Talks and Workshops
Past talks have included: advice on drafting, editing, and proofing; tips on dos and don’ts; analysis of weak and strong flashes; other practical exercises that will help students develop their critical and creative-writing skills. The editors are open to suggestions.
Resources
From Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine, here are some flashes to give to your students, for them to discuss and learn from.
They will also find useful another handout: Flash Fiction Dos and Do Nots.
A number of universities, schools, and colleges subscribe to Flash. Some have added a complete set of back-issues (available at a reduced price) to their libraries. For details of how to order, please see Flash Orders: Subscriptions and IFFA Membership.
The Flash Fiction Special Collection, housed at the University of Chester’s Seaborne Library, offers a comprehensive range of primary and secondary texts. Teachers are welcome to use the Collection; contact the Flash editors to arrange access.
Recommended Primary Texts
Teachers and students may find the following texts particularly useful and enjoyable:
- Vanessa Gebbie, Nothing to Worry About: Flash Fictions (Flash: The International Short-Short Story Press, 2018). For further details, click here. Multiple copies are available at a discount; email Peter and Ashley for information.
- Christine Perkins-Hazuka, Tom Hazuka and Mark Budman (eds),Sudden Flash Youth: 65 Short-Short Stories (Persea, 2011). To read a Flash review, click here
- David Swann, Stronger Faster Shorter (Flash: The International Short-Short Story Press, 2015). For further details, click here. Multiple copies are available at a discount; email Peter and Ashley for information.
For younger readers (aged 9+), and listeners, we recommend:
- Louise Cooper, Short and Scary! A Book of Very Short Scary Stories (Oxford University Press, 2002)
- Louise Cooper, Short and Spooky! A Book of Very Short Spooky Stories (Oxford University Press, 2005)
- Kevin Crossley-Holland, Short! A Book of Very Short Stories (Oxford University Press, 1998)
- Kevin Crossley-Holland, Short Too! A Second Book of Very Short Stories (Oxford University Press, 2011). To read a Flash review, click here
- Maggie Pearson, Short and Shocking! A Book of Very Short Shocking Stories (Oxford University Press, 2002)
- Maggie Pearson, Short: Christmas Stories (Oxford University Press, 2012)
Secondary Texts
- Calum Kerr, The World in a Flash: How to Write Flash-Fiction (Gumbo Press, 2014)
- Tara L. Masih, (ed.), The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction (Rose Metal Press, 2009)
The National Flash Fiction Youth Competition
Teachers of flash fiction and short stories at A-level will be interested in this competition.
For details, click here
Contact Information
International Flash Fiction Association
Department of English
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester CH1 4BJ
UK
Email flash.magazine@chester.ac.uk
Directors Dr Peter Blair Dr Ashley Chantler