This is a difficult post to write, because for once I’m actually stuck for words.

I’ll dive right in and see where it goes, okay?

When I started out and I had only one novel published, I submitted a short story to Back Alley Webzine. As you can see, if you click on the link, the site has been shut down. Rick Helms, the editor explains why, so there’s no need for me to copy and paste that explanation into this post. In fact, I’ve known Rick for years. We’ve actually run into each other many times at various conferences. And Rick actually knows about dystonia. So, I know he’ll understand why I don’t write out an entire unnecessary freaking explanation when he’s provided a perfectly good one. :)

The bottom line is that, much like myself, Rick enjoyed an extraordinary 2011. However, editing and publishing an online periodical on a regular basis is a whole lot of freaking work had to take a backseat to other concerns. And Rick is an author and that’s a whole lot of freakingwork, too.

As you can see if you read the explanation, Rick is willing to sell the domain name and publishing rights for “about 20 bucks and a bottle of Patron Anejo tequila.” As reasonable as the price is, I suspect he won’t have to beat off buyers with a stick. Therefore, I doubt that the Back Alley will be rising from the dead like Frankenstein’s monster coming back online, anytime soon.

However, I count myself as lucky to be one of the authors published by the Back Alley Webzine. If you look at the list of Derringer nominees, you’ll see my story “The Right to Remain Silent” on it. (It’s in Vol. III, No. 1.)

As you can see from this post dated April 1, 2010, I was … happy to find out I’d been nominated, to say the least. Well, thunderstruck, really. Little did I know …

In any case, I’ll always be grateful to Rick Helms for accepting my short story and making it possible for me to get the Derringer nomination. I also feel proud to be associated with Back Alley Webzine and the awesome authors who’ve been published on its virtual pages. I was particularly impressed that Rick succeeded in having the site chosen as the first MWA-approved periodical/webzine. Way to go, Rick! :D

I am truly glad for your success, Rick. But I mourn the mystery world’s loss of another (online) publisher.

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