Please note that this event has passed. Please visit our Stars at Night page for information about this year’s event. Each year, the editors and staff of American Short Fiction host a grand party that recognizes literary excellence, extraordinary literary service, a brilliant new story collection, and a debut writer from Texas. We're so excited to celebrate The Stars a Night with everyone at on April 1, 2023, at the Tudor Cottage in Austin's Pease Park. The Stars at Night is our favorite … [Read more...] about The Stars at Night 2023
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Issue 76
Featuring new stories by J. Robert Lennon, Manuel Muñoz, Eddie Fritts Tomaselli, Deb Olin Unferth, Greg Schutz, Rogelio Juárez, and Justin Taylor J. Robert Lennon, "Pingüino" It’s a gray gumdrop made out of dreadlocks, about the size of an upturned bucket. As Hugo watches, it shakes itself, and the dreads shimmy and wave. Beneath them, two red clawed feet are visible gripping the perch, each with four—no, five—stubby fingers—no, toes. Hugo can make out two gleaming points behind the … [Read more...] about Issue 76
Announcing New Winter Short Story Workshop
Join us this winter for a 8-week short story workshop led led by Stacey Swann, author of the novel Olympus, Texas and former editor of American Short Fiction. Participants will join an intimate group (capped at 12) in a craft-inspired class held at ASF Headquarters in East Austin. More details, including how to apply, here. … [Read more...] about Announcing New Winter Short Story Workshop
Closed: The 2023 American Short(er) Fiction Prize
We are thrilled to announce that the brilliant Karen Russell—author of the novels Sleep Donation and Swamplandia! and the story collections Vampires in the Lemon Grove, Orange World, and St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves—will judge our 2023 American Short(er) Fiction Prize. The prize recognizes extraordinary short fiction under 1,000 words. The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and publication. Previous winners of the Short(er) Fiction Prize have gone on to be anthologized … [Read more...] about Closed: The 2023 American Short(er) Fiction Prize
A Century Ends
It is decided at a summer staff meeting that The End of the Century will be the schoolwide theme for the year. Since it would be a mathematical fallacy to celebrate the year 2000 as the start of the new millennium, they all have to agree that it is not the turn or dawn of anything yet, just the end. Ellora and Jane, both first-grade teachers, have been passing notes back and forth with their own suggested titles for the schoolwide theme: The Beginning of the End; A New Beginning Begins; The End … [Read more...] about A Century Ends
The Chiropractor
A giant mirror sat in front of the massage table. On the floor were bath towels that smelled of mold and alcohol. I watched the chiropractor place his thick, hairy hands on Ma’s ribs—watched him, watched him—pushing against her breasts as he hugged and pulled and lifted her from behind. The chiropractor urged Ma to relax and imagine herself floating on the sea. “You’re on holiday now,” he said, and Ma closed her eyes and leaned into him. “Yes,” he said. “Oh yes, that’s it.” The sky was … [Read more...] about The Chiropractor