Patterns 1+2 1+2+3 1+2+3+4 1+2+3+4+____ Red blue red blue yellow red blue red blue yellow green ____ blue You’ve already filled in the blanks in your mind, haven’t you? That’s because we recognize patterns. And, whether we’re willing to admit it or not, we like structure. Everyone appreciates things that are reliably consistent. We appreciate...
Author: S Ruttan (S Ruttan)
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August 16, 2019August 9, 2019Friday's Forgotten Books
Friday’s Forgotten Books: Hard Man by Allan Guthrie
Married at 16, May Baxter’s husband Wallace is violent, and she decides to fool around with another man on the side. May ends up pregnant, and her husband isn’t happy. May’s family rallies around her and decides to protect her from her husband. George Pearce doesn’t want the job, but the Baxters won’t take no...
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August 15, 2019August 13, 2019Interview
Flashback: A Journey Into the Mind of Allan Guthrie
Sandra Ruttan: What is the most traumatic thing that’s ever happened to you? Allan Guthrie: Something happened when I was fifteen, but it was so traumatic I can’t remember it. Sandra Ruttan: So the therapy didn’t take? Allan Guthrie: Traumatised the therapist. Sandra: Tell us about the male grad student who’s in love with you....
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August 13, 2019August 6, 2019African, African, Arts, Culture, Entertainment
The Puzzle Smothers A Montreal Refuge
By Ray Mwareya “Seen him? Ticks his puzzle, hides a beer in a coffee mug. Think he fools the train driver?” Wallis, my landlord, gossiped about an untidy laborer on my maiden ride on Montreal underground metro. Wallis scanned his eyes over rows that contained a bridge´s name that I insert into the crossword puzzle...
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August 12, 2019August 11, 2019Short Story, Writing & Publishing
We’re Closed
We are temporarily closing to new short fiction submissions. Any stories received after 8 a.m. Eastern Monday August 12 will not be considered during this review period. Why? We have been amazed at the response since starting Bronzeville Bee, and have had many impressive story submissions during the past few months. As of penning this...
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August 9, 2019August 9, 2019crime/mystery, Fiction, Friday's Forgotten Books, Review/Recap
Friday’s Forgotten Books: American Skin by Ken Bruen
When Stephen Blake’s friend Tommy tries to get him involved in a scheme with an IRA associate of his, Stephen doesn’t like the look of the guy and makes plans to move to America with his girlfriend Siobhan. Those plans involve a lot of money. And things don’t work out the way Stephen hopes. American...
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August 5, 2019July 31, 2019Hot Topics
Popular Approval
From social media to marketing campaigns to commercials on TV, popular approval is considered its own endorsement for a product. What more could an author ask for than to see their name or their book trending on social media? It elevates their profile significantly; potentially thousands of people who haven’t heard of them or their...
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August 2, 2019July 28, 2019crime/mystery, Fiction, Friday's Forgotten Books, Review/Recap
Friday’s Forgotten Books: MISSING IN PRECINCT PUERTO RICO BY STEVEN TORRES
Steven Torres uses his skills as a storyteller to use the threads of an investigation to build tension in Missing in Precinct Puerto Rico. From the start, puzzle pieces are introduced that are used to filter all the additional details that arise during the course of the investigation. Torres does an excellent job of developing...
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August 1, 2019July 28, 2019Interview
Flashback: Harrogate Chat with Simon Kernick July 2006
Nightmares, death threats and the future – and possible end – of Dennis Milne British crime fiction is known for its police procedurals but author Simon Kernick is making a name for himself with fast-paced, action-packed thrillers. I recently caught up with Simon at Harrogate Crime Festival and we chatted about his travels, his plans...
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July 29, 2019July 28, 2019Fiction, Short Story, Writing & Publishing
Unforgettable Stories
When reviewing manuscripts and short stories I ask myself some questions. One of those questions has to do with impact. Is it memorable? If I set a book, manuscript, or short story aside for a few weeks and can’t remember what it’s about, chances are it either hasn’t gotten to the point where it has...