A gathering of recent speculative flash & micro fiction, each presenting a tiny-yet-powerful universe. How tiny? About one-thousand words for flash; four-hundred words for micro. The word count isn’t as important as the emotion, the adventure, the sense of wonder. Including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the spaces in between.
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Not gonna lie, friends, it’s been a shitty month, but assembling this group of stories has been a balm. I hope each of these pieces will help you escape our current reality for a little while.
Also – Yay for SFWA adding poetry to the Nebula categories! Next let’s lobby for adding a dedicated category for FLASH! (You, too, HWA!)
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I’m starting off with a couple of found-form flashes in Small Wonders. These pieces are inventive and they both shine in their chosen formats, which is fantastic to me because I’ve grown weary of literary hermit-crabs & ill-fitting spec containers over the last few years. These examples show that the found-form style still has the possibility for great impact when adapted by an insightful author.
By David Marino in Small Wonders * (Word count feels irrelevant in this one!)
Well, I worked at a Chili’s. So, Server. But I don’t want to let that define me. It was just something I did.
How do you quantify a life? How important are failures vs successes? How would you judge? This story presents a peek into an average, precious life—while shining a light on attributes that might be considered “good.” The format of this piece tells the story of the universe it is set in, without wasting a word.
Questions Asked of the Scrying Sword During the Quest for the Princess
By Elis Montgomery in Small Wonders * 210 Words
How to find a firebeast lair
No, I mean, how do I find the specific firebeast lair the king was talking about
I said talking, not caulking, why would I say caulking, can’t you hear me over the lavafall
Adventure, rescue, subversion, love! This story is a ton of fun. The format pinpoints plot progression while expanding the full personality of the POV character, all accomplished with glorious brevity.
The eight obituaries of a Shanghai person
By Yixuan Zhu in Nature Futures * 1006 Words
Donghua Advertising Company is deeply saddened to announce that, owing to company restructuring and resource optimization, Mr Chen Qi, a senior employee at our company, reached the end of his career on 15 March 2074.
No spoilers. The progression of this story is expertly drawn, within a world that feels not only possible, but (sadly) probable. Read it before the paywall goes up.
By S. R. Kriger in Flash Point * 807 Words
There are only a few hours left before this year’s newly dead slip back to their graves, this time for keeps.
I was absolutely pulled in from the beginning of this piece. The setup and clues come together at the end to paint a full picture of multiple characters. I love it when a spec flash author trusts the audience to figure it out—no need to spoon feed us the plot or the conclusion. Cheers for the author and Flash Point editors for resisting the outdated practice of telling us what we just read. This is an intriguing story with a satisfying ending.
By Gillian O’Shaughnessy in X-Ray Lit Mag * 609 Words
In the dry years, my teeth begin to fall from my mouth. Not in a clatter, but softly.
Oh, my heart. Climate crisis and chronic poverty combine in a harrowing possible future where survival is measured by the integrity of your bones. The story of this child will stick with you long after you finish reading—and all accomplished in only 609 words.
By Sheila Massie in Small Wonders * 756 Words
It was a fast-moving storm, the kind that didn’t want to linger, but just wanted to punch you as it blew by. It was the kind of storm that brought both lightning and rainbows. The kind of storm that gave birth to dragons.
I can’t find a way to describe this story that doesn’t use the word “delightful.” From the brilliant premise to the whimsical sense of humor, this story will leave you with a smile.
By Sheree Shatsky in Wild Hunt Magazine * 380 Words
Only those with the fire see holy smoke—the old coals like me, harboring the smokey essence of experience and the on-fire blazing youngsters, vibrant and energized and unpredictable, particularly when emotions run high.
This is a phenomenal burst of language, poetic and precise with images that you can’t help but read again and again, just to savor the burn of it. Shatsky pours on the tension, giving us a truly sinister antagonist in a world at the edge of awareness. I’m not sure how I missed this story when it came out in July, but I’m glad I found it!
Wolf Skulls, Four Dollars (Harwich, 1713)
By Corey Farrenkopf in Necessary Fiction * 705 Words
The town clerk draped the hides over Main Street fences, all those gray skins luffing in the wind, an entire pack on a single split-rail.
I can’t resist a story about a dog or wolf. Farrenkopf deftly shows the relationship between the POV character and his beloved pet. Worry gnawed at me throughout the piece. A strong commentary on the interplay between humans and nature, love and selfishness.
By Aeryn Rudel in Factor Four * 999 Words
Killian raised a fist and rapped on the door. Hard. There was no answer, but he heard furtive movement inside. The skitter of feet. No, not feet. Hooves.
I’m a big fan of Rudel’s expertly-constructed supernatural tales. This unlikely-buddy story flows smoothly, introducing a typical bureaucracy in a not-so-typical world. Friendship and compassion shine in equal measures here.
The Weight of Fortunes in an Endless Labyrinth
By Marie Croke in Factor Four * 996 Words
All the while, in my lap, my fortune teller opened one way, closed, opened the other, flashing familiar names and numbers.
In this rich story, a young refugee grapples with loneliness and loss. Guided by fortune, she finds another struggling survivor. I love the differing spiritual practices of the races presented in this story, and how similar they are as they reach for community. Beautiful images in this sad but hopeful tale.
By Kim Magowan in Atlas and Alice * 1046 Words
This was not the first time in the past ten months that she had sent Stephen a text. It was like throwing a bottle into the ocean, or a coin into a fountain.
Magowan presents a complex story of love and loss and longing—brought to fruition through an annoying faculty meeting. I enjoyed the sense of wonder in the story, as well as my own satisfaction as the pieces came together. Masterfully done.
Bonus – Short Story!
A Book Is a Map, a Bed Is a Country
By Angel Leal in Uncanny Magazine * 1337 Words
In my tío’s old room, I’m looking for a book made of water.
He used to keep it under his pillow and read from it a story full of storms and men made of seafoam.
Both heartbreaking and hopeful, this story of familial ties and self-discovery is wrapped in layers of wonder. The author’s poetic roots conjure an elegant vibrancy.
Myna Chang 