June 22, 2026 Allison

National Flash Fiction Day Stories 2026

National Flash Fiction Day is one of my favorite days of the year. I treat it like a holiday, clearing my sschedule as much as possible so I can focus on reading and writing flash all day. This year, I also attended the anthology reading, and it was so wonderful to hear so many talented writers read their work! (I have a micro in the anthology.)

I wrote for 18 prompts (out of 25 – and I’m definitely keeping the others to inspire me later!) and submitted 12 pieces (11 were published). Prompts and constraints help me get out of my head when writing, and these was such a great list this year: check them out here!

A Stranger: Write a story set entirely on the banks of a river. Include two or more characters who interact in some way, but avoid using any dialogue, direct or reported.

The rain pummeled the ground too quickly to be absorbed: Write a story in exactly 15 words. Your title does not count towards the 15 words.

Exposed: Write a flash in which each sentence is at least one word shorter than the sentence before it.

Growth: Write a flash using no word more than once, and yes, this includes small words like the, and, I, and is. The minimum word count is 75 words.

On Trend: Write a story (inspired by this painting) about a group of people journeying toward a shared, unknown destination at either dawn or dusk.

Life’s a Beach: Write a flash from an unusual point of view, one that is neither human nor animal.

He holds my hand as we wait in line for the Zippin Pippin: Find a story published in the FlashFlood that you admire and choose five interesting words from it. (I chose ‘Coriolis Effect‘ by Mikki Aronoff.)

Meant for More: For this prompt, write a flash in which a bridge does something unexpected, means something unusual, or is used in a way bridges are not normally used.

Someone Else’s Treasure: Write a flash in which the past surfaces unexpectedly.

Anointed: Write a flash about forgiveness or reconciliation. Use water in your story in some way.

Reception: Write two separate flashes, each no more than 100 words (and shorter is fine), that can stand alone but are connected by a single element: an object, a phrase, a location, a gesture.

Head to The Write-In to read everyone’s vastly different responses to these five prompts!

(The featured post image showcases the badges I earned for the pieces I wrote and submitted.)

January 15, 2026 Allison

“Washed Away” published at The Hoolet’s Nook

I’m excited to share that my micro “Washed Away” is published in Issue 3 of The Hoolet’s Nook! There are so many great pieces in here, including nanofiction, microfiction, and poetry, so go check it out.

I wrote this story in Meg Pokrass’s Surrealist Microfiction workshop back in summer 2023 and am so happy it found a home!

December 31, 2025December 30, 2025 Allison

2025 Writing in Review

My biggest writing accomplishment this year was, of course, publishing Green Light… even though it was written back in 2022! I’m glad it wasn’t immediately picked up, though, because publishing it on the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby is too perfect. A lot of my “writing” life dealt with interviews, reviews, podcasts, and fun extras relating to the book and its release. Get quick links to those things here!

I did a lot of my usual favorite writing experiences, like National Flash Fiction Day and the Ekphrastic Marathon.

I only had 26 submissions this year, yikes! I slacked a lot earlier in the year, but with my birthday resolutions in September, I promised to submit 4 places each month, and have done so since then! I just needed to kick my own butt into gear. I had 8 acceptances from those submissions. (I submitted 45 times in 2024, 111 in 2023, 134 in 2022, and 52 in 2021.)

I wrote several reviews for MicroLit Almanac, plus three craft essays for Intrepidus Ink. (I also wrote and submitted my essay for March Sadness, which of course won’t go live until March, but it’s definitely an accomplishment and I’m really proud of it.)

I started a monthly Substack, posting an article on the 14th of every month. I’ll be honest, it’s mostly just me trying to harness my LiveJournal days, but I have ideas for next year that might truly orient the posts toward “the love of writing,” as the name suggests it should.

While not specifically writing related, I was accepted to be a Short Story/Flash Fiction reader for Split/Lip Press. I’ve missed working with that team and am glad to be back in some small role, and I really think this will help my writing and editing life so much to read amazing submissions during the reading period. I’ll also continue to be a contest editor for Flash Fiction Magazine throughout the year; it’s always inspiring to read stories and help writers revise them (if necessary!).

Speaking of that… I also celebrated the one year anniversary of Lightning Flash Writing!

If you need help polishing your work (flash fiction, short stories, novels – I do it all!), getting your ideas on the page, or marketing yourself or your book, I’m here to help!

2024 Writing in Review

2023 Writing in Review

2022 Writing in Review

2021 Writing in Review

November 3, 2025 Allison

“The Sky is a Neighborhood” published at Ghost Parachute

I’m excited to share that my micro “The Sky is a Neighborhood” is published in the November issue of Ghost Parachute! It’s paired with an amazingly perfect piece of art, so go check it out – along with all the other fantastic stories and artworks in this issue.

I wrote this story in Nancy Stohlman’s Pop Lit workshop back in September 2022 and am so happy it found a home!

September 15, 2025 Allison

Finalists in the Ekphrastic Marathon

In July, I took part in the Ekphrastic Review‘s Ekphrastic Marathon for my third time! It’s become one of my favorite flash fiction events to do each year.

This year, I wrote 14 pieces inspired by amazingly unique works of art. I submitted five, and two were listed as finalists!

Read “Current” and “Collage”, plus many other amazing pieces, here.

click the pics to read the full pieces

July 24, 2025August 15, 2025 Allison

Green Light on Book Squad Goals Podcast

Janet Dale and I got to talk Gatsby on an episode of the Book Squad Goals podcast! Mostly we talk about the 2013 film version but we go off the rails in a few (aka many) parts for a delightfully good time.

Check out their podcast page so you can listen via whatever service you use.

July 2, 2025 Allison

Pine Hills Review Interview for “Green Light”

I’m honored that Samantha Zimmerman, editor at Pine Hills Review, spent so much time with Green Light: A Gatsby Cycle, and asked such thoughtful questions in this interview!

Check it out here.

June 20, 2025 Allison

National Flash Fiction Day Stories 2025

As with every year, I had a great time writing and submitting to The Write-In on National Flash Fiction Day! It was especially lovely this year as a much-needed distraction over the weekend.

I’m thrilled that 5/5 of my submissions were published! I’m sharing the links here, along with the prompts to give an idea of the guidelines/constraints.

Don’t forget to check out the complete list of prompts and stories!

Four Years: Write a story with two distinct sections, each taking place in a different season

It’s My Destiny: Write a story in which a character is searching for something specific, and unusual

Man’s Best Friend: Write a story involving a caring moment between two people of significantly different ages who aren’t family members

Home for Christmas: Write a story in which at least one character has gone somewhere at an unusual time of year

Sealed Envelopes: Write a flash with an open ending

Head to The Write-In to read everyone’s vastly different responses to these five prompts!

(The featured post image showcases the badges I earned for the pieces I wrote and submitted.)

May 18, 2025June 11, 2025 Allison

“Last Time” published at Paragraph Planet

I’m thrilled to have a 75-word story at Paragraph Planet today. (The link takes you to the author archives, where you can click on my name and read my piece!)

I wrote this piece in a gurkshop with Janet Dale on 1/29/2022. It was originally a freeform prompt using the words “edge / balloons / contusion / words / kindness / breathing / crow / pulse / shapes / taste” – so you can see how I have worked it to death and then brought it back to life again.