Short Mystery Fiction Society 2026 Derringer Award Winners

SMFS Official Announcement: 2026 Derringer Award Winners

Photo by Art Taylor

The Short Mystery Fiction Society is a community of writers, readers, editors, publishers, and others dedicated to the promotion and celebration of mystery and crime short stories. Since 1998, the SMFS has awarded the annual Derringers to outstanding published stories and people who have greatly advanced or supported the form. 

The 2026 Derringer Award Winners

Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer

David Dean

David Dean is an Army veteran, a retired Chief of Police, and an accomplished novelist, in addition to being one of the most popular and prolific short story writers working in the crime genre today. His stories have appeared regularly in ELLERY QUEEN MYSTERY MAGAZINE, as well as a number of anthologies, including BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES, since 1990. He has won a Derringer Award and an impressive four EQMM Readers Awards. His stories have also been nominated for the Shamus and Barry Awards and been finalists for an Edgar and multiple Derringer Awards.

Best Flash Story

(Up to 1,000 words)

"The Man Under the Bridge" by Bern Sy Moss (Spillwords, 6/1/2025)

Best Short Story

(1,001 to 4,000 words)

"Blind Pig" by Michael Bracken (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2025)

Best Long Story

(4,001 to 8,000 words)

"Whatever Kills the Pain" by C.W. Blackwell (Whatever Kills the Pain, Rock and a Hard Place Press)

Best Novelette

(8,001 to 20,000 words)

"The Temporary Murder of Thomas Monroe" by Tia Tashiro (Clarkesworld, January 2025) (audio version)

Best Anthology (tie)

Hollywood Kills: An Anthology edited by Adam Meyer & Alan Orloff (Level Best Books - Level Short)

On Fire and Under Water: A Climate Change Crime Fiction Anthology edited by Curtis Ippolito (Rock and a Hard Place Press)

HT: Kevin Tipple

2025 Derringer Awards: Short Mystery Fiction Society Awards

The 2025 Derringer Awards: Short Mystery Fiction Society

Best Flash Story (up to 1,000 words): “Kargin the Necromancer,” by Mike McHone (Mystery Tribune, December 15, 2024)

Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words): “The Wind Phone,” by Josh Pachter (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2024)

Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 words): “Heart of Darkness,” by Tammy Euliano (from Scattered, Smothered, Covered & Chunked: Crime Fiction Inspired by Waffle House, edited by Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson; Down & Out)

Best Novelette (8,001-20,000 words): “The Cadillac Job,” by Stacy Woodson (Chop Shop, Episode 1, edited by Michael Bracken; 
Down & Out)

Best Anthology: Murder, Neat: A SleuthSayers Anthology, edited by Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman (Level Short)

The Silver Derringer for Editorial Excellence goes to Janet Hutchings, former Editor in chief of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. 

The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement goes to short-story writer and English professor Art Taylor. 

The 2025 Hall of Fame recipient is O. Henry.

***

HT: The Rap Sheet & Kevin Tipple

Short Mystery Fiction Society Derringer Awards

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the winners of the 2024 Derringer Awards for works published in 2023. Congratulations to all!

FLASH
 
THE REFEREE by C. W. Blackwell
(Shotgun Honey, October 12, 2023)
 
SHORT STORY
 
LAST DAY AT THE JACKRABBIT by John Floyd
(The Strand, May 2023)
 
LONG STORY
 
GOOD DEED FOR THE DAY by Bonnar Spring
(Wolfsbane: Best New England Crime Stories, Crime Spell Books)
 
NOVELETTE (TIE)
 
MRS. HYDE by David Dean
(Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, March/April 2023)
 
CATHERINE THE GREAT by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
(WMG 2023 Holiday Spectacular Calendar of Stories)
 
 
EDWARD D. HOCH MEMORIAL GOLDEN DERRINGER
 
Barb Goffman
 
HALL OF FAME
 
Rex Stout

2024 DERRINGER AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the nominations for the 2024 Derringer Awards. I Congratulations to all. Click to read the nominations below. 

DERRINGER AWARD FINALISTS 2023

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the 2023 Derringer Award Finalists (for work published in 2022). Congratulations to all. Thanks, Gabriel Valjan for the great graphic..

DERRINGER AWARD WINNERS 2022: Short Mystery Fiction Society

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the Winners of the 2022 Derringer Awards. Congratulations to all!

