Flash Fiction Fridays

** NEWSFLASH! I’m Head Judge for the NLG Flash Fiction Competition **

** FLASH FICTION FRIDAYS ARE BOOKING INTO JUNE 2013 **

Welcome to Flash Fiction Fridays. Every Friday evening (c.7pm UK time) I post an author’s short short story. For the first episode, because I only decided to do this on the morning I planned to post it, I invited Joe Café novelist and musician (and more) JD Mader to let me have his short story ‘Green’ which I critiqued in my Bailey’s Writing Tips (BWT) podcast red pen episode no.1. Technically I did post The Threadbare Girl the previous Friday evening so that I’ve called that zero instead. So, this is the story (stories) so far…

If you love short stories / flash fiction, also take a look at Burrst.com, Truelee Fiction and the Indies Unlimited Writing Exercises Contests page.

Guidelines: If you’d like your story considered, email me :

• your family-friendly* story (in full; up to 1,000 words, no more please or it won’t be flash fiction) and I’ll take a look. * no strong violence or swearing
• If it’s suitable I’ll email you with the Friday I plan to run it and it’ll be added to the schedule on this page.
• I’ll also then need <250 words on the inspiration behind it
• <250-word third-person biography
• links to your website, blog etc.
• and a photo of yourself and / or book would be great too.
• Please allow a minimum of two weeks for a reply before chasing me! 

NOTE: Because of the high volume of enquiries, I don’t schedule in advance but when I receive the content.

Posted:

