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Short Reads

@short-reads.org

Flash nonfiction, emailed weekly. https://short-reads.org

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13.11.2024
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Latest posts by Short Reads @short-reads.org

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Questions I Want to Ask My Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner by Shannon Dale | ... that she probably won’t answer.

I love this flash essay by Shannon Dale via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/questions-i-...

25.02.2026 17:54 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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And Saltines by Mauri Pollard Johnson | What the heart wants.

I love this flash essay by Mauri Pollard Johnson via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/and-saltines/

28.01.2026 12:42 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

This is great. A perfect introduction to @short-reads.org, and a lovely first flash-nonfiction read of the new year!

14.01.2026 21:48 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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In Grover Cleveland’s Childhood Home by Sari Fordham | We’ll be us, but more fascinating.

ICYMI "lIn Grover Cleveland’s childhood home, I’ll be so busy baking sourdough bread and reading poetry that I’ll rarely scroll the internet.flash essay" by Sari Fordham (@sarifordham.bsky.social) via @short-reads.org (& originally in @electricliterature.com). www.short-reads.org/in-grover-cl...

31.12.2025 17:15 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Nonstop Party Wagon by Hallie Pritts | Say yes to the mess.

I have a new piece up @short-reads.org today about wassail choirs, strip clubs, New Zealand and a questionable life plan called the nonstop party wagon.

07.01.2026 13:08 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 2
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Twelve Red Grapes by Jamie Etheridge | Wishes for a new year.

β€œThere are a million ways to give up, but we choose magic over grief and despair, and tonight we’ve decided to eat twelve grapes for twelve months. Twelve wishes for twelve ways to learn to live without him.”

Jamie: ❀️

@lescribbler.bsky.social in @short-reads.org www.short-reads.org/twelve-red-g...

10.01.2026 18:42 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Holding Patterns by Michele Peters | Circling.

I love this flash essay by Michele Peters via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/holding-patt...

14.01.2026 15:16 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Itasca by Matthew Trumbull | You are here.

Hey, do yinz know about @short-reads.org? It's a fun, free newsletter that delivers thoughtful micro-nonfiction. Often there's a bit of science and/or animals in there. πŸ§ͺ

Today's flash essay is by Matthew Trumbull (& originally published in slips slips). www.short-reads.org/itasca/

10.12.2025 15:44 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

We're Krista Lee Hanson fans, enjoying her original flashes as well as her long-form work (see comment below)
www.short-reads.org/in-the-waiti...

03.12.2025 19:08 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Twirl Girl by M. S. Reagan | Following the music.

I notice a girl taller than the rest, her long, silky blonde hair pulled back and ribboned at the crown of her head. She kicks her knee up and spins around with her baton. Her smile shines. What if I could smile like her?

So much longing to belong @m-s-reagan.bsky.social @short-reads.org

26.11.2025 15:27 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Kissings by Kristina Patterson | XOXO.

You'll definitely start an inventory of your past kisses after you read this flash essay by Kristina Patterson via @short-reads.org. www.short-reads.org/kissings/

06.11.2025 02:34 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Numbing by Button | Who would choose pain?

"'Do you sense anything?' the dentist asks, pricking at my gums with her tiny metal sickle. I shake my head no, but honestly, I’m never sure what I feel." Love this essay by Linda Button via @short-reads.org. www.short-reads.org/numbing/

12.11.2025 20:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Out the Front Door by Beverley Stevens | Making a fuss.

What a gorgeous flash essay by Beverley Stevens via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/out-the-fron...

19.11.2025 12:43 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Kissings by Kristina Patterson | XOXO.

I love this flash essay by Kristina Patterson via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/kissings/

05.11.2025 13:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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I Want a Do-Over by Helen Collins Sitler | The limits of change.

Heartbreaking flash essay by Helen Collins SitlerΒ via @short-reads.org. πŸ’” www.short-reads.org/i-want-a-do-...

01.10.2025 18:25 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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In Grover Cleveland’s Childhood Home by Sari Fordham | We’ll be us, but more fascinating.

Love this piece by @sarifordham.bsky.social in @short-reads.org today! www.short-reads.org/in-grover-cl...

24.09.2025 20:20 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Night I Ended My Pregnancy by Julie Parker | Three trips to Walgreens.

I love this flash essay by Julie Parker via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/the-night-i-...