2022 DERRINGER AWARD WINNERS

FLASH FICTION

John M. Floyd. "Tourist Trap." Pulp Modern Flash.

SHORT STORY

Trey Dowell. "Yelena Tried to Kill Me." Mystery Weekly Magazine. August 2021.

LONG STORY

Michael Bracken. "The Downeaster Alexa." Only the Good Die Young.

NOVELLETTE

Stacy Woodson. "Two Tamales, One Tokarev, and a Lifetime of Broken Promises." Guns + Tacos: Season Three.

EDWARD D. HOCH MEMORIAL GOLDEN DERRINGER FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

S.J. Rozan 

HALL OF FAME

G.K. Chesterton

 

DERRINGER AWARDS: Short Mystery Fiction Society

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the winners of the 2021 Derringer Awards.

Congratulations to all!

FLASH (ranges up to 1,000 words)

TIE:

Blackwell, C.W. “Memories of Fire.” Pulp Modern Flash. August 3, 2020.

 

Richardson, Travis. “War Words.” Punk Noir Magazine. December 3, 2020.

SHORT (ranges from 1,001 to 4,000 words) 

 

TIE:  

 

Jones, Eleanor Cawood. “The Great Bedbug Incident and the Invitation of Doom." Chesapeake Crimes: Invitation to Murder.    

 

Woodson, Stacy. “River.” The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell.

LONG (ranges from 4,001 to 8,000 words)

Chen, Sarah M. “Hotelin’.” Shotgun Honey: Volume #4: Recoil.

NOVELETTE (ranges from 8,001 to 20,000 words)

 

Taylor, Art. “The Boy Detective and the Summer of ’74.” Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. January/February 2020.

The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement is annually awarded to an outstanding living writer of short mysteries, selected by a five-member panel. This year's recipient: Brendan DuBois.

 

2021 DERRINGER AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the nominations for the 2021 Derringer Awards. I will update where the stories appear when the 'official' announcement comes out.

Congratulations to all!

Flash
Outsourcing, James Blakey
Over Before It Started, Robert Mangeot
Memories of Fire, Joshua Pastor
War Words, Travis Richardson
Quitman County Ambush, Bobby Mathews

Short
That Which Is True, Jacqueline Freimor
River, Stacy Woodson
The Crossing, Kim Keeline
The Great Bedbug Incident and the Invitation of Doom, Eleanor Cawood Jones
The Homicidal Understudy, Elizabeth Elwood

Long
Chasing Diamonds, Joseph S. Walker
Lord, Spare the Bottom Feeders, Robert Mangeot
Mary Poppins Didn't Have Tattoos, Stacy Woodson
Etta at the End of the World, Joseph S. Walker
Hotelin', Sarah M. Chen

Novelette  
A Murder at Morehead Mews, G.M. Malliet
The Wretched Strangers, Matthew Wilson
The Question of the Befuddled Judge, Jeff Cohen
The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74, Art Taylor
Suicide Blonde, Brian Thornton

DERRINGER FINALISTS: Short Mystery Fiction Society

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the Finalists for the 2020 Derringer Awards. Since 1998, the Short Mystery Fiction Society has awarded the annual Derringers—after the popular pocket pistol—to outstanding published stories. The awards recognize outstanding stories published during 2019. Results of membership voting are scheduled to be posted on May 1, 2020.

Flash	Author
Lucky	Trey Dowell
The Two-Body Problem	Josh Pachter
2 Percent	Lissa Marie Redmond
Birdbrain	C J Verburg
The Six-Year-Old Serial Killer	Chris Chan
Short
The Kindly Dark	J. B. Toner
Love, or Something Like It	Michael Bracken
A Sure Thing	C.C. Guthrie
On the Road with Mary Jo	John Floyd
Pig Lickin’ Good	Debra H. Goldstein
Long
Miss Starr’s Good-bye	Leslie Budewitz
None Shall Sleep	Sylvia Maultash Warsh
Pretty Dreams	Peter W. J. Hayes
See Humble and Die	Rick Helms
Lucy's Tree	Sandra Murphy
Novelette
Her Sister's Secrets	Brendan DuBois
The Cripplegate Apprehension	Rick Helms
The Concrete Smile	Frank Zafiro
The Dutchy	Doug Allyn
I Called to Say You're Dead	Stephen Greco

DERRINGER AWARD WINNERS 2019

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the winners of the 2019 Derringer Awards. Congratulations to all. For all the Nominees, go HERE.

