Flash Fiction Magazine - Issue 1

by Emily Clayton (Editor), Dina Paulson (Editor), Mark Anderson (Editor)

Stories that won’t waste your time.

This enthralling anthology of flash fiction features very short stories ranging from a paragraph to one or two pages. Flash Fiction Magazine has compiled a sterling collection of exceptional contemporary examples of this unique fictional form covering a wide range of ideas and genres, from literary to romantic to humorous to horrifying.

Exploring the last moments before a death, the heartache of unrequited love, the sweet high of revenge, or the sad truth about human obsolescence, these brief tales touch briefly but profoundly on who we are, the ways we commit, the ways we move on, the ways we get by—sometimes shocking, sometimes funny, sometimes deeply emotional, and always remarkable.

Featured Authors

Hertha Richardt, Simon Hole, Raji A. Samuel, Brandon Salkil, Lee-Ann Khoh, John La Briola, Stephanie Hutton, Judy Salz, Kevin Marchand, Judith Lechner, Perry McDaid, Anthony Merklinger, Tom Hadrava, Christopher Perry, Matt Handle, Simon Brown, William T. Vandegrift, Jr., Jonathan Shipley, Angela Trevino, Aaron Blake, B. T. Cata, Daniel Pereyra, Fran Scott, Rafe Somerton, Denny E. Marshall, Kathryn H. Ross, Sarah Bakewell, Aaron Webster, Michael Pikna, Phil Mullins, Jillian Tan, Gabrielle Nelson, Manorville Jackson, J Hardy Carroll, Ron David, John Davis, Jr., Hasen Hull, Patricia Pinto, Marcio Saito, BAM, Sivan Pillai, Jennifer Dillard, Emma Stough, Dave James Ashton, Maria Kelson, Miles Varana, Alyson Faye, Karin Terebessy, Nicole Byers, Evan Sheldon

Genres: Short Stories, Flash Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published May 3, 2017

Reviews

[Treece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Bad. Fun.

Fresh take on flash short stories. Although some ran longer than "flash". Frankly, the longer ones were never as good as the very short. These also landed in the middle. The opening stories and ending stories were really good. The least liked in the middle. But overall, I liked this collection.

[Susan Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good writer can spin a compelling tale in less than 1,000 words and Flash Fiction Magazine proves this.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I downloaded this book, but I’m quite satisfied with the range of stories contained here. There truly is something for everyone.

From a meth-addicted “dirty” cop, to a young widow struggling to take care of her child alone, the stories are interesting, heartbreaking, thought-provoking and downright unique. Definitely worth downloading and reading!

[CT D'Alessandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I want to say that I enjoyed this anthology very much. I found the voices new, some even masterful. This is not a bad thing - it means that new authors are given a chance to spread their wings and find an audience. Most stories tend towards literary fiction, though there is some speculative fiction, prose poetry, romance and borderline horror. There is really something for everyone in this collection. Multiple themes and types are represented here, which allows the collection to do what flash fiction should do, which is to surprise, entice and capture the reader in a moment - or series of moments in time, to encapsulate a mood, voice or even an entire narrative. I kept coming back to this book over and over with the expectation that I would be delighted by some new discovery. If you are venturing into the genre, this is a great place to start!

Some favorites included:

From Roger with Love
The Pretty Roses
Watchmaker
Don't Text and Drive
Curtain Call
Falling
Authentic Flavor
Restrained (creepy!)
Operator (my favorite opening sentence)
Cornerstone
Tastes Like Grappa

[David Z Hirsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept is sound: short fiction from various writers on any topic. The result is a mixed bag at best. The writing is generally good, but many of the stories are forgettable, shrug-inducing, or simply inane. A bit of structure or at least some attempt at organization might have improved the hodgepodge. Still, there are some blooms amid the weeds. I especially enjoyed (in order of appearance): From Roger, With Love Gum The Appointment Wall
Falling Goodbye, Headache Tastes Like Grappa

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO MUCH FUN, you can pick it up, read a story, put it away, pick it up again - which is why it took me from March till now (November) to finish it.

HIGHLY recommended and perfect when you dont have a lot of time and want something as a small time filler....

I was supposed to get a free one if I ordered another one, a few months back, but I dont think they ever sent it to me.

Anybody?

[Bridget Sundin Nowicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for the 2022 Read Harder Challenge task of reading a new-to-me literary magazine. I liked the idea of a flash compilation, however I only found two of the 50 flash pieces to be interesting or well written. In my eyes, a 2-star read is one that I didn't hate reading, but would not recommend to a friend... so I give it 2 stars.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all anthologies some stories are better than most others in the collection. Ranging from a paragraph or two to a couple of pages in length the majority feel completed. Bite sized fiction for those off minutes during the day.

[Marcio Saito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly the best flash fiction anthology ever published. One of my stories is featured in it.

[SJ Crandall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touch and go

Some were cute. Some were poignant. Some were weird. Some were just puzzling. All were brief. Four more words required.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stories

This book has gems and average stories. It is definitely worth the read, but some stories you will skim on by. Overall I would rate it 50/50. I will definitely check out the next volume once released.

[Choong JayVee · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free review copy from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review.)

Flash Fiction Magazine is good when you don't have patience for long short stories and you just want a quick read. Each story is about 101 words long, and most of the stories run on the side of reality than fantasy. The only quibble I have is that when I think flash fiction, I really think all 50 stories are only 101 words long, so when a 3-page story pops up in between one-page stories I feel like I was lied to.

Best read on a physical copy so you can better match the author biographies to their stories.

[Anna Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flash Fiction Magazine is a mash up of everything. Of many beautiful anythings. From bite-sized stories lasting no more than a paragraph to those that run to a few pages, they cover almost all aspects of life: love, joy, sorrow, pain - and the plain weird.

There are some really beautiful pieces in there, which linger a little with you, alongside some which I just didn't get, but that's what it is: 50 little glimpses of life from 50 different perspectives.

I received a free review copy from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hit or miss