"The Zoo and the World," Rob Roensch's story in the Spring 2014 issue of American Short Fiction, is narrated by a man who has come to rely on his own exceptional competence, but finds himself suddenly out of his element. A rare animal trader, he has learned to value life as both a momentary, beautiful apparition, to be viewed with reverence, and a currency, to be handled practically. Alone, without leave, with his own son, he finds that neither approach helps him weigh the life now in his hands. … [Read more...] about Inside the Issue: Rob Roensch reads from “The Zoo and the World”
Pushcart News
Congratulations to Barrett Swanson, whose story “Annie Radcliffe,You Are Loved,” which you can read in ASF’s 56th issue, just won a Pushcart Prize! It will be published in the 2015 Collection. … [Read more...] about Pushcart News
Deadline Extended: ASF Short Story Contest
We are excited to announce that the ASF Short Story Contest opened for submissions on February 26th. This year we are honored to have Amy Hempel as our guest judge. We have extended the contest's entry deadline to June 15th. (Note: Original deadline was June 1st.) General Guidelines - Submit your entry online between February 26, 2014 – June 15, 2014. - The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and publication in our Fall issue. One runner-up will receive $500 and all entries … [Read more...] about Deadline Extended: ASF Short Story Contest
Karen Russell Donates Her Sleep
“The French really know how to legitimize an endeavor.” Amidst a busy semester teaching at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, literary wunderkind Karen Russell takes some time to talk to me about her new novella, Sleep Donation, out now from Atavist Books. VS: Having been a fan of yours, then student, now friend, I felt like I was pretty up-to-date on your ouvre. I’d read your novel, both story collections, and last I heard you were at work on another novel about, I don’t know, something Western … [Read more...] about Karen Russell Donates Her Sleep
Short Story Contest Open for Submissions
We are excited to announce that the ASF Short Story Contest opened for submissions on February 26th. This year we are honored to have Amy Hempel as our guest judge. Submissions will be accepted through the end of May. Contest submissions will be accepted through our regular manager, Submittable. … [Read more...] about Short Story Contest Open for Submissions
Inside the Issue: Kellie Wells reads from “A Unified Theory of Human Behavior”
The young heroine of Kellie Wells' "A Unified Theory of Human Behavior," the opening story in Issue 56 of American Short Fiction, observes the world around her with an affecting mixture of sorrow and humor. "Kellie Wells," writes the wonderful Matt Bell, "will break your heart with a sentence, with a story, with the irrepressible smile at her wit that lights across your face even as on the page sadness swells and grief abounds." The story chronicles a young girl's tangled efforts to make sense … [Read more...] about Inside the Issue: Kellie Wells reads from “A Unified Theory of Human Behavior”