A story collection that proves less is more.
The stories in this collection run the gamut from playful to tragic, conservative to experimental, but they all have one thing in common: they are no more than 25 words long. Robert Swartwood was inspired by Ernest Hemingway's possibly apocryphal six-word story—"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn"—to foster the writing of these incredibly short-short stories. He termed them "hint fiction" because the few chosen words suggest a larger, more complex chain of events. Spare and evocative, these stories prove that a brilliantly honed narrative can be as startling and powerful as a story of traditional length. The 125 gemlike stories in this collection come from such best-selling and award-winning authors as Joyce Carol Oates, Ha Jin, Peter Straub, and James Frey, as well as emerging writers.
Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Some of these stories suggest entire novels in just few words. So, in this small book, you have a whole library. It’s reading at the speed of light.” (Robert Shapard, editor of Sudden Fiction and Flash Fiction )
“The perfect story collection for all of us with too little time on our hands is a brilliant reminder of the magic that happens when you string the right words together. A must-read for anyone who is or wants to be a writer.” (Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of House Rules )
“The stories in Robert Swartwood's Hint Fiction have some serious velocity. Some explode, some needle, some bleed, and some give the reader room to dream. They're fun and addictive, like puzzles or haiku or candy. I've finished mine but I want more.” (Stewart O'Nan, author of Last Night at the Lobster )
“The perfect story collection for all of us with too little time on our hands is a brilliant reminder of the magic that happens when you string the right words together. A must-read for anyone who is or wants to be a writer.” (Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of House Rules )
“The stories in Robert Swartwood's Hint Fiction have some serious velocity. Some explode, some needle, some bleed, and some give the reader room to dream. They're fun and addictive, like puzzles or haiku or candy. I've finished mine but I want more.” (Stewart O'Nan, author of Last Night at the Lobster )
About the Author
Robert Swartwood is the USA TODAY bestselling author of The Serial Killer's Wife, The Calling, Man of Wax, and several other novels. His work has appeared in The Los Angeles Review, The Daily Beast, Wigleaf, and PANK. He created the term "hint fiction" and is the editor of Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer. Visit him online at robertswartwood.com.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A.M Donovan
Format:Paperback
Just got my copy last night. Started reading, (Sorry "Chuck" had to pass up our usual date, will catch you next week) and it's like potato chips. Just can't stop with just one, and then the next thing you know, you've eaten the whole bag!
Don't skip the titles, they are an integral part of the stories!
If you are looking for something with everything spelled out for you, from the color of his eyes to the length of her hair and the age of the oak tree in the front yard, then you will hate this.
Well, raspberries to you!
But, if you like a good conversation, where you need to stretch a little and have your imagination triggered, you will really enjoy this book!
Some of these come at you straight on, and some will blind side you.
Enjoy!
Don't skip the titles, they are an integral part of the stories!
If you are looking for something with everything spelled out for you, from the color of his eyes to the length of her hair and the age of the oak tree in the front yard, then you will hate this.
Well, raspberries to you!
But, if you like a good conversation, where you need to stretch a little and have your imagination triggered, you will really enjoy this book!
Some of these come at you straight on, and some will blind side you.
Enjoy!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Lots of oohs & aahs! It's addictive. I've read it 3x already! Recommend it to everyone.
I was inspired to write some of my own hint fiction!
I was inspired to write some of my own hint fiction!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Lillerenee
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am one of those people who like every little detail. I always thought condensed books were a crime against literature. I didn't expect to be anything but frustrated by a "hint" of a story. OK, I ordered the book because my daughter's submission is part of this collection. It is usually her poetry that is published so I was curious. I was surprised that I found the little blurps to be refreshing right before my eyes fell shut in my bed at night: they nudged my imagination. Rather than be annoyed, I was intrigued by the clever craftsmanship of the writers. When I ordered a book I usually would not have ordered, I found out that a lot can be said with just a "hint". It doesn't take a lot of words to provoke creative ideas. This book is a lot of fun, whether a great distraction is needed or a spurt of imagination is needed. It is, also, great the second and third time around because the hints provoke different scenarios each time they are read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
NEVER READ ANYTHING LIKE IT
I HAD NEVER READ ANYTHING LIKE IT IN THE PAST, I WAS LITTLE CONFUSED THE FIRST TIME I READ IT, THEN AS I RE-READ SOME OF THE STORIES, IT BECAME VERY CLEAR, SOME WERE INTERESTING
Published 1 month ago by Carol Carden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hidden gem
Found in a bookstore sitting by itself.
Lyrical haikus that are stories in a pinch, but with world of substance.
Lyrical haikus that are stories in a pinch, but with world of substance.
Published 4 months ago by Anthony Garzilli
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as expected
I heard about this on NPR and I think they read only the best ones. It's fun to read, but I wouldn't spend the money again. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Charles Bame
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stories. In Just a Few Words.
Here's an example of Hint Fiction, the very first story in the book, a story by Joe R. Lansdale called "The Return": "They buried him deep. Again."
And that's it. Read more
And that's it. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Debnance at Readerbuzz
5.0 out of 5 stars
So much with so little...
This is a thought provoking and very clever collection of 'stories.' It is impressive to see how much information is conveyed and emotion is evoked with so few words!
Published 23 months ago by TLC reads
1.0 out of 5 stars
Obscure hints
Most of the stories are of obscure meaning. Perhaps if you graduated from the Iowa Writer's workshop they would hint at some meaning. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Martin Montana
5.0 out of 5 stars
If You Like a Thoughtful Tease, You'll Love This Work
Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer was, for me, a wonderful read. When I first dove into this work I approached it like any other collection of works I... Read more
Published on April 11, 2011 by Paul VH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brevity is the Soul of Wit
"Hint Fiction," works of 25 words or fewer, is presented here by Robert Swartwood. Writers range from well known (Joyce Carol Oates) to the unknown. Read more
Published on April 6, 2011 by Eileen Granfors
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hint Fiction: Why Flash Fiction is already enough
It's 25 words. Hemingway could do it...Faulkner would have laughed at the notion. But why titles and limits to fiction, as if Flash Fiction wasn't already enough? Read more
Published on March 15, 2011 by John Waterly III
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Line Makes the Story
Robert Swartwood was intrigued by Hemingway's possibly apocryphal six-word story: "For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn. Read more
Published on January 3, 2011 by John M. Ford
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