Author: Jim Bartlett

Despite my New Year’s resolution, or maybe it was just sort of a leaning, to focus on a longer work, I still continue to enjoy a flash fiction story now and again. And again. And here is my latest –

Best Friends

Though I had originally decided to focus on longer stories this year – not exactly a resolution, but a “plan” – I had another little flash pop into my head this week. Hope you enjoy –

Better Late Than Never

Got lucky this week with having a second story going up for publication. I went back to flash fiction with this one (500 words) and hope you enjoy –

Hello, Goodbye

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Solstice, and the warmest of Holiday wishes. Whatever you may be celebrating this year – even if it was the fact you woke up this morning – I hope it’s the first day of many, many wonderful ones to come.

My latest (and a bit longer) story went up this morning. I ended up rushing this one, the deadline for submission having snuck up on me, so it was almost a surprise that it was accepted. But somehow my bumblings slipped past their normally sharp eyes and was accepted as part of their “12 Days of Christmas.” Hope you enjoy, and best to all.

Confessions at St. Mary’s

These have been indeed a challenge, but at the same time quite fun. Hope you enjoy this one, coming from a little different angle –

All I Want For Christmas

The 100-word stories have tickled my fancy, at least for the moment, and I have been fortunate to have another selected for publication –

First to the Top

There’s a bit of a background story to the story, a sort of an “author’s note:,” but it turned out longer than the story itself (not hard when you’re dealing with only 100 words) and the publisher elected not to print it. That said, here are the notes –

Author’s note: On April 6, 1909, U.S. Naval engineer Robert Peary laid sole claim to being the first man to reach the North Pole, taking all the credit despite the fact that he was accompanied by an expedition team comprised of Matthew Henson and four Eskimo team members: Ootah, Seeglo, Egingwah, and Ooqueah. There is evidence to suggest that it was Henson who actually reached the pole first (he was pulling Peary’s sled), making Peary second, but Peary left him out of all of his accounts, not wanting to share any of the glory with a black man. Sadly, Peary went on to receive numerous awards and accolades, including a Rear Admiral’s pension, while Henson lived out most of his life in obscurity as a Customs clerk in New York. It wasn’t until 1955, just before his death, he finally received recognition from both President Truman and President Eisenhower.

Hope you enjoy –

Had another 100-word story go up on Friday Flash Fiction today, this one also with the Christmas theme.

Stocking Stuffer

Hope you enjoy!

Friday Flash Fiction holds a Christmas contest each year, the challenge to write a season themed story in 100 words or less. Here is my effort –

Charity Case

Aside from being the somber anniversary of JFK’s death, I have another story that just posted (two in two days – must be a record!).  Much shorter and much lighter, it centers around the upcoming holiday –

Turkey Day

Hope you enjoy!

My story, A Knock at the Door went up on Spillwords today. Though still a short, this one runs a bit longer than the flash stories I have found myself writing as of late. I hope you enjoy –