New Micros Releases today, August 28, 2018!
A new collection of very short stories selected by Flash Fiction editor James Thomas and Robert Scotellaro.
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: WW Norton & Company
- ISBN-10: 0393354709
- ISBN-13: 978-0393354706
To say I cut my teeth on the Norton flash fiction anthologies would be an understatement. I remember reading Flash Fiction Forward in a hammock in Costa Rica circa 2008–as I was in the middle of an MFA and creating and editing my first anthology of flash fiction with Fast Forward Press–and just marveling at the scope and vision of editors James Thomas and Robert Shapard. I, of course, proceeded to read all their previous anthologies, then assigned them in my classes and workshops. Some of the stories in that book, like “Consuming the View” by Luigi Malerba (and reprinted in Flash Fiction International), continue to haunt me.
So, 10 years later, I’m not exaggerating when I say it was a dream come true and a full circle when New Micro editors James Thomas and Robert Scotellaro contacted me about including two of my pieces, “Death Row Hugger” and “I Found Your Voodoo Doll on the Dance Floor After Last Call”, in the latest anthology. Wow.
And New Micros might be my favorite of them all (without bias!). What sets this anthology apart is that all the stories are concentrated on the shorter end of the flash spectrum–300 words or fewer (traditional flash can reach up to 1,000 words). The Table of Contents alone showcases the heavy hitters of the flash fiction movement, writers who are actively writing, teaching and promoting flash fiction such as: Pamela Painter, Stuart Dybek, Joy Williams, Amy Hempel, Sherrie Flick, Meg Tuite, Tom Hazuka, Diane Williams, Roberta Allen, Steve Almond, Grant Faulkner, Meg Pokrass, Francine Witte, Jeff Landon, Christopher Merkner, Sophie Rosenblum, Tara Lynn Masih, Lynn Mundell, Kim Chinquee, Kathy Fish, Gay Degani, Robert Vaughan, Paul Beckman, Len Kuntz, James Claffey, Randall Brown and SO many others.
To call flash fiction a literary movement, in my opinion, is not hyperbole. And to be included in this book–as well as to be on the forefront of such a thriving movement with so many other inspiring writers–is a gift and a privilege.
It’s an exciting time to be a flash fiction writer and reader!
Join the movement! Buy the book here:
Come to one of the New Micro book launches and readings in NYC and San Francisco! (Details below)

New Micros San Francisco Book Launch:
From their website: The Bindery hosts the San Francisco launch for the new W. W. Norton anthology New Micro: Exceptionally Short Fiction, featuring readings by local contributors. Save the date and join us!
Confirmed readers so far include: James Claffey, Gay Degani, Grant Faulkner, Thaisa Frank, Molly Giles,Cadence Low, Melissa McCracken, Lynn Mundell, Pamela Painter, and Nancy Stohlman!
New Micros NYC Book Launch:
85 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
Hosted by Paul Beckman and featuring Roberta Allen, Sarah Freligh, Kyle Hemmings, Pedro Ponce, Damian Dressick, Randall Brown, Pia Z. Ehrhardt, Kim Chinquee, Francine Witte, Meg Pokrass, Tiff Holland, Dawn Raffel and Jeff Landon.