Welcome to the June 2023 issue of Flash Fiction Online! This month, we dive headfirst into the mystical realm of fantasy flash fiction. Imagine the vast landscapes, magical creatures, and epic quests you love condensed into bite-sized stories that will transport you to otherworldly realms and leave you craving more. First up, we have “A […]
Emma and I are horror junkies. We bonded years ago over our shared love of beautifully-told horror stories that linger in your psyche long after you finish reading. But FFO receives far fewer horror submissions than other genres (if you’re interested in our submission stats, we’ve recently added those over on Patreon). We’ve hoped to publish […]
Without consent, taking someone’s jewellery is theft. With consent, it’s an inheritance or a gift. Without consent, entering someone’s home is trespassing. With consent, it’s social congeniality. Without consent, performing surgery is physical abuse. With it, it’s gladly received. It seems to me that consent and power dynamics go hand in hand. Each of our […]
Dark fantasy has enraptured the hearts and minds of readers for decades. Its unique fusion of fantastical elements with dark, sometimes horrific aspects can transport readers to a world where anything is possible—and potentially perilous. The subgenre’s popularity can be attributed to its ability to delve into complex themes and characters, often exploring the darker […]
Every now and again, Flash Fiction Online publishes a reprint issue. Personally, it’s one of my favorite annual issues for multiple reasons. Primarily, the reprint issues allows the FFO staff to look into our archives and republish some of our favorite stories. We really do love these stories and there’s a sense of joy in […]
This issue completes my first year of editing Flash Fiction Online. Wow. In between learning the EIC job, I had major surgery and turned 60. Through it all, I’ve been supported by the wonderful team at FFO, my found-family and my always-family. I am lucky and grateful.For a long time, I’d have sworn blue that […]
Our stories this month look at relationships, and in particular, those set in space.In “Lost and Found at the Center of the Universe” by Bo Balder, intergalactic co-workers/amateur matchmakers attempt to help others find the things they’ve lost and the things they’d like to find… like true love. With enough optimism and acceptance, anything really […]
The world is constantly in a state of flux. Sometimes our surroundings evolve slowly, generation after generation chipping away at a problem to achieve a longterm solution—or a lasting problem. But sometimes, the world as we know it seems to change almost overnight. Psychologists have studied how humans deal with change, but the vast majority […]
It’s become something of an FFO tradition that our October issue is horror-themed. This year, we went in a slightly different direction. Horror stories are most effective when they tap into universal fears like bodily mutilation or loss of autonomy. Our stories this month contain elements of emotional horror—sadness, anxiety, unmet needs, and most of […]
Let me start this editorial by saying that I can’t grow a damned thing other than a weed or two—and those only by accident. My ability to kill plants isn’t one to be underestimated. I come from a long line of farmers and gardeners who have tried to teach me which plants should be planted […]