The Best Small Fictions 2020

The Best Small Fictions 2020 presents a curated collection of flash fiction and micro-fiction from authors across the globe. This anthology, edited by Nathan Leslie, brings together winners and finalists from multiple fiction competitions and literary journals. The collection features pieces under 1000 words, with many stories consisting of just a few paragraphs. Writers employ diverse styles and approaches, from traditional narrative structures to experimental forms that blur genre boundaries. The stories span multiple themes including family relationships, identity, loss, and transformation within their compressed formats. Characters navigate pivotal moments and personal revelations, demonstrating how brief narratives can capture complete emotional arcs. This anthology showcases the power of extreme brevity in fiction, revealing how carefully chosen details and precise language can create fully realized worlds and resonant meanings in minimal space.

Readers note this collection includes 87 pieces of flash fiction from both emerging and established writers. Reviews indicate strong representation of diverse voices and experimental forms. Readers appreciated: - The brevity and impact of the selections - The range of styles and subject matter - The inclusion of international writers - Clear editorial vision from Nathan Leslie Common criticisms: - Some pieces felt too abstract or experimental - A few readers wanted more traditional narrative structures - Inconsistent quality between selections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (16 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (7 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Each piece packs an emotional punch in just a few pages" - Goodreads reviewer "Some stories left me confused rather than moved" - Amazon reviewer "Love how it captures so many unique voices in bite-sized pieces" - Goodreads reviewer The collection receives particular praise for showcasing new approaches to flash fiction while remaining accessible.

Flash Fiction International by James Thomas, Robert Shapard, and Christopher Merrill This anthology presents micro-fiction from writers across six continents, offering a global perspective on the craft of compressed storytelling.

Brevity: A Flash Fiction Handbook by David Galef The book combines craft instruction with sample stories to demonstrate the techniques and forms within flash fiction writing.

My Very End of the Universe: Five Novellas-in-Flash by Meg Pokrass, Aaron Teel, Margaret Patton Chapman, Tiff Holland, and Chris Bower Five writers present complete narratives through linked flash fiction pieces, showing how micro-stories build into larger works.

New Micro: Exceptionally Short Fiction by James Thomas and Robert Scotellaro This collection presents stories of 300 words or fewer from both established and emerging writers in contemporary micro-fiction.

The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction by Tara L. Masih This craft book contains essays from flash fiction practitioners alongside example stories that illustrate the techniques discussed.

🔖 The Best Small Fictions 2020 is part of an annual anthology series that specifically celebrates flash fiction, micro fiction, and other very short forms of storytelling. 🖋️ Editor Nathan Leslie has authored ten short story collections and three collections of flash fiction himself, bringing extensive experience in the genre to his role as curator. 📚 The anthology features works that are typically under 1,000 words, demonstrating how complete and powerful stories can be told with extreme brevity. 🏆 The series was originally founded by Tara L. Masih in 2015 and has become one of the most prestigious showcases for flash fiction in the literary world. 🌏 The collection includes works from both established and emerging writers across the globe, offering diverse perspectives and storytelling styles in compact forms.