Cliffhanger Detective Agency

[DLFerguson]

Cliffhanger Detective Agency is interested in publishing "cases" (aka stories) that are pulp/serial/old time radio inspired. The actual story can cover any sub-genre (detective, sci-fi, fantasy, spy, adventure, horror, or any mixture of genres that your imagination can think of). As long as the stories have captured the atmosphere of the era, then I'm interested.

Does this include faux-Pulp like Indiana Jones, Hellboy, or Sky Captain? Yes and no. I would say Indiana Jones & Sky Captain are okay, but I'm trying to get away from comic based characters for this site (I'm not interested in
Hellboy - even though I loved the movie & comic). If I want comics, I'll go over to DCL or JLU: 2001 or any of the other comic fanfic sites. I want this site to be more than just comic fanfic. I guess I see Cliffhanger as being more a webzine than a fanfic site.

Original pulp stories are also welcomed. I'm looking for well plotted, well written stories that capture the pulp atmosphere/genre. What I am not interested in is ideas. Ideas are a dime a dozen. If you have an idea for a story, that's great. But what I'm interested in seeing is the story and not the idea. Write the story and then send it to me.

I don't normally accept stories sight unseen. I want to read the final story before I say I'll publish it (or not as the case may be). Naturally, there are exceptions to this rule but a writer needs to earn a reputation to qualify for such an exception. Either way, I reserve the final say as to what will or will not appear on the site (consider it one of the perks for paying the bills so the site can exist).

If you do send in a story and I (or Derrick) read it and we send it back with suggestions - we're not doing it to be mean. We're trying to help by making your story better. *Everyone* benefits from having constructive feedback.
A proof-reader will often catch things that the original author might miss.

I've known people who get angry/feel resentment when you offer feedback. If you're just interested in getting your ego stroked then this isn't the right place for you (we try to balance the ego stroking with constructive feedback as much as we can ;p). I prefer quality over quantity anyday. And an author who can do both... they are worth their weight in gold.

That's all for now.

Cheers,
Tim Hartin

CLIFFHANGER DETECTIVE AGENCY @ http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

[DLFerguson]

http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/secretorigins.html

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE ONE: "THE QUEEN OF ESCAPES"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws01.html
Serial Page: http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

It's 1935 and the Silver Screen legend, Gloria Swann - the
"Queen of Escapes" - is filming a new adventure serial in
the jungles of Brazil. While Gloria may reap the fame of her
films, it is her stunt double, Angela Morgan, who takes all
of the actual risks. Will Angela be able to survive the
latest death defying stunt? Does Gloria Swann want her to?
Find out in the first episode of "THE CLAWS OF THE CAT" Serial!
__________________________________________________ _____

SECRET ORIGINS OF THE CLIFFHANGER CASE FILES!
ISSUE ONE EXPOSÉ
By Derrick Ferguson (with additional words by Tim Hartin)
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/secretorigins.html

Learn the 'truth' behind the Cliffhanger Detective Agency.
Just what kind of power does James Bellamy have over Tim
Hartin and Derrick Ferguson? Why did we create this site in
his name? Read this exposé and learn that reality can truly
be stranger than fiction!
__________________________________________________ _____

Cheers,
Tim

[DLFerguson]

I've been talking things over with Derrick and then cleared
them with James Bellamy ;) and the focus/mission statement
of Cliffhanger Case Files is shifting slightly.

Instead of fanfic stories based on pulp/serial materials,
I'm interested in *original* stories based on pulp/serial
materials (no copyrighted/trademark characters). Course this
still allows the authors to create homage characters based
on their favourite pulp characters.

Why the change? There were several reasons. The main one is
roughly 90% of the current submissions are for original
material anyways.

I also wanted to avoid using other people's
copyrights/trademarks (and possibly avoiding any potential
legal fallout in the future and there's the ethical question
about using other people's property without their permission).

Naturally at Cliffhanger, the writer owns the copyright to
their own work. I just claim copyright on the HTML
presentation not the material written within.

