Location: United States
Member Since: May 04, 2011

Sign in to subscribe to email alerts for Joseph D'Agnese

Joseph D'Agnese

Biography

Joseph D'Agnese has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, This Old House, and many other publications. His science writing has been published extensively in Discover, Seed and Wired, and was twice named to the annual anthology, Best American Science Writing. His crime fiction has appeared in Shotgun Honey, Beat to a Pulp, Plots With Guns, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. One of his short stories won the 2015 Derringer Award for short mystery fiction, another was shortlisted for the 2014 Derringer Award, and a third was chosen by bestselling author James Patterson for the prestigious anthology, Best American Mystery Stories 2015.

Smashwords Interview

What motivated you to become an indie author?
I'm not solidly indie. I've published more than a dozen books with traditional publishers, and have learned a lot about that business model. One thing that saddens me is that, under that model, books are not forever. They go in and out of print all the time, which is no way to build a fan base. I enjoy the freedom of hiring freelancers to work on my products, creating the files, uploading them, and knowing that these books will be available for all time.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
We all daydream. Writers conceive characters, plots, settings and scenarios that would get them ostracized or arrested if they tried to enact them in the real world. But putting your imagination down in words is a safe outlet for expressing those feelings. And it's the most satisfying art I've ever known.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Joseph D'Agnese online

Website: http://www.josephdagnese.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joseph-d-agnese/33/29/788

Where to buy in print

http://www.josephdagnese.com

Books

Harm and Hammer by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 10,730. Language: English. Published: March 21, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories
In this short crime story, a young woman in witness protection adopts a strange new hobby as a way to deal with her guilt and boredom, with tragic results. This story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and is also available in the larger collection, Daggyland #1, by the same author.
Nighthawks by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 7,300. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Hard-Boiled, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories
This short crime story purports to tell the "true" story behind Edward Hopper's famous 1941 painting, "Nighthawks." Four people alone in a diner at night. What's going on in that famous scene? You're about to find out. This story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, and is also available in the larger collection, Daggyland #1, by the same author.
The Box Top Man by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 13,240. Language: English. Published: January 7, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Literature » Literary, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories
Three short stories—of infidelity, murder, and betrayal—by a recent winner of the Derringer Award for short mystery fiction. D’Agnese gives us three tales that read like Cheever gone from bad to worse, where disillusioned characters dwell in the realm of metro-suburban surreal. (Please note: All three stories are included in a larger collection entitled Daggyland #2.)
Back to the Boke by
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 20,420. Language: English. Published: January 7, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories
A local hoodlum who turned himself around grapples with the loss of his "straight" job in the light of the tragic events of 9/11. This powerful short story first appeared in the online noir magazine, Beat to a Pulp. This ebook edition features the bonus novelette, "Last Dance in Hoboken." One quirky American city, two hard-hitting stories by a recent Derringer Award Winner.
Stand Up Johnny by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 8,150. Language: English. Published: September 22, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
In this country noir short story by a recent Derringer Award Winner, a troubled young man returns home to find deceit, heartache, and murder in the arms of an old flame. The story first appeared in Plots With Guns, and is also available in the larger collection, Daggyland #1, by the same author.
Button Man by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 19,730. Language: English. Published: September 22, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
An idealistic young man returns home after the Korean War, and clashes with the corruption he finds in his father's business in New York's Garment District. Written by a recent Derringer Award Winner, this Runyonesque short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and also appears in the larger collection, Daggyland #1, by the same author.
The Sweatergeist by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 9,060. Language: English. Published: September 22, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Hard-Boiled, Fiction » Horror » Ghost
Meet Archie Bleecker, the fingerless detective. He earns his keep by solving New York’s most irrelevant cases. When a rich man hires him to investigate the case of a sweater that won’t stay put, Bleecker’s got more than mystery on his hands. Part ghost story, part private eye yarn, this short story first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.
Bloody Signorina by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 10,340. Language: English. Published: March 4, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Short Stories, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller
In this short detective story, a privileged yet unworldly young woman embraces a deadly habit as a means to deal with her anger and grief while living in one of the world’s most beautiful cities—Rome. This story is a Derringer Award finalist. It first appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and appears in the larger collection, Daggyland #1, by the same author.
Sunshine Lady by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 9,990. Language: English. Published: December 20, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Ghost, Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction
Determined to exact revenge on an unfaithful husband, a beautiful witch has a dying wish: to be buried in a glass-topped tomb so the sun can always look upon her corpse. Inspired by a true story.
Glow by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 11,780. Language: English. Published: December 20, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction, Fiction » Horror » General
Two brothers stumble upon a website so entrancing that it marks them for death.
Skullworm by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 12,120. Language: English. Published: December 20, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Weird fiction, Fiction » Horror » General
A lovesick executive rents a hideous creature bred to nibble his cares away, with horrifying consequences.

Joseph D'Agnese's tag cloud

1950s    absurdist short story    appalachia    computer    country noir    crime    crime fiction    crime fiction short stories    curse    demon    demons    detective    detective crime fiction    devil    edward hopper    expat criminals    faustian bargain    female protagonist    femme fatale    garment district    ghost short story    ghost story    ghosts    graveyard    haunting    hitman    hoboken    horror    identical twins    international mystery and crime    italy    murder    music    mystery    new jersey    noir    noir short story    parasite    private eye    private investigator    psychotherapy tales    pulp fiction    rome    short mystery fiction    spirit    suburban drama    suburban housewife    suburban setting    suspense    tomb    witch    witchcraft   

Joseph D'Agnese's favorite authors on Smashwords

Lee Goldberg
Follow them on Twitter: @LeeGoldberg
Visit their website
View their blog