Reading · Barr Sinister: The Suspenseful World of D.M. Barr

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This Month: Win a Free Copy of Better Off Dead!

Here’s a way to make your November even better. This month, I’m raffling away a free print copy of my most recent anthology, Better Off Dead: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Inside, you’ll find 17 short stories by some of the best authors in the business, many of whose stories regularly appear in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. The book is being nominated for a 2025 Derringer Award for Best Crime Anthology, and many of these stories are being nominated as well. You don’t want to miss this! Between now and November 30th, drop me an email at dawnbarclayauthor@gmail.com, with the subject line: “Better Off Dead Paperback raffle.” That’s all there is to it! I’ll pick a winner shortly after November 30th, and will announce that winner in next month’s newsletter. (If you win, I’ll be emailing you for your snail mail address.) Good luck!

NOTE: The winner of last month’s raffle was Dennis West, who won an audiobook copy of Saving Grace, A Psychological Thriller. Congratulations, Dennis!

FREE BOOKS!

My gift to you: some links to free books offered by some other mystery, suspense, and romance/romantic suspense authors for you to download.

Here are the links:

Fiction Giveaway Extravaganza (including Thrillers)

https://books.bookfunnel.com/indiefiction/es9awexhy3

Sweet Romantic Mysteries!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/freeromancebuilder/ejxyf37oo8

Thanks for reading Barr Sinister: The Suspenseful World of D.M. Barr! This post is public so feel free to share it.

What have I been up to?

Personal Appearances:

I was honored to be interviewed by Jode Millman for her publishing class at Marist College in Poughkeepsie. Here’s a pic:

I love interacting with readers! If you’d like me to speak at your organization or appear at your book club (in person if in the NY Tristate area, otherwise via Zoom) please contact me at dawnbarclayauthor@gmail.com.

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Other News:

I’ve rejoined the board at Sisters in Crime New York/Tri-State, and I’ve been super busy editing for other authors. That includes one true-crime-based thriller that’s sure to please, and an exciting espionage thriller for the new publishing company that I edit for, Hold Fast Publishing. I’ll announce these titles when they’re ready for release, so stay tuned.

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Do you know someone who needs a good editor? Refer me, and if they use me, you’ll get a referral payment as a thank you! Contact me for more details. You can see information and pricing at www.dmbarr.com/suggested-development-editing. I edit everything except science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and anything with discriminatory or hateful content.

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Upcoming releases:

Vacations Can Be Murder Volume 2: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States: release has been postponed until late January, 2026. Preorder here.

Vacations Can Be Murder Volume 3: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Capital Region: release slated for October, 2026.

My next post from Miss Demeanors (www.missdemeanors.com) will run in early November and will discuss how and when to enter your book for an award. Be sure to check it out here. Miss Demeanors is a great blog that was voted #25 in the Top 400 Mystery/Suspense Blogs list for 2025, so be sure to subscribe!