Tag Archives: cat and mouse press

Ain’t Got No Razzle-Dazzle

Sun-Maid Raisins prints nuggets of advice or motivation on their box tops. It’s typically a random mix. However, every message this week has been the same.

SunMaid Raisins-Razzle Dazzle

I sure as hell don’t feel that I have much razzle-dazzle, but I’m flattered that someone thinks so and reminds me on a daily basis.

The past seven months have delivered a steady supply of crises and complications in my professional and personal lives, all of which have affected my health.

In late September 2022, a colleague at my day job died suddenly at the age of 42. The ripples of that loss have not yet abated. We’re still feeling it and stress levels have been high, but we’ve brought in help and made enormous strides. That’s all I can say about that.

Unfortunately, a few weeks before he died, I began experiencing a few health issues, which have since been exacerbated by extreme stress. I’m managing it with help, but I’ve been in a dark place for seven months and counting. Anxiety and depression have been frequent companions for most of my life, but this is worst they’ve ever been. Every day I hold onto hope that it will get better with time, patience, and taking the proper actions toward recovery.

Of course, recovery would me much easier were it not for for a recent family complication that has landed on my shoulders. Again, I can’t say much about it, but this could evolve into a critical situation in the near future and erode even more of my writing time.

Another complication that presented itself even before all of the above was the 2021 announcement from the small press that published my paranormal mystery novels (Testing the Prisoner, By Your Side, Like Mother, Like Daughters) that they closed shop and are no longer accepting submissions. Although they’re leaving all current titles on the market for the time being, they are no longer working with the writers to promote, run sales, or otherwise keep the books viable.

In light of this, I’m preparing to publish second editions of Testing the Prisoner (2009) and By Your Side (2012) over the next year. I’m taking the opportunity to re-edit both books, tweaking them just enough to strike a balance between my writing style of the time and my writing style today. Both will undergo a facelift with brand new covers by a local comic book artist.  As for Like Mother, Like Daughters (2018), I’ll tackle that once the first two are finished. Stay tuned for more info.

I am pleased to report that my detective story, “Pearl of Great Price,” will be included in the crime noir anthology, Hard-Boiled and Loaded with Sin by Hawkshaw Press (an imprint of Devil’s Party Press). The book is slated for release on June 26, 2023.

Hard-Boiled and Loaded with Sin Book Cover

Also, my science fiction comedy tale, “See You Around the Cosmos, Sweet Cheeks!” took Honorable Mention in the 2023 NFPW Communications Contest. Click here for more information about the National Federation of Press Women.

I was disappointed to learn that Delaware publisher Cat & Mouse Press retired their annual Rehoboth Beach Reads short story contest after ten years. The contest had a fantastic run and I was honored to have two stories published in the contest anthologies Beach Nights (2016) and Beach Secrets (2021). I also had two stories included in Beach Pulp (2019), an open call anthology that pays homage to the detective and SF pulp magazines of the 1930s and 1940s.

Finally, my YouTube channel has not been updated with new content  in nearly a year and is suffering from abandonment issues—again. I recorded a reading of “Pearl of Great Price,” which will posted to my channel when the book goes live in June or thereabouts. I plan to record other stories and updates that will go live soon as well.

That’s where I’ve been for the past several months. Peace of mind has been at an all time low, but as always, I press forward.

I hope all is well with you and yours and that you remain safe and healthy while navigating these bizarre and dangerous times.  Don’t lose your razzle-dazzle!

Beach Secrets Book Launch After Action Report

What do the Lewes History Museum and the Lewes Public Library have in common? My wife and I were at both this past Saturday. Of course, it’s easy when the two are adjacent to one another.

Beach Secrets coverThe main reason for our visit to Lewes, DE was the official launch of Beach Secrets, the latest anthology by Cat & Mouse Press, and a celebration of the publisher’s 25,000th book sold. The library provided a wonderful venue and the launch was well-attended.

Nearly half of the writers from the anthology were on hand, myself included, to sign copies and socialize.  Cat & Mouse owner and editor, Nancy Day Sakaduski, her husband Joe, and the folks at Browseabout Books did a fantastic job of organizing the event. Fellow writer Donald Challenger provided some light background music.  Beach Secrets marks my fourth story published with Cat & Mouse across three anthologies including Beach Nights and Beach Pulp.

