Sudden fiction, also known as flash fiction or micro fiction, is characterized by a significantly low word count and can take various forms. Publishers determine the word count and name used, and writers can seek out literary magazines, contests, or self-publishing to publish their work. Different names are used for the same type of fiction, and writers should read submission guidelines to understand what publishers are looking for. The main difference between improv fiction and other types of fiction is the word count, but not all types of improv fiction require the same word count. Writers can publish their short pieces of fiction in many of the same ways they can publish other types of creative writing or prose poetry.
Sudden fiction is a type of creative writing characterized primarily by significantly low word count. This type of short fiction can take the form of a short story, prose poem, or other types of creative writing. It often goes by many other names, including flash fiction, micro fiction, and postcard fiction. Since there are still no hard and fast rules regarding improvisational fiction, it is usually up to the publisher to determine the word count and even the exact name used. Writers looking to publish short stories can seek out literary magazines and publishers that host invitations and contests, or even consider self-publishing.
Sometimes, improv fiction is called by another name just because of the publisher’s preference. Publishers may request submissions or contest entries that require flash fiction, microfiction, smoke fiction, postcard fiction, or short stories. It’s also not unusual to see short story calls referred to as short shorts. Usually, writers know that these are just different names for a similar type of short fiction. To fully understand what a publisher is asking for when asking for a certain type of short fiction by name, the writer should read the submission guidelines.
Typically, the main difference between improv fiction and other types of fiction is the word count. Pieces of this type of fiction have significantly fewer words than pieces of other types of fiction, and sometimes this includes most types of short stories as well. However, writers need to remember that not all types of improv fiction require the same word count. Some publishers consider short stories of less than 1,000 words to be short fiction. Others are more specific, requiring a short narrative no longer than 55 words.
Generally, there isn’t as high a demand for improvisational fiction as there is for longer types of creative writing. However, writers can publish their short pieces of fiction in many of the same ways they can publish other types of creative writing or prose poetry. For example, literary publishers often compile short story collections and sell them as anthologies, and writers might see calls for proposals. At the same time, a literary magazine might accept submissions of short fiction for regular publication, or it might even hold publication contests and other prizes. Some flash fiction writers choose to compile their own collections and self-publish or market them all at once in a book format.
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