Blink-Ink Magazine

I'm a big fan of local publications and authors, and those of you who are familiar with my writing know that I also love flash fiction.  I recently came across Blink-Ink, a publication that combines these two enjoyments.  They publish 50-word (or fewer) stories in a themed quarterly print collection that is just the perfect size for a pocket.  On their "about" page: "It has been said that very short fiction conforms to modern short attention spans.  Originally that was intended as a joke, but it is true."  Their goals are: "To publish the finest in eclectic succinct short fiction, and to be inclusive of writers as well as readers."

I think that their goals are well met.  I read two issues, "One Eyed Jacks & Deuces Wild" (Issue # 27) and "The Enchanted Forest" (Issue # 28).  The stories have varied interpretations of the theme, from literal to metaphorical.  The tone of the stories range from humorous to serious, from poetic to sparse.  The genres are mostly literary to mainstream, with some forays into magical realism or speculative fiction.  In "Jacks," there is even a 3-part series of shorts by Linda Tyler, which were among my favorites of the collection, entitled "Escape 1," "Escape 2" and "Escape 3." These three stories show different ways a person can escape - from literal running away from an abusive relationship, to accelerating the death of an elderly parent, to provoking a fight in a relationship.

Blink-Ink is a fun little booklet with about 25-30 short shorts per issue, and it's easy to digest in one sitting. I hope you enjoy reading it.