Best Flash Story (up to 1000 words)
"The Bicycle Thief" by James Blakey (The Norwegian American, September 21, 2018)

Best Short Story (1001 to 4000 words)
"Dying in Dokesville" by Alan Orloff (Malice Domestic 13: Mystery Most Geographical)

Best Long Story (4001 to 8000 words)
"With My Eyes" by Leslie Budewitz (Suspense Magazine, January/February 2018)

Best Novelette
"The Cambodian Curse" by Gigi Pandian (The Cambodian Curse & Other Stories by Gigi Pandian, Henery Press)

2018 Derringer Award Winners

2018 Derringer Award Winners announced by the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Congratulations to all!

For Best Flash (Up to 1,000 words) 

"Fishing for an Alibi" by Earl Staggs, Flash Bang Mysteries ed. Brandon Bourg (Fall 2017)

• Finalists:
• 
  
• "Cold Turkey" by Patricia Dusenbury, Flash Bang Mysteries ed. Brandon Bourg (Summer 2017)

• "Happy Birthday" by Alan Orloff, Shotgun Honey ed. Ron Earl Phillips (June 15, 2017)
• "Final Testimony" by Travis Richardson, Flash Fiction Offensive ed, Hector Duarte Jr. and Rob Pierce (July 10, 2017)
• "Flash Point" by Elizabeth Zelvin, A Twist of Noir ed. Christopher Grant (March 20, 2017)

For Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words)

"The Cop Who Liked Gilbert and Sullivan" by Robert Lopresti, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #23, ed. Marvin Kaye, Wildside Press (October 2017)

Finalists:  

• "The Kids Keep Coming" by David H. Hendrickson, Fiction River: Tavern Tales ed. Kerrie L. Hughes, WMG Publishing Inc. (January 2017)
• "The New Score" by Alison McMahan, Fish Out of Water: A Guppy Anthology ed. Ramona DeFelice Long, Wildside Press (March 2017)
• "The Bank Job" by Stephen D. Rogers, Trigger Warning Short Fiction with Pictures ed. Eric Lindbom and John Skewes (March 16, 2017)
• "Every Picture Tells a Story" by Cathi Stoler, Where Crime Never Sleeps: Murder New York Style 4 ed. Elizabeth Zelvin, Level Best Books (September 2017)

For Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 words)  

"Death in the Serengeti" by David H. Hendrickson, Fiction River: Pulse Pounders: Andrenaline ed. Kevin J. Anderson, WMG Publishing, Inc. (July 2017)

Finalists:

• "El Asesino" by Rusty Barnes, BULL ed. Ben Drevlow (May 22, 2017)
• "The #2 Pencil" by Matt Coyle, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "Matricide and Ice Cream" by William Burton McCormick, The CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour ed. Martin Edwards, Orenda Books (November 2017)
• "The Drive-By" by Alison McMahan, Busted: Arresting Stories from the Beat ed. Verena Rose, Harriette Sackler, and Shawn Reilly Simmons, Level Best Books (April 2017)

For Best Novelette (8,001-20,000 words)  

"Flowing Waters" by Brendan DuBois, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine ed. Janet Hutchings, January/February 2017

Finalists:

• "Windward" by Paul D. Marks, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "King's Quarter" by Andrew McAleer, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "Kill My Wife, Please" by Robert J. Randisi, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "Trouble Like a Freight Train Coming" by Tina Whittle, Lowcountry Crime: Four Novellas ed. James M. Jackson and Jan Rubens, Wolf's Echo Press (February 2017)

Thanks to Kevin Tipple, President, Short Mystery Fiction Society

2018 Derringer Award Finalists

2018 Derringer Award Finalists announced by the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Congratulations to all! Winners will be announced May 1.

