50-Word Stories are Coming Into Their Time

.... and journals are falling in love with the form

If you haven’t tried writing with 50-Word constraint, it may be time to take the plunge.. Writing a complete story in such a tiny space is a flash fiction writer’s ultimate challenge, and many are finding that writing the challenging constraint can become an addictive passion.

I’m excited to say that 50 word stories are blooming in lit journals these days. Magazines such as 50-Word Story, the Dribble Drabble Review, The Offing, and Bright Flash Fiction are publishing brilliant pieces. And there are many interesting new journals dedicated to the tiniest form. 50 word stories are making it into “Best of the Year” fiction anthologies, such as Best Microfiction. It is are to say that they are coming into their time.

There is a stunning collection of these stories by a living master of the form, Bob Thurber. The collection is called Nickel Fictions: 50 Exceedingly Brief Stories. I have been reading it, savoring every tiny story.

For your reading enjoyment, I’ve listed a few examples of 50 word stories I’d like to share with you today..

“Before She Was My Mother” by Bob Thurber (Selected for Best Microfiction, 2022)

“New Normal” by Sudha Balagopal

“Whoopie, Hallelujah!” by Meg Pokrass

For information on my new, upcoming 50 word story workshop, Dec. 28th-30th, find out more here.