The problem with writing very short stories is that it forces you to write more endings, which are the hardest part! At least that's our opinion. But we bring on writer and Barrelhouse fiction editor Christopher Gonzalez (I'm Not Hungry But I Could Eat, 2021) to school us in how to stick the landing on flash fiction.

Chris chose four very different flash pieces for us to read, all of which are available for free online:

-Andy Lopez, "How Filipino of Us" (from Split Lip)

-Deesha Philyaw, "Love 1992: A Catechism)" (from Fractured Lit)

-Amy Stuber, "Only a Little Bit Less Than I Hate Myself" (from Longleaf Review)

-Julian Martinez, "Cartoons" (from HAD)

Also in this episode: We review what's going on in shorts (short pants, that is), which includes some conflicting reports in terms of inseam lengths. And do shorts get longer as the government becomes more authoritarian? It's a theory, apparently.