Right Hand Pointing-Fiction 2006

right hand pointing

F. John Sharp

Flash Fiction 2006

It's possible that a collection of stories an editor chooses tells as much about that editor as the stories tell about their authors. Whether this is true, I don't know. But I do think that the collection of stories I've chosen tells more about what I believe to be the definition of Flash fiction than anything else.

Some of the stories have full arcs, with a beginning, middle and an end. Some are more like an impressionistic painting than a story, not leaving the reader with anything more specific than a feeling or an idea. Each do one thing—they embody my definition of Flash. Which is to say, there is no hard and fast definition. Something short. Something that moves me. That's it.

I'm really happy to have a mix of more established writers and some newer ones. I received a lot of good stories to look over and select from, and I'm thankful to all who have let us publish their work.

I've enjoyed this gig, and I'd like to thank Dale, first for asking me, second, for pretty much letting me to do my thing, and third, for creating a really wonderful little home for this art form.

And if anyone wants me to play them a jig…

F. John Sharp