In 2018, I published an essay that collected some of my thoughts about what writers should think about prior to submitting their work to literary journals. That piece was based on a talk I'd given that year at the Muse and the Marketplace conference in Boston. I returned to the Muse in the spring of 2019 and delivered a sequel to that talk, one in which I was able to include a few more thoughts (and expand upon previous ones) on revision. That initial essay was long, maybe too long, but I felt ... [READ MORE]
NOTEBOOK
In 2020, Recommit to Reading Literary Magazines
With the new year comes our best-ever subscription bundle. From now until February 1st, you can get a one-year subscription to American Short Fiction, The Believer, and BOMB for only $80. That's a 27% discount off the regular price! This bundle makes a great gift as well, so if you've got a literature and art-loving friend or two, get this deal while the getting's good. Click here to Subscribe Today. Founded in 1991 and based in Austin, Texas, American Short Fiction is a two-time finalist for ... [READ MORE]
Bourbon and Milk: On Time
Bourbon and Milk dives into the perplexing spaces parenting sometimes pushes us, and explores the unexpected ways writers may grow in them. If you’re interested in joining the conversation, query Giuseppe Taurino at: giuseppe [at] americanshortfiction.org. — This past summer, for the first time in ten years, I didn’t work on a book. I'd been working on one difficult book or another since before I got pregnant with my son—he is nine now—and even the thought of beginning another difficult, ... [READ MORE]
Now Closed: The 2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize
We are thrilled to announce that Deb Olin Unferth, author of six remarkable books, including Wait Till You See Me Dance, Minor Robberies, and the forthcoming novel Barn 8, will judge this year’s 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 in places such as The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small ... [READ MORE]
Web Exclusive Interview: Nora Lange
In Nora Lange's flash fiction, “Her Cousin Lena,” Rose records a long-distance phone call with her mother. Their exchange reveals a disconnect that, though often funny, describes the “love and horror” of a certain flavor of mother-daughter relationship. Haunting the conversation is the absent figure of Rose’s cousin, Lena, to whom the mother constantly compares her daughter, and who becomes the axis point of their unaddressed tensions. We chatted recently with Nora about her story and ... [READ MORE]
2019 The Halifax Fiction Prize Winner
We're delighted to announce that our wonderful judge Rebecca Makkai has selected the winner of The Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize. We received many terrific submissions—thank you for giving us the opportunity to read your work! Winner: "Visitors" by Rachel Vogel Judge's Citation "This story made me tremendously nervous, which is about the highest compliment I can give: It made me care, unsettled me, and had me holding my breath. Looking back on the actual events of the story, they're ... [READ MORE]