I'm a member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, an informal association of writers, publishers, and fans that has kept mystery & crime short stories in the public eye since 1996. On April 15, the Society announced the finalists for its 2018 Derringer Awards. Members are voting to determine the winners, to be announced May 15.
In the meantime, as I did last year, I'm inviting the finalists for interviews. If you'd like to participate, email me your answers to the same following questions.
Alan Orloff is up for the Best Flash Derringer (Up to 1,000 words) with his June 15, 2017 Shotgun Honey story, "Happy Birthday".
Describe your story in up to 20 words.
An abusive husband gets his just deserts—and it's not birthday cake!
What were the most difficult and most enjoyable parts of writing the story?
Because this is a flash story, the most difficult thing was keeping its length down. I think that’s what was most enjoyable too—that challenge of squeezing an entire story into 700 words.
Do you have a story about how your story came to be published?
I've always liked stories about vulnerable people marshaling their strength and standing up to their bullies. That's what I tried to accomplish here. Plus we used to keep our birthday candles in an old margarine tub (the similarity between the story and my life ends there, however!).
How does it feel to be a Derringer finalist?
Great!! This is my first time, and it's an honor to be named right alongside so many great writers.
In the meantime, as I did last year, I'm inviting the finalists for interviews. If you'd like to participate, email me your answers to the same following questions.
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| Alan Orloff |
Describe your story in up to 20 words.
An abusive husband gets his just deserts—and it's not birthday cake!
What were the most difficult and most enjoyable parts of writing the story?
Because this is a flash story, the most difficult thing was keeping its length down. I think that’s what was most enjoyable too—that challenge of squeezing an entire story into 700 words.
Do you have a story about how your story came to be published?
I've always liked stories about vulnerable people marshaling their strength and standing up to their bullies. That's what I tried to accomplish here. Plus we used to keep our birthday candles in an old margarine tub (the similarity between the story and my life ends there, however!).
How does it feel to be a Derringer finalist?
Great!! This is my first time, and it's an honor to be named right alongside so many great writers.
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