ISSUE 26: JUNE 2020

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

C5941FB4-8F9A-4B46-9387-C0F6162DAA89Portrait of a Young Woman During Quarantine
By Darcy Casey

Ten at night and the woman’s stomach rumbles; sleep is impossible when her insides have so much to say. She turns under her blankets, a crocodile rolling in a kill’s final moments, but nothing dies except her resolve. She peels the ruined blankets from her body, careful not to wake her husband. From her guts rises a more insistent growl. The stomach, itself a cavernous brain, knows where she is going and is glad. She walks and, reflecting on the day, is pleased to realize she has not eaten a full meal. But wait: can this be true? She considers. It is true. Continue reading “ISSUE 26: JUNE 2020” →

LIBRARIANS’ CHOICE – WRITING CONTEST RESULTS

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

library photoThe Librarians’ Choice contest was held February 24-May 30, 2020, and evoked a bit of sadness that we can no longer wander the aisles of public libraries.

Contest Judges Anne Macdonald (based in the Poudre River Library District, Fort Collins, Colorado) and Molly Thompson (Front Range Community College Librarian, Larimer Campus, Fort Collins) chose a “Lost in the Library” prompt, and 192 international writers submitted a wide range of creative entries.

Brilliant Flash Fiction extends many thanks to the writers who participated, and a giant thank-you to the judges who volunteered their time to select three prizewinners. Continue reading “LIBRARIANS’ CHOICE – WRITING CONTEST RESULTS” →

ISSUE 25: MARCH 2020

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

766EC72D-18EE-4A7D-9AC9-6236F2C13A0AMICHEL
By Cody Pease

Michel waters the plants in rotations. He starts with the tillandsias hanging in the copper-wire cages, then the oreganos and vanilla orchids near the south-facing window, then the begonia on the dining room table. The succulents need to be split, and the philodendrons need more sunlight. His hands are too weak to lift the watering pot; instead, he uses a wine glass like I showed him. It’s a small task to strengthen his muscles. “How are you doing?” His movements are slight and slow, but he smiles. “Well,” he says. I’m afraid to press him further. I leave him to water, then I peel the sweet potatoes for dinner. Continue reading “ISSUE 25: MARCH 2020” →

LIBRARIANS’ CHOICE WRITING CONTEST

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction
lost in the library

Prompt: Lost in the Library
No Entry Fee
Word limit: 300-750 words
Deadline: MAY 30, 2020
Submissions: email to bffnonprofit@gmail.com

Awards:
$100.00 first prize
$30.00 second prize
$25.00 third prize
Judges: Librarians Anne Macdonald and Molly Thompson

Continue reading “LIBRARIANS’ CHOICE WRITING CONTEST” →

ISSUE 24: JANUARY 2020

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

5972065B-DFD2-4915-805A-5A488BA375AFConfrontations
By David Galef

Maggie and I lived in a prim white house at the intersection of Maple Road and Main Street, and when she left to teach every morning, I’d stay home and stare out the front window because I lost my job at the bank. It’s a busy crossing, particularly when children are walking to and from Fielding Elementary School, where Maggie once taught fifth grade. The crosswalk is marked by a plastic stop sign in the middle of the road, with a capitalized warning for cars to stop for pedestrians. Yet drivers zoom by, narrowly missing people. I’d bang on the windowpane occasionally, to no effect. I don’t like that kind of response, as Maggie well knew. After enough mornings, I left the house and crossed the street, taking my time. I crossed back again. I waved my arms, getting in the motorists’ faces, forcing them to stop. Continue reading “ISSUE 24: JANUARY 2020” →

BRILLIANT FLASH FICTION NOW PAYS FOR STORIES

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

fireworksHappy New Year!

Beginning January 1, 2020, Brilliant Flash Fiction (BFF) will pay 20 U.S. dollars for each story published in its quarterly online journal. Payment will be made upon publication, through PayPal only.

Authors submitting their work should first study the submission guidelines on our website: brilliantflashfiction.com.

For a $10 donation, you can order a print copy of the Hunger anthology featuring the editors’ “best of” choices from the BFF first five-year archives. Contact us at brilliantflashfiction@gmail.com to order your copy.

BFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The online journal is entering its sixth year of publication and donations made on our website enable us to provide publication opportunities for writers without fees.

Thank you to everyone who donated in 2019. We are deeply grateful for your support.

HUNGER: THE BEST OF BRILLIANT FLASH FICTION, 2014-2019

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

Hunger anthology cover photo_leavesDonate $10 or more to Brilliant Flash Fiction and receive a free copy of our first print anthology, Hunger: The Best of Brilliant Flash Fiction, 2014-2019.

This collection is a great resource for students of flash fiction, for authors who want to submit their work, and for anyone who enjoys reading quality flash.

“Compiling the best of five years of Brilliant Flash Fiction, editors Dawn Lowe, Ed Higgins, and team have created an anthology that wows on every page. These stories demonstrate the power of flash fiction, its unique ability to move, excite, and entertain readers far beyond the constraints of its limited word count.”

– Kathy Fish, master teacher and author

“Loving Hunger: The best of Brilliant Flash Fiction, 2014-2019. I have found some real gems. Read a few to my MFA fiction workshop students.”

– Robert Pope, author of Jack’s Universe and Pushcart Prize winner: Continue reading “HUNGER: THE BEST OF BRILLIANT FLASH FICTION, 2014-2019” →

FEED US – WRITING CONTEST RESULTS

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

The FEED US Writing Contest was held June 1-September 1, 2019, in conjunction with the 2019 FoCo Book Fest in Fort Collins, Colorado, the new home of nonprofit organization Brilliant Flash Fiction. We received 376 international entries and shortlisted seven stories that were published in our first print anthology, Hunger: The Best of Brilliant Flash Fiction, 2014-2019. (Make a donation of $10 or more via the donation link on our homepage, and we’ll send you a copy of our new book as a thank you!)

Kathy Fish photo
Kathy Fish

Contest judge Kathy Fish selected the three prize winners and announced her decision at the anthology launch, October 19, in Fort Collins.

We would like to thank Kathy for taking time from her hectic schedule to spend two days in Fort Collins, not only judging our contest and speaking at the anthology launch, but also giving an inspirational free writing workshop that was filled to capacity with a waiting list. Continue reading “FEED US – WRITING CONTEST RESULTS” →

FLASH FICTION WORKSHOP WITH KATHY FISH

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

Food_For_Thought_Bug_AlternateJoin us for a FREE flash fiction writing workshop with Kathy Fish during the Fort Collins Book Festival on Friday, October 19 at 11:15 am in the Storytime Room at the Old Town Library in Fort Collins, CO. We are thrilled to have Kathy Fish host a flash fiction event right in our hometown of Fort Collins, CO. Space is limited, so register online today! Continue reading “FLASH FICTION WORKSHOP WITH KATHY FISH” →

ANTHOLOGY LAUNCH PARTY!

~ Brilliant Flash Fiction

2019_bookfest _Logo_basicThe gang at Brilliant Flash Fiction will launch its “best of” fifth-year anthology during the Fort Collins Book Festival on October 19, 7-9 pm at Wolverine Farms Publick House. Flash fiction writer and teacher Kathy Fish will host the evening, announcing the shortlist and top three prizewinners in the FEED US Writing Contest. Authors whose writing appears in the anthology will read their work, and copies of the anthology will be on sale. Kathy will share her wisdom on what makes a good flash piece work, so it’s an event not to be missed. Everyone is welcome—no registration needed.

Wolverine Farms Publick House is located at 316 Willow Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524. www.wolverinefarm.org