Mystery in the Midlands Goes Short 2026!

by Paula Gail Benson

For the past few years, The Southeast Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America and the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime have teamed with Michael Bracken to organize a FREE half-day program on the craft and business of writing mystery short stories. This year, mark your calendars for Saturday, October 10, from 11:15 am ET (10:15 CT/9:15 MT/8:15 PT) to join us again for a great day of information from some true experts in the field. We’ll start out with Joseph S. Walker talking about structure; followed by a panel of Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier, Carla Damron, and Art Taylor—all of whom have created larger works out of connected shorter stories; and finally editors Alex Mattingly, Katy Munger, and Roger Nokes talking about how to make sure your submissions are noticed and accepted.

All you have to do is register using the link below:

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/H7AkECfcQB-9Ej98_UX2DQ

Here’s the schedule with panelists’ biographies:

11:15 am Welcome Michael Bracken and Paula Gail Benson

11:30 am -12:25 pm Some Loose Thoughts on Tight Structures

Joseph S. Walker is an Edgar-nominated author of short mystery fiction and the current President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. His first collection, Crime Scenes, was published by Level Best Books in March 2026.

12:30 - 1:25 pm Short Stories as Building Blocks

Moderator: Paula Gail Benson

Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier’s short fiction has appeared in many publications, including Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2023, and has earned an Agatha Award and nominations for the Derringer and Anthony Awards. Originally from St. Thomas, USVI, Ashley-Ruth now lives in North Carolina. Her first novel-length work, a novel-in-stories called The Bush Tea Murder, was published by Crooked Lane Books in 2026.

Carla Damron is an award-winning novelist and short story writer who uses fiction to examine social justice issues like human trafficking and mental illness. A retired social worker, she lives with her husband in South Carolina and teaches writing classes on Writers.com.

Art Taylor is the Edgar Award-winning author of two collections and of the novel in stories On the Road with Del & Louise, winner of the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. He is a professor of English at George Mason University.

1:30 - 2:25 pm Editors Reveal All

Moderator: Michael Bracken

Alex Mattingly is the editor of Cold Caller Magazine, and his stories have appeared in PANK, North American Review, Shotgun Honey, Tough, Rock and a Hard Place, and other publications. Writing as Craig Francis Coates, his story “Grendel” was selected for Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025.

Katy Munger is the co-editor of the neo noir literary journal Dark Yonder and has edited numerous short story anthologies in her role as a senior editor for Thalia Press. She is also the author of 18 mystery novels and was a book reviewer for the Washington Post’s Book World.

Roger Nokes is the Editor-in-Chief at Rock and a Hard Place Press. He writes fiction under the pseudonym Stanton McCaffrey. His short stories have been featured in Dog Named Dog Magazine, Tough, Reckon Review, Dark Yonder, Mystery Tribune, Vautrin, Shotgun Honey, and more. He has published two novels: Into the Ocea; and Neighborhood of Dead Ends. His short story, “Will I See The Birds When I Am Gone,” was featured in The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2024.

2:25 - 2:30 pm Final Questions and Comments

We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, October 10.