Category: IU Flash Fiction Challenge

Flash Fiction Challenge: Paradise Lost

flash fiction writing prompt 1998 cozumel dock
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

Donovan basked lazily in the hammock as the gentle Caribbean breeze caressed him. Alone on this tiny out-of-the-way island, he could at last live the simple life.

Here, he could just let time wash over him. He ate fresh fish and crab and fruit. He didn’t have to worry about shooting anyone or being shot at. He didn’t have to cope with any plans cooked up by idiot desk jockeys back in Washington. Most of all, he didn’t have to think about her.

He frowned as he rubbed at the ropy scar on his left shoulder. The aching in the old wound always seemed to portend trouble.

His brow furrowed as he heard a familiar low thrumming. Of course. He looked out over the water to see an all-too-familiar little black dot in the sky.

As the whir of the helicopter grew louder and unmistakable, Donovan swung from the hammock and walked back to his hut…

Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a Continue reading “Flash Fiction Challenge: Paradise Lost”

B P Crouse Wins Flash Fiction Challenge


B P Crouse is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.)

Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:

Continue reading “B P Crouse Wins Flash Fiction Challenge”

Which “Can’t Go Home” Flash Fiction Story Gets Your Vote?

Vote5It’s that time again…time to choose your favorite flash fiction story of the week! It’s all up to you now – only one can win Flash Fiction Readers’ Choice Champion honors. It’s super easy – choose your favorite and cast your vote below.

Check out this week’s entries here. Make your decision, then use those share buttons at the bottom of the post to spread the word.

Voting polls close Thursday at 5 PM Pacific time.

Which "Can't Go Home" Flash Fiction Story Should Win the Readers' Choice Award This Week?

  • B P Crouse (30%, 8 Votes)
  • A. L. Kaplan (26%, 7 Votes)
  • Christopher "Irish Goat" Knodel (15%, 4 Votes)
  • Jeff Stone (15%, 4 Votes)
  • Julia Handel (11%, 3 Votes)
  • Joe Wocoski (4%, 1 Votes)
  • Luigi Silvestri (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Dusty May Jane (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 27

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NOTE: Entrants whose submissions are not relevant to the prompts and/or exceed the 250 word limit are eliminated from the poll. ONE VOTE PER PERSON, please. Duplicate votes will be deleted. The results displayed above are unofficial until verified by administration.

Flash Fiction Challenge: Can’t Go Home

flash fiction writing prompt jersey city graffiti 12 2006
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

Taranto stepped out of the limousine and eyed the area with dismay. The old warehouse district had decayed something awful.

Thirty years ago, he was a kid loading trucks in that very warehouse.

Time changes everything. The ten years Taranto did in the slammer changed him too. He shared the feeling of decay. He shook his head slowly and walked toward the door. No matter. If the building is still standing, the money will still be where I hid it.

But Taranto did not know he was being watched…

Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a Continue reading “Flash Fiction Challenge: Can’t Go Home”