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 Red Fox Fur Coat” by Teolinda Gersão via Threepenny

When I think of flash fiction, this is the story that comes to mind. From the delicious sensory detail to its brilliant pacing, I love this story for all its visceral and metaphorical qualities. I feel rejuvenated and transformed every time I read it.

“Brought to Shore” by Nicholas Olson via SmokeLong Quarterly

Touching but not sentimental, this flash fiction piece shines and shimmers for me like a stack of glossy photographs. It’s a perfect example of how a simple structure can create a complex effect. The final line echoed in my head hours after reading it.

“Beach Boys” by Michelle Meyers via decomP magazinE

Few flash pieces I’ve encountered handle the passing of time as well as this one. Every sentence stacks upon the previous sentence in perfect proportion so that by the end, the full effect feels both surprising yet inevitable.

“Sister vs. Sister” by Paul Beckman via Flash Fiction Musings for The Literary Minded

Unabashedly over-the-top, this story reminds me of a good, old-fashioned slapstick comedy sketch.

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 Jacob Schroeder.

“Woman of the Week” by Claire Polders via matchbook

‘There is a story in everyone,’ writes the author in her notes about this highly poignant story. How right she is, and how elegantly she shows it in this ‘week in the life’ of a woman.

“Determining the Gull Bone Index” by James Gapinski via SmokeLong Quarterly

Imagery plays such an important role in flash fiction, and this is some of the best I’ve seen yet. James Gapinski’s dream-like sequences take the reader on quite a ride in a short amount of time.

“A Passport to the Old Country” by Cezarija Abartis via Per Contra

This is a heart-wrenching story of loss. But more importantly, it is a story about how the past, no matter how tragic, can nurture us.

“And the Men Didn’t Sleep” by Nathaniel Tower via Rum Punch Press

I found this story to be a witty satire of the human condition as shown through the perception of gender roles. It turns out the basic desires—sex, rest, and food—of men and women aren’t so different after all.

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 Marshall Bowden.

“Who Needs Air?” by Brie Beach via FewerThan500

Fears of drowning, facing death, transitioning…into what? Brie Beach takes us through it all in less than 500 well-chosen words.

“Belle and Christian” by Claire Seymour via HYPERNOVA LIT

Very insightful examination of a relationship haunted by the ghost of a beautiful, damaged ex…‘a girl woven from music.’ Seymour had me there.

“Love Letters on the Nightmare Sea” by Rachael K. Jones via Flash Fiction Online

The sea again, this time a dream scape with strange creatures, maybe sea creatures, maybe aliens, and the writings of a departed love as protection. This piece definitely made me want to read more of Jones’ speculative 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 Jon Sindell.

“Petal, Feather, Particle” by Peg Alford Pursell via Matter Press

A story for both sides of your brain, with tender emotion laid over brilliant architecture. Too few stories delve so frankly into the emotional life of a parent.

“In the Black of Alaska” by Kara Vernor via Pamplemouss

A unique story that invites you to wander a wide universe. Bicycle bones as artifacts.

“Forever” by Jim Harrington via Story Shack

A nice, tender story with many soft touches. Complemented by a wonderful, fitting illustration—and isn’t it great when a story illustrator gets it right? Story Shack’s artists are known for it.

“The House Between Time Zones” by Kyle Hemmings via Jellyfishreview

I love the cold hard tone of this story. Maybe I’m too easily influenced by the Japanese elements, but its blend of austerity and mystery reminds me of the Kurosawa vignettes in Dreams.

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 Kate Jones.

“When In Rome” by Tracy Fells via Spelk

I love the way Tracy has conveyed so much about the narrator in this tiny glimpse into her experience on the metro.

“Out to Sea” by Victor Vektor via CHEAP POP

I like the way the flash is written like a conversation, like the narrator is directly addressing the reader. The way the author has used really small sentences also adds to the drama and the message he’s conveying.

“Arise” by Anne Elizabeth Weisgerber via SickLitMagazinedotcom

This intense, detailed, yet short piece holds many evocative references to nature. The penultimate paragraph took my breath away, and I had to go back and read the whole piece again.

“Sandwich” by Swan Huntley via w i g l e a f

This piece has lots going on, and is told with a dash of irony and a pinch of humour throughout. The ending, delivered with irony by the youthful narrator, is a perfect reflection of resignation.

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 J. A. Knight.

“Three Ways to Eat Quince” by Michelle Ross via Word Riot

Vivid, disconcerting tale of alienation and the desire for connection. Brilliant use of metaphor.

“Machine Gun Etiquette” by Tom Leins via People Holding

Skillful structure and a spare prose that packs a punch. Like bourbon, neat.

“Off Days” by Shane Jones via The Adroit Journal

A funny and surprising story that strikes at the heart of regret.

“Appassionato” by Richard Newton via Narrative Magazine

A master class in structure, setting and character. Just lovely.

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 Jon Sindell.

“60 Feet” by Robert Scotellaro via Postcard Shorts

A master of micro fiction, Robert Scotellaro encloses a world in a nutshell. This particular nutshell is bullet hard.

“Haunt” by Ethel Rohan via FWRICTION : REVIEW

A flash story is special if it has heart, rich language, and evocative imagery. This one has all of that (one memorable image: the narrator feeling the undertow of cars speeding past, like a riptide). And the imagery serves the effect of the story.

“ 4th And State, 9:05 a.m.” by Townsend Walker via Word Riot

Concision is essential to flash, and Townsend Walker doesn’t waste words. His style is hard and direct. And, in this case, dark and funny.

“Worn–Out Fabric” by Meg Tuite via People Holding…

This story is a marvel of artistic originality and authorial vision. I’ve never read another like it.