Introducing Gregory R. Meece -Author -Educator -Woodcarver
(but not necessarily in that order)
About Gregory Meece - Author
Writing
Education & Career
Education & Career
My passion for creative writing began in high school when an inspirational teacher recognized my desire to go beyond the required four years of English and pursue creative writing. She challenged me to produce a novel and gave me an independent study project: Write a novel. At age 17, I did just that! Well, I tried.
Now retired, I have rekindled my love of writing stories. In the past few years, I have been fortunate to find have found
homes for my short stories in almost 20 different anthologies, magazines, journals, and even a podcast!
Most of my stories are mysteries and crime fiction, but I have added literary and even comedy genres to my repertoire.
Education & Career
Education & Career
Education & Career
I graduated from the University of Delaware --thrice--having earned degrees in English, communication, and Educational Leadership.
I have enjoyed a long and rewarding career in education. I was founding director and head of school at Delaware's largest public school. What a wonderful experience--serving students from Kindergarten through college, starting two charter schools from scratch, and having a school campus named in my honor!
The Rest
Education & Career
The Rest
My other creative outlet is woodcarving. The last two years I exhibited at the Lancaster "Wonders in Wood" annual show. This little chickadee of mine took Best of Show!
My home is on what was once a Christmas tree farm (how sincere is that?) in Southeastern Pennsylvania. I enjoy reading, fishing, and assisting my neighbors as a taxi driver for the Amish community.
(photo credit: Michael Wine, Photographer)
My Stories
“Birds of a Feather” in Mystery Most Traditional anthology
Excerpt
He proudly recalled the morning when a busy blue-grey gnatcatcher stopped fluttering long enough to lounge on his garden fence. In doing so, it earned the singular honor of putting Alex’s list over the half-century mark. Watching birds was more relaxing than detective work—and a lot safer than watching criminals.
2023 - genre: traditional mystery
My Stories
"Once a Thief" in Larceny & Last Chances anthology
Excerpt
The jury stared at her as if she were a circus freak on display for their horror and amusement, and Gemma remembered the schoolgirl she’d once been, the one described by her teachers as shy, polite, studious…
And a thief.
2024 - genre: traditional mystery
My Stories
"Lifestyle Changes" in Thriller Magazine
Excerpt
As Edward plopped his cell phone into his glass of bourbon, he heard his doctor’s final words bubbling through the whisky: 'But we’ll still need to talk about making a few lifestyle changes….'
And then he heard the sirens.
2024 - cross genre: crime fiction/comedy
My Stories
"Up in Smoke" in Black Cat Weekly
Excerpt
By habit, Benny craned his neck to take in the height of the stack. But instead of his eyes making the return trip back down, something fixed his gaze at its apex. A pair of brown loafers. They appeared to be attached to a pair of ankles.
2023 - genre: traditional mystery
My Stories
"A Personal Penance" in Punk Noir Magazine
Excerpt
“Bless me Father, for I have sinned.”
“When was your last confession?”
“Geez—maybe ten years?”
“God forgives.”
2024 - cross genre: mystery/crime fiction/microfiction
My Stories
"The Ticking Tomb" in Love Letters to Poe, Volume III: Tales Torn From the Heart anthology
Excerpt
The mysterious grave lies in a small cemetery behind a stone church nestled beside the White Clay Creek. Its location is important to the legend. It’s also where I killed a member of the Poesies Women’s Club. The members voted me out, understandably, after the murder.
2024 - genre: traditional mystery
My Stories
"Ashes to Ashes" in Bristol Noir
Excerpt
Monk supported Angela’s elbow, not because she was a woman but because of what she held between her hands—the remains of her late husband’s body.
2024 - genre: mystery/crime fiction
My Stories
"A Funny Name" in Kings River Live
Excerpt
As he drove away, I smiled inside. 'Ertle McDoodle,' I said to myself. 'Bet he got kidded a lot in school.' That was the last I saw the man or thought about his funny name. Until I read his obituary a week later.
