Joe DeMarco lives and writes in Philadelphia and Montréal.

Before devoting his time more fully to fiction and non-fiction projects he was Editor-in-Chief of The Weekly Gayzette (Philadelphia); Editor-in-Chief of NGL, a national magazine; and has been an editor or contributing editor for a number of publications including Il Don Gennaro, a national Italian-American magazine.

Currently a columnist for X-Factor magazine online (www.xxfactor.com), he has also been a columnist for The Advocate, In Touch, and Gaysweek (NY). His writing has appeared in PGN, The New York Native,GCN, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Welcomat, and a number of others publications.

Several of his stories have been anthologized in the Quickies series published by Arsenal Pulp Press and in Men Seeking Men (Painted Leaf Press), Charmed Lives (Lethe) Heat of the Moment (Echelon Press). His essays have been published in anthologies including Gay Life (Doubleday), and Hey Paisan! (Guernica),We Are Everywhere (Routledge), BlackMen WhiteMen (Gay Sunshine), and Men's Lives (Macmillan), Paws and Reflect (Alyson).

A number of his plays have been produced in Philadelphia, NY, and elsewhere around the U.S.

A serious student of sociological issues, his work has been published in The International Encyclopedia of Marriage and Family (Macmillan); and two of his articles appear in the Encyclopedia of Men and Masculinites (ABC CLIO)

He won "Best Magazine Editor" Reader's Choice Poll Award for 2007 and 2005 from Preditors & Editors.

One of his greatest loves is mystery (all kinds); he has written a number of mystery stories and is currently working on the first of a new series of mystery novels. He also has an abiding interest in alternate history, speculative fiction, young adult fiction, vampires, werewolves, science fiction, the supernatural, mythology, and more. You can learn more at www.josephdemarco.com

Jason was in on the redesign of the site from the very beginning. He has given his advice and fixed problems as the arose and continues to do so. Though he is extremely busy with two other major facets of his life, he never fails to lend a hand when needed. He is currently working on revamping the archives and that should be up and working some time on 2006 which will make readers and writers happy. Jason is also creative in his own right and loves writing stories of his own as well as working on translations of Chinese literature.

Barry Ergang is shown here holding Duncan, the West Highland White Terror Terrier with whom he shares quarters. (The photo was taken the day he brought Duncan home--the day before the pup turned 3 months old.) Barry was the recipient of the 2007 Derringer Award in the Flash Fiction category for "Vigilante," which appeared in the Summer 2006 Mysterical-E .  Managing Editor of Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine , his fiction, poetry, and non-fiction have appeared in numerous publications, print and electronic. These include Apollo's Lyre, Coffee Cramp eZine, The Cortland Review, Crime and Suspense, Flashquake, Flashshot, The Listening Eye, Maelstrom, Mind Fire Renewed, Mouth Full of Bullets, Mystery*File, The Mystery Readers Journal, Nefarious, The Pedestal Magazine, Stereophile, and Web Mystery Magazine . http://www.geocities.com/b_ergang/Home.html

It all began with Nancy Drew. Many a mystery writer can point at Nancy as the beginning of their obsession with mystery. Pam Skochinski is no different. An life-long reader of mysteries, in 1997 she tried her hand at writing one. Since then, she has had over thirty short stories published in various e-zines and print publications. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. You can find out more about her at www.pamskochinski.com

Assistant Editor

Larry Marshall

Larry Marshall lives with is wife Chantal and daughter Jodie in Quebec City, Quebec.   He holds a doctorate in Biological Sciences, is semi-retired and, when he feels like it,  works as a copywriter and editor.  Over the years he has written over 200 non-fiction articles for magazines.  He's been editor-in-chief for Air Age Publishing, worked as an editor for Blinding Force Productions and for Wildcat Books.  Larry can be reached at larry@larrymarshall.name

Assistant Editor

Charles Mossop

Retired after a thirty-two year academic career, Charles now lives on Vancouver Island on Canada 's west coast where he writes historical fiction, works in his garden and continues his study of classical guitar.  A lover of mystery stories, his flash fiction has appeared in Flashshot, and his short stories in Over My Dead Body, Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, and in the Amazon Shorts Program.  He also contributed to the Anthology Aleatory's Junction, published by Double Dragon Publishing in 2006, and to the writer's resource book The Muse on Writing ( Double Dragon, 2005).  His novel Jade Hunter will appear in 2007 from Double Dragon.  Charles is also a monthly contributor to the online resource magazine The Muse Marquee where he writes on historical fiction and manages the historical fiction department.   Charles's stories are usually set in fifteenth century China or eighteenth century Europe , and in the latter case he specializes in maritime history and life aboard wooden-walled ships of war.  As he says, “Murder and intrigue can be found everywhere and in any time period. All you have to do as a writer is select a time and place to put them.” http://cmossop0.tripod.com

