Flash Fiction Sunday Edition

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Mark Dennis Anderson

“The Downed” by Becca Borawski Jenkins via conc?s

An incredible specimen of micro-flash that suggests so much using so little. I love how, depending on how one chooses to read it, it can be either dark/dramatic or dark/comedic.

“Restraint” by Michael Conley via The Pygmy Giant

I love how this captures what I (and presumably many others) imagine/feel from time to time while observing others in public. Attention writers: Use this as a writing prompt!

“Luke Makes a Martini” by Rebecca Chekouras via Pure Slush

Narrowly focused with engaging, sensory description, this delightful flash fiction story pulls you in, kisses your forehead, then hilariously slaps you across the face.

“The Egg” by Regan Smith via REVOLVER READER

Flash fiction like this demonstrates just how powerful surrealism and metaphor can be to convey deep human emotion while simultaneously telling a vivid, entertaining story.

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Mark Dennis Anderson

“A Big Girl’s Guide to Love” by Natalie Lima via Word Riot

Not only is this flash piece a delightful blend of humor and heartbreak, it’s a realistic and complex depiction of the ongoing struggles that come with building and rebuilding self-esteem. Lima’s second person, how to style, is apt and skillful; I can’t think of any person who wouldn’t benefit (or be entertained) from reading this story.

“The Canoeing Joint” by Matthew Dexter via The Molotov Cocktail

Slightly disturbing and somewhat graphic, “The Canoeing Joint” could be described as the unlikeliest Father’s Day story. Then again, Dexter’s obvious skill with language and love of surreal imagery is pure reading delight.

“Charges” by Ben Berman via Flash Frontier

I love this flash fiction story for uniquely capturing the angst and undeniable charge of adolescence.

“Dad’s Christmas Presence” by Emily C. Skaftun via Every Day Fiction

This story skillfully blends dark humor with touching—and sometimes annoying—fatherly love.

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Jim Landwehr

“Jar of Hope” by Renuka Raghavan via Flash Fiction Magazine

At the height of summer, and firefly season this story resonated with me because it took me to that yard, that night. The ending caught me off guard and is perfect.

“Behind Curtain #3” by Kim Hanneman via Vestal Review

Stitches as centipedes put in by a sadistic madman with a staple gun provides some great imagery for this encounter in the trauma center. All this and a beautiful, hopeful ending to go along with it.

“Germs” by D.P. Southwell via First Stop Fiction

This one has the feel of an old Creepshow skit. In its brevity, it explores the life and death of a germophobe.

“Prepared” by Chris Ceravolo via Word Riot

If you’re one who has trouble at the ordering line, you’ll want to read this story. It starts so real and goes sideways into a fast food hell, of sorts.

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Mark Dennis Anderson

“How To Spend Your Time Before the Renegade Planet Makes it All Go Dark” by Justin Lawrence Daugherty via CHEAP POP

In poetry and flash alike, I never tire of high stakes how tos—they’re the perfect blend of expectation and surprise. This one in particular is a how to in terms of giving a title epic purpose.

“Sea of Love” by Maria Mutch via SmokeLong Quarterly

I am always delighted when I find effective and moving epic, literary flash fiction such as this. This is a story that proves it is indeed possible.

“Nyarlathotep” by H.P. Lovecraft via Flash Fiction Online

Classic, epic horror from a classic, epic writer. Few, if any [contemporary], authors can pull of sentences like these.

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Sara Codair

“For Our Light Affliction” by Stephen S. Power via Daily Science Fiction

This story rings true: it shows the power social media has to infect people. It’s also a hilarious portrayal of a religious figure adapting to the modern world.

“Ice Bucket” by Landon Godfrey via 100Words

It’s no small feat to write a complete story in a single 100 word sentence, but this author pulled it off beautifully. I love how it builds, getting more surreal until ends with a few very real words.

“Playback” by Conor Yunits via Mash Stories

I enjoy fiction with a message, but I hate it when I feel like the author is preaching. This piece clearly illustrates the generational gap in western culture, but uses humor so the reader doesn’t get annoyed. This story made me laugh out loud and provoked thoughts about the way people speak.

“Night Swimming” by Jennifer Met via Foliate Oak Literary Magazine

I’ve been told I’m not to write stories that are mostly dreams, but this one does just that and it is spectacular. The beautiful language captures emotion through detailed imagery.

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Jeremy Joseph Light

“The Man in the Basement” by Joshua Rupp via Flash Fiction Online

This story is dripping in style and does an excellent job at creating an atmosphere. A great description of isolation.

“Dendros” by Sheryl Normandeau via Every Day Fiction

Vivid and visual, this piece has a lot of great action and energy.

“White Suit Devil” by Ben Talley via Flashes in the Dark

A great example of flash horror fiction! I enjoyed the tastefully written twist-ending.

“New Moon – A Flash Fiction Zombie Story” by Colin M. Drysdale via Colin M. Drysdale

Don’t be alarmed by the title. ‘New Moon’ is not a mormon vampire story. It’s a zombie story and happens to be excellent genre fiction.

Welcome to our ongoing Flash Fiction Sunday Edition.

If you are new here, we do this every Sunday.

We also publish 101 word Flash Fiction every day. We even deliver:

Subscribe to Flash Fiction Daily

— Shannon

Flash Fiction chosen by Mark Anderson

“Look” by Sarah Gailey via Cease, Cows

This flash piece does a fantastic job of taking a normal, human experience (having a baby) and altering it in new and hauntingly unexpected ways.

“An Egg” by Kiik A.K. via matchbook

‘An Egg’ demonstrates the power of flash as a viable form for historical fiction. Despite the ominous backdrop, this piece is a kaleidoscope for the senses. Read the author’s note for the extra punch.

“Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.” by Lucas Church via Booth

I love this flash piece for its mix of absurd, intellectual comedy and lucid, moving moments of clarity. Unpredictability at the sentence level like this is pure delight.

“John F. Kennedy” by Roxane Gay via Melville House Books

The strength of this piece of flash (historical) fiction is its narrow, intimate focus. I love how integral the title is. Without the title hovering overhead, this story would read completely differently.