American Short Fiction endorses and abides by the Code of Ethics developed by the Council of Literary Magazines and Press (CLMP): The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. Intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree — to conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to … [Read more...] about CLMP Contest Code of Ethics
The Get-Go
Sadie’s mother was tall and narrow, with a long braid down her back, black when Sadie was very little, then silvery, then silver, an instrument to measure time, an atomic clock. Her father had been tall, too, both he and the mother the tallest members of short families. In photographs and at reunions, they loomed. Everyone was happy when they had a short child: they’d decided to fit in after all. Sadie was small and plump and blonde, and when she was nine, her father died, and it was just the … [Read more...] about The Get-Go
Issue 72
Celebrating Emerging Black Writers: Featuring new stories by Elinam Agbo, Selena Anderson, Desiree C. Bailey, Jonathan Escoffery, Rickey Fayne, Gothataone Moeng, Dantiel W. Moniz, Denne Michele Norris, and Maya Perez. Guest-edited by Danielle Evans. Read the editor's note here. Rickey Fayne, "Spare the Rod" The dead come for all kinds of reasons. They come with warnings, wants, and every manner of grudge. Though most I've seen come wanting. They come wanting everything you have and can't … [Read more...] about Issue 72
Issue 72 Editor’s Note
I am thrilled to be putting this issue in your hands. It is, as ever, a collection of singular short stories that celebrate the form and highlight its range, but it is also a gift at the end of a turbulent year—work to get lost in, work to be found in, work that in its celebration of emerging writers, and Black emerging writers in particular, encourages us to imagine everything that is yet to come: all of the chances we’ll have to see more brilliant work by the writers included here, none of … [Read more...] about Issue 72 Editor’s Note
The 2020 Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize Winners
We are delighted to announce that our brilliant judge, Manuel Gonzales, has selected the winners of this year's The Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize. We consider it our privilege to have spent time with so many terrific submissions—thank you for giving us the opportunity to read your work! Winner: Cassandra Garbus for “Hillside Homes” Of Garbus' story, Gonzales writes, "It's difficult to articulate what I find so striking and compelling about 'Hillside Homes,' but I have read it more than a … [Read more...] about The 2020 Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize Winners
2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize Winners
We are thrilled to announce the winners for this year's American Short(er) Fiction Prize, judged by Deb Olin Unferth. Thank you to everyone who submitted—reading your work during this time has been a bright spot for us. Congratulations to the winners! _____ First-Place Prize: "Ricky" by Whitney Collins Judge Deb Olin Unferth writes, "Hilarious, rageful, sorrowful, and yet somehow adorable, this satiric story is full of energy and personality to spare." "Ricky" will be published in an … [Read more...] about 2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize Winners