Do you love flash fiction?
Do you love a good writing challenge?
Then this is where you will want to be in November as we challenge you to write 30 stories in 30 days!
Created by Nancy Stohlman in 2012 in solidarity with NaNoWriMo,
FlashNano is in its 12th year!
In 2023 we had over 3,000 participants!
(and get access to the 2023 prompts)
FLASHNANO Frequently Asked Questions
What is flash fiction?
Flash fictions are complete, stand-alone stories in under 1,000 words.
Do we submit them somewhere?
There is no official submitting, though I will re-open the private Facebook Group where people like to share and keep each other’s spirits up. But many people participate without ever sharing anything and that’s also great.
Do you critique them?
No. That would go against the messy, creative, generative spirit of FlashNano. But I will offer future plenty of opportunities to work with me throughout the month and beyond including workshops, memberships, and retreats.
If I share them are they considered published?
Since the Facebook page is private it will not count as “published” later. Some people like to publish on their own blogs but that may count as “published” to a magazine.
What if I miss a day?
If you miss a day then write two the next day! This challenge is really between you and your god, so no one else is counting.
I don’t live in the U.S. When should I expect the prompts to post?
I post them around 7:00 am MST (in the U.S.), give or take an hour. So over in Europe and Australia you’ll be getting them in the afternoon/evening.
Do I have to use the prompts?
Absolutely not. Write 30 stories in November by any means necessary!
Do I have to write flash fiction?
Nope. It began as a flash fiction event, but over the last 12 years I’ve seen people approach the month in many ways, from a haiku a day to even threading the daily flashes into a flash novel. New material is always a win!
Nancy Stohlman 
What is the maximum word count for Nano Fiction? This sounds like a lot of fun!
Anything under 1000 words counts as flash.
Pingback: The Hallway #NaBloPoMo | The Life of Kylie
Woohoo!
Pingback: Flashnano: A Blitzkrieg of Flash Fiction in November « Flash Fiction Chronicles
I like this. I did about 80 Flash after my first novel, in NaNoWriMo 2010. I’ve picked this genre as my theme for CampNaNo this April, so will bookmark this page.
Thanks, Mike! We’ll do it again in November…
Hi Nancy: I am so excited to see this! I did a collection of shorts for 2013 NaNo and since I am writing the FFC Month in Review I was reminded about Flashnano. Gotta get myself geared for this year’s!
I’m so glad! I’ll be giving a Flash Fiction Workshop in August as well-stay posted!
Wonderful!
Pingback: Settings and Senses | The Writingwolf: Words and Wonders
I’ve already planned my novel for November, but I’m using these prompts for Camp NaNo this month–and I’m loving them! I’ve been trying to write more flash fiction to share on my blog, and these prompts are perfect. So far I’ve done the first five, each of them yielding completely different stories. I think my favorite was trying to write a story in exactly 75 words (the challenge was high–the fun was higher), but trying to write a story based off my textbook invoice was also quite exciting.
Thank you so much for sharing these!
Yeah!!
Not on Facebook, but I think I’ll try this, Nancy!
Yeah!!
Hello Nancy
I think your prompts are just the right length providing endless possibilities and that’s what it’s all about : the chances and risks which challenge us because really what’s the alternative. More Prompts!!!!
Thank you Shelly
Thank you so much, Shelly! I agree–a prompt should leave lots of room for interpretation…thanks for playing!
Count me in for 2015! I’m taking a poetry class, thinking a lot about concision. This seems to fit.
Woohoo!
This is going to be so much fun. Thanks for planning and generating this!
I’ll give it a whirl. Thank you very much, Nancy, for sharing these great prompts and providing this sandbox to play in — plus, now I don’t feel so bad about not doing that novel thinger. :o)
Sounds like fun. I’m in!
This feels exciting i am away for most of November this year but hope to join in next year. Good luck one and all.
Looking forward to prompt #1!
So no sign-up sheet (not that I’m the ‘show-me-structure type)? Is it just take the prompts and gallop with them? My horse ain’t even got a bridle (or that thing in his mouth with strings attached for left, right and ‘whoa’)… Hey! This could be the beginning of a flash piece…
Hi Nancy, delighted that I found this challenge. I did NaNo in 2013 and managed the full word count. This month I have less time and wasn’t going to bother, this is a way I can join in and create new work! Great. Thanks.