The highlight of my day occurred near the end of the book launch when another fellow writer, Renee Rockland, made a point of telling me how much she loved my story, “Limited Time Offer” in the Christmas anthology, Over the River and Through the Woods (Year of the Book Press, 2019). If you’ll pardon the cliché, that was the icing on a sweet cake!

And speaking of cake…

As always, there is cake at the Cat & Mouse book launches!

Donald Challenger on the guitar, ladies and gentlemen!

Cat & Mouse Press owner and editor Nancy Sakaduski (far left at table), signs books for readers.
Fellow Cat & Mouse Press author Dave Cooper has had stories in at least three beach anthologies including Beach Pulp, Beach Dreams, and the latest, Beach Secrets.
Fellow writer Jim Gallahan has had stories in two Cat & Mouse Press anthologies including Beach Pulp and Beach Mysteries.
Cat & Mouse Press author, Nancy Sherman.

Some pictures from the Lewes History Museum below. It is an impressive collection of artifacts and information about “The First Town in the First State.”

Lewes Historic Museum Image

Lewes Historic Museum Image

Lewes Historic Museum Image

Lewes Historic Museum Image

Lewes Historic Museum Image

Lewes Historic Museum Image

Onward to the New Year, Whatever It Might Bring

All too happy to leave 2021 behind, but if nothing else, it was a successful writing year.
Finished the second draft of a SF novel, started the first draft of paranormal mystery novel #4, had eight short stories published across six anthologies (plus one story in a convention anthology), and three stories accepted (so far) for 2022 including a science fiction adventure, a murder/heist mystery, and a science fiction comedy.
One of my ghost stories (“Bottom of the Hour”) made it to the quarterfinals in the Screencraft Cinematic Short Story contest and another ghost story (“Before She’s Gone Forever”) was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Not too shabby!
I wish everyone the best in the new year.  Onward to 2022, whatever it might bring.
2021 Books   Space-Opera-Digest-2022 Cover

The Secret is Out!

Beach Secrets BooksThe secret is out and my copies arrived this week! Beach Secrets is the ninth annual anthology comprised of winning stories from the Rehoboth Beach Reads short story contest sponsored by Cat & Mouse Press and Browseabout Books.
Beach Secrets includes my story, “Where Do I Begin?” dedicated to my friend Jessica Headlee who lost her yearlong battle with cancer in June at the age of 25.
Where Do I Begin? First Page
After a series of tragedies, a middle-aged man moves to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to start a new life. While on his way to a date with a woman he met online, the man is plagued by hostile voices that threaten to undermine his plans—until one voice reminds him that it’s never too late to find happiness.
Beach Secrets cover    Beach Secrets Back Cover

Goodbye, Dolle’s?

I developed a deep affinity for the Delaware coast since I started vacationing there in 2012 with my wife and several friends. Parasailing in Dewey Beach and visiting Cape Henlopen State Park have become summer traditions. Prior to that, I had not been to Rehoboth since high school. Due to COVID, I wasn’t able to visit this year, but I hope to return in 2021.
Over the years, I wrote a few short stories set in Rehoboth. Three were published by Cat & Mouse Press, based in Lewes, DE. “Tower Sixteen” took second place in the 2016 Rehoboth Beach Reads contest and was included in the anthology BEACH NIGHTS. In 2019, my stories “Tapestry” and “The Celestials” were accepted into BEACH PULP.
Dolles Salt Water Taffy - Rehoboth Beach, DE
Photo by Phil Giunta (July 2011).

Just before Christmas, the news broke that Dolle’s Salt Water Taffy would be leaving their current location on the corner of the boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue when their lease expires on January 31.  Although relatively minor, this is yet another disappointing development in 2020. I hope they find a way to keep the iconic Dolle’s sign on display either in its current location or at another prominent site along the boardwalk or Rehoboth Avenue.‌

While Dolle’s is relocating only three doors away to merge with Ibach’s By The Sea (both shops are owned by the Tom Ibach), other landmark businesses, such as Nicola’s Pizza and The Pond, are moving out of downtown to Route 1. Change is inevitable, but I hope this does not become a trend.

Cat & Mouse Press Wins Seven State Awards!

Congratulations to indie publisher, Cat & Mouse Press, for winning seven state awards in the Delaware Press Association’s 2020 Communications Contest!

One of the winning books was Beach Pulp, published in March 2019. I’m honored to have two stories in this anthology, “Tapestry” and “The Celestials.”

Read more details about the awards in the Coastal Point. 

Beach Pulp Front Cover Art by Joe Palumbo