For Best Flash (Up to 1,000 words)

• "Cold Turkey" by Patricia Dusenbury, Flash Bang Mysteries ed. Brandon Bourg (Summer 2017)

• "Happy Birthday" by Alan Orloff, Shotgun Honey ed. Ron Earl Phillips (June 15, 2017)
• "Final Testimony" by Travis Richardson, Flash Fiction Offensive ed, Hector Duarte Jr. and Rob Pierce (July 10, 2017)
• "Fishing for an Alibi" by Earl Staggs, Flash Bang Mysteries ed. Brandon Bourg (Fall 2017)
• "Flash Point" by Elizabeth Zelvin, A Twist of Noir ed. Christopher Grant (March 20, 2017)

For Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words)

• "The Kids Keep Coming" by David H. Hendrickson, Fiction River: Tavern Tales ed. Kerrie L. Hughes, WMG Publishing Inc. (January 2017)
• "The Cop Who Liked Gilbert and Sullivan" by Robert Lopresti, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #23, ed. Marvin Kaye, Wildside Press (October 2017)
• "The New Score" by Alison McMahan, Fish Out of Water: A Guppy Anthology ed. Ramona DeFelice Long, Wildside Press (March 2017)
• "The Bank Job" by Stephen D. Rogers, Trigger Warning Short Fiction with Pictures ed. Eric Lindbom and John Skewes (March 16, 2017)
• "Every Picture Tells a Story" by Cathi Stoler, Where Crime Never Sleeps: Murder New York Style 4 ed. Elizabeth Zelvin, Level Best Books (September 2017)

For Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 words)

• "El Asesino" by Rusty Barnes, BULL ed. Ben Drevlow (May 22, 2017)
• "The #2 Pencil" by Matt Coyle, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "Death in the Serengeti" by David H. Hendrickson, Fiction River: Pulse Pounders: Andrenaline ed. Kevin J. Anderson, WMG Publishing, Inc. (July 2017)
• "Matricide and Ice Cream" by William Burton McCormick, The CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour ed. Martin Edwards, Orenda Books (November 2017)
• "The Drive-By" by Alison McMahan, Busted: Arresting Stories from the Beat ed. Verena Rose, Harriette Sackler, and Shawn Reilly Simmons, Level Best Books (April 2017)

For Best Novelette (8,001-20,000 words)

• "Flowing Waters" by Brendan DuBois, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine ed. Janet Hutchings, January/February 2017
• "Windward" by Paul D. Marks, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "King's Quarter" by Andrew McAleer, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "Kill My Wife, Please" by Robert J. Randisi, Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea ed. Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks, Down & Out Books (January 2017)
• "Trouble Like a Freight Train Coming" by Tina Whittle, Lowcountry Crime: Four Novellas ed. James M. Jackson and Jan Rubens, Wolf's Echo Press (February 2017)

Hat Tip: Gerald So

Derringer Award Nominations

The Short Mystery Fiction Society (SMFS) announced its nominees for the 2017 Derringer Awards in four categories. Winners will be chosen through an online vote among eligible SMFS members. Winners will be announced on May 1. Congratulations to all!

Best Flash Story (up to 1000 words):
• “Aftermath,” by Craig Faustus Buck (Flash Bang Mysteries,
Spring 2016)
• “The Phone Call,” by Herschel Cozine (Flash Bang Mysteries,
Summer 2016)
• “A Just Reward,” by O’Neil de Noux (Flash Bang Mysteries,
Winter 2016)
• “The Orphan,” by Billy Kring (Shotgun Honey, March 18, 2016)
• “An Ill Wind,” by R.T. Lawton (Flash Bang Mysteries, Spring 2016)

Best Short Story (1001-4000 words):
• “Beks and the Second Note,” by Bruce Arthurs (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine [AHMM], December 2016)
• “The Way They Do It in Boston,” by Linda Barnes (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine [EQMM], September/October 2016)
• “YOLO,” by Libby Cudmore (Beat to a Pulp, May 2016)
• “The Woman in the Briefcase,” by Joseph D’Agnese (EQMM, March/April 2016)
• “The Lighthouse,” by Hilde Vandermeeren (EQMM, March/April 2016)

Best Long Story (4001-8000 words):
• “Swan Song,” by Hilary Davidson (from Unloaded: Crime Writers Writing Without Guns, edited by Eric Beetner; Down & Out)
• “Effect on Men,” by O’Neil De Noux, (The Strand Magazine, February-May 2016)
• “The Cumberland Package,” by Robert Mangeot (AHMM, May 2016)
• “Murder Under the Baobab,” by Meg Opperman (EQMM,
November 2016)
• “Breadcrumbs,” by Victoria Weisfeld (Betty Fedora, Issue Three, September 2016)

