Warren Zevon meets Ellery Queen

So, there was this call for submissions four years ago for an anthology inspired by the songs of Warren Zevon. It was going to be a no-pay gig for an e-anthology, but I was intrigued by the concept, wrote a story inspired by Mr. Bad Example, had it accepted and then…the anthology was canceled.

I liked the story a lot, so I didn’t give up on it. I de-Zevonified it and relocated it from Australia to the Boston area to meet the requirements of the Al Blanchard contest (New England chapter of MWA). While I didn’t win, I received very positive feedback from the judges.

So I spiffed it up a little more and sent it out. And, today I received an acceptance letter for it.

Where?

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. One of my top-tier, dream markets. The contracts arrived today.

Woo-freakin’-hoo!