crime fiction – Andrew Careaga

Behind the story with ‘Literary Garage’

In which I discuss my short story ‘The Doctor’s Version’ from the ‘Bad Intentions’ anthology

Many thanks to the good folks at Literary Garage for posting this behind-the-scenes nterview with me about my short story “The Doctor’s Version,” which is one of 15 stories in the crime fiction collection Bad Intentions: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Warren Zevon. The collection is now available online and from your favorite bookstore. (If they don’t have it in stock, they can order it for you.)

Here’s how Literary Garage describes the story:

Told with chilling wit and razor-sharp irony, ‘The Doctor’s Version’ explores power, manipulation, and the ease with which evil can disguise itself as professionalism. Careaga delivers a compelling crime story in which the most dangerous person in the room isn’t the addict—it’s the man utterly convinced he’s the hero.

More than a crime story, it’s a masterclass in unreliable moral perspective.

I hope you’ll hop on over to Substack to give it a read.

BREAKING: ‘Bad Intentions’ now available for pre-order

Proceeds from this Warren Zevon-inspired collection of crime stories will support Philadelphia-based nonprofit Philabundance.

Apologies to readers tired of my flogging this short story collection Bad Intentions: A Crime Fiction Anthology Based on the Music of Warren Zevon, but I’ve got breaking news to share. This collection is now available for pre-order on Kindle for a mere $2.99. That’s less than 20 cents per story in this gem. (There are 15 stories in all, including one by yours truly.) You need to get in on this deal right away. For those who prefer reading an actual physical book, a link for the paperback version should be available soon. I’ll update this post once that goes live.

The book will be available July 7.

From the publisher:

Bad decisions have a way of sticking around.

Fifteen stories of crime, consequence, and everything that comes after.

Inspired by the music and darkly human worldview of Warren Zevon, Bad Intentions is a crime fiction anthology about bad choices, worse outcomes, and the people left to live with the wreckage.

These aren’t stories about perfect plans or clever escapes.
They’re about what happens after.

When the lie collapses.

When the body turns up.

When redemption comes too late.

When someone convinces themselves they had no other choice.

From back roads to barrooms, motels to city streets, Bad Intentions brings together fifteen distinct voices in crime fiction—stories filled with desperation, violence, dark humor, regret, and the kind of consequence that lingers long after the final page.

No heroes. No perfect crimes. No easy endings.

A portion/all proceeds from the anthology benefit Philabundance, supporting hunger relief efforts throughout the Delaware Valley.

So go pre-order Bad Intentions and return here tomorrow for my Friday Five interview with the anthology editor, Michael Downing, to learn more about this story collection and Michael’s own writing.

‘Bad Intentions’ cover reveal

Crime fiction anthology inspired by the music of Warren Zevon due out July 7.

Earlier this week, the fine folks at Literary Garage revealed the cover artwork for Bad Intentions, an anthology of crime fiction inspired by “the gritty wit, sharp edges, and outlaw spirit” of the late Warren Zevon. As I mentioned here in April, I have a short story appearing in this anthology. There are fifteen stories in all, and having received and read an advance copy of the book, I can say with confidence that each story, in its own distinctive way, is exquisitely Zevon-esque (Zevonian?) in voice, subject matter, and delivery. It comes out July 7, just in time for your summer reading.

Inspired by the music of Warren Zevon

Announcing my crime fiction debut in ‘Bad Intentions,’ coming this summer

Warren Zevon image — Warren Zevon. Image via Jesse’s Cafe Americain blog.

Strike up the band, Johnny! Now it can be told: one of my short stories will be included in an anthology of crime fiction inspired by the works of the legendary singer and songwriter Warren Zevon (1947-2003).

Am I an excitable boy? Hell yeah.

I am one of 15 writers to be included in this collection, called Bad Intentions. It’ll be published in July by the good folks at Literary Garage, a Philadelphia-based lit mag that defines itself as a place “for writing that’s a little off the beaten path.”

Friday Five: Q&A with crime fiction writer Casey Stegman

‘I’ve always been fascinated in the subject of conflict and power.’

Photo of writer Casey Stegman — *Casey Stegman*

If you’re into crime fiction with a dash of noir and grit lit, you ought to check out the writings of Casey Stegman. Not only does Casey write some of the genre’s most captivating short stories and flash fiction around, he also dives into the genre through a monthly column for MysteryTribune called Murder in the First. That’s where Casey introduces readers to “debuts within the genres of crime, mystery, grit-lit, and all things dark.”

Coming soon: you’ll find one of Casey’s short stories in At the Edge of Darkness, a special crime/horror anthology that comes out October 29, just in time for Halloween.