All in all, I don't see this change having too much of an
impact on the site. I was leaning this way from the start
(calling the site a webzine and not a fanfic site, plus I'm
working on original material also) but just wanted to make
it clear for everyone. I guess I better get that link to the
submission guidelines up on the site then. ;)

Cheers,
Tim

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE TWO: "THE FALLS OF DEATH"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws02.html
Serial Page:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

Barely surviving her previous stunt, Angela Morgan
gets ready for the next one. Will Karl Braun's
precautions be enough for Angela to survive her trip
down the river, with her hands bound behind her
back? Or will she tumble over the falls instead?
Find out in the second episode of "THE CLAWS OF THE
CAT" Serial!

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE FOUR: "PRISONER OF THE AMAZONS!"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws04.html
Serial Page:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

Gloria Swann, the Queen of Escapes, knew that her career was
waning but she wasn't going to let the younger, Angela Morgan
steal her comeback from under her. Unfortunately for Gloria,
someone else had plans for her. Find out what in the fourth
thrilling episode of "THE CLAWS OF THE CAT!"
__________________________________________________ _________

THE STUFF THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
By Bertram Gibbs
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dreams.html

The staff at Cliffhanger Case Files are proud to present
Bert's excellent film noir inspired e-book for your viewing
pleasure. What's it about?

Jake Beal is independently wealthy, and acts, dresses and
speaks like a PI from the 1940's Warner Brothers films. His
beat is Hollywood and (with his best friend, LAPD detective
Chuck Pfizer) handles the 'weird' cases. Jake begins to see
dead actors and characters from films gone by, but no one else
does. Is Jake's obsession with the film detectives warping his
mind, or do these images pertain to the cases?

Humphrey Bogart said it best - it's "the stuff that dreams are
made of."

[DLFerguson]

I'm proud to announce that Derrick Ferguson's "Dillon And The
Bad Ass Belt Buckle" has found a home at Cliffhanger Case
Files. This and more in the next update.

Cheers,
Tim

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE FIVE: "THE FLIGHT TO DANGER!"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws05.html
Serial Page:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

This could be Angela Morgan's most dangerous stunt yet. She hopes the
biplane's pilot performs his side of the stunt or else the plane's
propeller could slice her in half. One wrong move on her part and the
consequences could prove to be fatal. As if that wasn't enough, there
was the dangers that lurked in the surrounding jungle. Make sure you
read the next exciting installment of "THE CLAWS OF THE CAT!"
__________________________________________________ _________

DILLON AND THE BAD ASS BELT BUCKLE #1
By Derrick Ferguson
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dillon_babb01.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dillon_home.html

Dillon, with help from his old partner Eli Creed, flew to Cambodia to
rescue the famous actress, Jenise Casile, from her rag-tag group of
kidnappers. Unfortunately, their getaway transportation didn't share
their luck. They are now stranded in the Cambodian jungles while on the
run. Will they find sanctuary in time? What about the man with the Bad
Ass Belt Buckle? You'll have to read on to find out. I'm not tellin'.

__________________________________________________ _________

MARTIAN SIXGUN JUSTICE #1
By Tim Hartin
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/martian001.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/martian.html

Journey to an alternate solar system much like our own with one notable
exception - life continues to thrive on Mars. The "/Green/" Martians
with their radiant emerald cities are located along the fertile coastal
regions of the Northern Sea while the wild, bestial Martian "/Devils/"
call the dry Highlands home. Smack in the middle of these two extremes
are the Terran frontier colonies.

Some human settlers not only adapt to life on Mars, but flourish. This
is the story of one such individual - a rusteater (a Martian "cowboy")
known as /Osiris Shiloh Wilde/ - who has a knack of finding trouble or
having it find him.
__________________________________________________ _________

Cheers,
Tim

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE SIX: "THE TEMPLE OF DOOM!"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws06.html
Serial Page: http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

Will Gloria Swann be able to escape her captors, the Cult of the Jaguar?
Will Angela Morgan be able to survive the film's latest "accident"?
Death is but a hair's width away for both women as they attempt to
survive the cunning machinations of El Gato Negra! To learn more, make
sure you read the next exciting installment of "THE CLAWS OF THE CAT!"
__________________________________________________ _________

