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. The SMFS's 2020 Derringer Awards voting ends April 29 and winners will be announced in May. In the meantime, I've invited the finalists for interviews.
C.C. Guthrie's "A Sure Thing", from Superior Shores Press's The Best Laid Plans: 21 Tales of Mystery and Suspense, is up for Best Short Story.
Describe your story in up to 20 words.
A hit man gets more than he expected.
What were the most difficult and most enjoyable parts of writing your story?
I broke that long-standing rule, write what you know. I don’t have any experience with the assassination biz, so imagining the bad guy’s side of the story took some thought. Coming up with obstacles to throw at him was a little easier. Over the years, I might have indulged in a few fantasies about knocking off a boss or two.
How does it feel to be a Derringer finalist?
Giddy.
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| C.C. Guthrie |
Describe your story in up to 20 words.
A hit man gets more than he expected.
What were the most difficult and most enjoyable parts of writing your story?
I broke that long-standing rule, write what you know. I don’t have any experience with the assassination biz, so imagining the bad guy’s side of the story took some thought. Coming up with obstacles to throw at him was a little easier. Over the years, I might have indulged in a few fantasies about knocking off a boss or two.
How does it feel to be a Derringer finalist?
Giddy.
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