#230: In a Flash
I’ve been reading a lot of flash fiction recently. It’s a great format for close study, as its compression forces writers to question the function of every sentence.
Since there are many lessons to be learned from reading, writing, and thinking about flash fiction, I thought we could make it the focus of this week’s contest. To be clear, this contest accepts stories between 1,000 and 3,000 words, but this week, I’m inviting you to try and stay as close to the lower limit as you can. Our usual word count range is still the official guideline, and stories that are closer to 3,000 words will not be disqualified — but I hope that with flash stories in mind, you’ll feel inspired to be as economical with language as possible.
Not sure how to begin? Check out our best tips for writing flash fiction.
🥇 Winner
“The Lop-it-off-a-me List” by Ethan Zimmerman
🏆 Winner of Contest #230
⭐️ Shortlisted
“Last Words” by Derrick M Domican
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“The Fork” by Suma Jayachandar
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“20 questions younger me should have asked my mother” by Claire Marsh
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“Sarcasm and Sorrow” by Chris Glazdon
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“A Different Perspective” by Jed Cope
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“The 3-Way Conversation” by Christine Boyce
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
This week's prompts
Start your story with someone uttering a very strange sentence.
Dialogue – 52 stories
Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.
Mystery – 101 stories
Write a story in the form of a list.
Narrative – 61 stories
Stories
“The Lop-it-off-a-me List” by Ethan Zimmerman
🏆 Winner of Contest #230
“How to win a Writing Contest in 2027, in 199 Easy Steps” by Michał Przywara
Submitted to Contest #230
“Last Words” by Derrick M Domican
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“Stolen Belonging” by Jonathan Page
Submitted to Contest #230
“The Perfect Birthday” by J. D. Lair
Submitted to Contest #230
“The Gumshoe's Grocery List” by Story Time
Submitted to Contest #230
“The Fork” by Suma Jayachandar
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“For My Classroom” by Allan Bernal
Submitted to Contest #230
“20 questions younger me should have asked my mother” by Claire Marsh
⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #230
“Ally or Adversary?” by A. M. Conger
Submitted to Contest #230
“She Lives in Michigan ” by Chelsey B
Submitted to Contest #230
“Scarlet Guilt” by Jack Kimball
Submitted to Contest #230
“Why Bother...” by Kevin Marlow
Submitted to Contest #230
“Grammar Schooled” by Chris Campbell
Submitted to Contest #230
$250
Prize money
360
Contest entries
108
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Dec 29, 2023 EST
Won by Ethan Zimmerman 🏆
Title: The Lop-it-off-a-me List
Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.
Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!