• 1. Green (325 words) by interviewee (and much more) JD Mader (23rd Sept). It was also the subject of red pen critique podcast no.1, not that there was really anything about it to critique.
• 2. Captain Jack’s Cave (717 words) by Neil L Yuzuk (30th Sept). This story was also featured in BWT podcast short stories episode 001.
• 3. The Ruby Stradivarius (588 words) by Issy Flamel (7th Oct). This story was also podcasted in episode 002 (Monday 5th December).
• 4. Horror story (986 words) by author of non-fiction, historical, fantasy and short stories and interviewee Theodore P. Druch (4th Oct). This story was also podcasted in episode 002 (Monday 5th December).
• 5. Halloween night (511 words) by interviewee Marla Madison (21st Oct). This story was also featured in podcast short stories episode 001.
• 6. Lorna doomed (999 words) by Phoebe Matthews (28th Oct). This story was also podcasted in episode 002 (Monday 5th December).
• 7. On the Bridge. At eight p.m. (542 words) by spotlightee Mia Johansson (4th Nov). This story was also podcasted in episode 003 (Sunday 18th December).
• 8. Curbside (249 words) by guest blogger Kenneth Weene (11th Nov). This story was also podcasted in episode 003 (Sunday 18th December), together with Kenneth reading his 513-word story ‘In the Army’.
• 9. Loss (314 words) by yours truly, Morgen Bailey :) (18th Nov). This story was also podcasted in episode 005 (Monday 16th January).
• 10. Theodore P. Druch returned with Confession (968 words) (25th Nov). This story was also podcasted as episode 004 (Monday 2nd January).
• 11. The White Witch of England (984 words) by Jane Risdon (2nd Dec). This story was also podcasted as episode 004 (Monday 2nd January).
• 12. Issy Flamel returned with The Grey Stones and Leaden Cross (520 words) (9th Dec). This story was also podcasted in episode 005 (Monday 16th January).
• 13. The Paper Doll, an unlucky story (996 words) by Cindy Vaskova (16th Dec). This story was podcasted in episode 007 (Monday 13th February).
• 14. One Christmas (994 words) by interviewee Rosanne Dingli (23rd Dec). This story was also podcasted in episode 004 (Monday 2nd January).
• 15. JD Mader returned with That old feeling (548 words) (30th Dec). This story was also podcasted in episode 005 (Monday 16th January).
• 16. Zombie Fight Song (999 words) by multi-genre (primarily mystery) novelist and interviewee Bob Frey (6th Jan). This story contains some strong language and was also podcasted (slightly edited to suit the ‘clean’ rating) in episode 006 (Sunday 29th January).
• 17. The Advert – a Friday 13th story (997 words) by Susi Holliday (13th Jan). This story was podcasted in short story episode 007 (Monday 13th February).
• 18. Theodore P. Druch returned with The Old Barn (411 words) (20th Jan). This story was also podcasted in episode 006 (Sunday 29th January).
• 19. The Visit (998 words) by short story author and novelist Ralph Murray (27th Jan). This story was also podcasted in episode 006 (Sunday 29th January).
• 20. The Red-Haired Girl (100 words) by historical, romance, paranormal novelist and interviewee Smoky Zeidel (3rd Feb). This story was podcasted in episode 008 (Monday 27th February).
• 21. Albeit for Small Mercies (272 words), an unlucky second-person story by yours truly, Morgen Bailey (10th Feb). This story was podcasted in episode 007 (Monday 13th February).
• 22. A Damned Hot Day (477 words) by Michael C Boxall (17th Feb). This story was podcasted in episode 008 (Monday 27th February).
• 23. You are What You Don’t Eat (981 words) by Joy V Smith (24th Feb). This story was podcasted in episode 008 (Monday 27th February).
• 24. Cindy Vaskova returned with another flash fiction story Fragments from the Past (2nd March). This story was podcasted in episode 009 (Sunday 25th March).
• 25. Discarded (279 words) by multi-genre author Karina Kantas (9th March). This story was podcasted in episode 009 (Sunday 25th March).
• 26. Desire (127 words) and The Birthday Cake (159 words) by horror, crime, thriller writer, interviewee and spotlightee AJ Kirby (16th March). This story was podcasted in episode 009 (Sunday 25th March).
• 27. Baby Fat (837 words) by Sheila Pierson (23rd March). This story was podcasted in episode 010 (Sunday 22nd April).
• 28. Joy V Smith returned with Refugees in the cave (753 words) (30th March). This story was podcasted in episode 010 (Sunday 22nd April). I shall also be reading out A Fine Day (1498 words) by interviewee and multi-genre writer Jim Sellers in that episode.
• 29. Spotlightee Mia Johansson returned with another flash fiction story – The Jazz and The Blues (6th April). This story was podcasted in episode 011 (Tuesday 29th May).
• 30. AJ Kirby returned with two stories (13th April). These stories was podcasted in episode 011 (Tuesday 29th May).
• 31. The Ticket (614 words) by children’s author and illustrator Carrie King (20th April). This story was podcasted in episode 011 (Tuesday 29th May).
• 32. Bowed out (742 words) by novelist and short story author Marc Nash (27th April). This story was podcasted in episode 012 (Monday 18th June).
• 33. Hachette (582 words) by comic fantasy (“and a little horror”) author Will Macmillan-Jones (4th May). This story was podcasted in episode 012 (Monday 18th June).
• 34. Over by me, Morgen Bailey (11th May). This story was podcasted in episode 012 (Monday 18th June).
• 35. Revenge is a dish best served… alive (701 words) by Christopher Farley (18th May). This story was podcasted in episode 013 (Sunday 15th July).
• 36. AJ Kirby returned with another piece of flash fiction, a 500-worder entitled I dream of violence (25th May). This story was podcasted in episode 013 (Sunday 15th July).
• 37. Dreams (210 words) by JD Mader (1st June). This story was podcasted in episode 013 (Sunday 15th July).
• 38. Her reflection calls her Tess (925 words) by poet, novelist and article writer Kimberly Gray (8th June). This story was podcasted in episode 014 (Sunday 12th August).
• 39. The Picture (418 words) by comic fantasy (“and a little horror”) author Will Macmillan-Jones (15th June). This story was podcasted in episode 014 (Sunday 12th August).
• 40. Sacrament (831 words) by Travis Eaton (22nd June). This story was podcasted in episode 014 (Sunday 12th August).
• 41. Portraits of a young artist in Istanbul by short story author and novelist Gene Parola (29th June). This story was podcasted in episode 015 (Tuesday 11th September).
• 42. Fourth of July by short story author and novelist DJ Paterson (6th July). This story was podcasted in episode 015 (Tuesday 11th September).
• 43. Sleep well (727 words) by Christopher Farley (13th July). This story was podcasted in episode 015 (Tuesday 11th September).
• 44. Mended memories (608 words) by mystery, suspense novelist, short story author and interviewee Marjorie Doering (20th July). This story was podcasted in episode 016 (Sunday 14th October).
• 45. Modestina (825 words) by non-fiction author Marlene Caroselli (27th July). This story was podcasted in episode 016 (Sunday 14th October).
