Mystery Submissions

Submissions for The Black Beacon Book of Mystery close at the end of the month. We want your most puzzling mystery short story or novella. 

This anthology will combine the best new mysteries with classic reprints from yesteryear, so give us a masterful tale. You'll need an engaging and memorable protagonist who can hold his or her own against Sherlock Holmes and Auguste Dupin. Above all, we want a clever puzzle the reader can try to solve. Throw in clues and red herrings, make our readers work their "little grey cells", as Hercule Poirot puts it. The mystery could be a crime, but it could also be a historical or archaeological investigation, a treasure hunt, getting to the bottom of a local legend... it's up to you, but it must be a mystery the reader can delve into and try to solve before your protagonist. Think Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Inspector Morse, Jonathan Creek, even Nancy Drew or Scooby Doo, but be damned clever about it! Get moving! The game's afoot!

Please follow the guidelines

Logo Vote

David Schembri has so very kindly offered to give an independent publisher a helping hand by donating a brand new logo. We asked that the letter B be an integral part of the design and suggested that a lighthouse would reflect the atmosphere of mystery and suspense that envelops us. We've managed to narrow it down to two finalists, but we need you to choose which will become our official logo. It's all happening on Facebook. If you have an account, hop over there and vote. If you don't, which is perfectly understandably, ask a friend to cast a vote for you: Logo 1 or Logo 2. The more votes we get, the better. There's also an ebook to win, or a print book if we reach 100 votes.

              

 

Shelter from the Storm

An anthology for readers who love stormy weather, whether it be the thunderstorms of the tropics, the tempests of the Atlantic, or the blizzards of the frozen north. Seek shelter, batten down the hatches, and lose yourself in this short anthology of suspense, mystery, and terror, designed to be read in one stormy sitting while the wind howls or thunder bellows.

Purchase your print or ebook copy via Amazon, or go to our shop for other options.

Excerpt from "The Murder at Karreg Du":

Wind shook Oscar Tremont’s black Peugeot 403 as the vintage car advanced at a prudent speed. Over the trees lining the narrow back road, dark clouds raced like celestial stallions and rain fell in waves, the volleys of unseen archers opening battle. Leaves struck the windscreen, where they remained momentarily, until a sweep of the wipers sent them hurtling into the night. Following what was little more than a sealed lane in such conditions demanded the driver’s undivided attention.

‘I’m not so sure about your shortcut, Oscar. Have you noticed you have a knack for transforming relaxing weekends away into treasure hunts, rescue missions, and historical investigations?’

‘There’s a definite trend,’ he replied, shooting her a mischievous glance.

‘The storm’s growing. I do hope we arrive soon.’

He said nothing, and they went back to listening to the baying of the wind.

‘I’ve just lost my internet connection, so I can’t navigate at all now.’

‘We shouldn’t be far from Le Gâvre. This road cuts through the forest, close to where we had a picnic with your parents years ago. Once we’re out of the woods, we’ll get back onto the departmental road.’

‘Watch out!’ Louise yelled, but he was already easing the car to a standstill.

Two yellow hazard lights were blinking at them through the darkness, and the fainter reflection of two others could be seen on the rough surface that blocked the road in front of the car.

Having come to a complete stop, the full force of the gale could be better appreciated. The Peugeot was being jostled and the branches all about them were thrashing maniacally.

‘A fallen tree,’ Louise mused. ‘I suppose I ought to be surprised.’

‘I assure you it wasn’t me, chérie. Believe it or not, I was looking forward to an uneventful weekend.’

Giveaway: The Tunnel Runner

Would you like to start 2018 with a FREE paperback copy of The Tunnel Runner by Cameron Trost?
For your chance to win, simply click on Enter Giveaway below.

If you don't like free books, you can buy a copy here: The Tunnel Runner, print or ebook

Please share this giveaway with your family and friends, and join Cameron on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Tunnel Runner

by Cameron Trost

Giveaway ends January 06, 2018.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

The Tunnel Runner

Entering the tunnels is easy, but Ripley and Gabriela soon discover that reaching the surface again will be the greatest challenge they have ever faced... 

The Tunnel Runner is a tale of urban adventure and social discontent that plunges the reader deep beneath the city of Brisbane.

Come and explore the world on the other side of the street.

Enter the tunnels here!

Lighthouses Launch

What a great day we had yesterday in Byron Bay for the launch of "Lighthouses: An Anthology of Dark Tales". It started off raining and finished with a huge storm later in the evening, but the weather was perfect for the launch. Five of the authors (Linda Brucesmith, Danielle Birch, Alice Godwin, David Dolan, and Cameron Trost) were there with family and friends, and one of the local volunteers from Byron Bay Lighthouse Friends and Volunteers joined us. Thank you to everybody who came along to buy a copy of the anthology and chat with the authors.

Cameron Trost with Fergus, Alice Godwin, Linda Brucesmith, Danielle Birch. In the background, the Byron Bay lighthouse.

Cecile ensnared in Cameron Trost's "Horror at Hollow Head" and Graham browsing the anthology.

  Danielle Birch, Alice Godwin, and Linda Brucesmith with their contributor copies.

Don't worry if you couldn't make it. You can now purchase your copy of the anthology from our online shop.

Black Beacon Books Free Delivery Service

Black Beacon Books is offering free Brisbane-wide delivery on two of its most popular titles while stocks last!

Titles available
"Subtropical Suspense" and "Hoffman's Creeper and Other Disturbing Tales"

Cost
Just $10 per copy, or one of each for $15

How
Pay via Paypal to ctrost (at) hotmail.com
If ordering one title, indicate which one, and include your address and any delivery instructions. Alternatively, contact the editor, Cameron Trost, at ctrost (at) hotmail.com to arrange payment and delivery in person.

Please note that this service is only available in Brisbane, Australia.

Merry Christmas from the Black Beacons Team!

Well, what a year we've had here at Black Beacon Books. This year saw the release of two chilling titles, "Subtropical Suspense" and "Vaudeville and Other Nightmares". The former was launched at Black Cat Books in Paddington, Brisbane, and just today, we were informed that this wonderful bookshop will be closing down in January, 2015. This is terrible news for Brisbane bookworms, but it is not all that surprising. Independent bookshops are doing it very tough in the age of internet shopping. Here at Black Beacon Books, we have sought to support local bookshops, but this is quickly becoming impossible. So, this Christmas, we are urging you to support independent bookshops and publishers before you lose them! Black Beacon Books can't survive without you.

Do you want to keep independent publishing alive? Do you want great stories by talented authors for 2015? Yes? Then click HERE and buy one of our titles this very instant. That will be your Christmas gift to us, and even more so, to yourself.

Merry Christmas and thank you!