All posts by BJBourg

All good things…

Dear authors and readers,
I’m writing to announce that the October/Fall 2020 Issue of Flash Bang Mysteries will be the last. Although it’s the last issue, it will be just as great as all of the others, as we continue to receive amazing submissions from some of the best writers in the business. For those writers who are wondering, FBM will remain online and accessible well into the future, so the last stories published will get the same visibility as the previously published pieces. (The domain name is set to auto-renew in October, so it will be online for at least another year.)
I want to thank all of the writers who’ve submitted their fine work over the years (hard to believe it’s already been five years), whether we published them or not. The sad fact is we didn’t have enough room for every story, and we’ve had to reject stories we absolutely loved.
It’s been an honor reading all of the great stories submitted and meeting so many amazing authors. This has been a top-notch and award-winning publication, but it had nothing to do with me. It has always been the writers who’ve made this place great.
I want to also thank the readers who have supported this little endeavor by reading the issues and sharing them with friends and family. I’ve said it time and again, and I will say it until I’m gone: writers are nothing without readers. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you.
If any of you are wondering why I’m doing this, it’s simply a matter of time–or lack thereof. I recently bought a house and some property in Tellico Plains, TN. While we’ll eventually move there permanently, we’ll be splitting our time between Louisiana and Tennessee for at least a year, and there’s no way I can keep up with everything else going on in my life (all of it good, thank God) and still devote the necessary time to FBM.
My whole purpose for starting this magazine back in October of 2015 was to give back to the writing community. I hope I’ve succeeded in accomplishing that goal.
Take it easy and keep reading and writing!
BJ Bourg

Earl Staggs wins 2018 Derringer for Best Flash Story!

The results of the 2018 Derringer Awards were released recently and we’re pleased to say Earl Staggs won a Derringer in the “Best Flash” category for FISHING FOR AN ALIBI, which was published in the Fall 2017 issue of Flash Bang Mysteries.

We want to extend our sincerest congratulations to Earl for receiving such a prestigious award, and we are forever honored that he allowed us to publish his work. For those wishing to read this award-winning story, click the story title below and enjoy!

FISHING FOR AN ALIBI by Earl Staggs

In addition to Earl’s winning story, one of the four finalists in the 2018 “Best Flash” category was COLD TURKEY by Patricia Dusenbury, which was published in the Summer 2017 issue of Flash Bang Mysteries. We want to also congratulate Patricia and thank her for submitting her exceptional work to us. To read her story, click the link below and enjoy!

COLD TURKEY by Patricia Dusenbury

We’re proud of Earl and Patricia and honored that they chose to submit their work to Flash Bang Mysteries.

bjb

Author and Cover Reveal for October/Fall 2017 Issue

Here’s the lineup for the October/Fall 2017 Issue of Flash Bang Mysteries, along with the cover:

Flash Bangs

FISHING FOR AN ALIBI by Earl Staggs

KNIGHT VISION by John M. Floyd

SCHOOL SPIRIT by Larry W. Chavis

THE HITCHHIKER by Herschel Cozine

THE LAST BUTT by Michael Bracken

Cover Story

THE HITCHHIKER by Herschel Cozine

Editors’ Choice

FISHING FOR AN ALIBI by Earl Staggs

Fall October 2017 Cover

Herschel Cozine wins 2017 Derringer for Best Flash Story!

The results of the 2017 Derringer Awards were released today and we’re pleased to say Herschel Cozine won a Derringer in the “Best Flash” category for THE PHONE CALL, which was published in the Summer 2016 issue of Flash Bang Mysteries.

We want to extend our sincerest congratulations to Herschel for receiving such a prestigious award, and we are forever honored that he allowed us to publish his work. For those wishing to read this award-winning story, click the story title below and enjoy!

THE PHONE CALL by Herschel Cozine (Summer 2016)

In addition to Herschel’s winning story, three of the four finalists in the 2017 “Best Flash” category were featured in Flash Bang Mysteries, and we want to also congratulate these writers and thank them for submitting their exceptional work to us. To read their stories, click the links below:

AFTERMATH by Craig Faustus Buck (Spring 2016)

A JUST REWARD by O’Neil De Noux (Winter 2016)

An Ill Wind by R.T. Lawton (Spring 2016)

We’re proud of these writers and honored that they chose to submit their work to Flash Bang Mysteries