Tag Archives: Fiction

New Reflex Press Anthology

In Defence of Pseudoscience: Reflex Fiction Volume Five, Reflex Press, 28 July 2022

I have a short story in this anthology from Reflex Press. You Fold Yourself into Tiny Spaces was longlisted in the Reflex Press Quarterly International Flash Fiction Competition in 2021. I’m honoured to be published alongside so many wonderful authors. It will be released on 28 July, but can be preordered from Reflex Press.

In Defence of Pseudoscience contains 176 flash fictions from 152 writers from across the world. These short short stories, each no longer than 360 words, were longlisted for the four rounds of the Reflex flash fiction competition held in 2021.

Within these pages, the traditional narrative shares space with the experimental. Humour sits alongside tragedy. Each of these page-long stories packs a punch greater than its word count suggests.

In Defence of Pseudoscience is the perfect introduction to readers new to flash fiction and essential reading for those already familiar with the form.

Includes prize-winning flash fiction from Annette Edwards-Hill, Jeanine Skowronski, Thomas Malloch, Joshua Jones, Kirsteen Ure, Simon Linter, Morgan Quinn, Matt Kendrick, Evelyn Forest, Becca Yenser, Karen Jones, Rosaleen Lynch, Nora Nadjarian, Jo Withers, and Katja Sass.

Listen to Blood Red on SoundCloud

Short Story, Blood Red, by FC Malby

I’ve been recording readings of short stories and extracts of my work to SoundCloud. You don’t need an account to listen. I’ve recently added one of my longer and earlier short stories, which you can download as an eBook.

Set in Jaipur, India, this story reveals the hidden tensions in the mind of a young boy as he has to let go of the girl he loves for an unknown young bride, chosen by his parents. As the wedding day approaches, will he be able to follow his parents’ wishes in the face of his passion and quiet desperation?

Reader review:

Top review from United Kingdom

Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Hearts Broken and Bleeding

“The title of this book is very rich in symbolism, and the story true depth. Two young hearts filled with a love that can never be, left facing a life of emptiness they have not chosen. It is easy to imagine their hearts left broken and bleeding. These two young people have no choice but to be obedient to their families and their traditional ways of life. The first line of the story reads: “Her, sari, the colour of blood, caught the breeze as she turned and walked away”. He knows that is the last memory he will ever have of the love of his life and is prepared to carry it forever. What a stunning start to a story! This story continues so full of emotion and is delicately written. It was very easy to empathize with the character right at the start. It takes a great talent to drag me in so quickly. I felt the pain as he did. This book can turn even the most hardened bachelor into a romantic! The story may be short, but the memory will last on.”

Listen on SoundCloud

This is the Year I Learn to Float

Today is the National Flash Fiction Day 10th Anniversary and I have a flash fiction piece published in their Flash Flood Journal which was chosen from 2,000 entries!

I am eight years old and this is the year I learn to float. It is the year I learn to speak Spanish, although I firmly believe floating will be more useful, especially if I want to become a magician’s assistant. You don’t need language qualifications.

“Heather?” Mum yells up the stairs. “Come down and set the table.” I wonder if I can do this by floating, but I will need more practise. She doesn’t understand magic. Not many people do. I set the table and float back upstairs, but I have to stop half way as I lose my focus.

At the dinner table, later in the evening, the conversation revolves around government policies, shopping lists and Harry’s exams. “I can levitate,” I say. Silence falls across the room. Grandpa is snoring in the corner in his rocking chair. Dad gives me an eat-your-food look and that’s all I say for the rest of the evening. At breakfast tomorrow, I will try Spanish. It will be more acceptable.

Find out more about what’s happening this weekend and beyond at National Flash Fiction Day.

You Fold Yourself into Tiny Spaces

My story has been longlisted in the Reflex Press Quarterly International Flash Fiction Awards 2021.

You fold yourself into tiny spaces, words come at you like rain. You tuck in your arms and feet – soles digging into your calves – so that the words don’t slice your limbs. You hide your competition win in case it’s seen as an indulgence, like the cakes you get for afternoon tea: Miniature, crustless cucumber sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Saliva lines your lips as you imagine this.

You squeeze your words into shorter sentences and, sometimes, single words. Your arms sting with the folding and the tucking. The tiny spaces make her feel bigger, less threatened; more. You listen hard and speak less, reaching a point where the bird flying overhead, beyond the skylights, provides the distraction you need.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she asks, but you know you can’t give a proper answer.

‘I forgot,’ you say, and take a swig of hot tea, the mug leaving a ring on the mat. This will be noted… continue reading at Reflex Press.

Short Story Publication – Circling the Nasturtiums, Anti Heroin Chic

Butterflies were circling the nasturtiums in a frenzied race to find nectar, but it had not yet flowered. It was a lush green and ripe for bloom, when the flame flower would climb, scrambling through other plants, covering unsightly fences. She had not yet flowered, when the ‘gardener’ had grabbed her by the waist and forced her onto his lap, kissing her neck and asking her to marry him. She had been nine years of age, he sixteen. She had tried to explain the age difference. He had told her that he didn’t care. The thought had repulsed her, her fierce kicks into the centre of his shins adding weight to her no, and her get off me. He had eventually let go, accepted her resistance too late… read the story at Anti Heroin Chic