Black Cat Mystery Magazine #9

FROM THE CAT’S PERCH

FROM THE CAT’S PERCHOne of the greatest pleasures of being an editor is discovering new writers through the slush pile. Though the stories by Ann Aptaker and James A. Hearn in this issue aren’t their first publications, I included Ann’s first story, “The Sweetness at the Crummy End of Town,” in Fedora II, the second in a three-volume anthology series I edited for Betancourt & Co. (an imprint of Wildside Press) in 2003, and I included James’s first story, “Trip Among the Bluebonnets,” in The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods (Down & Out Books, 2019).

Since her debut, Ann has written several novels and short stories, and has received multiple awards, including both Goldie and Lambda awards. In the brief time since his first short story appeared, James has placed several more in a variety of publications, and I suspect we’re witnessing the early stages of a lengthy writing career.

In addition to stories from Ann and James, we also have Barry Fulton’s second published short story, and new stories from Elliot Capon, John Floyd, Michael Kurland, B.A. Paul, Graham Powell, Cynthia Ward, Stacy Woodson, and your editor.

Publisher John Betancourt selects the classic reprint each issue, surprising and delighting me with his choices. This issue we have, “Smelling Like a Rose,” a classic reprint from Gil Brewer.

Whether the stories published in this issue are by authors at the beginning of their careers, in the middle of their careers, or, in the case of our classic reprint, well past the end of his career, each should bring you joy and delight.

—Michael Bracken

Editor, Black Cat Mystery Magazine