microfiction

Microfiction is a genre defined by extreme brevity in storytelling, typically encompassing pieces under 1,000 words, with many examples well under 300 words. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with flash fiction or micro-story, though some scholars distinguish among these by length and scope. A related form is the six-word story, which has influenced ultra-short narrative practice even as it remains a separate constraint-based exercise.

Common features of microfiction include economical diction, a focus on a single moment or vignette, and an emphasis on implication rather than explicit exposition. Pieces often rely on precise imagery, a densely packed emotional or thematic core, and an ending that is open to interpretation or delivers a twist. The form frequently aims to evoke a mood or idea rather than to chart a full, conventional plot arc.

Historically, ultra-short storytelling has precedents in fables, parables, and haiku. Modern microfiction expanded in the late 20th century with dedicated literary magazines and, later, online platforms that publish short shorts, micro-collections, and serialized pieces. The rise of digital publishing and social media further broadened its audience and pushed experimentation with form and voice.

Forms and venues: Microfiction appears as standalone pieces, as parts of micro-collections, or within broader anthologies. Related forms include flash fiction, which tends to be longer, and the drabble, commonly defined as a story of 100 words. Publication venues span literary magazines, online journals, and academic or creative writing anthologies; many writers also feature microfiction in personal blogs or experimental formats. The form is frequently used in writing pedagogy to teach conciseness and effective scene-building.

Reception and impact: Critics emphasize its compression, density, and openness to multiple readings. Notable practitioners, including Lydia Davis, are cited for their extreme condensation and attention to ordinary experience. The genre continues to evolve through inventive techniques and cross-genre experiments.