Featuring new stories by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene, Ben Mauk, Joyce Carol Oates, Laura van den Berg, Ada Zhang, Hilary Bell, and Emily Hunt Kivel. Magogodi oaMphela Makhene, "Dr. Basters" He’s probably licking an ice-cream cone somewhere, Eugene Alexander de Kock. Out. Walking, petting his dog. Whites love their dogs. Part of the family, as they say. Chocolate chip mint, I bet. A man as fastidious getting dirty work done as de Kock was stripping, strangling, sjambokking, wetbagging, … [Read more...] about Issue 77
The Stars at Night 2023
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
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
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
Announcing New Fall Short Story Workshop
Join us this fall for a brand-new 8-week short story workshop led by Fernando A. Flores, author of the two brilliant collections Valleyesque and Death to the Bullshit Artists of South Texas. 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 Fall Short Story Workshop
Issue 75
Featuring new stories by Lydia Conklin, Darby Jardeleza, Matthew Neill Null, Roger Reeves, Eric Schlich, Caroline Schmidt, Jackie Thomas-Kennedy, and Emma Törzs. Lydia Conklin, "Belong to the Night" A hangover was already running her down, her lungs full of fiberglass. En route to the subway, a rat skittered from under a bulkhead door down the sticky, empty street and into the neon light of a taco sign. The rat carried a mouse in its teeth. The mouse’s eyes were points of light straining … [Read more...] about Issue 75