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.
Matt Coyle, author of the Rick Cahill crime novels, is up for the 2018 Best Long Story Derringer (4,001–8,000 words) with "The #2 Pencil" from Down & Out Books anthology Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea.
Describe your story in up to 20 words.
San Diego P. I. gets a big surprise when he investigates what seems to be a simple missing persons case.
What were the most difficult and most enjoyable parts of writing the story?
The most difficult thing about writing the story is that I don't write short stories. I write novels, so getting the story boiled down to 8,000 words was a challenge but a beneficial writing exercise.
Do you have a (juicy) story about how your story came to be published?
Funny you should ask. Paul D. Marks asked me if I'd like to submit a story for the anthology he was editing. I told him I didn't know how to write short stories and was way behind on my latest novel (as usual) but I had a short story in a drawer that I'd written years ago that had never been published. I polished it up and sent it in and told Paul he to let me know if it was publishable. Apparently, I had just enough polish.
How does it feel to be a Derringer finalist?
Unreal. I didn't even know the story had been submitted. I saw a congratulatory tweet with my name attached and investigated. I honestly thought someone had confused me with some other Matt. Astonished. I'm thrilled and honored, but feel a little bit like an accidental party crasher.
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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| Matt Coyle |
Describe your story in up to 20 words.
San Diego P. I. gets a big surprise when he investigates what seems to be a simple missing persons case.
What were the most difficult and most enjoyable parts of writing the story?
The most difficult thing about writing the story is that I don't write short stories. I write novels, so getting the story boiled down to 8,000 words was a challenge but a beneficial writing exercise.
Do you have a (juicy) story about how your story came to be published?
Funny you should ask. Paul D. Marks asked me if I'd like to submit a story for the anthology he was editing. I told him I didn't know how to write short stories and was way behind on my latest novel (as usual) but I had a short story in a drawer that I'd written years ago that had never been published. I polished it up and sent it in and told Paul he to let me know if it was publishable. Apparently, I had just enough polish.
How does it feel to be a Derringer finalist?
Unreal. I didn't even know the story had been submitted. I saw a congratulatory tweet with my name attached and investigated. I honestly thought someone had confused me with some other Matt. Astonished. I'm thrilled and honored, but feel a little bit like an accidental party crasher.
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