The Alabama Writers’ Forum
The Alabama Writers’ Forum, a partnership program of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, works to cultivate our state’s literary culture. We do that through supporting writers at all stages. We encourage our young writers to find their creative voice through the Father Goose Poetry Festival for Kids!–and through our Alabama High School Literary Arts Awards. We support the work of our state’s literary community through our Alabama Authors Directory, First Draft magazine, and other programming and opportunities for writers across the state. And we celebrate our state’s rich literary legacy through the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame. We are, above all, a community of writers united by our desire to advance the literary arts in Alabama. If that describes you — join us! There are many ways to get involved.
With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying
With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying By Debra H. Goldstein White City Press, 2025 Paperback: $13.00 Genre: Mystery, Short Fiction Reviewed by Joe Cuhaj Some of you may be too young to remember the days of pulp mystery magazines like Ellery Queen Mysteries, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mysteries, and Master Detective. Each month, these magazines brought readers the best short fiction mysteries by the world's best up-and-coming writers. Some remain to this day (now as online magazines like Ellery Queen), still stimulating mystery lovers' "little grey cells" with short but oh-so-sweet tales of murder and mayhem. Debra H. Goldstein's new collection, With Our Bellies Full and the Fire Dying, brings back this experience through short tales of sinning and redemption, all with a twist you will never see coming. Goldstein is a retired attorney and former judge, so you know she has seen a thing or two. Her stories come alive, some with deep, heart-rending glimpses of the dark side of a person’s soul, while others are good old detective tales that conjure up images of Sam [...]
