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American Short Fiction

Publishing exquisite fiction since 1991.

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FICTION

WEB EXCLUSIVES

EOD

—February 08, 2024

EOD

Serena Lin

Sam feared old people. She feared their drooping folds, their soft edges, like a block of butter left out for too long. They haunted the office in their squelching orthopedic sneakers, moving so … [READ MORE] about EOD

Shouting Is at Least Talking

—December 29, 2023

Shouting Is at Least Talking

Sumil Thakrar

For six years I dated Ian, but only once we broke up did everyone close to me reveal they never liked him anyway. “We didn’t want to tell you,” my mother said. “We?” “Your father never liked him … [READ MORE] about Shouting Is at Least Talking

Bleed and Bleed

—December 26, 2023

Bleed and Bleed

Hedgie Choi

Christopher was the nicest man I had ever met and so I was engaged to him. We got engaged during his residency and I told people we would get married when he became a doctor, but he never became a … [READ MORE] about Bleed and Bleed

House

—October 23, 2023

House

Stacy Austin Egan

I don’t climb up the downspout to my window, don’t have to hope it holds. I’ve missed curfew, but I was with Lily; no one is holding their breath. I use the key under the crocodile planter—tangles of … [READ MORE] about House

Dievas X

—July 19, 2023

Dievas X

DS Sulaitis

There’s no escaping the bath ladies. They come out at night in our small village and limp to my tiny house on Naujoji Street. They knock and I go to open the door. It’s the custom to let everyone in. … [READ MORE] about Dievas X

The Potatoes

—June 13, 2023

The Potatoes

Acie Clark

The potatoes came out of the compost pile thick-limbed and determined, looking almost like tomatoes, given their height. You shook your head. “Once there are potatoes, there’s always potatoes.” I … [READ MORE] about The Potatoes

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CURRENT ISSUE

American Short Fiction Issue 82

Featuring

New stories by Lydi Conklin, Annie Liontas, Kyle McCarthy, Carrie R. Moore, KJ Nakazawa-Kern, and Colleen Rosenfeld.

MFA for All Spring 2026: New classes from Jonathan Lethem and Katie Kitamura. Register now!

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