Find out what happens when people start being polite and start getting real — in space.

Non-Spoiler Summary

The story is told through the exchange of two postcards, sharing the different perspectives of a husband and wife involved in an intergalactic TV wife swap among species. In typical fashion for these television reality shows, the husband and wife each have very different experiences during their swap, which ultimately reveal more about their individual personalities and beliefs.

My Thoughts

This is a fun bit of flash fiction told in a unique format. With the strict word limitations on the form, experimentations with narrative can add another layer to flash fiction, and this author chooses a great narrative device to add meaning. In a short amount of space, this author gives us a rich story that involves religious beliefs, prejudices, sexual politics, questions about marital relations, and commentary on our culture’s obsession with fame.

Interesting Tidbits

• Word Count: 284
• Published Online: 2008
• This story is an example of flash science fiction.

Where to Find This Story

• You can read Reality TV Intergalactic Wife Swap for free at the blog of online author Rob Hopcott.

 Bio:

Erinn Stam is the Managing Editor for campus visits at nursing schools. She attends Wake Technical Community College and is learning about online DSN programs. She lives in Durham, NC with her lovely 4-year-old daughter and exuberant husband.

NON SPOILER SUMMARY

In the year 2052, the mayor is worried he won’t get re-elected unless he can solve the city’s mosquito problem.  Lucky for him, he collaborates with Dr. Samy, who has invented a lizard that will eat the mosquitoes.  Even better, there will be an incentive program for the public, a recycling cash bonus if you will, for returning the dead lizards.  A foolproof plan: lizards to solve the mosquito problem, and a public actively involved in curing the epidemic.  Or so he thinks…

MY THOUGHTS

I am always amazed at how much story can be crammed into so few words!  The author of this story did an amazing job with presenting a problem, solving the problem, and still giving the reader a surprise ending.  Genome is a great flash fiction read.  Go ahead… take 5 minutes and enjoy it.

INTERESTING TIDBITS

• Word Count: 555
• Page Count: 2
• Published: 2010
• Giri is a writer from India.  Find out more about this author and read more stories at Storywheel.

WHERE TO FIND THIS STORY

You can read Genome for free at The Short Story Blog.

Yeah, it is a non-paying site, but it is fun to see my own stories being published somewhere so I am excited. Feel free to take a look and let me know what you think.

What if a reality TV show took place on a strange world where the environment constantly changed and dangerous monsters lurked just beneath the surface? One man is about to discover that some people will do just about anything to ensure a victory!

Read The Race online for free at WeirdYear.

Have a great weekend!

NON SPOILER SUMMARY

“The last science fiction writer sits in an all night diner beneath the sizzling haze of a neon sign…” and simultaneously reminisces the glory of the past and despises the dreariness of the present. It’s pretty obvious that he is depressed, and as he chats with his agent, we learn that writing has completely gone out of style, because in the future no-one can read.

MY THOUGHTS

I find myself trying to decide if this story is a comedy or a tragedy! As a very short story, I’m happy that it left me pondering so deeply. Is it possible that in the future the need to read will vanish because our lives could become so convenient? The author very aptly points out that science fiction authors usually write about things that are considered impossible, yet many of those things have come to pass. Maybe we should be careful with our imaginings, because as the famous saying goes: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

INTERESTING TIDBITS

• Word Count: 2,366
• Page Count: 6
• Published: 2009
• About the Author: Jaimie Todd Rubin is a software application developer, an FAA licensed pilot, and a New York Yankees fan. Read more about this talented author at his website.

WHERE TO FIND THIS STORY

You can read Hindsight, In Neon for free at Apex Magazine.

A young girl investigates strange noises downstairs on Christmas morning – but will the culprit be somebody joyful… or somebody dreadful?

Read Spider online for free.

Precision made finely tuned metal birds are being sold at Christmas time. Will the latest customer know how to care for the delicate creations? Probably not.

Read Brass Canaries online for free.

Have a great weekend!

Major Sparrow has a problem – she must prove that her husband is who he says he is. That could prove a little bit difficult in the midst of an American-Iranian-Chinese-Alien war! She is taken to his cell under the Pentagon and is quite surprised by what she discovers there.

Read Chameleon online for free at the Daily Science Fiction web site.

Have a great weekend!

Commander Benedict and the crew of Earth’s first faster-than-light starship have a problem: their arrival seems to trigger a supernova everywhere they go! That is bad news if they ever want to return home – isn’t it?

Read Time Fuze online for free.

Have a great weekend!

Legend has it that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned. But is that really what happened? One way to know for sure would be to actually go there and see.

Read Fiddle online for free at the Daily Science Fiction web site.

Have a great weekend!

An uplifted dog who works as a genome encoder gets a little lesson in loyalty.

Read Speak, geek online for free.

Have a great weekend!

A man with a new type of infection learns that the meteor show he watched one night brought with it a beautiful and efficient killer.

Read Fingers, Itchy and Green online for free.

A woman who set up temporal sending and receiving stations really messed up the time line… or did she?

Read Time Stations online for free.

Have a great weekend!