DILLON AND THE BAD ASS BELT BUCKLE #2
By Derrick Ferguson
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dillon_babb02.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dillon_home.html

Forced to make a detour after rescuing Jenise Casile, Dillon and Eli
Creed now find themselves in a small hideaway, filled with an assortment
of scoundrels and rogues, known as Cheap Prayer. Unfortunately for our
heroes, getting out of Cheap Prayer won't be as easy as getting in. Not
if Kudro Mayoka, the Bad Ass of Cheap Prayer, has anything to say about
it! This and more in the latest thrilling chapter of "DILLON AND THE BAD
ASS BELT BUCKLE!"
__________________________________________________ _________

Other related things I'm working on...

I'm almost done with Martian Sixgun Justice #2 but I didn't want to hold
up the update while I do the final editing on my own story. It will be
ready for the next update though.

I'm also putting together a message board for the CCF site but I'm still
familiarizing myself with all the nitty gritty details. That should be
ready for the next update as well.

One thing I did get done is the pin-up calender that lists last year's
updates. The link is available from the New Cases page, but here is the
direct link:

http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/wwn2005.html

Cheers,

Tim

Cliffhanger Case Files
http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

[DLFerguson]

Greetings,

I'm ecstatic to announce that CCF will be showcasing Barry Reese's
latest pulp novel, LUCIFER'S CAGE, starting with the next update! This
is good news of the best kind. I'm honoured to have someone of Barry's
calibre writing at CCF. Welcome aboard, Barry.

Cheers,
Tim Hartin

Cliffhanger Case Files
http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE SEVEN: "A DARK PASSAGE!"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws07.html
Serial Page: http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

Gloria Swann has escaped her Amazonian captors, only to find herself
lost within their vast underground lair. Will she find help where she
least expects it? Or will she never see the light of day again? To find
out, make sure you read the next exciting installment of "THE CLAWS OF
THE CAT!"
__________________________________________________ _________

LUCIFER'S CAGE #1
By Barry Reese
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/rook001.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/luciferscage.html

Cliffhanger Case Files is proud to announce its newest series by the
ever-talented Barry Reese! It is 1936 and Max Davies is a haunted man...
haunted by visions of death and destruction. Brilliant and deadly, Max
must become something even worse than the villains he sees in his
dreams. He must become the Rook!
__________________________________________________ _________

MARTIAN SIXGUN JUSTICE #2
By Tim Hartin
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/martian002.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/martian.html

Pursued by the vengeful Barnaby Brothers, join Osiris Wilde as he
escorts two Terranfoot Archivists through the Martian Frontier were
danger lurks behind every rock. This and more awaits in the exciting
second chapter, "The Crimson Trail!"
__________________________________________________ _________

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

CLAWS OF THE CAT SERIAL
EPISODE EIGHT: "PANTHER'S RAGE!"
By Curt Fernlund
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws08.html
Serial Page: http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/claws.html

The mysterious "accidents" that have plagued the filming of Gloria
Swann's latest Serial in Brazil have not been accidents at all. A
mysterious group of Amazons are determined to chase all those involved
with the filming from their jungle at any cost. What does this mean for
the leading lady, Gloria Swann – The Queen of Escapes? What of her stunt
double, Angela Morgan? Will they discover the Amazon's plan? Will any of
them even survive their experience in the jungle? To find out, make sure
you read the next exciting installment of "THE CLAWS OF THE CAT!"
__________________________________________________ _________

DILLON AND THE BAD ASS BELT BUCKLE
CHAPTER THREE
By Derrick Ferguson
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dillon_babb03.html
Serial Page: http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/dillon_home.html

In a contest that may cost his life, Dillon has challenged Kudro Mayoka
for the right to wear the huge Belt, with the BAD ASS belt buckle, and the
rights that go with it – the control of the mercenary town of Cheap
Prayer. It's Dillon's only chance to get his longtime friend, Eli Creed,
and Jenise Casile, actress in distress, out of the surrounding Cambodian
jungle safely. Unfortunately, life is never that easy. To find out what
sort of wrench that life throws in Dillon's plans, you'll have to read
the issue!
__________________________________________________ _________

