by Amy Cipolla Barnes Alberico Bartoccini I’ve always found writing micro fiction to be as hard as longer flash or short stories. Choosing details to include like dialogue or descriptions becomes a matter of words, not paragraphs or pages. My NFFD NZ Micro Madness shortlist micro is only 100 words but it went through major versions along with self-editing and peer edits. Confession: I have a lot of Google Docs of early versions and incomplete stories. The three versions for t

by Amy Cipolla Barnes Perfecto Capucine I’ve heard through the writer grapevine that I should bring two suitcases to AWP. The first packed with things I need: clothes, toiletries, books to be signed, snacks. And also an empty suitcase for books, journals, stickers and literary swag and Philly souvenirs I want to bring back. I’ll check the weather report before I go. Going to AWP in Philadelphia in March means I won’t pack shorts and tank tops. I think the “two suitcase” rule

by C. Cimmone C. Cimmone I only did what I had to this morning Before I drove to my appointment. I stood in line at the market and Thought about that Christmas song I love. Do you remember it playing on Thanksgiving night — and we held hands in Marble Falls? * I remember all of these strange things. I guess you have to remember when you need to forget. One day, it will all be gone And I’ll only have a few things to carry: How you cried in that stiff hospital chair when our ba

by C. Cimmone Brooks Leibee Yesterday I went into a jewelry store with a friend. She was looking for fancy bracelets and rings. Harmless it seemed. Mundane, almost. The front door was grand and silver. Glass cases filled the room — horizontal and studied with downward gazes of shoppers. The salesmen’s pressed suits, black and tight, were a great contrast to the cream carpet beneath their feet. We meandered between cases and smiled politely at intense patrons of the diamond ev