• 46. Blank. Screen Blues. (407 words) by comic fantasy (“and a little horror”) author Will Macmillan-Jones (3rd August). This story was podcasted in episode 016 (Sunday 14th October).
• 47. Three pieces by non-fiction author, autobiographer and interviewee Abbie Lipschutz (10th August). These stories was podcasted in episode 017 (Sunday 4th November).
• 48. Cafe Mort (716 words) by prose author, poet, lyricist and interviewee Nathan Weaver (17th August). This story was podcasted in episode 017 (Sunday 4th November).
• 49. Autumn preserves (122 words) by short story author and poet Susan Moffat (24th August). This story was podcasted in episode 017 (Sunday 4th November).
• 50. Family History (996 words) by octogenarian memoirist, non-fiction, fiction author and interviewee Johnnie Johnson (31st August). This story was podcasted in episode 018 (Sunday 2nd December).
• 51. The Masterpiece (487 words) by suspense / romance, historical and speculative fiction author Linda Rondeau (7th September). This story was podcasted in episode 018 (Sunday 2nd December).
• 52. The McKenna Chronicles – Home Warranty Companies (991 words) by Terry Ambrose (14th September). This story was podcasted in episode 018 (Sunday 2nd December).
• 53. The Moon (410 words) by comic fantasy (“and a little horror”) author Will Macmillan-Jones (21st September). This story was podcasted in episode 19 (Sunday 30th December).
• 54. Non-fiction author Marlene Caroselli returned with Gabriele (831 words) (28th September). This story was podcasted in episode 19 (Sunday 30th December).
• 55. Homespun Cryonics (133 words) by erotica and horror author Angie Sargenti (5th October). This story was podcasted in episode 19 (Sunday 30th December).
• 56: The Main Course (661 words) by Christopher Farley (12th October). This story was podcasted in episode 20 (Sunday 27th January).
• 57: Know that you are loved (621 words) by multi-genre author Dr Margaret Aranda (19th October). This story was podcasted in episode 20 (Sunday 27th January).
• 58: Blue Angel Planet (768 words) by children’s author J.D. Means (26th October). This story was podcasted in episode 20 (Sunday 27th January).
• 59: Faulkner’s Ghost (900 words) by multi-genre author Donald E Schwarz (2nd November). This story was podcasted in episode 21 (Sunday 24th February).
• 60: Doubt (345 words) by Simon Lavery (9th November). This story was podcasted in episode 21 (Sunday 24th February).
• 61: Carte Blanche (922 words) by multi-genre author guest blogger, interviewee and spotlightee Marion Grace Woolley (16th November). This story was podcasted in episode 21 (Sunday 24th February).
• 62: The Confidant (995 words) by memoirist and interviewee Rodica Mihalis. (23rd November). This story was podcasted in episode 22 (Sunday 24th March).
• 63: Short story author Jane Risdon returned with a 968-worder entitled The Honey Trap 30th November). This story was podcasted in episode 22 (Sunday 24th March).
• 64: Between Floors (803 words) by Rowena Simpkiss (7th December). This story was podcasted in episode 22 (Sunday 24th March).
• 65: Multi-genre author Dr Margaret Aranda returned with 572-word Glistening in the Moonlight (14th December). This story was podcasted in episode 23 (Monday 22nd April).
• 66: A Time in the Trees (754 words) by poet, novelist and short story author Ron Chavez (21st December). This story was podcasted in episode 23 (Monday 22nd April).
• 67: Time to Change (998 words) by horror novelist and short story author Jessica Grace Coleman (28th December). This story was podcasted in episode 23 (Monday 22nd April).
• 68: Beyond the Horizon (466 words) by Bethany Rycek aka Rika Natsume (4th January 2013). This story was podcasted in episode 24 (Sunday 5th May).
• 69: Fantasies (780 words) by erotica / commercial short story, non-fiction author, poet and interviewee Elizabeth Cage (11th January). This story was podcasted in episode 24 (Sunday 5th May).
• 70: Decision (78 words) by humour / literary novelist Kathy Lynn Harris (18th January). This story was podcasted in episode 24 (Sunday 5th May).
• 71: Small Hours (592 words) by novelist and short story author JD Mader (25th January). This story was podcasted in episode 25 (Sunday 19th May).
• 72: A Clumsy Tale (440 words) by contemporary and historical novelist, non-fiction author, interviewee and spotlightee Dorit Kedar (1st February). This story was podcasted in episode 25 (Sunday 19th May).
• 73: End it All! End it All! (1,000 words) by poet, short story author and interviewee Salvatore Buttaci (8th February). This story was podcasted in episode 25 (Sunday 19th May).
• 74: I Am (795 words) by novelist / short story writer and interviewee Neal James (15th February). This story will be podcasted in episode 26 (Sunday 2nd June).
• 75: Multi-genre author Dr Margaret Aranda returned with a 909-word story entitled Sitting on the Edge of the Cave (22nd February). This story will be podcasted in episode 26 (Sunday 2nd June).
• 76: Music Of The Spheres (381 words) by YA, science-fiction, paranormal author and poet Kenna McKinnon (1st March). This story will be podcasted in episode 26 (Sunday 2nd June).
• 77: 1966 And All That (100 words) by me, Morgen Bailey (8th March). This story will be podcasted in episode 27 (Sunday 16th June).
• 78: The Little Guy Smiled (668 words) by poet, critic, short story author, novelist and interviewee John Brantingham (15th March). This story will be podcasted in episode 27 (Sunday 16th June).
• 79: John Brantingham returned with This Is The Way It Was Done (518 words) a follow-up to The Little Guy Smiled (22nd March). This story will be podcasted in episode 27 (Sunday 16th June).
• 80: The Little Black Dress (498 words) by short story author and novelist, tutor and interviewee Della Galton (29th March). This story will be podcasted in episode 28 (Sunday 30th June).
• 81: Short story author Jane Risdon returned with 889-word The Secret of Willow Cottage and the Reluctant Bride (5th April). This story will be podcasted in episode 28 (Sunday 30th June).
• 82: Joy V Smith returned with 747-word Mooving Out (12th April). This story will be podcasted in episode 28 (Sunday 30th June).
• 83: YA, science-fiction, paranormal author and poet Kenna McKinnon returned with 399-word The Sea and His Guitar (19th April). This story will be podcasted in episode 29 (Sunday 14th July).
• 84: Novelist and short story author JD Mader returns with 983-word The Spores (26th April). This story will be podcasted in episode 29 (Sunday 14th July).
• 85: John Brantingham returns with is 843-word Silence Was His Answer (3rd May). This story will be podcasted in episode 29 (Sunday 14th July).
• 86: The Blue Dress (483 words) by Caron Allan (10th May). This story will be podcasted in episode 30 (Sunday 28th July).
• 87: Twisted Pearls (589 words) by romantic suspense novelist Phyllis J Burton (17th May). This story will be podcasted in episode 30 (Sunday 28th July).
• 88: Joy V Smith returns with 697-word Carnies (24th May). This story will be podcasted in episode 30 (Sunday 28th July).

