James Scott Byrnside's Blog, page 2

Covers and Plans

Since I started my blog, I’ve posted about the cover after every publication. This is the latest version. At the very end, I’ll tell you what might be coming next. If you’ve read my cover posts of the past, feel free to skip to the end. My first novel was Goodnight Irene (2018). It was… Continue reading Covers and Plans

It’s About Impossible Crime

After months of riddles, red herrings, and locked doors with no keys, I’m thrilled to announce that It’s About Impossible Crime is finally out in the world. If you’ve been following the blog, you already know I’ve teased bits of these stories for some time and an early version of one was free to read… Continue reading It’s About Impossible Crime

The final step

I’m satisfied with the cover. I could fret over it longer, but it does what I wanted and it pleases my eye. Of course, if Matt had been able to continue on the project, it would have turned out better. This was an early bit of work he did. But then, he is an artist.… Continue reading The final step

COVER UPDATE PLAN B

It turns out that Matt and I will not be working together on this project. He is far too busy. I had only just begun working on researching cover designers when I realized — Hey! I don’t have money to spend. And I don’t want to listen to some gasbag explain to me why my… Continue reading COVER UPDATE PLAN B

May 21 update

One of the best things about writing a short story collection is that the process naturally lends itself to editing. Let me explain. Many writers finish a draft, set it aside, and move on to something else. When they return to it a month (or more) later, they come back with fresh eyes. They can… Continue reading May 21 update

Update May 9th

I am finished writing. I have line editing to do and the last story I wrote — The Preminger Curse — has to go out to some beta readers. I think it’s the best story in the collection, but what the hell do I know? It came in at a whopping 20,703 words. I took… Continue reading Update May 9th

Early cover thoughts

The last story of It’s About Impossible Crime (2025) is coming along and I’m making notes for the final edits on the other four. I like this short story process, i.e. writing a story and then putting it aside to work on another one. It’s good to step away and return with fresh eyes. There’s… Continue reading Early cover thoughts

April 2025 update

Writing is going well on the last story. It’s turned out a bit more complicated than originally planned, so I’ve to map out the family history and the mansion’s rooms. This sort of thing takes time. Maybe in one or two months, I’ll announce a publication date. I have a date in mind, but I’ve… Continue reading April 2025 update

One more Story to go.

I’ve been working my ass off. I’m down to the last story. I’m plotting it out. It’s going to be very Goodnight Ireneish but in short story form. In the meantime, here are some blurbs. It’s About Impossible Crime (2025) 1. Silent Steps of Murder In the dead of a Chicago winter, Detective Rowan Manory… Continue reading One more Story to go.

Update March 8

“An impossible crime sends the common policeman into a tailspin. Here we have a man found murdered in a locked room, the key placed inside the door, the time set by two aural witnesses, no method of escape for the killer. It is a paradox, a puzzle, a damned fine headache for the uninitiated.” He… Continue reading Update March 8