Published: May 28, 2011
Words: 38,122 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781458057662

Short description

Writers from all over Australia have contributed to this delightful anthology of thirty-eight flash fiction stories. Written by established and first-time writers, these stories are the best of the entries in the Stringybark Flash Fiction Awards. Selected by David Vernon, Nadine Smith, Sarah Whitehead and Rick Williams.

Extended description

Bikinis undulated, underwater pennants marking high points in Lachie’s life. Pink crocheted triangles, stiff with salt water, unknotted with fumbling fingers his first time. Sporty Lycra, cupping surf carnival competitors’ taut buttocks. Sequinned strings, slinking from the glittering loins of tired-eyed strippers at his brother’s buck’s night. Today, his girlfriend Em wore a shimmering cobalt bikini, the colour of the flash on a kookaburra’s wing (from Free-Diving by Morgana MacLeod).

Writers from all over Australian have contributed to this delightful anthology of thirty-eight flash fiction stories. Each story is complete in 1000 words or fewer. Written by established and first-time writers, these stories are the best of the entries in the Stringybark Flash Fiction Awards. Selected by David Vernon, Nadine Smith, Sarah Whitehead and Rick Williams.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

short stories, anthologies, flash fiction, australian writing, australian fiction, australian culture, australian authors

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Reviews

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Review by: Mike McG on Oct. 08, 2012 :
"Free-Diving" by Morgana MacLeod is the stand out story in this wonderful collection of short stories — erotic but unsettling the imagery lives with me weeks after reading the story. But perhaps it is unfair to highlight one tale. All the stories are fascinating in their own way. There are some very funny stories (eg the title story, "Between Heaven and Hell" by Annette Johnson) and some very heart-rending stories (eg "Mal's Coming for a Visit" by Rebecca Raisin. Great collection.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Em Brister on July 03, 2012 :
I read lots of short stories. I want ones that are clever, have a good ending and are well written — grammatically correct, no typos and their style fits the genre. This book is spot on. Some very funny stories, some poignant, some sad — just how an anthology should be.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Gabion on July 02, 2012 :
I've always enjoyed flash fiction and the need to pack a lot into a very small space. When authors do this well the story soars! This is a collection of well packed stories with very non-flying stories! I'm impressed with this collection and from the publisher's website it appears another collection is on the way. I think Stringybark has hit on a great formula for producing entertaining short stories. This book doesn't disappoint.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Jack A Benson on March 29, 2012 :
I enjoy flash fiction - it's great for reading on the bus and train on the way home and so to read a well-written, entertaining anthology was quite a treat. This is a well edited book with a most interesting selection of stories. Very few duds - most of them quite brilliant. I'll read more Stringybark in future.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Jane Doilly on March 28, 2012 :
Finding good stuff on Smashwords is a bit hit and miss these days but I do like Stringybark material and this book is no exception. A wide range of stories covering a wide range of subjects. Each one competently written and thought-provoking. Good work, Stringybark.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Peter Thompson on Nov. 16, 2011 :
Oh goodie. Another short story collection from Stringybark. I bought this some months ago and only got to it last night. Read it through in one sitting. Clever stories.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: V.S. Daley on Nov. 13, 2011 :
I'm very chuffed with this purchase. These are short, punch stories which have been chosen with care. Excellent production quality too.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Clarissa White on Oct. 13, 2011 :
This is how I like my anthologies - varied, entertaining, intriguing and well written. What a great selection of short stories. Having waded through endless free e-books it was worth paying a few bucks for a good read. The production quality was excellent with no grammar or spelling errors evident. Kate Loveday's story, "The Shed" is particularly poignant. But there are many others worth mentioning too. Good value.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Daniel Vane on July 25, 2011 :
I dished out my dosh for a second David Vernon edited book and I haven't been disappointed. These are flash fiction stories (that means that they are short and can be read between bus stops). Short they may be but that doesn't mean unsatisfying. A couple of the stories were a bit weird, but then maybe they pushed me out of my comfort zone. Nevertheless, an excellent anthology. I am keen to buy any future anthologies. I think he's on a winner.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Bronnie Wu on July 13, 2011 :
What in the world does a delicious cupcake (or is it a sinful cupcake) have to do with an anthology of flash fiction stories? An intriguing cover for an intriguing book. These stories are short (1000 words) and delightful. They are perfect for the train commute home. I wanted a book that I could dip in and out of on the way to and from work. This is a perfect anthology for such a job. The stories have are winners or highly commended stories from a short story competition and thus they are of high quality. A few aren't my cup of tea, but how can an anthology provide a perfect set of stories for everyone? I couldn't find any typos or grammatical errors which seem to be so prevalent in many e-books today. So I am very happy. A good read. I'll sample the other books from the same publisher soon.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Sandra Black on July 13, 2011 :
I love this book. The stories are fresh, unique, thoughtful and meaningful. The production is excellent with all links working. If you would like to read some different Australian fiction then this book is for you. The book is divided between new and established authors which gives the entire anthology a lovely feel. I am hard-pressed to find anything I don't like about the book — oh, perhaps it could be longer. I was sorry when it ended.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

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