Best Novelette (8000-20,000 words):
• “Coup de Grace,” by Doug Allyn (EQMM, September/October 2016)
• “The Chemistry of Heroes,” by Catherine Dilts (AHMM, May 2016)
• “Inquiry and Assistance,” by Terrie Farley Moran (AHMM, January/February 2016)
• “The Educator,” by Travis Richardson (44 Caliber Funk: Tales of Crime, Soul, and Payback, edited by Gary Phillips and Robert J. Randisi; Moonstone)
• “The Last Blue Glass,” by B.K. Stevens (AHMM, April 2016)

Hat Tip: TheRapSheet

Derringer Short Mystery Awards 2016

The Short Mystery Fiction Society (SMFS) announced the winners of the 2016 Derringer Awards. Congratulations to all!

Best Flash Story(up to 1000 words):

“Hero,” by Vy Kava, (from Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best)

Best Short Story(1001-4000 words):

“Twilight Ladies,” by Meg Opperman (EQMM, March/April 2015)

Best Long Story(4001-8000 words):

“Dentonville,” by John M. Floyd, (EQMM, November 2015)

Best Novelette (8001-20000 words):

“Driver,” by John M. Floyd (The Strand Magazine, February-May 2015)

For all the nominees, go HERE.

2016 Derringer Award Nominations

The Short Mystery Fiction Society (SMFS) announced its nominees for the 2016 Derringer Awards. Congratulations to all!

Best Flash Story(up to 1000 words):
• “The Hard Screw,” by Jack Bates (Near to the Knuckle, August 6, 2015)
• “Heavy Debt,” by Craig Faustus Buck (“Mondays Are Murder,” Akashic, August 10, 2015)
• “The Wrong Girl,” by Barb Goffman, (from Flash and Bang: A Short Mystery Fiction Society Anthology, edited by J. Alan Hartman; Untreed Reads)
• “Hero,” by Vy Kava, (from Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best)
• “Trash Pick-Up,” by John Weagly (Near to the Knuckle, September 24, 2015)

Best Short Story(1001-4000 words):
• “Words Can Kill,” by Shelly Dickson Carr (from Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016)
• “Joe Park’s Little Girl,” by Nikki Dolson (Mystery Weekly, September 7, 2015)
• “Kill Switch,” by Chris Knopf (from Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016)
• “Pompo’s Disguise,” by William Burton McCormick (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine [EQMM], March/April 2015)
• “Twilight Ladies,” by Meg Opperman (EQMM, March/April 2015)

Best Long Story(4001-8000 words):
• “The White Game,” by Ron Collins (from Fiction River: Hidden in Crime, edited by Kristine Kathryn Rusch; WMG)
• “Dentonville,” by John M. Floyd, (EQMM, November 2015)
• “The Orchid Grower,” by Katia Lief (EQMM, November 2015)
• “Shooting at Firemen,” by Robert Lopresti (Alfred Hitchcocks Mystery Magazine [AHMM]), July/August 2015)
• “The Man in the Dick Tracy Hat,” by Elizabeth Zelvin (AHMM,
June 2015)

Best Novelette(8001-20000 words):
• “Driver,” by John M. Floyd (The Strand Magazine, February-May 2015)
• “Crazy Cat Ladies,” by Jane Haddam (EQMM, February 2015)
• “Shooting Stars,” by Richard Helms (EQMM, September/October 2015)
• “Jack Daniels and Associates: The Whiplash Brokers,” by Gordon Hopkins (Kindle Worlds, March 2015)
• “Quack and Dwight,” by Travis Richardson (from Jewish Noir: Contemporary Tales of Crime and Other Dark Deeds, edited by Kenneth Wishnia; PM Press)

Winners announced March 31.

2015 Derringer Award Winners!

From the Short Mystery Fiction Society comes the winners of the Derringer Awards!

For Best Flash (Up to 1000 words)  
Joseph D'Agnese, "How Lil' Jimmie Beat the Big C" (Shotgun Honey, May 12, 2014)

For Best Short Story (1001–4000 words)  
Cathi Stoler, "The Kaluki King of Queens" (Murder New York Style: Family Matters, August 2014)

For Best Long Story (4001–8000 words)  
Hilary Davidson, "A Hopeless Case" (All Due Respect #4, September 2014)

For Best Novelette (8001–20,000 words)  
Doug Allyn, "The Snow Angel" (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January 2014)

The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement 
James Powell

HT: Gerald So

Derringer Awards Nominees

Derringer Awards Nominees from the Short Mystery Fiction Society (SMFS).

