Dear Reader, At American Short Fiction, we believe reading is transformative and that literature has the power to change the way we see ourselves, our world, and our place in it. ASF was founded in 1991 with a mission to publish today's most significant stories. In 2021, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, our editors continue that legacy by advancing the short form, in all its diversity and complexity, in every edition. That's why we are launching a special anniversary campaign to raise … [Read more...] about A Letter from the Editors: 30 Years of Extraordinary Short Stories
Introducing Story Menagerie: Literary Postcards by Edward Carey
Award-winning author and illustrator Edward Carey’s daily drawings have been an unexpected source of joy for all of us at ASF during a difficult year and a half. These illustrations—some whimsical, some terrifying—are playful, incisive, and magnetic, much like our favorite short fiction. We liked them so much we commissioned Carey to create a set of limited-edition literary postcards, which are now on sale for $25. Story Menagerie: Literary Postcards | $25 Twenty 4” x 6” … [Read more...] about Introducing Story Menagerie: Literary Postcards by Edward Carey
My Constellation of 8: Kirstin Valdez Quade
Join American Short Fiction for the latest installment of My Constellation of 8 on October 26th at 6:30 p.m. CST, featuring award-winning author Kirstin Valdez Quade in conversation about eight of her literary influences with ASF's Coeditor Adeena Reitberger. All book sales will benefit Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe. Live closed captions are available for all Google Chrome users. Register now to save your spot. About Kirstin Valdez Quade Kirstin Valdez … [Read more...] about My Constellation of 8: Kirstin Valdez Quade
The Stars at Night 2021
Please note that this event has passed. Please visit our Stars at Night page for information about this year's event. Each fall, the editors and staff of American Short Fiction host a grand celebration that recognizes literary excellence, extraordinary literary service, and a debut writer from Texas. The Stars at Night is our favorite event of the year because it’s intimate, celebratory, community-fueled, and inspiring. It’s the most down-home, sophisticated literary spectacular on the … [Read more...] about The Stars at Night 2021
My Constellation of 8: Elizabeth McCracken
Join American Short Fiction for the latest installment of My Constellation of 8 on June 8th at 6:30 p.m., featuring award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken in conversation about eight of her literary influences with ASF's Coeditor Adeena Reitberger. All book sales will benefit BookWoman in Austin, celebrating 45 years as the only feminist bookstore in Texas. Live closed captions are available for all Google Chrome users. Register now to save your spot. About Elizabeth … [Read more...] about My Constellation of 8: Elizabeth McCracken
Register Now: 2021 Short Story Summer Camp
Join us this summer for a first-ever, limited-entry manuscript consultation and virtual craft series from the editors of American Short Fiction. Each registrant will receive detailed feedback on their submitted story and attend a series of three live virtual seminars focused on honing and refining their work with an editor's eye. Regular registration ($425) will close on June 15th. Note: Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. This is not a juried application … [Read more...] about Register Now: 2021 Short Story Summer Camp