LUCIFER'S CAGE DOUBLE BILL!
ISSUE #2 and ISSUE #3
By Barry Reese
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/rook002.html
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/rook003.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/luciferscage.html

It's a Lucifer's Cage Double Bill! Has some sinister force followed Max
Davies to Atlanta, Georgia? Will his alter ego,the Rook, be enough to
thwart this evil? Find out in the next two exciting issues of LUCIFER'S
CAGE!
__________________________________________________ _________

THRILLING ADVENTURES #1
"Death Stalks the Underground"
By Travis Hiltz
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/d...derground.html
Series Page: http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/thrillingadventures.html

It is 1937 and the city is gripped by fear. Will Bunson and Stone,
intrepid G-men, with the aid of Meskin the Mystic, and ace reporter,
Sylvia Kessel, be enough to stop the monster that has been terrorizing
the city? A monster that can claw a man in half or melt solid stone? Or
will the sewers be their final resting place? Find out in THRILLING
ADVENTURES #1: DEATH STALKS THE UNDERGROUND!
__________________________________________________ _________

[DLFerguson]

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://www.paratime.ca/cliffhanger/

It's a Special Lucifer's Cage Update!

Has some sinister force followed Max Davies to Atlanta, Georgia? Will
his alter ego, the Rook, be enough to thwart this evil?
Compelled to hunt down the criminals of the world, the Rook exists
outside of the law! In the grim tradition of the Shadow, Doc Savage and
the Avenger, the Rook is a two-fisted dispenser of justice! Now's your
chance to read the whole e-novel!

http://paratime.ca/cliffhanger/luciferscage.html

Cheers,
Tim
Chief of Operations/Founder

[DLFerguson]

Cliffhanger Case Files (CCF) has a new look on the web. I'm in the
process of revampling and relaunching CCF! Some of the pages may still
have the old format but these will change with time. Please be patient
as things get switched over to the new look. While you are at CCF, make
sure you check out our latest stories...

New at Cliffhanger Case Files:
http://cliffhangercasefiles.com/
__________________________________________________ _________

CLAWS OF THE CAT
Complete E-Novel By Curt Fernlund
http://cliffhangercasefiles.com/claws.html

It's 1935 and the Silver Screen legend, Gloria Swann – the "Queen of
Escapes" - is filming a new adventure serial in the jungles of Brazil.
While Gloria may reap the fame of her films, it is her stunt double,
Angela Morgan, who takes all of the actual risks. Will Angela be able to
survive the death defying stunts? Does Gloria Swann want her to? Is
there something in the Jungle that threatens them all?
__________________________________________________ _________

DILLON AND THE ESCAPE FROM TOSEGIO
Dillon Prequel By Derrick Ferguson
http://cliffhangercasefiles.com/dillon.html

The Blessed Swords Of Ramoseda, the warrior clan who serve as the
bodyguards of the royal family of Tosegio, are in hot pursuit of Dillon.
These skilled warriors are reknown for their physical prowess and
advanced technology. Dillon is trying to stay one step ahead of his
pursuers – his life depends on it. Add the impossibly beautiful Princess
Sathyra to the mix and the situation goes from bad to worse. You'll have
to read further if you want to find out just how bad things are for Dillon.
__________________________________________________ _________

THE REGULATOR
Complete E-Novel By Dave Hardy
http://cliffhangercasefiles.com/regulator.html

Trouble is brewing in Durango, down on the Border. People are
disappearing. There are a dozen murders a week. The drug gangs are
running rampant. The Mexican cops are all too scared or too crooked to
be of any help. The Texas cops can't help, and the Border Patrol sticks
to catching illegals. There appears to be nothing that anyone can do.
Except perhaps one man…

From out of Texas's past comes a man dedicated to seeing justice done,
even if he has to do it himself. The Regulator, a crime-fighting cowboy
on the violent 21st century frontier!
__________________________________________________ _________

Cheers,
Tim Hartin

Chief of Operations,
Cliffhanger Case Files