The Short and Long of It

The Whiter Places by Christopher Allen @ Cazart

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:01:56 +0200

The Whiter Places by Christopher Allen @ Cazart:

Short story prize winning story over at Cazart. Like most of Christopher’s work, full of heart.

What Would Mrs Beeton Do? by Angela Readman @ 1000words

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:01:26 +0200

What Would Mrs Beeton Do? by Angela Readman @ 1000words:

Angela Readman is fast becoming a favourite of mine. This story of (possible) adultery and the terrible burden of suspicion is another slice of short short greatness. Thank goodness for Mrs Beeton.

One of the many stories being posted over on 1000 Words in celebration of National Flash Fiction Day on May 16th.

Idle Hands by Calum Kerr @ Ink, Sweat and Tears

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:02:46 +0200

Idle Hands by Calum Kerr @ Ink, Sweat and Tears:

A cautionary tale of how dangerous having time to think can be. A well drawn short with a beautifully deadpan ending.

The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics by John Baker @ The Pygmy Giant

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:03:55 +0200

The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics by John Baker @ The Pygmy Giant:

The certainty of irreversibility in relationships. Thermodynamic entropy explained through the filter of a dying love. Smashing.

Etgar Keret reading ‘What Do We Have In Our Pockets’ from his...

Sun, 06 May 2012 12:03:14 +0200

Etgar Keret reading ‘What Do We Have In Our Pockets’ from his new collection Suddenly, a Knock on the Door. A masterclass in giving the most mundane of objects meaning while silmultaneously showing (not telling) character. A prime example of the sort of wonderful short short that Keret does so well.

Sylvia and Me by Angela Readman @ Friction

Sat, 05 May 2012 12:02:10 +0200

Sylvia and Me by Angela Readman @ Friction:

Flash essay. All the more insightful and affecting for its brevity. And a killer last line.

Voltage by Meg Tuite @ Word Riot

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:01:09 +0200

Voltage by Meg Tuite @ Word Riot:

A sparse piece of flash with a devastating effect. A prime example of the power of a well written short short.

14 Ideas by Kristen Felicetti @ Metazen

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:02:11 +0200

14 Ideas by Kristen Felicetti @ Metazen:

14 (great ideas) here. I want to put number three into a story. Which one do you want?

The Sound of the Modern Lonely by Angela Readman @ The Pygmy Giant

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:46:00 +0200

The Sound of the Modern Lonely by Angela Readman @ The Pygmy Giant:

A beautifully sustained look at loneliness as contagion. Seriously lovely little bit of fiction.

Take That by Ethel Rohan @ Metazen

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:02:04 +0200

Take That by Ethel Rohan @ Metazen:

Because sometimes punching something inanimate over and over and over is the only sane response.

He Is In The Sea Itself by Delaney Nolan @ Metazen

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:03:33 +0200

He Is In The Sea Itself by Delaney Nolan @ Metazen:

The (pun intended) depth of this piece is what strikes me most. I like the possibility of the narrator’s unreliability. I like the images of the welder and the habitat and the pillars, all sunk under a weight of water.

“Confession that is almost entirely not about fucking” by N.T. @ Specter Magazine

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:02:57 +0200

“Confession that is almost entirely not about fucking” by N.T. @ Specter Magazine:

I love list stories. This one’s a keeper.

Cars and Rocks by Neil Campbell @ Horizon

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:02:26 +0200

Cars and Rocks by Neil Campbell @ Horizon:

Opening story from Pictures from Hopper. Rather brilliant it is too.

Here’s the Hopper painting that inspired it.

She'll Leave You For A Man by Kirsty Logan @ National Flash Fiction Day

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:06:57 +0200

She'll Leave You For A Man by Kirsty Logan @ National Flash Fiction Day:

A highly commended story from the National Flash Fiction Day Microfiction Competition. Great piece of spare prose that is brimming with tension, conflict and meaning.

I Wish I Sat Under Trees More: An Interview with Sheila Heti @ HTMLGIANT

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:01:07 +0200

I Wish I Sat Under Trees More: An Interview with Sheila Heti @ HTMLGIANT:

An interesting glimpse into her writing process for The Middle Stories.

You can listen to one of The Middle Stories, The Man From Out of Town here.

Totem by Calum Kerr @ The Pygmy Giant

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:01:06 +0200

Totem by Calum Kerr @ The Pygmy Giant:

A piece flooded with imagery. The mundane made sacred.

Calum Kerr is a writer, lecturer and director of National Flash-Fiction Day. For more about his stories go to www.calumkerr.co.uk.

Fuck You Superman by Ian Brown @ PANK

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:45:43 +0200

Fuck You Superman by Ian Brown @ PANK:

I’m assuming this isn’t THE Ian Brown, though it would be great if it is. FYS brims with the disappointment and loss felt when someone isn’t what they promised or appeared to be.

Lost by Emily Cleaver @ Flashpoints

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:01:33 +0200

Lost by Emily Cleaver @ Flashpoints:

Part of the excellent Flashpoints mass writing event.

You can find out how to contribute you own flashpoint by reading the FAQ.

Lost is a great example of what can be done with a piece of location specific flash fiction.

Five Nightmares by Marcus Speh @ The Rusty Nail

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:53 +0200

Five Nightmares by Marcus Speh @ The Rusty Nail:

5 slices of dark imagery and twisted narrative. Something for everyone.

Dorothy’s Shoes by Sara Crowley @ > kill author

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:25:26 +0200

Dorothy’s Shoes by Sara Crowley @ > kill author:

A sadly beautiful short short story about the final moments of short story author and novelist Dorothy Edwards.