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Michael Downing

@kmwriter01.bsky.social

1.2K followers 1.3K following 300 posts

Writer. Literacy advocate. Playwright ("Still Black Remains"). Surfer. Activist. Everything New Jersey- attitude, edginess & Springsteen songs (but not Bon Jovi). 2x Pushcart Nominee. SAINTS of the ASPHALT release: 6/24 downingfiction.com #CrimeFiction

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jun 6

SAINTS of the ASPHALT.

A story about hard choices, broken heroes, and second chances on the streets of Atlantic City summer of 1997.

Out June 24th.

More to follow....

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · 14d

Love this!!! Congratulations!!!!

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Reposted by Michael Downing

Literary Garage @literarygarage.bsky.social · 27d

Today we're featuring @raymondbrunell.bsky.social's story "The Black Lung Gospel" in our Short Fiction section.

The story has a strong, distinctive voice that combines Appalachian Gothic, Southern noir, & gritty American realism.

Check it out below:
literarygarage.com/the-black-lu...

The Black Lung Gospel | Literary Garage

literarygarage.com

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Reposted by Michael Downing

Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · 29d

AVAILABLE NOW: When the dog makes the heist.
When life gives you a chance to make a connection after all these years.
One swing of the machete solves all your problems . . .
Best eaten cold? Small-town revenge stays hot for years. Order your copy of RHP #15 today: amzn.to/4peTqW6

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Sep 7

Congrats!!!!

Reposted by Michael Downing

Andrew Monge @muchadoaboutnil.bsky.social · Sep 5

What starts as a simple convenience-store robbery morphs into so much more in @kmwriter01.bsky.social’s “The Way It Works.” If you’re not reading Michael’s work, you’re truly missing out. His broken characters and gritty settings make for some of my favorite noir stories in recent memory.

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Sep 1

-Crescent City Brewhouse
-The hotel Fitness Center
-Channeling my inner Bourdain in search of the best beignet, muffulettas, and jambalaya....
-wandering around with the love of my life, with no destination, just taking in the sights and sounds of NOLA

Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Sep 1

Other places you might find me in NOLA(in no order of relevance or importance):
-Interesting panels (there's a wide variety of cool topics and panelists to choose from EVERY DAY)
-The hotel bar
-Bourbon Street
-Cool dive bars (Maple Leaf- Snake & Jake's- Le Bon Temps Roule)
-Willie's Chicken Shack

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Sep 1

This week in #NOLA. If you're going to #Bouchercon, stick around until Sunday AM & check out our panel on "Short Stories- Creating Memorable Characters".

Grab your coffee & a few beignets, then settle in for a fun panel

#Bouchercon #crescentcity

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Reposted by Michael Downing

Keith Roysdon @keithroysdon.bsky.social · Aug 19

What a lineup of great authors including friends @libbycudmore.bsky.social @magonzales.bsky.social @kmwriter01.bsky.social @mikemchone.bsky.social and more greats in the new @rhppress.bsky.social

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Aug 9

Might have to keep hitting the “like” button to get TRUE ROMANCE added to your list!

Great list btw

Reposted by Michael Downing

Literary Garage @literarygarage.bsky.social · Aug 7

This week’s new short story has a Jim Thompson meets Jordan Harper feel. Gritty, sparse noir with the cold logic of violence from @mikemchone.bsky.social

Check it out - we think you'll love it:

literarygarage.com/an-american-...

#Fiction #IndieLit #NoSafeStories #shortstory

An American Romance | Literary Garage

literarygarage.com

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Reposted by Michael Downing

C.W. Blackwell @cwblackwell.bsky.social · Jul 18

Today’s the day!!

It’s release day for WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN, 12 crime stories of heartbreak, violence, and revenge. Now available in ebook and paperback! #releaseday #crimefiction

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jul 18

"The times are tough now, just getting tougher."
Springsteen

24 hours left to grab a free copy of SAINTS of the ASPHALT - for readers who like fiction raw, real, & gritty.
Basketball too...

We’re giving away 50 copies.

Enter Here:

www.goodreads.com/giveaway/ent...

#bookgiveaway #Springsteen

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jul 17

I cannot wait!

Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jul 17

Tomorrow: 7/18 is the release of @cwblackwell.bsky.social ‘s WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN…been waiting for this one & I can’t wait to tear into it!

Grab your copy!!!

Rock and a Hard Place @rhppress.bsky.social · Jul 17

THIS FRIDAY from @rhppress.bsky.social: Read what @jamesdfhannah.bsky.social
says about WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN--stories of heartbreak and hope from Derringer Award winner @cwblackwell.bsky.social. Don't miss picking up this collection. Pre-order your copy today: amzn.to/4nQ5bl7

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jul 4

Thanks Gabino-

A fallen basketball star. A broken hometown. One last shot at redemption.

Saints of the Asphalt is a raw, emotional & unflinching story about redemption, resilience & the fight to reclaim your future when the past won't let go.

Amazon:

a.co/d/iuksWQ9

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Reposted by Michael Downing

C.W. Blackwell @cwblackwell.bsky.social · Jul 4

Thanks, Gabino! WHATEVER KILLS THE PAIN drops in two weeks!

“In this gritty collection of crime stories, award-winning author C.W. Blackwell mourns an America lost to the shadows, exploring a broken economic system that has given rise to rampant inequality, violence, and darkness.”

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jul 4

New trailer for SHE RIDES SHOTGUN.

The book was fantastic - one of my favorite reads- and the movie looks just as great.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Check out the trailer then read the book again (or the other way around), then go wait in line at the movie theater (if people still do that):

youtu.be/U9OkHjOnQPg

She Rides Shotgun (2025) Official Trailer - Taron Egerton, Ana Sophia Heger

YouTube video by Lionsgate Movies

youtu.be

Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jul 2

Even the dog can’t stop barking about it…SAINTS of the ASPHALT is out now…a story about lost dreams, second chances, love & basketball.

Grab a copy today (no bite marks on the paperback copies, promise).

Grab it on Amazon:
a.co/d/9HDyEDK

#saintsoftheasphalt #bookrelease #basketball

Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jun 25

Thank you very much!!!! Very much appreciated!!!

Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jun 25

Thanks Beau!!!! Appreciate it!

Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jun 24

Today's the day - Out Now:

SAINTS of the ASPHALT
A fallen basketball star. A broken hometown. One last shot at redemption.

Before you pour yourself another cup of coffee, grab a copy on Amazon for $1.99

a.co/d/a77HtQu

#bookrelease #basketball #SAINTSoftheASPHALT

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jun 24

Thanks very much Joel- greatly appreciated!!!!

Reposted by Michael Downing

Joel Nedecky @joelnedecky.bsky.social · Jun 24

Happy pub day to @kmwriter01.bsky.social

Looking forward to his novel, SAINTS OF THE ASPHALT, out today.

#crimefiction

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Michael Downing @kmwriter01.bsky.social · Jun 21

He’s excellent at fast-paced narratives…just moves from point A to Point B quickly.