Short Fiction Reading Round Up: January - March 2015

[helloladies]

Renay: For this edition of Short Business, picture me ushering Jodie into a small room with a single light bulb swinging from a chain in the ceiling, a small table, and two chairs. I hustle her into a seat and say, "So I've heard you been reading some short fiction. It's time to talk about your favorites with me, OR ELSE." Never let it be said that I don't have a sense for the dramatic.

We've both made a pact to read and talk more short fiction — Short Business has been great for that — but I thought it was time for a dedicated moment to talk about the five favorites we may not have had time to review so far this year. Jodie, what's your first choice?

Jodie: I'm going to start with "Toad Words" by Ursula Vernon (flash fiction). "Toad Words" is a reworking of Charles Perrault's fairy tale "Toads and Diamonds" where two sisters are gifted with the ability to speak objects into existence. In the original tale one girl produces jewels, diamonds and flowers while the other brings forth frogs, toads and snakes. As you can imagine this causes conflict. ( Read more... )