Latest News
The Field Guide is released! It's here, it's lovely, it reads beautifully and informatively, and I hope anyone interested in writing, teaching, and the field of lit buys this important little book. I even received an email from Germany, the interest is that high. And check out the Rose Metal site for readings that will be held around the country, where you can listen to and meet many of our most important and talented writers.
The launch party was a great success. Standing room only at the Brookline Booksmith. Abby Beckel, publisher of RMP, began the event, and Steve Almond finished off. Lots of books sold and the cupcakes all disappeared. A few pictures at the Rose Metal Press Blogspot.
I have fiction and essays forthcoming in the January online issues of Night Train and Midway Journal, in the debut March online issue of Melusine, and in the July/August issue of The Merrimack Valley Magazine.
New Release: The Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction
$15.95/order from Rose Metal Press
Advance Praise for The Field Guide:
"A thoughtful and thought-provoking resource, casting fresh light on the practice of flash fiction. Each essay is a gem, encrusted with outstanding prompts and valuable exercises. Anyone who hopes to write (or teach) the very short fiction form needs to read this book." —Dinty W. Moore, editor of The MAMMOTH Book of Miniscule Fiction
"The Field Guide to Flash Fiction is an exhaustive, thoughtful, idea-producing guide to one of the lesser-known forms of literary expression, the short short story—I can't imagine that there's anything left out of this remarkable anthology of essays about flash fiction. It should prompt the neophyte and the veteran writer to get busy and try one of these difficult stories." —Anne Bernays, coauthor of What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers
"As professors of English, we find The Field Guide invaluable. The essays are cogent, clear, and short—to the point. Students wishing to practice creative fiction are provided with tools, theory, and inspiration throughout each step of the composition process. Writers reading about literature and then reading the literature itself will discover how effectively The Field Guide presents concepts as it eschews academic jargon in favor of a hands-on approach." —Jon Redfern and Jack David, editors of Short Short Stories
FEATURING ESSAYS FROM: Steve Almond • Rusty Barnes • Randall Brown • Mark Budman • Stace Budzko • Robert Olen Butler • Ron Carlson • Pamelyn Casto • Kim Chinquee • Stuart Dybek • Pia Z. Ehrhardt • Sherrie Flick • Vanessa Gebbie • Tom Hazuka • Nathan Leslie • Michael Martone • Julio Ortega • Pamela Painter • Jayne Anne Phillips • Jennifer Pieroni • Shouhua Qi • Bruce Holland Rogers • Robert Shapard • Deb Olin Unferth • Lex Williford
With its unprecedented gathering of 25 brief essays by experts in the field, The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction meets the growing need for a concise yet creative exploration of the reemerging genre popularly known as flash fiction. As they share their personal beliefs as to what exactly this hybrid genre consists of, and what it is defined by, the essayists also provide insight into their writing habits, philosophies, inspirations, and teaching methods, along with tips for editing and improving flash stories. Original and well-tested exercises or prompts accompany each piece, followed by a story example for further study. As an added feature, the book’s introduction provides, for the first time, a comprehensive history of the short short story, from its early roots and appearances to its current state. This guide is a must for anyone in the field of short fiction who teaches, writes, and is interested in the genre’s genesis and practice.
Invitation to Submit Your Flash Stories!
Have you written a flash story you like based on one of The Field Guide exercises? Send it to me by submitting here, and it will be considered for online publication on this website.