To begin this post, I would like to publicly thank all of the firefighters who have risked their lives to battle the Los Angeles fires. Because of their sacrifices, my home and my family are safe. Who could ask for more? And it’s not just Los Angeles firefighters, either. Over 100 Mexican bomberos have joined the effort (¡Gracias!). So have hundreds of firefighters from Canada (Thank you! Merci!), South Africa (Thank you! Ngiyabonga!), and of course, all over the US (Thanks to all of you!). And I’m sure they won’t be the only ones. Truly, firefighters are heroes, and I don’t use that word lightly. So are the thousands of other first responders who are helping survivors of the fires.

But here’s the thing. Los Angeles and the other affected parts of Southern California will not be magically put to right once the fires are out. It will take years and lots of effort. With such a monumental task ahead of us all, I can’t sit by and do nothing. Not when a disaster like this strikes within 2-300 km of where I live. So, I’ve decided to do something about it.

I will be editing a charity anthology of Los Angeles-based crime fiction stories, the proceeds to be donated to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund. Along with meeting immediate needs, they also support rebuilding, mental health care, housing, and other assistance.

And that’s where you can come in. If you’re a crime writer, I’d love for your story to be included in this anthology. You’ll be doing a lot of good by doing what you do best. If you’re interested in contributing a story, here are the guidelines:

• This anthology is open to all writers, wherever you live. International contributions welcome!
• Each story should take place in, or be about, or focus on, Los Angeles. It’s a big and diverse place, so lots of possibilities there!
• I’m hoping for stories of between 1,500-8,000 words. That’s a guideline, not an absolute.
• Whether you write light, cozy crime fiction, comic-caper, deep-black noir, or anything in between, your contribution is welcome. I’m hoping for a real variety of stories.  Please, no stories in which children or animals are harmed, and please, no explicit gore or sex.
• You will retain the individual rights for your stories.
• Please send me your contributions by 15 April, 2025. I’m hoping for a release date in the fourth quarter of this year.

If you want to be a part of this (and I hope you do!), please contact me (mmkinberg(at)gmail(dot)com)! I’m looking forward to working with you and doing our part to help!

If you’d rather not participate, that’s fine, too. But I would really appreciate your spreading the word. Thank you!

As for those of you who contribute to crime fiction by reading it, I’ll be really glad of your help when the time comes for the anthology to be published!

ps. The photo is of the set for Alfred Hitchock’s Psycho. Talk about your LA-based crime…

*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from Sheryl Crow’s All I Want to Do.