27.08.2025 11:29 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What Are You? by Sammi LaBue | Eight and three-quarters.

I love this flash essay by Sammi LaBue via @short-reads.org (& originally published in The Sun).

www.short-reads.org/what-are-you/

13.08.2025 12:16 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Racing Rachael Ray by Brendan O’Meara | Beef Stroganoff in thirty minutes.

"I ask her if she remembers 'challenging' Rachael Ray to cook the beef Stroganoff in thirty minutes, a memory so vivid that it must be tucked somewhere the dementia can’t get it." Wonderful flash essay by @brendanomeara.bsky.social via @short-reads.org. www.short-reads.org/racing-racha...

06.08.2025 18:52 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Racing Rachael Ray by Brendan O’Meara | Beef Stroganoff in thirty minutes.

I love this piece by @brendanomeara.bsky.social in @short-reads.org today! www.short-reads.org/racing-racha.... #writingcommunity #flashcnf #amreading

06.08.2025 16:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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Hot Chips by Michael Copperman | Land of the Hot Cheeto, Home of the Brave.

A @short-reads.org original. By @michaelcopperman.bsky.social, get a napkin.

23.07.2025 20:00 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Une Femme by Shala Erlich | Body language.

"Madame was a grown-up, a teacher, une femme. Didn’t she know anything about keeping the secrets of the body secret? Didn’t she care?" Great flash essay by Shala Erlich @shala-24.bsky.social via @short-reads.org. www.short-reads.org/une-femme/

09.07.2025 19:51 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Une Femme by Shala Erlich | Body language.

Thank you to @dintywmoore.bsky.social and Team Walrus for creating the conditions for this to emerge and to @hattiefletcher.bsky.social and the Short Reads team for giving it a home.
β€ͺ@shala-24.bsky.social‬) via @short-reads.org.

www.short-reads.org/une-femme/

09.07.2025 14:32 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 4 πŸ“Œ 0
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Twin A and Twin B by Brad Snyder | Specks of hope.

Great flash essay by Brad Snyder via @short-reads.org (& originally published in The Dillydoun Review). www.short-reads.org/twin-a-and-t...

11.06.2025 21:16 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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2025 Firecracker Awards Ceremony - Community of Literary Magazines and Presses GATHERING

Short Reads (@short-reads.org) is a finalist for the Firecracker Award in Magazines/Best Debut. Celebrate with us on June 26: www.clmp.org/event/2025-f...

19.06.2025 15:07 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Artifact by Darien Hsu Gee | Faults and fractures.

@short-reads.org There’s something simultaneously satisfying and thought provoking about a good segmented essay. This one reminded me of that. www.short-reads.org/artifact/?re...

06.06.2025 16:44 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Crushed by Wendy Fontaine | Young love, young heartbreak.

"Close your eyes. Think about how amazing it is that your daughter knows who she is at such a young age. If only you’d known that much. If only you’d been so perceptive, so mindful." A moving short essay by @wendyfontaine.bsky.social in @short-reads.org www.short-reads.org/crushed/?ref...

28.05.2025 20:14 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A bright blue graphic with fireworks, the cover of Short Reads, and text reading "Finalist for the 2024 Firecracker Award in Magazines/Best Debut" and "The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony on June 26 at 6 PM ET."

A bright blue graphic with fireworks, the cover of Short Reads, and text reading "Finalist for the 2024 Firecracker Award in Magazines/Best Debut" and "The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony on June 26 at 6 PM ET."

Congratulations to Short Reads (@short-reads.org), a finalist for the 2025 Firecracker Award in Magazines/Best Debut! www.short-reads.org

25.05.2025 13:30 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Honored that our literary journal, @revelliterary.bsky.social, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Firecracker Award in Magazines/Best Debut.

Congratulations to our fellow finalists: Fruitslice, @newwordspress.bsky.social, @short-reads.org, and The Weganda Review!

Zoom ceremony: loom.ly/2ueBC50

22.05.2025 22:31 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Revel is honored to be named a finalist for the 2025 Firecracker Award in Magazines/Best Debut.

Congratulations to our fellow finalists: Fruitslice, @newwordspress.bsky.social, @short-reads.org, and The Weganda Review!

Join us for a virtual celebration on June 26: www.clmp.org/event/2025-f...

22.05.2025 22:20 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0