January 2026
Claire Booth – I’ll be appearing on the Capitol Crimes interview series “Meet the Author” on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to talk about my latest book. Throwing Shadows is the seventh in my Sheriff Hank Worth mystery series. The Zoom event is open to the public. Register here.
Mark Coggins – I’m pleased to announce a new Poltroon Press edition of The Maltese Falcon with a pub. date of January 6, 2026. Illustrated with scene-setting B&W photos of Falcon locations from San Francisco, it includes a new introduction by Randal S. Brandt, a “mapback” pinpointing crime scenes and a coda of two linked Sam Spade short stories written by me to answer the question, “What happened to the falcon!?” Read more here.
Michael Cooper – My new novel The Rabbi’s Knight just made the 2025 CIBA Chaucer Short List for Early Historical Fiction; and my new series—Seasons of Empire, which includes The Rabbi’s Knight, Wages of Empire, and Crossroads of Empire has made the 2025 CIBA Book Series Awards Long List.
Hopefully I’ll have some good news to report soon.
James Arthur Donzella – I am pleased to announce that my debut mystery novel, The Dead Don’t Pay, will be available in an audio version in 2026. Three Ravens Publishing is currently auditioning voice talent for the project.
Vinnie Hansen – I will have a book talk and signing for my latest suspense novel, Crime Writer, at Bookshop Santa Cruz, 7 PM, January 8, 2026.
Susie Hara – my new novel, Earthquake Shack, a Sadie García Miller mystery, has been called “a unique love letter to the San Francisco of our past, present, and future” by Brittany Newell, author of Soft Core, and “a popular pick for . . . dedicated mystery buffs” by Midwestern Book Review.
James L’Etoile – On January 3, from 3-5 PM, join me for the launch of Illusion of Truth at Face in a Book, in El Dorado Hills, CA. Come for a fun afternoon of book talk, crime trivia, giveaways, and book-themed snacks. There will be a drawing for a character name in a future book, too. Link here.
On January 13, I will join MWA NorCal member Kelli Stanley for a conversational session at Towne Center Books, in Pleasanton, CA at 11 AM. Kelli’s new release is The Reckoning, and I will discuss Illusion of Truth.
On January 15, Kelli Stanley and I will join up again at Bookshop West Portal, in San Francisco at 7 PM in a conversation about our latest work and what inspired us to write our stories. Link here.
On January 18, I will join MWA NorCal member Samantha Downing in conversation at Book Passage, Corte Madera, CA at 1 PM. Link here.
Rob Osler – Book #2 in my Harriet Morrow Investigates series, The Case of the Murdered Muckraker, will be available in all formats on January 27.
Lewis Perdue – I have moved to Reno where I will continue to kill characters in interesting and creative ways with a high Sierras theme.
I would love to hear from Tahoe/Reno people. I can still be reached here.
John B. Roberts II – Santa Claus came early for me this year. Last week I learned that I am the winner of the Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers of America annual six-word mystery contest. The contest is open to writers all across the country and internationally, with contestants submitting their entries in five different categories: Cozy, Noir/Hard-Boiled. Police Procedural, Romance/Lust, and Thriller.
It’s based on the challenge put to Hemingway in a bet that he couldn’t write a six word short story. He came up with “Baby Shoes: For Sale. Never Worn” and won the $10 bet.
Today’s contest has a winner in each category and an overall winner. I won the Romance/Lust category and was also the overall contest winner. My entry was “He Fell for her. Ten Stories.” The cash prize for overall winner is $100, plus bragging rights.
The judges for the contest are Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine editor Linda Halligan, New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman, lawyer/activist Manuel Ramos, literary agent Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management, and John Charles of the Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona.
It’s a fun challenge, the entry fee is $6, and I hope even more writers will participate next year!
Janet Rudolph – The first issue of Mystery Readers Journal in 2026 (42:1) will focus on mysteries set at Fetes, Fairs, and Festival. If you’ve written a mystery set at a Fair, Fete or Festival, consider writing an author essay. 500-1000 words, up close and personal about yourself, your books, and the “theme” connection. Think of it as chatting with readers and other writers at the cafe, bar, or on Zoom. Add title and 2-3 sentence bio. Deadline: February 1. Send to Janet, janet@mysteryreaders.org.
Domenic Stansberry – Thanks to the good folks down at 29 Palms for having me down as featured writer, to read at Noir in the Boneyard in the Mojave Desert. Meanwhile, looking forward to reading in Santa Rosa, January 25, at Shady Oak Barrel House: an event brought to life by Santa Rosa’s “Patron Saints of Literary Influence.”
Also, I am celebrating good news from the UK, where New Exit Press (London) has picked up the rights to my latest, The Lizard, for publication in the Commonwealth and Europe in 2026.
Lisa Towles – Big Changes at Story Impact: New HQ and Magazine Launch!
I have some exciting news to start off the new year: I’ve officially moved my Story Impact coaching blog to a new, professional home. As part of the new site, I’m thrilled to announce that the inaugural issue of Story Impact Magazine is officially live!
The magazine is designed to elevate artistic voices by pairing great storytelling with the Market Intelligence we all need to navigate today’s publishing landscape. Whether you’re looking for 1:1 book coaching to architect your next breakthrough, or you’re interested in a low-cost, high-visibility ad placement ($25-$250) to promote your latest release, I’d love to connect.
Check out the new site and the debut issue below. And for anyone seeking media support for an upcoming launch, the Story Impact Podcast is available as an interview platform to help amplify your message.
Explore the new site here.
Read the Magazine here.