Hint Fiction Anthology List of Contributors Announced

I have been blogging about “Hint Fiction,” the phrase coined by author Robert Swartwood, which describes a story consisting of 25 words or less that hints at a larger, more complex story (with a title that also contributes to the hint), and packs an emotional punch, since I first read the announcement of his contest in April . As you may recall, the contest led to an offer by W.W. Norton for Robert to edit an anthology of Hint Fiction, to be published in the Fall of 2010 -- starting with the Top 20 winners -- which I’m thrilled to say included my story, “Playing with Matches.”

For the month of August, Robert accepted submissions to consider additional stories. Between the contest and open call, he received over 2500. He has chosen a total of 125 to include in Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 words or less (working title).

Robert has announced the list of contributors, which I’ve copied here. There are a few missing from the list, those who have not yet responded to Robert.

I am proud to say that one of our blogpals, author Charles Gramlich, who read about the open call on my blog post, has had a story accepted. Congratulations to Dr. Gramlich, and to all of the writers whose stories will appear in the anthology.

Jenn Alandy, Nick Arvin, Samuel Baldwin, Max Barry, Kirsten Beachy, L.R. Bonehill, Ryan W. Bradley, Gary A. Braunbeck, William Brazill, Yvonne Brockwell, Jeremy D. Brooks, Randall Brown, Ken Bruen, Stace Budzko, James Burt, Frank Byrns, Jonathan Carroll, John Cashman, Adam-Troy Castro, Douglas Clegg, Danielle Combs, Chris Compson, John Connors, Hannah Craig, Brian Crawford, Blake Crouch, Kirk Curnutt, Tara Deal, Gay Degani, Stephen Dunn, Nicole Duson, Stuart Dybek, David Erlewine, Camille Esses, Merrilee Faber, Nada Faris, Jamie Felton, James Frey, Janet E. Gardner, Roxane Gay, Shanna Germain, Tess Gerritsen, Bill Graffius, Charles Gramlich,Val Gryphin, Jane Hammons, Ann Harleman, Bruce Harris, Donora Hillard, Rachel Lopez Hohenshell, Robin Hollis, Kevin Hosey, Eric Hsu, Gregg Hurwitz, Ben Jahn, Ha Jin, Jason Jordan, David Joseph, Michael Kelly, Jack Ketchum, Jack Kilborn, J.A. Konrath, Christina Kopp, Minter Krotzer, Joe Lansdale, Don Lee, Min Jin Lee, Sarah Lyons, K. J. Maas, Nick Mamatas, Lewis Manalo, Marshall Ryan Maresca, Michael Martone, Natalie McNabb, David Miller, Ty Miller, John Minichillo, Gwendolyn Joyce Mintz, Christoffer Molnar, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Rose Rappoport Moss, Barry Napier, Joyce Carol Oates, Brendan O’Brien, Daniel A. Olivas, Will Panzo, Sarah Pare, Edith Pearlman, Benjamin Percy, Sophie Playle, Jason Rice, Katrina Robinson, Jess Row, Robin Rozanski, Kathleen A. Ryan, Marcus Sakey, Joe Schreiber, Jessa Slade, Noel Sloboda, Andrea Slye, Jenn Sober, Kelly Spitzer, Agnieszka Stachura, J. J. Steinfeld, Peter Straub, Jake Thomas, Bob Thurber, Jade Walker, Ben White, Amber Whitley, Sue Williams, F. Paul Wilson, Robley Wilson, Mercedes M. Yardley, Mabel Yu, J. Matthew Zoss.

I could never have imagined, as I analyzed, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been," by Joyce Carol Oates, during 7th grade English in 1974, or when I devoured Ghost Story by Peter Straub at age 18 in 1979, that I would one day be included in an anthology with these two and so many other literary greats.

I guess wild dreams occasionally do come true.

("Dreaming" oil on canvas by Noelle Schrieber)