2024 - genre: mystery
My Stories
"Back for Seconds" in The Yard: Crime Blog
Excerpt
The unsuspecting are no match for the professional pickpockets and purse snatchers who are ever vigilant, ready to prey on them. Truthfully, people like the Mannerlings hardly 'see' them at all. The unlucky and disadvantaged are invisible to them—until they get in their way.
2023 - genre: crime fiction
My Stories
"At the End of a Taut Line" in Willows Wept Review
Excerpt
Stretched out on the patio bricks, his suffocating gills folded and unfolded like a bird with an injured wing trying to get off the ground. Finally, the fish’s eyes betrayed his fear as the axe crashed into his skull for the last time.
2024 - genre: literary fiction
My Stories
"What Were the Chances" in Fabula Arentea
Excerpt
That’s when it struck me. I didn’t need to convince the boss that I was the superior actuary. That, as our agents in marketing would have said, would have been a 'hard sell.' No, I just had to eliminate my competition.
2024 - cross-genre: crime fiction/comedy
My Stories
"Collateral Damage" in Flash Fiction Magazine
Excerpt
Trailing the beast as I perched on the sulky, I had difficulty seeing what was ahead. A sense of unease took hold as the monster clawed its way deeper into the brush. Only after it had torn through a section could I see the remnants of the meadow that were ejected. The machine seemed alive as its teeth gnashed the first swath, almost begging me to turn it around, so it could gorge itself on more territory.
2024 - genre: literary fiction
My Stories
"Next Time I'll Take the Off-Ramp From Memory Lane" in CafeLit Magazine
Excerpt
Sister Assumpta, the principal, invited me to tour what she fondly called ‘Good Old St. Richard School For Boys.’ Back then, we boys disparagingly referred to it as ‘Saint Dick.’ You can imagine what we would have nicknamed Sister Assumpta.
2024 - genre: comedy
My Stories - Coming Soon!
The Blessings of Old Friends - Coming to Witcraft
Excerpt
“I did not like you very much, Percival. Not at the time, anyway. Which is not to say that I hated you.”
“Nuance obfuscates. Say what you mean, Theodore.”
“Hating implies activity. ‘Not liking’ is passive.”
“You would agree that murdering me was active—quite aggressive, really.”
Coming to Witcraft in October 21, 2024 - genre: comedy
Blood Trail - Coming to Freedom Fiction Journal
Excerpt
Joanne Nash, our realtor, shared Reynard Farm’s history, but we later discovered she had omitted crucial details to secure the sale. Had we known of our new home’s backstory, we would have quickly reconsidered.
Freedom Fiction Journal August 6, 2024 - genre: horror
Volunteers - Coming to Canary (a literary journal that explores one's engagement with the natural
Excerpt
He treated his plants as he did his children—nurturing them with love as he watched them grow.
Coming to Canary Lit Journal 2025 - genre: horror
My Stories - Coming in 2025
"Senior Call-Up" Coming to Crimeucopia's What the Butler Didn't See anthology
Excerpt
The next day, Mildred was hard at work on her crossword puzzle. She found herself stuck on number seventeen-across—Moonwalking superstar. "It starts with a ‘J’ and has seven letters. Doesn’t look like ‘Armstrong’ will fit. Any ideas Mr. Patches?” Mr. Patches continued to purr as he sat on Mildred’s lap. His expression suggested what he might be thinking: How about a three-letter word for ‘to stroke affectionately?’ Begins with a ‘P.’
Coming 2025 - genre: cozy mystery
"Quitter" - Coming to The Writers' Journal - Live & Learn
Excerpt
Grasping for the side, my fingers slipped off the coping’s wet tiles. Frantically sucking air, I was unable to use my voice, so I relied on my eyes to plead for rescue. The instructor lifted me out by my armpits. Pool water dripped down my face, disguising the tears.
Coming December 2024 - genre: memoir
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