer.Visit the newspaper and read the articles about the murder. Check out the= police stationfortranscripts of interviews with Laura's friends and colleagues. Hack your =way intocorporatecomputers to learn the real truth behind the crime.=20See if you have the skills it takes to solve this mystery!***Subject: New recordings of Doyle From: EWood79058@aol.comFor your information, my firm, Audio Concepts, has started to record thecomplete works of A. C. Doyle narrated by Mr. Patrick Horgan. We are star=tingwith the complete Sherlock Holmes and will follow with Doyles other work.= Todate we have finished Baskervilles, Adventures, Memoirs, Return and Study= inScarlet. We also intend to record critical works on Holmes and Doyle tocomplete the project. Soon Horgans book, The Detection of Sherlock Holmes=,will be first published on internet.=20Support for this work comes from the web site WWW.AUDIOHIGHWAY.COM who ha=vegiven us a forum. If you go there, on their home page look for the icon a=udiobooks (top of the page), click on that, another page will appear and to t=heleft you will see a button Sherlock Holmes. Click that to see our page.=20Every week or so more books will be up. These books can be downloadedabsolutely FREE to consumers. We hope that you will check it out, find it= tobe of good quality, and tell your members about our efforts. We need thesupport of the public, by downloading the books as they come out, to keepgoing. They are free to the public but not to produce and publish. Taking= thedownloads is what supports the continuing work.=20We are committed to this Doyle project and ask for any help or advice you= canprovide to improve our effort. It will take about a year to complete. At =thattime we will publish the complete set on CD's. We would welcome participa=tionat that stage as well, as we would like to end up with something trulydefinitive. =20Thank you for any support or encouragement you can give.=20Regards, Eric Wood***The upcoming issue of Murderous Intent Mystery Magazine has interviews wi=th Jan Burke,BurlBarer, Tony Fennelly, and Dean Barrett. There are short stories by Seymou=r Shubin, Joyce=20Holland, Michael Mallory, G. MIki Hayden,Kris Neri, D.A. McGuire, Louise Guardino, Tom Kreitzberg, David Ballard,Pam Karavalos, Derek Bullard & Michelle Giles. Marcia Kiser joins thestaff as a contributing editor. You'll notice her name throughout themagazine.There is poetry by Elsin Anne Perry, Guy Belleranti and Deborah Beyer, anarticle on DNA typing by Ron Armstrong. A Soundoff! article by Andi Shec=hterand Lori Hart. Interviews by Lisa Williamson, J. Alec West and G. MikiHayden.Columns by Rob Lopresti, Greg Fallis, Meg Chittenden, Richard Lupoff,Andi Shechter, and Denyse O'Leary.Happy reading!MargoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxMargo Power, EditorMurderous Intent Mystery Magazinehttp://www.murderousintent.com}%=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D%}####### 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}. -=3D+=3D- = =20The 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/ -=3D+=3D- = =20To join the Short Mystery Fiction Society(SMFS, it's free of charge):The shortmystery list has a new home and look. Members have many more=20options to control how they receive the list. The new list address is=20shortmystery@telelists.com. This is where you will address any messagesyou'd like to send to the list via email.You can reach the web-viewing area by going to:http://lyris1.telelists.com/htbin/lyris.pl?enter=3Dshortmystery&text_mode==3D0To post a message to the list or digest send it to shortmystery@telelists=.comTo unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-shortmystery-6223I@telelists.c=omTo help someone subscribe tell them to send an email message to{subscribe-shortmystery@telelists.com}That's all they need to do. The Lyris software reads their email address =and subscribesthem.Using this list is pretty self explanatory but if you have questions plea=se=20feel free to email me at madison@teleport.com. If I don't know the answer==20I'll do the best to find out.Best wishes,Margo PowerListmanager}%=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D%}####### MASTHEADThe Short Orderhttp://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletterEditor - R.K.Fostermailto:rkfoster@ix.netcom.comContributing Editor - G. Miki Haydenmailto:MaraWayne@aol.comContributing Editor - Kate Grilleymailto:Kate_Grilley@compuserve.comAnnouncements Editor - Kathy Brownmailto:KSheaBrown@aol.comLink Editor - Tim Sheardmailto:tim.mary@worldnet.att.netPublishing Advisor - Margo Power}%=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D%}####### SUBMISSION GUIDELINES}ARTWORK SUBMISSION GUIDELINESWe are looking for front cover panels for upcoming issues of The Short=20Order. Check the Front Cover at=20http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter for an example. Artwork=20submitted for a Front Cover panel should be 496 pixels wide by 372 pixelshigh with a minimum possible file size. The image should contain the=20words "The Short Order" somewhere in the design and should have a mysterytheme. You can include your name, email, and/or website URL in small=20print at the bottom of the image.=20Other artwork will be considered as long as it is mystery theme related.=20Please 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, or=20have an idea for material to be included, please email the Editor at=20{rkfoster@ix.netcom.com} with details, or send the actual material. Thereis currently no monetary compensation for material selected. The=20Newsletter is currently published on a quarterly basis.We try to include material directly related to mystery fiction in the=20short form or related to support of both authors and readers of short=20mystery fiction or non-fiction. Here are some further guidelines: * Submissions should not be longer than 2000 words unless the piece=20can be spread over multiple issues. We will consider anything that is=20short mystery related including poetry, news about the industry, info on=20writing, etc. Continuing columns are also possible. * We do not accept actual Short Fiction for the newsletter as we are=20meant to be a support publication for readers and writers. * Along with the body of the material, please include the following;=20The Title of the piece, your full name as you would like it to appear on=20the piece, a short blurb or intro for the material, an email and website=20address(if available) for yourself, and a closing "author's bio" type=20entry to be included at the closing of the article. * Please save a copy of the work in ASCII/text format, if possible,=20and include it as plain text in your email submission. You can UUencode=20the document if necessary. * Email your Newsletter Submissions to {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com}. The=20Subject 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, Kathy=20Brown at {KSheaBrown@aol.com} by the upcoming deadline of the next issue.Please make it as _short_ and sweet as possible without sacrificing any=20info; names, dates, email addresses, website URL's, etc. See the=20Announcements page for good examples of the type of thing to be listed.=20We prefer a single paragraph per announcement but heck, writing is a=20wonderful, unpredictable thing. ;)}%=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D%}####### LINKING TO OUR WEBSITESFeel free to setup a weblink to our sites if you support a website or=20home page. If you don't wish to use button graphics as shown below then=20simply use the URLs listed. Send email to {rkfoster@ix.netcom.com} with=20information 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 Mystery=20Fiction Society website:=20{A HREF=3D"http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/"}{IMG HEIGHT=3D31 WIDTH=3D8=8SRC=3D"http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/assets/images/go_SMFS=.gif"BORDER=3D0 ALT=3D"Short Mystery Fiction Society"}{/A}Here is the html code to add a button graphic link to The Short Order=20online newsletter:{A HREF=3D"http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter"}{IMG HEIGHT=3D31==20WIDTH=3D88SRC=3D"http://www.thewindjammer.com/smfs/newsletter/assets/images/go_tso.=gif"BORDER=3D0 ALT=3D"The Short Order ezine newsletter"}{/A}}%=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D%}####### 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 of=20the Short Mystery Fiction Society is prohibited. The Short MysteryFiction Society expressly disclaims all liability for any misuse of thisinformation by any third party.}%=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D THE BITTER END?! =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D==3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D%