Best Flash Story (Up to 1000 words):
“Final Statement” by Robert Bailey (The Flash Fiction Offensive, July 18, 2013)
“Not My Day” by Stephen Buehler (from Last Exit to Murder, edited by Darrell James, Linda O. Johnston, and Tammy Kaehler; Down & Out Books)
“The Needle and the Spoon” by Allan Leverone (Shotgun Honey, November 15, 2013)
“Luck Is What You Make” by Stephen D. Rogers (Crime Factory,
May 2013)
“Terry Tenderloin and the Pig Thief” by John Weagly (Shotgun Honey, June 21, 2013)

Best Short Story (1001-4000 words):
“Pretty Little Things” by Chris F. Holm (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July 2013)
“The Present” by Robert Lopresti (The Strand Magazine, February-May 2013)
“The Sweetheart Scamster” by Rosemary McCracken (from Thirteen: An Anthology of Crime Stories, edited by M.H. Callway, Donna Carrick, and Joan O’Callaghan; Carrick)
“The Little Outlaw” by Mike Miner (Plan B Magazine,
August 9, 2013)
 “The Cemetery Man” by Bill Pronzini (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July 2013)

Best Long Story (4001-8000 words):
“Myrna” by John Bubar (from Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books)
“Bloody Signorina” by Joseph D’Agnese (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine [AHMM], September 2013)
“Give Me a Dollar” by Ray Daniel (from Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold)
“Dance Man” by Andrew Jetarski (from Last Exit to Murder)
“A Dangerous Life" by Adam Purple (from Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold)

Best Novelette (8001-20000 words):
“The Serpent Beneath the Flower” by Jack Bates (Mind Wings Audio, April 2013)
“The Goddaughter’s Revenge” by Melodie Campbell (Orca Rapid Reads, October 2013)
“For Love’s Sake” by O’Neil De Noux (AHMM, July/August 2013)
“The Antiquary’s Wife” by William Burton McCormick (AHMM,
March 2013)
“Last Night in Cannes” by James L. Ross (AHMM, November 2013)

Winners will be announced on March 31.

HT: The Rap Sheet

2013 DERRINGER AWARDS

The Short Mystery Fiction Society announced the Derringer Award Winners. Congratulations to all.

Best Flash Story (up to 1,000 words): “The Cable Job,” by Randy DeWitt (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, September 2012)

Best Short Story (1,001-4,000 words): “Getting Out of the Box,” by Michael Bracken (from Crime Square, edited by Robert J. Randisi; Vantage Point)

Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 words): “When Duty Calls,” by Art Taylor (from Chesapeake Crimes: This Job Is Murder, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman, and Marcia Talley; Wildside Press)

Best Novelette (8,001 – 20,000 words): “Wood-Smoke Boys,” by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2012)

See all Nominees HERE.

Short Mystery Fiction Society Finalists

Awards! Awards! They keep coming in. 
 
The Short Mystery Fiction Society 2012 Derringer Award Winners:


Best Flash Story: "Lessons Learned" by Allan Leverone

Best Short Story: "Touch of Death" by B.V. Lawson

Best Long Story: Tie "A Drowning at Snow's Cut" by Art Taylor
"Brea's Tale" by Karen Pullen

Best Novelette: "Where Billy Died" by Earl Staggs

Congratulations to all!!

2010 SMFS Derringer Short Story Awards

2010 Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Awards were announced during Bouhercon last weekend in San Francisco

Best Flash Story (Up to 1,000 Words): “And Here’s to You, Mrs. Edwardson,” by Hamilton Waymire (from Big Pulp, November 23, 2009)

Best Short Story (1,001 - 4,000 Words): “’Twas the Night,” by Anita Page (from The Gift of Murder, edited by John M. Floyd; Wolfmont Press)

Best Long Story (4,001-8,000 Words): “Famous Last Words,” by Doug Allyn (EQMM, November 2009) 

Best Novelette (8,001-17,500 Words): “Julius Katz,” by Dave Zeltserman (EQMM, September/October 2009)

The Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer For Lifetime Achievement: Lawrence Block

Congratulations to all of the winners and other nominees.

Hat Tip: The Rap Sheet