Assistant Editor
Advertising Director

Shawn O'Shea

Shawn had his first book published when he was only six years old. (Okay, sure, it was only five pages and the one and only copy was in his elementary school's library, but it still counts!)  Jumping ahead a few years, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he received a B.A. in Journalism from The Defense Information School.  His first civilian job was as a political correspondent for The Delaware County Daily Times in the Philadelphia , PA suburbs.  He left that job to follow his childhood dream of running away with Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus! (Yeah—really!)  When the Big Top arrived in California , Shawn got off the train and settled in San Francisco where he was chief editor and contributor to Red Tales , a fetish magazine for gay men.  He was then the founding editor of the San Francisco Spectrum .  Currently he is focusing on his short fiction and one novel.  He also has a play being produced for the 2007 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Assistant Editor/Columnist

Tim Matson

On Leave of Absence

Tim Matson lives with his wife Susan, and their two miniature schnauzers Asta and Archie, in a suburb of St. Paul, MN. When he isn't toiling away at his day job, Tim spoils his wife and dogs mercilessly, and finds time to write when they take naps on the couch. His stories have been accepted at Mysterical-E and Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine. He is currently working on his second novel. Tim can be reached at: matsonatmystericale@gmail.com

Assistant Editor

Lance Zarimba

Columnist

Nicholas Fuller

Columnist

Jim Doherty

A police officer for more than ten years like his character Dan Sullivan, began his law enforcement career as a reserve cop in Berkeley , California , while simultaneously working on his bachelor's degree at Cal . Sullivan stories have previously appeared in Writers' Journal , Blue Murder , Hand Held Crime , Over My Dead Body! , and the upcoming anthology The Race Is On . Sullivan is also the protagonist of Jim's first (and still unpublished) novel, An Obscure Grave , which was a finalist in the 2004 Debut Dagger competition conducted by the British Crime Writers Association. In addition to his fiction, Jim is also the author of two non-fiction books. Just the Facts – True Tales of Cops & Criminals is a collection of true-crime articles, one of which, “Blood for Oil,” won the 2005 Western Writers of America Spur Award in the Short Non-Fiction Category. Raymond Chandler – A Master of American Noir is a series of lectures on Chandler 's early work available as an e-book on the Barnes & Noble website, and used in conjunction with an on-line course about Chandler that Jim teaches. A native San Franciscan, Jim currently lives in Chicago with his lovely wife, Katy. His website can be found here: http://www.deadlyserious.com/JimDoherty

Columnist

Gerald So

Fiction Editor for The Thrilling Detective Web Site, Gerald is also a reviewer for Crimespree Cinema and moderator of the crime TV and film forum CrimeSeen.  He's always looking for more to read or watch.
E-mail him at g_so@yahoo.com or visit his blog at http://geraldso.blogspot.com .

Columnist

Christine A. Verstraete

Christine A. Verstraete is an award-winning journalist whose nonfiction and fiction has been published in various newspapers and magazines. She is working on a mystery novel and has had short fiction published in Mysterical-E, Orchard Press Mysteries, Mouth Full of Bullets, Flashshot, Flashquake, and Futures Mysterious Anthology. Her story, "The Witch Tree" was a recent contest winner at Echelon Press. Contact her at http://cverstraete.com

Columnist

Byron McAllister

Byron McAllister was always intrigued by whatever appeared to be “fundamental,” but what he thinks the word means has changed gradually through several sciences to mathematics, philosophy, and now—inevitably—to mystery writing. Besides a few technical and historical papers from his earlier career, his published writings (often jointly authored by his spouse) include maybe thirty or so poems, half a dozen mystery short stories, and let's not forget an e-published novel, “Undercover Nudist,” http://ebooksonthe.net which has just come out in paper. Despite the modesty of these achievements, Byron thinks he's entitled to express strong, though variable, opinions on everything. He's saving mention of his hobbies and such, because maybe they'll serve as subject matter for future columns.

Vero G. Caravetta has been a film buff and a mystery fan since he can remember. He has reviewed film for a number of small publications in the Midwest. Since his move East to New York, he has thrown himself into his work Off-Off Broadway. He would eventually like to try his hand at fiction.

