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2026 Anthony Award Short Story Nominations

So, so excited to announce that I've been nominated (TWICE) for a Best Short Story Anthony Award. And, both stories are set in New York City. Best Short Story Nominees for 2026 Anthony Awards ballot Finding Jimmy Baldwin, originally appeared Crime Ink Iconic: An Anthology of Crime Fiction Inspired by Queer Icons, edited by Salem West and John Copenhaver. The story has also been selected for this year's Best American Mystery and Suspense anthology. It is a story about the

Cheryl A. Head

4 days ago2 min read

BAMS !!!

Finding Jimmy Baldwin , my short story in the Crime Ink: Iconic An Anthology of Crime Fiction Inspired by Queer Icons will be included in the 2026 edition of Best American Mystery and Suspense, affectionately call BAMS by writers. I'm very proud of this story about a writer, and activist, I deeply admire. I was particularly interested in showing the vulnerability of this man who was so intellectual, so eloquent, so bold, that he always seemed to "have his shit together".

Cheryl A. Head

Apr 181 min read

Spring...and the writing is easy.

I'm writing daily again, and oh what a joy it is. My historical fiction novel set in the 1870's and featuring a Black Pinkerton detective is with an editor. It's kind of a western wrapped in a time travel narrative. Thumbs crossed that somebody will like it. I'm also working on Book 7 of the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series. Working Title: Mourn Me When I'm Gone. It was lovely to attend this year's Saints and Sinners Literary Festival. It was my first time returning

Cheryl A. Head

Apr 132 min read

What Dreams Are Made Of

I really enjoyed writing this fun, short story about a turn-of-the-century acting troupe from Baltimore, and its quirky creative director who is also an amateur detective, with the goal of "breaking one of Van Dine's Rules". In particular, Rule #2. No willful tricks or deceptions may be played on the reader other than those played legitimately by the criminal or the detective himself. Bah Humbug! Read for yourself! "Whole worlds in miniature can be found among Cheryl Head

Cheryl A. Head

Mar 21 min read

Finding Jimmy Baldwin

Here's my short story included in Crime Ink: Iconic An Anthology of Crime fiction Inspired by Queer Icons James Baldwin is one of the most enduring intellects of the 20th century. Black, gay, complex and brilliant, one cannot consider queer icons without his inclusion. In my story I wanted to explore Baldwin’s acuity in navigating the competing challenges of his blackness, queerness, and literary celebrity. I wish he were alive today to help us make sense of America’s renewe

Cheryl A. Head

Mar 21 min read

And the Winner Is....

Well, I won the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival Fiction contest with a short story entitled: By Any Other Name . I'm told there were a record number of fiction entries for 2026 from over 33 states, and D.C. Plus entries from Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, and Switzerland. I am honored, to say the least. I was especially grateful that the judge for the Fiction Contest, National Book Award winner, Justin Torres, got the ethos of my little story about

Cheryl A. Head

Feb 52 min read

Honored to be a Finalist/Saints and Sinners Short Fiction Contest

The Saints & Sinners LGBTQIA+ Literary Festival is a small gem in the big world of literary events, but it is such a bastion of literary excellence and community. Held annually, adjacent to the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans, queer men, women, and gender non-conforming creatives gather to learn from each other, and celebrate queer literature. I'm very honored this year to be a finalist in the Short Fiction Contest with my short story about the lives of

Cheryl A. Head

Jan 141 min read

2025! Whew, What a Year!

Any year brings with it ups and downs. Personally, professionally, as a citizen of the world. In 2025, the human toil on our collective psyches was severe. Reminiscent of the not-so-long-ago COVID pandemic. Communities were fractured, families suffered isolation and separation, and our country faced chaotic, frenetic, violent upheaval--thanks to the actions and influences of our current Administration. It never let up. The swirl of petty executive orders, law-breaking, d

Cheryl A. Head

Jan 33 min read

Sick and Tired; Woke and Worked Up!

The past week has been filled with events, commitments, appointments that kept me away from my work-in-progress. So I vowed I would write today. But, before I can write fiction I have to address today’s reality. I’ve been angry for the last eleven months. Walking in disillusionment, discouragement and rage. It’s a stressful way to be. Like many other Black women I said to myself: ‘Well America, you made your bed now you can sleep in it.’ I had washed my hands of

Cheryl A. Head

Nov 18, 20253 min read