A few months ago, I came across a short story collection by Cory Magee, a crime writer based in Brewer, Maine. I recently finished his debut collection, Chasing Butterflies and Other Stories.

The collection opens with a powerful story about a man who makes a series of self-destructive choices after the loss of a child. It’s a strong, difficult start. The collection ends with a propulsive and violent story of friendship and aging. In between, you’ll find a hitman wrestling with his conscience and a ruthless bounty hunter willing to do whatever it takes to collect his mark.

Magee is one of the authors participating in the Night of Noir in Bangor on October 17. He agreed to share a little about his writing journey with our readers today.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Brewer, Maine, with my wife, Jaimie, and our two pitbulls. We lost our daughter, Shaelyn, in 2024. She is a part of every moment we have.

In your collection, you explore loss and grief in the first story, “Chasing Butterflies.” I’ve heard some writers say that they have a “core story” or the idea that certain themes come up over and over again in their work. Do you have central themes that surface in your writing?

I think I write what I read and what I feel. Most of the stories I published were written after we lost our daughter. My hope is to tell a good story, provide some unsettling clarity, and, in the end, maybe find some hope.

I’m wondering if you can share a little with us about some of the things that have influenced your writing?

This is something I could probably talk or write about for days, so I’ll do my best to quantify it fairly quickly. My writing is probably classified as hard-boiled/crime noir. Influences include our daughter Shaelyn, Stephen King, Raymond Carver, Lawrence Block, Charles Bukowski, Richard Stark, George Pelecanos, and many, many more. I’ve also been influenced by musicians like The Lawrence Arms and Queens of the Stone Age and movies, like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. And the best streaming show I’ve ever seen is The Haunting of Hill House.

Yes! You actually suggested Richard Stark to me when I was dipping my toes into heists. I’ve been working my way through his canon. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

When I was young, we used to get the paper, and I would read the sports page box scores and copy them down. It was a very simple thing, but it rings true for me today. The idea of taking an event that happened and putting it on paper resonated with me early on and eventually evolved into me wanting to tell my own stories.

Tell us a little about your short story collection.

I was frustrated with getting rejected by short story publications, especially since I thought some of my stories were good. After we had our daughter and she passed, I couldn’t write or do much of anything for a while. Then I wrote a bunch, read a bunch, and decided, these stories are actually good. Or, at least, good enough for somebody. My wife encouraged me to publish on my own, so I invested some money and picked ten of about twenty stories that I thought had both grit and heart. I organized them into the collection, read through them, and thought they were pretty good, so I went with it.

I love learning about how other people decide to get their stories into the world. One thing I’ve figured out is there is no one right way. What are you working on now?

My current goal is to write a book of novellas—maybe four or five in a collection. I had ten short stories in the first book, and I’d like to test my feet with a few stories that are longer in form. My hope is to have the writing done by late next spring and then publish them in some form.

How do you balance writing with the other responsibilities that come with being an adult?

I have a sales job that affords me a little more time to read and write. My goal, on my best days, is to be active, read, make a sale, and write.

What is your writing process? When do you write? Do your plots come first? Or characters?

I typically write when it’s dark. On my best days, I wake up around 5:15 a.m., read for a half hour, write for a half hour, do busy work for my job, then go for a run or lift weights. I also tend to write around 8:00 p.m.

I’d say I’m more character- and dialogue-driven than plot. If I find a character I enjoy or one that makes me feel uncomfortable, I know I’m in business and I press forward.

What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring writer?

Read a ton. Write as much as you can. And if you like doing it, make it a priority.

Thank you so much for your time, Cory. I can’t wait to hear what you read at the Night of Noir in Bangor on October 17, and I’m really looking forward to reading whatever comes next.

You can find Cory’s book HERE.

A Few Crime Writing Events

Crime Wave in Portland: A great many amazing crime writers will descend on the city. On Friday, September 26, join us for a tour of the Maine Historical Society’s “Notorious” exhibit, then for a Noir at the Bar at Novel. On Saturday, September 27, register for Crime Wave if you haven’t already! There will be great roundtables, workshops, and speakers. (More info HERE.)

A Night of Noir at BookSpace in Bangor: On October 17, join 11 amazing writers as we dive into dark and twisty tales with a motley crew of Maine’s mystery, thriller, and true crime storytellers. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and readings start at 7:00 p.m. (Email me if you’re interested in learning more using my author website HERE.)

Witches of Eastport Festival: On October 25, join six mystery, horror, and true crime writers at Boatload of Books for “Mystery Making and Ghost Stories.” Be part of an interactive experience as writers build stories with ideas from the audience. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. (Email me if you’re interested in learning more using my author website HERE.)

The New England Crime Bake: November 7-9, join 200+ crime writers for New England’s premier crime writing conference. Crime Bake is a crime-writing conference held outside Boston and co-sponsored by the New England chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. With an emphasis on community, connection, and craft, our three-day conference welcomes cozy old and new friends. From querying and pitching books and learning the business of writing to basking in the love of cozy mystery, suspense, procedurals, and thrillers, Crime Bake is for writers at any stage of their journey—and anyone who loves mystery and crime writing.

This year there will be:

• Master classes taught by acclaimed authors and industry professionals
• Headshots with a professional photographer
• An agents and editors track where authors refine, practice, and pitch to acquiring agents and editors
• Sessions on the business of writing, from indie publishing to marketing
• Sunday sessions from real-life experts in crime
• Connections with writers and authors at all levels
• An interactive crime scene to explore (and solve!) by Dr. James Jabbour
• And much, much more!
• More about Crime Bake HERE.

Thanks for reading and I hope I catch you at one of the amazing scheduled events.

-Gabi