Tom Rynard is a student of Renaissance Venice and a writer of fiction, mostly long short stories and novellas, in his spare time. A fan of mystery series such as Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie), Commisario Brunetti (Donna Leon) and Inspector Montalbano (Andrea Camilleri), he has created the character of Reginaldo Morosini from cinquecento (16 th Century) Venice in nine novellas and short stories and one full length novel. He has just begun submitting these writings for publication. When not writing, researching material for his stories, or traveling, he is a practicing attorney in Jefferson City , Missouri.

Montiese McKenzie is a native of Philadelphia who has been writing for most of her life. While the genre of mystery is new to her pen, she loves to sink her teeth into a good suspense novel. When she is not saving the world, loves include coffee, bookstores, photography and watching films. In addition to being a writer, this year she hopes to finally tackle the acoustic guitar and visit London .

Rod Lousteau writes under the name of Lew Stowe and lives in Connecticut . His work has been published by Afterburnsf.com, the Globe Pequot Press, Puckerbrush Press and Delta. He considers his character Sweeper to be his prize fictional creation.

Barry Ergang -- see bio above

Frank Zafiro served in U.S. Army Intelligence as a Czech linguist during the waning moments of the Cold War. From Augsburg , Germany , he watched the Berlin Wall tumble and the Velvet Revolution take place in then-Czechoslovakia. It was a fine time for freedom. He became a police officer in 1993. He has served as a patrol officer, corporal, detective (his favorite job), sergeant, and now a lieutenant. He teaches Report Writing and Sexual Assault Investigation at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy , and has written courses in police subject matter. Most of Frank's stories take place in the fictional setting of River City with recurring characters. The first River City novel, Under a Raging Moon , was published in 2006, followed by Heroes Often Fail in September 2007. Dozens of his short stories have been published in print and online magazines, as well as in several anthologies. You can keep up with his work at: http://frankzafiro.com.

Scott Robinson lives in California . Ati is the third and final chapter in his forthcoming novella entitled Krung Thep . The preceding chapters, “ Krung Thep ” and “Band of the Hand” appeared in previous editions of Mysterical-E . The author is continually indebted to Guy, Nuk and especially Thierry for help on technical aspects. And to Mr Tom for getting him to Thailand to begin with. And, as always, the work is devoted to the family. Comments can be sent to: impudicus@cox.net.

Chris Laing lives in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.  He's been writing fiction for the past five years and, to date, a number of his short stories have received favorable comment but, alas, no fame and no fortune.  He recently
completed a detective novel for which he's seeking a suitable publisher.

Steve Olley has had work published in the Toronto Star and Futures Anthology Mystery Magazine. Originally from England, he now lives in Canada, close to the shores of Lake Huron, with his daughter, Beth, and their dog, Chelsea. Before settling in Canada, he spent a lot of his time traveling in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, and recently has spent time climbing in Scotland and visiting Paris with his daughter. This is the fourth Jack Best story to appear in Mysterical-E. He first made his appearance in the spring 2007 issue in Jack Best's First Case .

Sarah Wisseman, Archaeologist, works at the University of Illinois as Director of the Program on Ancient Technologies and Archaeological Materials. Her mystery novels, Bound for Eternity (2005), The Dead Sea Codex (2006), and the novella Mummy Dearest (coming September 2008), are based upon her experiences working in museums and on excavations. Her short stories have been published by Echelon Press, Amazon Shorts, and Mystericale . Sarah's article on "Digging death: Archaeological Mysteries" appeared in the summer 2006 issue of Mystery Scene Magazine. Visit her website at sarahwisseman.com

Kevin Tipple's short fiction has appeared in magazines such as “Lynx Eye,” “Starblade,” “Show and Tell,” among others and recently appeared last fall in two consecutive issues of “The Writer's Post Journal.” He has been either the senior editor or the assistant editor of two online writing advice sites and is currently the Assistant Editor for “Mouth Full Of Bullets.” In addition to several online sites that also run his reviews, Kevin is also the book reviewer for the Texas edition of the newspaper “Senior News.”

Martha Reed is a devoted fan and writer of mystery fiction. Her Nantucket Mystery THE NATURE OF THE GRAVE won a 2006 IPPY Honorable Mention for Mid-Atlantic Best Regional Fiction and she is currently hard at work on a second novel in the Nantucket series. Martha also serves as President of the Mary Roberts Rinehart - Pittsburgh chapter of Sisters in Crime, and in her spare time she is renovating a Victorian home which keep her poor but honest. Please visit marthareed.com to view additional samples of her work.

