Type M For Murder: "Black Cat Mysteries"

Wednesday, October 07, 2026

Good-bye Black Cat Weekly, Hello Black Cat Mysteries

by Sybil Johnson

About a year ago my short story, Mini-Mart Sleuth, appeared in Black Cat Weekly, a digital magazine that features stories of mystery, suspense, adventure, fantasy, and science fiction. I was so pleased I did a little Snoopy happy dance in my head. Since then, they announced that Black Cat Weekly would be closing at the end of October 2026.

Luckily, Level Best Books stepped up and acquired Black Cat Weekly. They will be publishing it as Black Cat Mysteries. From what I can tell, it will only publish mystery, suspense and crime fiction. No science fiction, fantasy or adventure. While I’m sad to see BCW go, it’s nice to know some of it will live on in BCM.

Black Cat Mysteries will be a monthly publication. A new issue will come out on the 13th of the month starting with Nov 13th. Stupid me, it wasn’t until I was typing this that I got the significance of the 13th. Black cats, 13, bad luck...

The info on how to submit and subscribe ($60 per year, $5.99 per issue) is on substack at https://blackcatmysteries.substack.com/ Yes, substack.

When I saw the information was on substack, my immediate thought was noooo. I know nothing about the platform. I don’t really want to know anything. Okay, this might be colored by the continuing heat wave we are experiencing here in Southern California. It’s been 90 degrees inside the house the last few days. Add to that the construction that’s been going on next to us for a little over 3 years. So, yeah, I’m a bit cranky. And, no, we don’t have air conditioning because we live near the ocean and usually don’t need it.

I got over the crankiness long enough to get the information about what they’re interested in. So, yeah, not hard.

What they’re looking for:

Stories up to 8,000 words
Mystery, suspense and crime fiction in all subgenres. Stories should emphasize mystery over graphic content.
They do not accept horror or erotica.

So, basically, the kind of stories I like to write.

Pay is $25 per story.

I do have a story that I just finished that fits their requirements. Once I look it over a little more, I shall submit it.

They are taking submissions right now. So, go ahead, submit!

Donis Casey

Donis is the author of six Alafair Tucker Mysteries. Her award-winning series, featuring the sleuthing mother of ten children, is set in Oklahoma during the booming 1910s. Donis is a former teacher, academic librarian, and entrepreneur. She lives in Tempe, AZ, with her husband, poet Donald Koozer. The latest Alafair Tucker novel, The Wrong Hill to Die On (Poisoned Pen Press, 2012), is available in paper or electronic format wherever books are sold. Readers can enjoy the first chapter of each book on her web site at www.doniscasey.com.

Sybil Johnson

Sybil Johnson’s love affair with reading began in kindergarten with “The Three Little Pigs.” Visits to the library introduced her to Encyclopedia Brown, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and a host of other characters. Fast forward to college where she continued reading while studying Computer Science. After a rewarding career in the computer industry, Sybil decided to try her hand at writing mysteries. Her short fiction has appeared in Mysterical-E and Spinetingler Magazine, among others. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in Southern California where she enjoys tole painting, studying ancient languages and spending time with friends and family. Find her at www.authorsybiljohnson.com.

Steve Pease (a.k.a Michael Chandos)

Steve Pease is a former space engineer and career Intelligence Officer living in the woods in Black Forest, Colorado. He was a Licensed Private Investigator in Colorado and New Mexico. He’s a member of the Private Eye Writers of America. He is published in mystery and SF anthologies in the US and England, and on-line, under his Michael Chandos pseudonym, including his story,”Texas Barbeque”, which was Macavity-nominated from the Agatha-nominated anthology The Eyes of Texas. His latest is “The Lady in the Polka Dot Dress” from the More Groovy Gumshoes anthology.