Online for Authors Episode 11-2-24

​Mastering the Art of Flash Fiction: Tips from Editor John McCaffrey

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is John McCaffrey, editor of 50 Give or Take, is here to chat with us about flash fiction and why authors might want to consider this form of storytelling. Originally from Rochester, New York, John McCaffrey attended Villanova University and received his M.A. in Creative Writing from the City College of New York. He is the author of four published books: The Book of Ash (2013), a science fiction novel, and the short story collections Two Syllable Men (2016), What's Wrong With This Picture? (2019) and Automatically Hip (2022). He is an award-winning playwright, a writing professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and a columnist for The Good Men Project. ​

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This week I had the pleasure of chatting with John McCaffrey, editor of the unique and intriguing flash fiction series 50 Give or Take. We dove deep into the art of micro storytelling, the joys (and challenges) of being an editor, and how aspiring authors can get involved.

Some key takeaways:

• Flash fiction, typically 500-750 words or less, is all about illuminating a moment and evoking feeling. As John says, "You don't need to have beginning, middle and end - but you want the reader to feel closure, even if they don't know exactly what happens next."
• When it comes to selecting stories for 50 Give or Take, John looks for pieces that "feel artistic" and have a sense of craft, meaning, and truth. Surprise twists are a bonus!
• Writing flash can be a great creative exercise for novelists, too. It forces you to be economical with words and master the skill of "showing" vs. "telling" - which translates to tighter, more engaging long-form writing as well.
• Want to try your hand at flash? Pick a meaningful moment, whittle it down to 50 words, and send it over to John at 50 Give or Take. He promises to give constructive feedback to every submission!

For more wit and wisdom from John, along with details on how to subscribe to 50 Give or Take, check out the full interview here. And be sure to reply with your burning questions about flash fiction - I'll pass them along to the expert himself!

P.S. Want to keep the micro story magic going? Head over to Novels N Latte Book Club on Facebook, where we're giving away copies of the 2023 50 Give or Take anthology - plus a sneak peek of 2024's upcoming collection! Just our way of saying "thanks" for being part of this wordy and wonderful community. See you there!

Purchase The 50-Word Stories of 2023: Microfiction for Lovers of Quick Reads (50 Give or Take) on Amazon:
​Paperback: https://amzn.to/4e8KNXp

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.