Pingback: NANO: No Time for NaNoWriMo? Try FLASH NANO instead | awritersfountain
Pingback: the boy on the bridge | thirty tales of unease
Pingback: 2015 Flash-Nano | Within A Forest Dark
Pingback: The Baby Blue Convertible and Me | Jody's World
Pingback: NaNoWriMo: Update on Flash NANO | awritersfountain
Pingback: Storm Warning | Jody's World
Pingback: Are you writing this November? | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Beautiful Inside | Jody's World
Pingback: selkie song | thirty tales of unease
Pingback: you will not pass over into Elysium | thirty tales of unease
Pingback: Playing with Fire | Jody's World
Pingback: A Living Doll | Jody's World
Pingback: Endless Nights | Jody's World
Pingback: FLASH NANO – 1 week in | awritersfountain
Pingback: No Rest for the Weary | Jody's World
Pingback: Unraveled | Jody's World
Pingback: Loosin’ It | Jody's World
Just getting started today….10 flashes in a day. Let’s see what happens.
Pingback: The Humerus Doctor | Jody's World
Pingback: Her Ginger Girl | Jody's World
Pingback: Smooth Operator | Jody's World
Pingback: FLASH NANO – NaNoWriMo Reaches the Halfway Point | awritersfountain
Pingback: Gone | Jody's World
Pingback: Summer Dreaming | Jody's World
Pingback: The Heart Never Forgets | Jody's World
Pingback: Baby, It’s Cold Outside | Jody's World
Pingback: Sinners | Jody's World
Pingback: Hiding in Plain Sight | Jody's World
Pingback: The Gathering | Jody's World
Pingback: November Review | awritersfountain
Pingback: You Will Not Cross Over Into Elysium | Within A Forest Dark
Hi Nancy! Thrilled to discover your Flash Nano challenge. I’m in for 2016. Thanks for hosting!
Pingback: Flash Nano | One Blue Sail
Hi Nancy! Hope you’re well! I’d like to be added to your email list for NANO prompts, class information and anything else you want to pass along. Thanks!
Yay!
My pleasure!
I’m in! Crazy time of year but why not? Neato…
Pingback: Publications & Other Announcements – Sophie van Llewyn
Pingback: Seasons Change | Jody's World
Pingback: Escape | Jody's World
So glad to see you doing this with us Sophie!
Yay!!
I’m so glad you are doing this Jody!
Pingback: Pieces of You – musings by maria // pixels
Pingback: Flash Fiction Submission & Competition Opportunities - Nov 2016 - CLODAGH O'BRIEN
Woohoo!
Woohoo!
Pingback: Unanchored - Book Tales #17 - CLODAGH O'BRIEN
Pingback: Flash-Nano | Within A Forest Dark
I have done this for several years. I usually only get out 5 or 6 Flash Fictions, but that is more than I had when the month started. I’m looking forward to year #3 (for me that is)!
Pingback: Flash Nano: Day #1 | Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne
Looking forward to giving this a try.
Pingback: FlashNano Day 1: End of the Day | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano #2: The Blue Chevy | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano #3 – The Night Out | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano 4 – Frosty | Michaelsfishbowl
Am a bit late to the party – but this looks like a really good idea. Gonna try and catch up!
Pingback: FlashNano #5: Into Rainbows | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano #6 – Time in the Tub | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 7 – Cinderella’s a Spoiled Brat | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 8 – Bix | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 8: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Day 10: Then/Now | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 11: A Warm January | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 12 – The Fortune | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 13: ???? | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: FlashNano Day 14: 4:00 am Dance | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Day 16: Pizza Delivery | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Day 17: Apartment 18B | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Day 18: 01/09/18 | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Day 19: The Anniversary | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Flashback: 30 Flash Fiction Prompts from FlashNano Year One – Flash Fiction Retreats
Pingback: Flash Fiction: Nancy Stohlman's "The Rapture" - O:JA&L
Pingback: Someone Else’s Story (50 words, 9/25/18) | Gene Brode, Jr.
Pingback: FlashNano 2018: Ready, Set, Write | Kristin Tenor
Pingback: FlashNano and MicroWrimo Daily Writing Prompts Are Just Days Away | Gene Brode, Jr.
