Short Stories by Jason Starr

Short Stories Bloodlines, with Maggie Estep

Update March 10, 2007: BLOODLINES is a semi-finalist for the prestigious Castleton-Lyons THOROUGHBRED TIMES book award (see below)

Jason and Maggie Estep have edited an anthology of horse racing stories called Bloodlines, which was published to critcal acclaim by Vintage Books in late 2006. Contributors include: Jason Starr, Maggie Estep, Ken Bruen, Laura Hillenbrand, Jane Smiley, Jonathon Ames, Jerry Stahl, Lee Child, Daniel Woodrell, Laura Lippman, Joe R. Lansdale, Charlie Stella, Scott Phillips, Steven Crist, William Nack, Bill Barich, Meghan O'Rourke, James Surowiecki, Wallace Stroby, and others.

In June, 2007, Jason's story THE BASHER in will appear in Wall Street Noir (edited by Peter Spiegelman). In the fall 2007, look for Jason's stories in PARIS NOIR (edited by Maxim Jakubowski for Serpent's Tail), and EXPLETIVE DELETED (edited by Jennifer Jordan for Bleak House Books).

Other Short Stories Currently

In 2006, Jason had stories in Dublin Noir (edited by Ken Bruen), Hardboiled Brooklyn (edited by Reed Farell Coleman), and Damn Near Dead (edited by Duane Swierczynski). Available:

Over the Edge, in Meantime, edited by Jerry Sykes
Bianca's Wallet in the Barclelona Review (on-line)
The Christmas Card in The Richmond Review (on-line)
One Way Out, in Plots with Guns, edited by Anthony Neil Smith

Castleton Lyons-THOROUGHBRED TIMES book award semifinalists announced

Semifinalists Announced for Castleton Lyons-THOROUGHBRED TIMES Book Award

Semifinalists for the first annual Castleton Lyons-THOROUGHBRED TIMES Book Award, introduced to recognize top literary works relating to Thoroughbred racing, were announced in the March 10 weekly issue of THOROUGHBRED TIMES.

A panel of judges made up of recognized writers, authors, and editors selected ten titles to contend for the annual Book Award and the $10,000 first-place prize. Three finalists will be selected from this group in early April and the winner will be announced on April 14 at a reception held at Castleton-Lyons in Lexington, Kentucky.

The ten semi-finalists, in alphabetical order by title:

• The Best of the Saratoga Special, by Sean and Joe Clancy, features excerpts and articles highlighting the first five years of the popular publication Saratoga Special.

• Black Maestro, by Joe Drape, chronicles the life of Jimmy Winkfield, the last African-American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby.

• Bloodlines: A Horse Racing Anthology, edited by Maggie Estep and Jason Starr, is a collection of never-before-published racing stories by some of the world’s most recognized authors.

• Designing Speed in the Racehorse, by Ken McLean, provides pedigree analysis in an effort to isolate factors responsible for speed and stamina in the racehorse.

• A Fine Place to Daydream, by Bill Barich, is a memoir reflecting on six months spent following the 2003-’04 Irish steeplechase season.

• Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World, by Andrew Reichard, Jennifer Churchill, and Byron Rogers, is a nearly 1,000-page volume of information on 20th century Thoroughbred breeding.

• Horse Racing Coast to Coast: The Traveler’s Guide to the Sport of Kings, by Marlene Smith-Baranzini and Michael Walmsley, offers advice on visiting racetracks and local lodging, dining, and places of interest in cities across America.

• Man o’ War: A Legend Like Lightning, by Dorothy Ours, tells biographical stories of Man o’ War, his human connections, and most notable rivals.

• Racing My Father: Growing Up With a Racing Legend, by Patrick Smithwick, recalls the rewards and difficulties of growing up the son of a Racing Hall of Fame steeplechase jockey, A. P. “Paddy” Smithwick.

• Saving Leslie Jones: Rebirth of Spirit in Man and Horse, by Dave Joseph and John Kral, delves into the subject of racehorse rescue with a focus on work being done by such organizations as the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

For more information on the Castleton Lyons-THOROUGHBRED TIMES Book Award, the semifinalist titles, or how to submit a book for consideration for the 2007 award, please contact Mark Simon at Thoroughbred Times at (859) 260-9800.