Scheduled:

• 89: The Secret of Willow Cottage and the Tale of the Jilted Lover – a prequel’ (985 words) by Jane Risdon (31st May). This story will be podcasted in episode 31 (Sunday 11th August).
• 90: you could have your story listed here (7th June). This story will be podcasted in episode 31 (Sunday 11th August).
• 91: you could have your story listed here (14th June). This story will be podcasted in episode 31 (Sunday 11th August).
• 92: ‘Resistance’ (733 words) by Caron Allan (21st June). This story will be podcasted in episode 32 (Sunday 25th August).
• 93: you could have your story listed here (28th June). This story will be podcasted in episode 32 (Sunday 25th August).
• 94: you could have your story listed here (5th July). This story will be podcasted in episode 32 (Sunday 25th August).
• 95: you could have your story listed here (12th July). This story will be podcasted in episode 33 (Sunday 8th September).
• 96: you could have your story listed here (19th July). This story will be podcasted in episode 33 (Sunday 8th September).
• 97: you could have your story listed here (26th July). This story will be podcasted in episode 33 (Sunday 8th September).

If you’d like your story considered, email me your story (in full; up to 1,000 words, no more please or it won’t be flash fiction) and I’ll take a look. If it’s suitable I’ll email you with the Friday I plan to run it and it’ll be added to the schedule on this page. I’ll then need c.250 words on the inspiration behind it, a 250-word max third-person biography, links to your website, blog etc., and a photo of yourself and / or book would be great too. If that’s as clear as mud take a look at the posted ones to see what I mean. Please remember that this is a family-friendly blog so no stories with strong language, extreme violence, or unpleasant / explicit scenes please… besides, suggestion can often be more powerful than blatancy.

NB. the copyright will always remain with you so you can still do whatever you like with them, although for most competitions / submissions having your story appear on my blog would count as being ‘published’. I will not use your fiction for any purpose other than to have the link appear on this page which directs to your piece. I will promote this page from time to time on Twitter and the likes, so that visitors come here, and hopefully onwards to you. I don’t pay you for your stories but it’s an opportunity for the readers of this blog (usually 200+ visits per day) to learn a little about you and your writing. And I get to read a load of short stories… my favourite format.

Because of the high volume of enquiries, I don’t schedule in advance but when I receive the content.

I know there are a lot of poets out there and Poet Philip Ellis asked me via Twitter if I’d take poems and whilst I’m no poet, I said “sure, why not” (or something like that), so I started weekly slot called Post-weekend Poetry running every Monday evening.

If you love short stories / flash fiction, take a look at Burrst.com, Truelee Fiction and the Indies Unlimited Writing Exercises Contests page. Nanoism is “a place for twitter-fiction” (140 characters max!).

If you’re looking to enter your flash fiction into competitions (NB. if your piece appeared on my blog it’s likely you wouldn’t be able to submit to a competition so bear this in mind when submitting to me, I wouldn’t want you to miss out). Creative Times has a list of their top 10 paying flash fiction competition sites. 16th May is National Flash Fiction day and you can find some competitions (various dates) on http://www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/competitions.html.