Pingback: Review: Nancy Stohlman’s Madam Velvet’s Cabaret of Oddities – Boulder Poetry Tribe
Pingback: November is Writing Month - Lynda Kirby
Pingback: Author Kate Blair’s Six Ways to Write A Book When You Are Already Stupidly Busy | Gene Brode, Jr.
Pingback: Flash Nonfiction at AWP | Brian Benson | Author of GOING SOMEWHERE
Pingback: Tomorrow is November | Michaelsfishbowl
Pingback: Flashnano Starts Tomorrow! | David Atkinson's Blog
Pingback: Return to Sender | MicroJots
DAY # 3 OFF THE NET and then put back on:
DETOUR
I took a wrong turn. I lost my temper. Yanked the phone cord beneath the bedroom door. Wrapped it around my hand. Tight. Yanked and yanked. It wasn’t my fault. It never is. I make my own reality. It’s pick and choose. And break another heart. I can’t help that I’m always so convincing. I am not me. I am never me. I learned that in the war. I guess this is what people call peace. Wandering from one handout to another. Becoming what somebody wants you to be. Needs you to be. Especially after dark. Or to blackmail for not being who you claim to be. I am I. Yanking on that phone cord. “Here’s to crime!” Everybody gets bought off. One way or another.
[Disposable Short November 3, 2019]
Dr. Mike
Pingback: What are you writing this November? – Cath Barton
Pingback: Prometheus | The Seeker
Pingback: The Almost Mothers Q&A – Word herding
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However
I am going through problems with your RSS. I don’t know the
reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues?
Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Pingback: On your marks… NaNoWriMo! | SkyLightRain
Pingback: To Nano or Not – FC Malby
Pingback: Learning by doing – Sylvia Petter's Pages
Pingback: FlashNano and the Lockdown – Self-Indulgent Twaddle
Pingback: First Love (FlashNano day 7) – From the Valley of the Trolls
Pingback: A Closer Look: GOING SHORT - CRAFT
Pingback: The Ballet of Absurdist Nonsense - TheSupercargo
Pingback: Flash Nano – The Accidental Inspirationalist
Pingback: Even a godawful year may have a silver lining - TheSupercargo
Pingback: News! – Flo Do Books
Pingback: Midweek Notes from a Practicing Writer - Erika Dreifus
If your folks need places to sub, I run a submission event in January, June & September to paying markets only. More details will be on my twitter feed @RayDaleyWriter in November.
Pingback: Finds for Writers - Erika Dreifus
Pingback: Creative Community | Within A Forest Dark
Pingback: Fifty thousand in a month? Maybe. Maybe not. – Melinda VanRy
Pingback: NaNoWriMo Plus – Author T.L. Hicks
Pingback: A Man Walks into a Bank - Flash Fiction - TheSupercargo
Pingback: Spain Retreat 2022: Nancy Stohlman talks with House of Light in Andalucia – Flash Fiction Retreats
Yay! So excited to join you!
I attended some of your wieland at BFFF this year. Loved them.
Pingback: Learning From Our Favourite Characters – Allison Symes: Collected Works
Hi Nancy. We met in Bristol this summer, I attended one of your sessions at the Bath Flash Fiction Festival, and you autographed your excellent book “Going Short”. Sorry to arrive late at this party, but I became aware of it only today through the newsletter of the Geneva Writers’ Group. I already draft a flash once a week as part of the Retreat West community, and look forward to upping my output through this exciting initiative.
Pingback: November F-Bomb: Wednesday 11/16, Hosted by Krystal Summers featuring Nancy Stohlman and Serena Chopra on Zoom |
Pingback: SOME THOUGHTS – Two books in my pocket
Pingback: Daily Writing Practice – Yellow Brick Road Writer
Pingback: Day 2 of my practice run for FlashNano 2023 | Tread, Doodle & Scrawl
Pingback: Hocus Pocus now, The Addams Family later | T. L. Sherwood
I cant get in to start. What am i missing? I’ve joined?
Pingback: Should I be re-reading books? – Yellow Brick Road Writer
Pingback: Dreamtime Travel | Valley of the Trolls
Pingback: November F-bomb on 11/21, Hosted by Kit Tara Eret |
Pingback: New Skills and New Hope – Yellow Brick Road Writer