Please welcome Dana Green, who is not only a Maine crime writer but also has an important book-related story to share.
Maine storytellers of crime, mysteries, suspense, and mayhem, oh my!
by Dana Green
It is one day before my second favorite holiday. Halloween is the most fitting day for me to scream Hallelujah from Bucksport.
If you’re not aware, my first published book (previously my focus was the magazine world) hit the streets on June 12th – Maine – A Short Story Collection: Mysteries of Rural & Seacoast Life. It holds a dozen of my favorite five-star cozy mysteries, notorious crime-thrillers along with fictional memoirs of growing up in small town Maine during the 1960-70’s. Yes, my fellow readers – no cell phones!
My collection holds in its palm the 2026 Next Generation Short Story Award – Silver Medal winner: “This World Will Remember Me.” As a native Mainer I am proud of this honor – category — for writers over the age of 70. The night of May 19, 2026, at 9:59 PM when my email cha chinged with the news this 72 y/o cancer patient did a happy dance. It is a moment I shall never forget.
I have non curable cancer (Waldenstrom’s disease) which means that once diagnosed a patient can have a life expectancy of 5 to 8 years. I just crossed year number six. My doctors at Dana Farber are impressed with my current state of mind, healthy outlook, and drive. I told my oncologist it is because the 2026 Next Generation Award gave me hope and a reason “to keep my head above water.”
Then the other shoe dropped on July 23. I received a letter of encouragement from Anushka Rajesh, Awards Coordinator for the Next Generation Short Story Awards — encouraging me to submit my paperback edition to the – IBA – Indie Book Awards — for consideration in the short story book of 2026. I am in the running as of October 1st. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.
My wife and I have been overwhelmed with the success of my first short story book. We have set up a charity book project for my fellow cancer patients in our region with the sponsorship of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center (Ellsworth/Baileyville, Maine). We currently have 200+ patients and caregivers in three counties that we are supplying with reading materials (hardcover, paperback, and magazines). My premier published book along with gifted books from my fellow Maine authors — are being delivered to patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the regional Dana Farber oncology center. The three-country patient region (Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook) has a dozen patient and caregiver support groups. The travel area — 12,500 square miles!
As of this writing we have been blessed with financial support from several Maine Knights of Columbus councils, businesses, charitable organizations, libraries, friends, and relatives. Special “shoutout and thanks” for two Maine Crime Writers (Kathy Lynn Emerson & Matt Cost – for supplying copies of their books). We need more help. As a reader of this blog please consider supporting our cause. Hardcover and paperbacks accepted with our warmest thanks and gratitude. With the utmost respect — thank you to all of Maine’s remarkable authors.
Happy Halloween!
