Shred of Evidence

I had to admit, the kid didn’t look good. But then again, it’s hard looking your best after twelve hours of rigor mortis.

I split my time between writing fiction and working in television. I’m currently working in production on CSI: Miami. My first cold case novel is in second draft territory. I live in the posh spectrum of lights known as sultry Los Angeles.

It had taken quite an effort in Carrie’s head not to put the chain lock on the door. That was the first thing she reached for as soon as the guys were out. First it would be the chain lock, then the deadbolt, the lock in the handle, and three other locks she didn’t even know the proper names for. She had to wonder what they would say if they came back in a hurry only to find her keeping them out. Actually, they would probably skip saying anything and go right to breaking down the door and splattering her brains all over the carpet with a .45

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Congratulations to Rick Noetzel. His story “Joyride” is a nominee for the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s 2008 Derringer Award.

Congratulations to the other nominees as well, with special shout outs to Shred alums Patricia Abbott, Beverle Graves Myers, and Herschel Cozine.

I don’t come from a very literary family. Well, my father once wrote a suicide note, but he never followed up with a sequel, so he doesn’t count.

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Midway through lunch, Taylor Chaste stands up from her table at Vicente’s and tells her entourage of three she has to go to the ladies room.

Harlan watches her lurch away, wondering if her clumsiness is more from the pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea or the handful of vikes she dry-swallowed on the drive over. Or some magical synergy of both. Taylor’s two buddies, Mandy and Tate, start laughing as soon as she’s out of earshot. They point at the pitcher and gulp down imaginary drinks with both hands. Mandy pretends to fall out of her chair.

I’m alive, thank god, I’m alive.

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Sarah won the Fish Historical-Crime Contest with her story, “Fall River,” August 1892. Her story, “The Eyam Stones,” was runner-up in the Historical Contest. Both stories will be published in the Fish Anthology 2008. Sarah’s stories have been published in The Beat, Neon, Every Day Fiction, Idlewheel, Kaleidotrope and the Boston Literary Magazine. Her short story, “On the line,” was published in the Daunt 2006 anthology. The Subatomic 2007 anthology features her story, “LoveFM.” She won the Litopia Contest in 2007 with “The Chaperon.” Sarah lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and young daughter. Website: www.writewords.org.uk/sarah_hilary/

So the website is back up in its new location. All the content should be in place. (Thanks go to my sweetie. Razzies go to WordPress. I’m normally a big fan, but it made a hash of the straightforward import/export.)

You can expect to see a new design in the nearish future. But not tonight.

Behind the scenes, we’re pulling up stakes and migrating the site and e-mail to a different server. This will result in some obvious downtime (the site will be inaccessible for a couple days). There is also an increased risk of e-mail bobbles, so until further notice Shred is closed to submissions.