New Writers

 

Welcome, New Micro Writers!

 

Starting your writing journey can feel daunting, and the form of micro prose is tricky! We're here to help.

 

Each month, Claudine spotlights the work of a new writer, a category we define as writers who have three or fewer publications, because we want to boost emerging voices. Read more here.

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Here are a few resources that you may find useful. The anthologies give a strong sense of the type of work we’re looking for; the newsletters and craft books provide the necessary tools to get started; and the workshop offers a home base to practice.

 

We have no stake in any of these resources; we’re recommending them because we love them!

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Anthologies

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• Best Microfictions. This annual anthology highlights some of the best micro fiction published in a given year. (400 words or fewer.)

• Best Small Fictions. This annual anthology highlights some of the best flash fiction published in a given year. (1000 words or fewer.) 

• The Best of Brevity. This book includes some of the best flash essays published by Brevity. 

 

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Newsletters

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• Kathy Fish. Kathy Fish is a flash legend. Her free newsletter, The Art of Flash Fiction, offers thoughts on craft with numerous examples. Kathy also offers workshops and retreats. 

• Tommy Dean. Tommy Dean does it all--writer, agent, editor, teacher. His free newsletter, Good Trouble: The Art of Storytelling, offers prompts and thoughts on craft. Tommy also offers workshops and one-on-one mentoring. 

• Myna Chang. Myna Chang's free MicroVerse includes interviews with noted editors and writers alongside her Flash Roundup which highlights the best speculative micros published in a given month. 

• The Brevity Blog. This Blog, run by Brevity, offers a wide variety of articles about CNF craft and the writing life. 

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Craft Books

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• The Art of Brevity by Grant Faulkner. This book is a treasure trove of quotes, metaphors, and thoughts on how to use ommission and compression to craft stunning prose that punches far above its word count.

• Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg. This book is a gem whose title excellently sums up its contents. Some of the best sentence-level craft advice out there.

• Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses. All writers should read this book which explores craft at its elemental core, workshopping, and literary citizenship.

 

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Workshop

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• SmokeLong Fitness: The Community Workshop. This year-long workshop offers options in fiction and CNF. Weekly prompts are given by editors at SmokeLong. Participants are broken into small groups to share work and exchange feedback. Frequent craft lectures, live via Zoom. Also, contests and prizes from time to time. Great way to meet other writers. 

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Creative Practice

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• The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad. A wonderful collection of voices about the writing life and a phenomenal argument for the practice of daily journaling. 

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