Kaye Sebastian is a nocturnal novelist and flash fiction fan whose day job involves marketing writing for a professional services firm. She has published non-fiction articles and interviews in corporate in-house publications and her alma mater's alumnae magazine. Through her affiliation with a Philadelphia-area writing group, she has developed her interest in thriller flash fiction and mysteries, and currently is working on a novella. “Six Minutes” is the first in a series of “flash fiction with a twist” pieces Kaye has produced.

Fleur Bradley is a crime writer, who lives in Colorado with her husband and two daughters. Dozens of her stories have appeared online and in print, in publications like Shred of Evidence, A Cruel World and Versal. She's now working on a Young Adult novel called Two-faced.

Anita Page's short stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Ball State University Forum , Jewish Horizons , Heresies , Mouth Full of Bullets , Mysterical-e , Murder New York Style (L&L Dreamspell, Nov. 2007),  The Prosecution Rests (Little, Brown and Company, 2009) and Word Riot . She and her husband live in the mid-Hudson Valley, where she taught and now writes full time. She is seeking publication for her first novel, a dark-edged traditional mystery set in the Catskill Mountains.

Curt Jeffreys has been writing fiction since 1996. His list of credits include Dark Fire, Galaxy-ezine, Shdowkeep ezine, Millennium Science Fiction and Rocket Stories! He lives in Arvada, Colorado with his loving wife and son and two mysterious felines.

John Whitehouse enjoys reading most kinds of fiction, including crime, thrillers and fantasy. To date, several of his stories have appeared in small press and national publications both in Britain and the US. He is currently working on some more short fiction, including mystery and fantasy stories, as well as developing ideas for a fantasy novel.

S.M. Harding, since leaving academe, has turned to writing fiction. Short stories have appeared in Detective Mystery Stories, Great Mystery and Suspense Magazine , and the anthologies Racing Can Be Murder and Medium of Murder . She works as a chef in Indianapolis , Indiana and is working on a novel. A cautionary note: this story does not reflect any writing group in which she's participated!

Kaye George is a violinist, composer, mystery reviewer, and writer. Her award-winning short stories have appeared in Web Mystery Magazine, Future's Mystery Anthology Magazine, Writer's Post Journal, Hard Luck Stories, Mysterical-E, and Mouth Full of Bullets. She is the author of several amateur sleuth mysteries looking for a publisher. Kaye has lived all over the US , but is settled in Texas for now.

Kimber L. Rose lives in California with her husband and three children. She is currently putting her first urban fantasy novel through yet another revision and has started writing her first paranormal romance. Feel free to keep track of her progress at www.KimberLRose.com or at www.myspace.com/kimberlrose.

Kim Smith writes the Shannon Wallace mysteries. Her first book in the series, Avenging Angel, is scheduled to be released in 2008 from Enspiren Press. Her short stories have been published at Mouthfull of Bullets, and A Long Story Short among others.

Robert S. Ruehrdanz is finishing his second novel and has published six short stories and several poems during the past year. He and his wife live on a small ranch, 55 miles north of San Francisco, in Sonoma County, California . For more information on Bob and his writings go to http://www.alongstoryshort.net/BobRuehrdanz.html

Gin E. L. Fenton -- see bio above

Arthur King is a strange young curmudgeon who only exists for his art, which he says speaks for itself.  He has no use for people unless they want to give him money for his illustrations or have sex with him.  arthurkingart@gmail.com

Founder

Eva Batonne

Denise Batonne began writing professionally when she was hired as researcher for a small production company in Santa Monica.The position evolved into writer/producer on the project, The Shaping Of America, a series of historical spots on American history. A forerunner to the popular Ken Burns style of dramatic portrayals of historical figures and events, The Shaping Of America featured narrators Sally Kellerman, Robert Guillaume, Dennis Weaver and was voted Favorite Series. Denise has worked for Brentwood News and Venice Art Magazine interviewing and reviewing the work of personalities such as Dizzy Gillespie and Chris Connelly, editor of Premiere Magazine. Co-Editor of Techno Noir with Jeffrey Marks, her story "Mixo-Matic" appears in its pages. "The Ticket," Denise's first short story, was featured as Publisher's Choice in Futures magazine. Denise has a strong background in film and theatre. She left Mysterical-E in early 2004 to pursue her own writing and other interests. Her book RESSURECTION DIVA, a literary crime novel, comes out in August 2007 from ZUMAYA PUBLICATIONS.