written by David Steffen
The introduction screen to Every Day Fiction says:
Every Day Fiction is a magazine that specializes in bringing you fine fiction in bite-sized doses. Every day, we publish a new short story of 1000 words or fewer that can be read during your lunch hour, on transit, or even over breakfast.
Feel free to browse around the site, check out our archives, or even sign up to receive a flash fiction story in your inbox… every day!
I love flash fiction. I think it’s an underrated form of fiction which is much more difficult to write well than you might think, and I applaud any magazine that chooses to focus its attentions on that length. Every Day Fiction, Cast of Wonders, Toasted Cake, Daily Science Fiction, these all have a heavy flash fiction component.
Every Day Fiction has been around and publishing steadily since 2007, an impressive longevity in this fleeting Internet environment, even without taking into account the frequency of publication–one story a day all year. The podcast is much newer, and certainly doesn’t cover all of EDF’s stories, so if you want to read more there’s much more to read for free in text as well.
This review covers up to episode 140 of the podcast. Some of the stories left me scratching my head, wondering what I missed, but there were plenty of stories that were very effective, whether through humor or horror or sadness. Well worth the read.
The List
1. Flowers for Clockwork Street by Jennifer R. Fierro
A sweet little speculative story about finding ways to make other people happy.
2. Dear Baby by Allison Nast
A story written as a series of letters from a pregnant letter to her unborn child.
3. The Little Things by Barbara A. Barnett
Very funny story about nitpicking tiny flaws in a romantic relationship.
4. The Spinners by Jennifer Campbell-Hicks
A story about getting what you ask for, but not what you want.
5. Drawn to the Glow by K.C. Ball
Cool action magic story about a glass blower with improbable skill.
6. Fire Safety by Matt Cowens
Over the top farce about a fire safety class gone horribly, horribly wrong.
7. Hollow Jake by Douglas Campbell
This story was impressive in its ability to portray a long time frame and emotive description of a relationship in such a short word count, about a boy and the friendship he develops with a sentient hollowed-out tree.
8. Code Mustard by Chris Allinott
Another over-the-top farce, this one about airport security and abandoned objects–in this case a half-finished $12 sandwich.
9. Broken Hearts by Ted Lietz
One of the scariest things in this world is showing your true self to the one you love. This is about that, with aliens.
10. The Death Meter by Debbie Cowens
The effects on society on on the inventor after the invention of the death meter which tells you when you will die.
Honorable Mentions
The Gift by Dustin Adams
Night of the Living Elderly by Brian J. Hunt
The Promise by Warren C. Easley
The Investigation by Cat Rambo
Damsels and Distress by Kat Otis
Is it OK to say thanks?
If so, thanks!
I appreciate the mention. That story is one of my favorites. I like it so much I expanded it to 4600 words and it received an honorable mention from WotF as well.
I too add my thanks!