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 sharing them with new readers who might have missed them on the first go-round.

From a financial perspective, the reprint issues is less expensive than a full issue of originals. As a small press, every penny counts. Yes, authors receive less compensation for a reprint publication than an original, but reprints are nonexclusive, meaning authors can continue to sell their reprint rights over and over. We’ll chalk that one up as a win for both author and publication! Here’s the shameless plug to check out our Patreon so we can continue to publish the stories you (and we) love!

And since this is a reprint issue, it feels appropriate to share from the December 2017 editorial in which we first published “The First Stop Is Always the Last” by John Wiswell. Here’s what former FFO Editor-in-Chief Suzanne Vincent had to say:

This … is a celebratory issue—because the storm can be weathered. Life can be hard and cruel with its unexpected twists. But it’s only because we love that we hurt. It’s only because we hope that we can be disappointed. And as long as we continue to love and hope, even in the face of pain, we win.

John Wiswell returns to Flash Fiction Online, and no, it’s not April (his usual month for FFO appearances). Read “The First Stop Is Always the Last.” Grief, self-doubt, and hope play out in second chances, all set on a city bus.

Another FFO alumnus, Benjamin C. Kinney brings us a story of familial relationships, the struggles of aging, and cyborg cars in “Cruise Control.”

(CW: Grief, death of a child) “Mrs. Gamp” by A.J. Brown is a heartbreaking yet gentle look at love and grief. Mrs. Gamp collects children as they pass from this life to the next.

Our final story is “Of Porridge, Untethered Things & Rabbits” by Somto Ihezue. A grandmother and grandson break traditions and stereotypes while making roast yam and rabbit dinner. Absolutely charming and a must-read.